Skywatch Friday

Whilst we were in the North East of England last weekend we went to see Anthony Gormley's Angel of the North.

It would have been rude not too.

It didn't disappoint.

Very impressive.

Against a stunning blue sky.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Trying to read against the clock as books are due back at the library.

I am reading A Time For Friends by Patricia Scanlan. I do like this author but don't think I have read one of hers for quite some time - I do enjoy a book set in Ireland.

When are the boundaries of friendship pushed too far, and when is it time to stop flying over oceans for someone who wouldn't jump over a puddle for you? There comes a time when Hilary Hammond has to make that call.

Hilary and Colette O'Mahony have been friends since childhood, but when irrepressible Jonathan Harpur breezes into Hilary's life and goes into business with her, Colette is not best pleased. 

After their first encounter Colette thinks he's a 'pushy upstart' while he thinks she's 'a snobby little diva'. And so the battle lines are drawn and Hilary is bang in the middle.

But as the years roll by and each of them is faced with difficult times and tough decisions, one thing is clear … to have a friend you must be a friend.

And that's when Hilary discovers that sometimes your best friend can be your greatest enemy …

And on my kindle I am reading the as yet unpublished new book by Sue Welfare that she sent me. I have to read it and then give her my review along with any typos I might find. 4 chapters in and I have to keep reading to find out more...........

A busy weekend.

I don't normally go far at weekends - just far enough to go walking, running or biking.

But this weekend I have driven down to the North East of England one day and back the next to pick up Andy's new car.

But I did manage to fit quite a lot into my lightening visit:

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Something of a change for me this week with Jam and Roses by Mary Gibson.The book follows the lives and loves of 1920's factory girls.

Three sisters are growing up in 1920s Bermondsey - the larder of London - with its bustling docks, its spice mill, tannery and factories.

Southwells jam factory is where many of the girls work. And Milly Colman knows she's lucky. At Southwells she can have a laugh with her mates. She's quick and strong and never misses a day's work. She needs to be. Because at homes things are very different.

The Colman household is ruled by the tyrannical rages of the old man - her father. Often Milly feels she is the only thing protecting her mother and younger sisters from his murderous violence. At least autumn hop-picking in Kent gives all the Colman women a heavenly respite.

But it is here, on one golden September night, that Milly makes the mistake of her life and finds her courage and strength tested as never before.

My Month In Numbers : April

April was all about running, cycling and walking - and racking up the miles.

After chickening out last year I signed up for 5x50. It is a challenge to encourage people to be more active in their daily life - and hopefully to keep up the good work once the challenge has ended. You pledge to do 5k a day for 50 days - this could be running, walking, cycling, swimming or 30 minutes of any exercise. As a type we are on day 48 so the end is in sight..

I also (rather foolishly) signed up for 30 days of biking - where you guessed it - you pledge to ride your bike every day in April. Altogether I rode for 308k (which is 192 miles) which took me 18 hours and 45 minutes and I burnt off 15000 calories in the process. Fair to say I am quite pleased with those figures. I documented my travels on 2 wheels on Instagram and took heaps of photos.

A screenshot from Endomondo sums it up nicely.

But I have to say I will be slightly relieved when Sunday is over and I don't have to don the lycra and get out there everyday. Or will I miss it..........

Please pop over and say hello to Julie and read about everyone elses numbers.

Skywatch Friday

Our Wednesday Belles on Bikes ride took us on a 20 mile jaunt from Elgin to Duffus and back.

We had sunshine.

We had cake.

And we had a hill.

Please pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I have 2  books on the go at the moment.

I am halfway through The Little Things by Jane Costello on the Kindle. I am more of a book sort of person rather than a Kindle but the electronic device does have its uses. I read my Kindle whilst I am on the cross trainer for 2 reasons - I can prop it up to cover the display so I don't see how much time I still have to work out for and because working out on the cross trainer is soooooooooooooooo boring. I don't know how people go to the gym - it must numb the brain - I much prefer getting out in the fresh air.

