Olympic Drinks

The girls are basically supermodels.

 

Inside and out. Penelope is admiring the crimson rosella in the tree. Melantho is taking a closer look. The birds are fine. They're not stupid.

It's time for dark beers down at the pub.

And bubbles at home watching the Olympics as the steeplechasers hurdle the waterjump. 

Other Entertainment

The light through the trees is always a pleasure on my walks - I love the changing patterns created by sun and shadow.

I am also 'keeping busy' by watching The Olympics. Team GB are doing very well, and I'm particularly loving the mixed relays - events where men and women compete together are among my favourite events at this year's games. Team GB won gold in the Triathlon Mixed Relay, and I was very pleased for them.

Someone, however, is not so keen on sharing my attention or my affection.

And when she isn't demonstrating her abilities as a muffler, she is demanding that she get fed. This is a cat who knows where her food is kept!

I wouldn't necessarily call this 'entertainment' (I mean, I didn't do it for fun or anything), but slamming my finger in a door certainly gave it instant colour as it began to bruise before my eyes. It's not broken as I can still bend it, but it does bloody hurt!

In book news, I have been learning about libraries. I have several book shelves and piles, and probably not the most efficient way of categorising my books, but I know where I am with them. I read an article about the concept of an antilibrary that implied one should add books to one's library that are recommended by friends or suggested by other books which have been of interest, even if there is no time to read them. Apparently, 'Tsundoku (積ん読) is a beautiful Japanese word describing the habit of acquiring books but letting them pile up without reading them.' Umberto Eco reckons that 'a private library is not an ego-boosting appendage but a research tool.' That makes me feel so much better.

The non-fiction library

I was also told about an app which allows one to log the books one is reading/ has read and then it makes recommendations for future reading, while breaking down the type of book one favours in terms of page length, pacing and mood. So far this year I have seemingly been drawn to reflective, informative, mysterious and adventurous books.

This year's mood

August bedside book pile

The weekly walk with the Walking Crew coincided with Design Diva's birthday (actually she has a birth week, so of course it did!). It was a little bit drizzly, but still a good morning, and she was very chuffed with some encouraging words chalked on the path which read (backwards) Doing Great Annie.

We finished off our walk at Local Press Cafe, where we all thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast, as you can see. 

Design Diva birthday girl

Salmon and pickles on toast

Spicy jackfruit tacos

Beetroot Bruschetta with bacon

Eggs on toast with bacon and wilted spinach, garlic oil, chilli and herbs

Marathon Viewing

Went into London with various family members to watch the men's Olympic marathon. While Hoggy tried to work out the best place to watch the race, the rest of us amused ourselves.

When we arrived at Paddington, Hoggy told Aidan that if he ran at the wall on the platform it would open up and let him through, as in Harry Potter. Aidan gave him 'the look' and told him not to be so stupid, everyone knows that's at Charring Cross. I'm not quite sure what Hoggy was hoping for.

We sat on the Embankment and watched the runners flash past. Once again, there was a great atmosphere with thousands of people lining the route three-deep and all cheering and waving flags.

Hoggy with London skyline

Scarey Sis and Nephew Aidan

Cousin Rachael

I liked the bank of photographers on the back of a truck focusing their lenses on the lead runners - a bunch of Kenyans and a lone Ugandan who eventually won his country's only medal. We had a couple of Brits competing and they received a resounding response, but there were lots of cheers and support for everyone.

Cousin Rachael commented that she forgot how many non-English people there are in London, particularly at weekends and events - I love London; it's such a cosmopolitan city!

Photographers in action!

Waving the flag(s)

Swimming in the Serpentine

I went into London for the women's 10km open water swim in the Serpentine at Hyde Park. I walked from Paddington and began to soak up the atmosphere as the sun was shining, people were smiling, and union floags were everwhere in evidence. It was busy but energizing.

As I arrived at Hyde Park I saw the swim was in progress and there were people lining the barriers and listening to the commentary on the loud speakers (which, incidentally, cut out for the final, dramatic sprint after almost two hours).

I joined them among the flags and banners - rubbing shoulders; taking photos; and chatting to folk between laps. The old gent beside me was offering children a look through his binoculars (not a euphemism). He was also keen on bird-watching and was enjoying the herons, ducks and great-crested grebes keeping company with the swimmers.

'Our girl' (Keri-Anne Payne) came fourth, Eva Risztov (Hungary) won, Hayley Anderson (USA) was second, and Martina Grimaldi (Italy) came third. There were four seconds separating the four of them. It was all wonderfully exciting.

The Canada Geese are going the wrong way!