Weekending - out in the world

For my birthday (in December), Kris treated me to a yoga and wine tour, which we went on on Saturday. it was a fabulous day in every way (except the weather, cold and wet). There were ten women on the tour, and then all did yoga with the organiser, Sab, but mainly didn't know each other, and everyone was open and chatty and lovely. We were meant to start with yoga in the vineyard, but since it was pouring rain we got to do it in the barrel room.

We then had a wine tasting, drove to anther vineyard, had a wine tasting and lunch and went to a third wine cellar in Healesville, before heading home. The pace of the tour was perfect, the company lovely. One thing that struck me was this was all a forty-five minute drive from central Melbourne. We can't go far out in the world yet, but there is so much to do right here.

On Sunday we got up and went for a run down to the beach. We've been doing this (at least) twice a week since July. This time, we ran past the Bowls club, and it was full of people playing bowls. When we got to the beach there was a major triathlon happening. Loads of people swimming, riding, running, the place was pumping. It felt very lively and affirming.

The sun has finally come out, and I've been sitting on the balcony spinning.

The thing about spinning (for me) is that it's a numbers game. Unlike knitting I have to make time to do it, or it doesn't get done. I've got to get on with this yarn for Leon's winter set. I've got about 4.5 out of 6 bobbins spun up, and I have to finish it, ply it and knit a hat, scarf and mitts before winter comes - I guess before April. Since I don't feel like we've had much of a summer, it feels odd to be looking towards winter, but there you have it.

Have a good week, and I'll be back on Wednesday to tell you what I've been knitting and reading for Unravelled Wednesday.

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Linky Wednesday - the one with the pause

In meditation it's said that the pause between the in breath and the out breath is a gap, a space to rest. Well, I'm in that in-between space for reading, listening and knitting. This is a random photo of a highlight of my week - I filled up my lolly jar. These are just supermarket party mix. During the lockdowns, we sources a great pick-and-mix delivery service, but at some point they started sending from the UK, which is a bit silly. Rachey messaged me a new one she found, and I impulsed purchased a kilo of mixed lollies, and then she sent me a link to the biggest lolly shop in Melbourne, which also delivers sweets by the kilogram, so i think I'm sorted for the rest of the year! In reading I've just finished The Beckoning Lady by Margery Allingham . It's the second last book in the Summer of Mystery, and I have to admit, having now read nine Margery Allingham books, that they are OK. I wouldn't have read them if they were not connected to this club, but on...

Geogradiant MKAL Part 1 - that was unexpected (spoilers)

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Unravelled Wednesday - the one where it's ordinary

This week I finished my first book for the 2025 When Are You Reading? Challenge , which was The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker , which covered the pre 1200 time period. I loved it, it's a retelling of the siege of Troy from a feminist perspective. I haven't worked out what I'm reading for the 1200-1399 time period. Suggestions are welcome. I'm currently reading Central Station by Lavie Tidhar , which is science fiction set in a future Tel-Aviv. It's good, but there are loads of characters and I'm not overly invested. Although at least I'm having no problems telling the characters apart, they are very district. I just don't overly care what happens to them. I'm listening to a NetGalley review copy of Mona Acts Out by Mischa Berlinski , which is the story of a woman unravelling. It's very different from Mischa's other books, but quite compelling. I'm not sure what's next, probably something from Kobo-Plus, perhaps Regrets...

What I made, by Sharon

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