The Summer of Doing Stuff - The Time is Now

The Summer of Doing Stuff - The Time is Now

Last year, I determined early on to put a few dates in my diary for "doing stuff" - the sort of things you tend to think, "oh, that would be nice, I must do that", then never get around to.  Ironically, I didn't get round to publishing this post last year but thought I'd do it now as a nice memo-to-self of the great variety of things you can do in London and elsewhere when you have a few spare hours. It's also a reminder that going to do things "some day" does have to turn into "today" at some point.  This is an especially poignant thought when you have been ill. It is a cliché but I learnt a good few lessons when I thought my time may be cut shorter than expected. I deliberately made an effort to do a few things that I wanted to do "some day". The main thing was making the most of some of the activities we are surrounded by in London but we often leave to the tourists.
As examples, I went to see the musical Kinky Boots, a few exhibitions: "Impressionists in London", at the Tate, "Wildlife Photographer of the Year" at the Natural History Museum and "Frida Kahlo -Making Herself Up" at the V&A. 

Guatemalan cotton coat worn with Mazatec huipil and plain floor-length skirt. Museo Frida Kahlo. © Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums (Photo: V&A)

I also visited the surprisingly absorbing historic museum in Agde 3 doors away from us in France (after going to the Town for 20-odd years, about time really). One of the staff commented that we finished our visit quickly, but as she didn't see us going in, and we thoroughly examined everything there, I don't think she knew what she was talking about.

Additionally I completed a short wildlife photography course with a friend at Putney School of Art (started the week my camera died) and after that joined the London Wetlands Centre which provides some lovely opportunities to see some rare birds, like the bittern below.

In July I went on a Dragonfly walk there with a volunteer from the Dragonfly Trust, then later took part in the British butterfly Count. We also took advantage of Meerkat movies cinema discounts (from car insurance taken the month the car died - noticing a pattern?) and went to the cinema a few times, something we don't normally do. 
I took time while we were in France over the Summer to learn a couple of useful (?) skills: gutting sardines and shucking oysters. Call me next time you're having a seafood extravaganza! I also had a picnic with a friend after work in Regents Park instead of just rushing straight home, explored Hampstead Heath, visited Holland Park for only the second time and attended an art fair where a friend was exhibiting.

The highlight of the Summer was a long weekend to visit family in Slovakia. They thoroughly spoiled us and arranged for us to stay in the middle of a forest by a stream in a lovely hotel.  We explored Martin and drove from there to Krakow through some wonderful countryside. We looked for bears and tried electric scooters for an afternoon, loads of fun.

September brought a very rainy day on our wedding anniversary, but we adapted our planned day in Brighton and had an unexpectedly interesting visit to the impressive Royal Pavillion followed by an equally spontaneous and enjoyable seafood lunch at Riddle and Finns.


Later on in the year (2nd Dec) I made an effort to get up early on a sunny Sunday and went to the British Library for the first time. They had a room of Treasures which was astounding and free to visit, surely a must-see for anyone who's interested in anything! Humbling to think that all those ancient manuscripts and maps will be existing long after these scribblings are obsolete. A free exhibition at the time was 'Cats on the Page', which I loved, revisiting my childhood with illustrations from Gobbolino The Witch's Cat and Through the Looking Glass.

c. The British Library Board

It's very easy to find excuses not to do things, especially at the weekend after another busy week at work, but I haven't regretted any of them.


Happy Summer (2019), everyone!