..and now back to the business in hand.
The most notable feature of the month has been going walking on Hadrian's Wall with Andy. We took in the westernmost end with a morning at the Solway Firth, admiring the flat desolation, mud and birdlife, as well as farting about with an adjustable signpost.The most picturesque stretch is in the central belt, alongside the B6318 from where it leaves the A69 to Chollerford. Fantastic views to both North and South. We spent a couple of nights there, in the village of Newbrough and the small town of Haltwhistle at the Centre of Britain Hotel (how could you resist?)
I also took the opportunity of that trip to see, from the outside only (who's paying £7 to go inside a castle?) Carlisle Castle. I have to visit two castles and this is one of them. It's a fairly bog-standard redbrick castle, although it did seem to have an outcropping tower situated well to the South, in the city centre. Anyway, we spent the money instead on breakfast in an american style diner and i had blueberry, bacon and maple syrup pancakes.
As regards using six different forms of transport, I have, to date this year, ridden on my bike, driven my car, been on a bus, been on a train and not only been on but conducted a tram. So I have one more form of transport to use. Any suggestions would be welcome.
It'll be clear to regular readers that I'm falling a bit behind on a schedule of 5 things a month, so I've decided to review and regroup. I have made decisions about how to tackle things and they are as follows:
Ongoing Items
Saving £1 a day, maintaining this blog (in lieu of a scrapbook), taking 6 different forms of transport, learning a circus skill, knitting something and watching IMDB's top 20 films are all continual activitues.
Not Doing
I have decided NOT to get a body piercing, have a martial arts lesson or wax my legs for charity. In regard to the last of these, I will wax my legs but don't approve of asking other people to sponsor such a thing. The originators of the List may, if they wish, suggest alternatives to the first two, which I will consider for suitability.
Postponing
Some of the suggested activities are either not practicable or would not be enjoyable crammed into one year. Therefore, I will commit to doing the following activities before I reach 66 (the new state retirement age): take a camper van from John O'Groats to Land's End; visit all four capital cities of the UK; organise a canal holiday; host a murder mystery weekend; surprise Sue with something pleasant.
Schedule for the Remainder of the Year
October
wax legs
write a cryptic crossword
create a flower press
make a 30-minute meal
get a facial
visit a castle
November
brew beer
learn semaphore
knit something
make a piece of jewellery
climb a mountain
paint a self portrait
December
make mince pies for neighbours
freestyle rap against Matt
acquire a circus skill
dye my beard purple and dress as a cowboy
watch any and all remaining films
January
eat vegetarian meals for a week
go glass blowing
try shark
apply to be on a quiz show
start an online petition
February
learn to yodel
make a sculpture
send an idea to Dragon's Den
play cribbage in an OAPs' home
March
put up a hanging basket
appear in a local paper
draw up a family tree
buy 6 different genres of music
April
design a t-shirt
wash hair in Aira Force
go orienteering
go skinny dipping
May
write a memoir of my 61st year
Those of you who know me well may wonder whether I will be able to keep to the new schedule. So do I.
