Diary Dates

taken on my daily walk, the bridge at Staverton Marina
 (not the best day for photographs!) 

I used to organise a lot of activities for myself, but over the past two years I've let this slip so I've decided that 2025 is going to be the year I make the effort to kickstart this aspect of my life. Yesterday I was busy adding some more dates to my diary.

First off, I've bought a ticket to see Tim Spector at The Forum in Bath. The blurb says Tim Spector OBE, is at the forefront of a food revolution and the author of bestselling books, including The Diet Myth, Spoon-Fed, Food for Life, Identically Different and his latest, Food for Life: Your Guide to the New Science of Eating Well. He will be giving his audience the chance to hear first hand from the original pioneer of microbiome research and one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world. As part of the ticket price I will get a copy of his latest book. I'm really excited to have the chance to attend this ... it takes the form of a conversation with Gaby Roslin ... as I have been following his research since the start of Covid in 2020.

In April, we're booked on a coach trip to see Torvill and Dean's 'One Last Dance', their final tour before they retire from professional ice dancing. 

Then in May I have a ticket to see Susie Dent (the lexicographer who appears in Dictionary Corner on Countdown), who will be promoting her first novel. The blurb says Guilty by Definition the debut novel from the Queen of Countdown, Susie Dent is a tale of lexicographical skullduggery that will delight sleuths and crime fans alike. Susie Dent was working as a lexicographer, when she was invited to appear on Countdown, which she has appeared on since 1992. She is also an etymologist who picks a word of the day for our enlightenment and enjoyment.

About Guilty by Definition: When a series of cryptic anonymous letters arrive at the offices of the Clarendon English Dictionary, editor Martha Thornhill and her team pull them apart looking for clues. But it’s clear that while someone is trying to lead the lexicographers towards the truth, other forces are just as desperate to keep it well and truly buried. This definitely sounds like my sort of book so I'll treat myself to a copy.

We've also booked a week's holiday in July using the Sun newspaper deal, so very cheap! We'll be going to a holiday park in Withernsea, Yorkshire, so will have the benefit of all the holiday park events and evening entertainment as well as being a good base for some of the places we want to visit in that area. Top of our list of places to visit are Shibden Hall, the city of York, and Castle Howard. 

That's the lot so far. There probably won't be many more this year as, once I move, most of my money will be eaten up by home and garden improvements. Next is to get back to seeing my friends who live locally so next week I'll be contacting them to arrange when and where to meet up.