Posts that Didn't Happen: January 2025

And on to January 'proper' . . .

After our festive wanderings, it was home again, home again on New Year's Day - welcomed back by a (possible) view of the Northern Lights.  See picture of 'reddish' glow!

Within the week the weather began to turn really cold, and we even had a smattering of snow - which morphed into ice on our country roads, keeping us home for a couple of days or so.

Van 'planning' continued despite the weather, with various plumbing bits being ordered, kitchen units measured up for, and electrical work actually underway.  Here's a view of the 'in progress' electric control cupboard.

Later in the month we were heading back across country again, fitting in a birthday visit to Stratford-upon-Avon along the way.  A few days with family, sorting out medical appointments and other bits and pieces, and enjoying some Moo time (not sure she appreciated her Dad's attempt at hair dressing!). 

Home again to yet more stormy weather - although 'Eowyn' was far less destructive in our neck of the woods than 'Darragh', and our new prom lights made it through unscathed:

By the end of the month, there were even signs that Spring was on its way, with some early daffodils appearing in a sheltered spot down the road from us.   

Looking forward to some warmer days ahead . . .

In 2024 I Mostly Read . . .

So as a starter for ten, here's the reading list for 2024:

October - December 2024 - The ambition was to start a re-read of Charles de Lint's 'Newford' books, starting with the short story collection Dreams Underfoot - but didn't really get any further than that (too much else going on!).

September 2024 - Well I can see from my daily blog that I was reading something, but for the life of me, with my less than timely blogging, I can't remember what!!

July - August 2024 - More fantasy stuff, with a set of 99p kindle books by CK McDonnell - the Stranger Times series.  Sort of comedy supernatural - about a 'team' of oddballs running a weekly newspaper reporting on the weird and wonderful - only of course for them to find out that much of what they are reporting is actually true!  Worked my way through the eponymous first book The Stranger Times which introduces our heroes, This Charming Man (book the second with allegorical vampires), Love Will Tear Us Apart (avoid new-age retreats), and Relight My Fire (celebrity zombies anyone?).  Funny, inventive, and real page-turners - looking forward to the next one!

June 2024 - Continuing the fantasy theme, and with a new Dresden novella The Law, although I had to dip back into the last novel Battleground to get the context first - good as always, and a bit of a lighter offering than Battleground itself.  There was also a new St Mary's short story in there somewhere . . .

May 2024 - Not been reading a lot, but did finally read Susanna Clarke's Piranesi - I adored Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and while this was very different (and much shorter!) it had that same immersive quality, although far more dream-like in its tone.  Very, very good.

March 2024 - Blast from the past (my Mills & Boon youth), with a couple of vintage romances I found on Google Books!  Interesting to revisit, but not something I can see myself getting back into . . .

February 2024 - Back to 'lifestyle' stuff with a Van Tulleken's Ultra-Processed People about all the food we shouldn't eat.  Expect a major change to our diet in the near future! 

January - February 2024 - Finally finished Jodi Taylor's The Chronicles of St Mary's time travel series.  Great read when I got stuck in (had a few 2am mornings on reading sessions).  Definitely recommended!  Might have to start on her The Time Police series next - at least there are only four of those (so far!).

Apologia #2

So here we are again, a new year, and at the time of writing (September 2025!) I've obviously still got a lot of catching up to do.  My only excuse is that life has been busy, with the van, family health issues, a bit of work here and there . . . and a good deal of procrastination!

As with my first Apologia I can't say that the year (in this case 2025) has been covering itself with glory - the world has never felt so uncertain, polarised, and just plain awful in so many ways.  Ukraine and Gaza, the return of Trump and what is increasingly looking like the emergence of a Fascist state in what was once termed the 'land of the free', the ongoing climate crisis, and the rise of the far right in many Western democracies.  

What happened to justice, truth, empathy and fair play?  Why can't people have honest, constructive and respectful discussions about stuff they don't agree on?

Anyway, in the absence of any useful answers to the above - and at far too late a point to be saying 'Happy New Year' - herewith are the 'Posts that Didn't Happen' for 2025.  I make no promises for how long it will take me to catch up, but hopefully at some point, normal service will resume!