Amazing just how much there is to catch up on after a holiday. Apart from the boring things such as bunging on the washing machine and unpacking the suitcase, there are the phone messages and the emails (over 350+ on my return) to read and answer and reply to. This is particularly urgent when publishers are offering to send you catalogues and you certainly don't want them to think you are not interested. No way.
So you will have to forgive me if another day goes by before serious reviewing starts again. I have received some stunning books in the last week as well, see pic above, so there is a lot to look forward to (the Elizabeth's Woman title refers to Elizabeth I in case you were wondering). I have already started the Dickens biography by Michael Slater which the lovely folk at Yale UP sent me, in fact did not get dressed until 11 am this morning as I foolishly opened it up while eating my breakfast, just a few mins I thought while eating my boiled egg and soldiers, and then next thing I knew an hour had passed by. Of course I leapt to my feet thinking O My God look at the time, and then thought well so what?
Needed to do a bijou shopette so decided to visit the new Waitrose supermarket which has only just opened about 5 mins away. I adore Waitrose but had to be very careful of expenditure in there as their food is so yummy. Avoided their meat, fresh and delicious though it is, as it is very pricey but had a rummage around the rest of their stuff and came away with some beautiful fresh red and yellow peppers and other veg and fruit which is really top stuff. I think I will need to treat this particular supermarket as one I visit now and then for treats and use good old Asda for basics. I mean, a toilet roll is a toilet roll after all and I don't see the need to pay extra just because it has a nice Waitrose marker on it. Anyway will not bore you any more though I should warn you that the new series of Strictly Come Dancing has started and I have to tell you now, the tinsel tantrums and tears have already started, Brendon Cole, one of the dancers has already alled one of the judges an Idiot and we have only been going two weeks, furore continues over the replacement of Judge Arlene, Bruce Forstyth's dreadfully laboured jokes get worse, some of the dancers are DIRE and ooh I love every moment. I shall be commenting on the show so just thought I would mention it.
Back now to soup, simmering nicely on the cooker, and check the washing and back tomorrow. I am also watching another few episodes of Series 5 of NCS which are being drip fed to me by my neighbour. I did tell her that I expected her to have finished Iwith the set by the time I got back from holiday but she does not appear to have paid attention.....
