Hello July

I have joined a book group and discovered a renewed love of reading. It was organised by my dear friend Abigail and there are six of us, scattered across the country, and so we meet via Zoom. It's not quite the same as all being in the same room but I don't think it particularly impacts on the conversation or amount of wine drunk. We chose two books each which have been randomly allotted to different months, and our first title was Our House by Louise Candlish. It's a pretty good thriller, well plotted and with an excellent twist, although I did think it could have done with being one hundred pages shorter. But good. Our next title was my choice: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which I'm half way through and absolutely loving. It is one of the best books I have read in years, one to keep and read again, one which is enjoyable but you learn so much from. I'll admit I'm relieved...imagine if I had recommended a dud? The book after that is Behind The Scenes At The Museum by Kate Atkinson. I remember when this was published and I must've read it soon after, as it was more than twenty years ago. I also remember feeling underwhelmed and like I'd missed something, so I'm quite keen to read it again and see if I like it more on a second reading. Not for book group, but I also just bought Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo which I'm really excited to read. Have you read any of these? Do you belong to a book group?

Reading aside, it's been a so-so week. We had a mini, mid-week heatwave, two days of gloriously hot weather when I was at work, which was swiftly followed by a weekend of wind and rain and a feeling of restlessness and frustration that wouldn't go away. I am still finding this strange nearly-normal much harder than the initial lockdown, but I have to be patient and count my blessings and, as always, when I stop and think about it and look back at the photos I've taken, there have been so many good things, including:

:: an afternoon at the beach and my first sea swim of the year

:: brightly painted beach huts

:: swim suits and sandals drip drying on the line

:: balmy summer evenings where I walk barefoot around the garden watering the plants

:: my first sweet pea (thank you for the tips)

:: chatty dog walks with this one

:: and a rare photo of a natural smile

:: An afternoon in Chichester with Bella. It was quiet and we wandered around a couple of shops including my favourite Winter's Moon and Waterstones, got a take away drink (coffee for me, milkshake for her) and tried to pretend it was a little bit normal.

 :: I bought a few bits and bobs - small, practical, well made things that I will use over and over again, like a little window sill watering can, simple candle holder, woven bowl to hold the detritus that gathers on the hall table, and a wooden coffee scoop.

:: my crochet top is coming on nicely and I think it may be finished in time to wear in the right season! (It's this one.)

And now it's July and there are only three more weeks left at school before the six week summer holiday starts.