July 2024 – Hello Curns

Weeknotes #79: Better at pub quizzes and a surprise

Joint fifth at pub quiz, Banksy gallery visit, surprise birthday trip.

Week commencing Monday, 22 July 2024

This week: Stand 6/7; Exercise 6/7 and Move 6/7. (86%. Morning walks: 0/4 (days in the office don’t count). Office days 1/5. Plant diversity: 35. Total steps: 56,048

The pub quiz is getting better. We were joint fifth, but with just two more points—if we’d been less gung-ho in the wipeout round—we’d have been second.
The Art of Banksy, a gallery on Charing Cross Road, is really good. We went when it was quiet, and you could spend plenty of time looking at the work. There’s a lot of social commentary in those pictures—what will people of the future think of us?
When we got home, PY randomly looked at Paris 2024 Paralympic tickets for a date in September. Now we have a Eurostar booked and a day off work.
On Friday, we went to the Love Motion festival at Crystal Palace to see Grace Jones, who was brilliant as always. There were delays getting in, and Róisín Murphy cancelled, so we mainly sat for four hours listening to DJs before the main act. Luckily, we were early into the venue and grabbed a seat for much of the waiting time.
Related, we didn’t get to see the Olympic opening ceremony. I thought we would catch up at some point. We haven’t so far.
I was up early on Saturday for a surprise trip for Dad’s birthday. Although the restaurant hadn’t recorded our booking, they made it work. A nice barbecue in the evening involved a croquet game with my niece. The 7-year-old beat me.
On the train home, I finished reading Politics On the Edge by Rory Stewart. I’d recommend it, but it’s a bit of an indictment of the British political machine..

A week of journeys, tech challenges, and interesting new discoveries.

Week commencing Monday, 15 July 2024

This week: Stand 6/7; Exercise 2/7 and Move 5/7. (62%). Morning walks: 0/4 (days in the office don’t count). Office days 1/5. Total steps: 44,085

Bringing back a pungent Subway sandwich to Raynes Park on a table-less train wasn’t the most enjoyable experience!
On Saturday, we went to the Riverside Studios Bar & Kitchen for dinner before E’s birthday celebration at a nearby pub. The lack of the Underground to Hammersmith delayed us because we took the replacement bus service. We found a smarter route home.
On Sunday, we had a nice walk around Wimbledon and stopped at a health food shop for things I never knew existed.
The barbecue came out of the box for the summer. Lovely. When it’s just the two of us, we often decide to grill in the kitchen and eat outside. So, today, we agreed we’d do it properly and use the barbecue to grill some burgers that were the freezer.
The rest of the week wasn’t eventful except for my Wi-Fi, which was causing issues. I bought another range extender to create a better mesh, but I am convinced something else is happening because it’s intermittent. I did confirm that the speed to the router is good; the drop-off is frustrating.

We’re back in Bridgerton mode this week. Although we’re on series two, we’re powering through them.

Celebrating, enjoying nature, music, and exploring with great company.

Week commencing Monday, 8 July 2024

This week: Stand 7/7; Exercise 4/7 and Move 5/7. (76%). Morning walks: 0/4 (days in the office don’t count). Office days 1/5. Total steps: 74,672

I didn’t mention it last week, but on Sunday, we arrived at Friary Island in Wraybridge, where the family was staying to celebrate C’s 80th.
On Monday, we took a small boat onto the Thames, and the weather was mostly kind to us. Phil superbly navigated Romney Lock, Windsor, Boveney Lock, and Bray Lock while I enjoyed the view and, later, the bubbles.
Tuesday’s trip to Windsor was more inclement. But the Starbucks was really friendly, and the Windsor Farm Shop provided lunch.
The train home was on Wednesday morning. It was a bit of a walk from the accommodation to the station, but we made it in good time. The afternoon was spent clothes shopping.
Thursday was another day at the office, followed by an extended drinking session in Shepherd’s Bush. But thanks to Uber, I made it back.
On Friday, we went to see Stevie Nicks at Hyde Park. The whole site was wonderfully themed, the support from Brandi Carlile was excellent, and Stevie Nicks was brilliant. Harry Styles joined her at the end, which sent a gasp rippling through the audience.
To The Island on Saturday via Gunwharf Quays, where they did not have the shoes I wanted.
On Sunday, we went to the dinosaurs at Fossil Beach. It was a lovely walk, although we didn’t quite take the whole cliff-edge path to Freshwater. Later, the walk to Yarmouth was sunny; the café we found at the end of the walk will be revisited.

Sunday, we watched the Euros final. Runners up in Europe is excellent. The nation seems disappointed.

Enjoyable week with family, good food, and memorable events.

Week commencing Monday, 1 July 2024

This week: Stand 4/7; Exercise 1/7 and Move 4/7. (43%). Morning walks: 0/4 (days in the office don’t count). Office days 0/5. Total steps: 38,383

Mum and Dad arrived to make use of the anniversary gift and enjoyed the afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason. The day before, dinner at a local Korean restaurant was mediocre.
While they were eating finger sandwiches and buying tea towels, I went to the physio about my shoulder. It was supposed to be a seminar but because so few people were booked on it we all got a personal consultation. I think I will have some kind of injection to see if it helps.
Wednesday, we all had delicious Mediterranean but, perhaps, I ordered too many dips. I enjoyed it.
Mum & Dad took the train back on Thursday morning. I went to vote. I am not sure if it was tactical or what I would have done anyway.
Evening drinks at The White Horse meant I was spared the big 10pm exit poll TV shenanigans. When I got home I did stay up watching too many results while flicking between channels.
Friday, Closer to Heaven at The Turbine theatre is good. Frances Ruffelle excellent as Billie Trix. It’s the third version we’ve seen and I’d recommend this one. We had cabaret-style tables but kept the little card to say no interaction. In hindsight, that was the wrong decision.
Sunday, Thames-side to an Airbnb in Wraysbury for C’s birthday. The house is nice with a view of the river, the pub had great service and great steaks.

I find most political reporting frustrating to listen to. So I heard almost nothing this week apart from episodes of The Rest is Politics and I watched their Channel 4 televised shows.
The exception to politics was Game Changers Radio: Melbourne Radio Wars which is getting really good.