I am still finding it hard to adjust to being at home. It took about five days before I started to sleep properly and not wake up at 3 am and it was not until Tuesday, when I went to a Pilates class, that the knots in my muscles from the awful flight home finally relaxed. I am determined to save up enough money for a better seat for my next trip.
And to that end, I have started a clear out that I have been promising myself for some time. I went through my DVD collection quite ruthlessly - 'Are you ever going to watch seven series of West Wing again?' No, so out they went along with other films I have acquired over the years. I found a website which will buy DVDs and a whole pile went off. A cheque for £65 is on its way to me as I write. Helen and James were having a clear out too and I was donated another pile of DVDs, so they have also gone on the list. Then over 100 CDs have gone - I now have all of this on my iPod which I can play through my hi-fi so out they go and I have another £100 on its way to me. Next up, are my old Beatle vinyl records which are going to be sorted this weekend.
Have to say that it is difficult to keep clutter clear when one comes home after six weeks absence and finds this:
Not complaining, oh no, but I am working my way through these, putting to one side those I will be reading and reviewing and those I will not. I work on the premise that when I request a book,I am entering into a verbal contract with the publisher who sent it to me and will make every attempt to post. Others, which are sent to me unsolicited, I ferret through and pick those that look interesting and discard the rest. Has taken me a while to put these into categories, I had 38 books awaiting me and, since I have been back, another 12 have arrived!
I will be posting about books received, those I am currently reading, and those I am looking forward to discovering over the next day or so, but must just mention that I am really enjoying the second book in the Sydney Chambers series by James Runcie and thanks again to Bloomsbury for sending it to me. I have also started Capturing the Light 'a true story of genius, rivalry and the birth of photography' by Roger Watson and one of my favourite historians, Helen Rappaport. It is shaping up nicely to be a really enjoyable book.
Despite the fact that it is tipping it down at the moment it is a wonderful thought that there is Test Match cricket and Wimbers to look forward to and, of course, the Proms. Last night is going to be conducted by a woman conductor this year (YAY!) and John Wilson is there with another of his fascinating Hollywood music proms. BUT the highlight for me is that Barenboim is conducting his Ring cycle and guess who is Wotan? Yep, it is Bryn so I will be lashing out on a seat for that, if I can get one. If I cannot then I can console myself with the thought that Sky Arts are showing a Wagner season starting in May and featuring the Met's Ring which, again, has the Mighty Bryn. So lots to look forward to and let us hope for some sunshine and warmth.
Fingers crossed....