At twenty-eight, Hannah MacFarlane's career is on course to smash the glass ceiling and beat it into submission. 

Then a shock company reshuffle leaves her sacked and bewildered, while her fiancé is promoted into a job nearly 5,000 miles away in Dubai.

Five months later, she is jobless, broke and worryingly addicted to Loose Women. Then her older sister Suzy intervenes after her child minder left them in the lurch and offers Hannah the job of looking after her FOUR young children.

Hannah has no other option but to accept. But while she was great at playing 'Cool Auntie', she soon discovers - with riotous consequences - that she is no Mary Poppins . . . 

I am also reading You're The One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher. This is her second book although I still have to read Billy and Me. I am really enjoying the story that starts when the 3 friends (2 boys and a girl) meet at primary school and carries on into adulthood.

Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob - the man she's about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben - best man and the best friend any two people ever had.

And that's the problem.

Because if it wasn't Rob waiting for her at the altar, there's a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he turned round and told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right?

Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it...

What are you reading this week?

 

Belles on Bikes.

I have been out twice this week with the Belles - rocking up almost 50 miles in the saddle.

On Wednesday evening 6 of us braved the drizzle and had a 20 mile round trip to Pluscarden Abbey and back, En route we spotted rabbits, hares, more pheasants than you could shake a stick at and several deer. The most surprising thing was that the monks have a remote controlled lawnmower to keep the grounds neat and tidy!! They also have a scruffy and slightly smelly cat - who was very interested in Mels rucksack - possibly he could smell the Bakewell Slices inside :)

Today the weather was glorious and 5 us left Elgin Academy for a trip out to Lossiemouth via a loop around Duffus. We stopped at the halfway point at the new Aroma cafe at the gold course. It was so nice we could sit outside to enjoy the sunshine (and the delicious home made cakes) will definately be making a return visit.

Tired tonight and it seems the early night I promised myself has been and gone - but fingers crossed for a long lie tomorrow.

Skywatch Friday

On Sunday I took part in the annual 6 Harbours 15 mile charity walk from Portsoy to Buckie. This time I went with some new friends made through our local walking group. It ended up being 4 girls, Gordon and Mildred (a stuffed mouse!)

It was a bit of a dreich day but we all enjoyed ourselves - especially the Walkers shortbread at the end.

Sandend beach - you can see a line of walkers making their way across the sands.

Mildred in Findochty (pronounced Finechty) sitting on the statue of a seated fisherman - known locally as "the mannie"

Please pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Although I have just had a 4 day weekend I have been really busy and there hasn't been much time for reading.

I reserved Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie from my local library as I like her as an actress. But as a novelist I'm not so sure.

Plot keeps jumping around and I'm getting confused with all the (not very likeable) characters and it's not that well written. But do you know what I am quite enjoying it and it an easy read. Sometimes we need to read something light, fluffy and slightly ridiculous.

 Theresa is desperate for a change. Forced into early retirement, fed up with babysitting her bossy daughter's obnoxious children, she sells her Highgate house and moves to the picture-perfect town of Bellevue-sur-Mer, just outside Nice. 

With its beautiful villas, its bustling cafes and shimmering cerulean sea, the village sparkles like a diamond on the French Mediterranean coast. Once the hideaway of artists and writers, it is now home to the odd rock icon and Hollywood movie star, and, as Theresa soon discovers, a close-knit set of expats. There's Carol, the infinitely glamorous American and her doting husband David; the erstwhile British TV star Sally; the ferocious Sian and her wayward Australian poet husband; the sharply witty Zoe with her strangely youthful face and penchant for white wine – and the suave Brian who catches Theresa's eye…

As Theresa settles to the gentle rhythm of seaside life she embraces her new-found friendships and freedom. However, life is never quite as simple as it seems and as skeletons start to fall out of several closets, Theresa begins to wonder if life on the French Riviera is quite as nice as it first appeared…

Skywatch Friday

Stormy looking skies over Roseisle Beach.

For more skies from around the world head over to the Skywatch blog.