1. Go on a boat trip
The centre where I volunteer is running an ‘amphibian trip’. Have no idea what this is though suspect it is ‘boaty’. Whether I get a ticket or whether it is suitable remains to be determined.
4. Read a new fantasy novel
Borrowed “The First King of Shannara” by Terry Brooks from the mobile library. This one is set prior to his Shannara trilogy which I have not yet read. About half way through it so far. Seems promising.
I imagine that this is a ‘thing’ I will do more than one one occassion – reading a novel that is.
5. Visit a 12th century castle
Got to be Leeds Castle for three reasons: one because it is beautiful, two because it is fairly near (I live in Surrey) and three because I feel like I know it already having seen the ‘Robin of Sherwood’ series so many times I practically know the stories by heart.
9. See a new film
This should be fairly easy to achieve since I have a Sky full package and a great choice of films. More later.
10. Take pictures of local wildflowers
Have done, and will probably do so again, once I get around to it, particularly as one of my other ‘things’ is to join the Wild Flower Society.
14. Spend time with my parents
This sounds easy but I want to make it special, so I might try and invite them out for a picnic – if I can get a hamper (really NEED a hamper, as this is part of my romantic dellusion about picnics). If I can do this, will kill two birds with one stone. More later.
15. Watch a 12th century historic reenactment
Need to look up something for this online.
27. Go to an American Jazz Dance Class
Damned difficult. They seem to teach everything BUT American Jazz. Still, will keep trying.
28. Learn how to climb trees with ropes
Know where to do this, but hate the thought of going myself. Note to self: “Must not be so wimpy”.
29. See a European wolf
Believe there is something called the ‘Wolves Trust’ but know little more. Will look up online. More later.
35. Go on a murder mystery weekend
Again, need to find details online. More later.
40. Visit an arboretum
Winkworth Arboretum is fairly local. Must find out more.
41. Go on a ‘bat walk’
Get hold of the ‘Environment’ magazine which is published locally. They are always doing this sort of walk, tho will need to persuade John to come along. (NOT going about late at night on public transport, thank you.)
42. Join the Wild Flower Society
Just a matter of paying then submitting photos of plants I have seen. An extension to my phenology activities. So, why do I feel SO guilty about this tiny membership fee? Is it because I already sponge on hubby enough as a non-earning writer?
43. Become a phenologist
Done and dusted. Been doing this for over a year now. Link: http://www.phenology.org.uk/ It fits in with my environmental leanings, as by recording the seasonal changes it helps environmentalists to make an almost irrefutable claim that global warming is happening.
44. Play roleplaying games on my computer
I guess it depends what you mean by roleplaying. Beyond Divinity, is more a hack and slay game really, though you can eventually make your own potions etc. Liked Divine Divinity better.
47. Become a Friends of the Earth volunteer
Unlikely to do this again, though enjoyed it while I was there – 16 months in the Press Office, learning how to bore people to death about the environment – something I am still pretty good at now.
48. Look at a real claymore sword
ANYONE got any ideas? I love claymores but have only seen drawings online.
53. Eat blueberries and icecream
Got close to this one on Tuesday when we went shopping but John reckoned that 20 blueberries for 99p (even if organic) was expensive. Ah well!
60. Visit a Living History settlement
Looks like this might be Cinderbury – an iron age settlement in the Forest of Dean which was featured recently on Countryfile – but only if they can cope with me being veggie (they seem to be a little mixed about this.)
62. Swim at a ‘tropically heated’ swimming pool
I know there is one of these hot pools in Guildford, along with an ice rink so might pay a visit. (Used to love ice skating before I was chunky and middle-aged.)
65. Have an old fashioned picnic – complete with basket
See ‘thing’ 14.
68. Go to a medieval banquet
Possibility of doing this at Leeds Castle but will need to check out details re veggie requirements. More later.
69. Listen to medieval music played on historic instruments
Have NO idea where to do this.
70. Get hold of all the ‘Robin of Sherwood’ DVDs
Got with various Birthday and Christmas monies.
71. Watch all the ‘Robin of SAherwood’ DVDs
Watched so frequently that I can practically quote line for line.
72. Visit Yosemite Park
Done already. Absolutely marvelous. Wanted to include it though so I can put it in my book of memories.
73. Visit San Francisco
Ditto 72
74. Visit Leeds Castle
Ah! Since I did not know whether this WAS a 12th Century castle I put it in here too. Now this ‘thing’ is redundant. See ‘thing’ 15.
75. See Rome
Three times already and probably will go again.
76. Get in touch with a childhood friend
Know who I want to get in touch with. Just need to find the guts to contact him. (Really not my thing, getting in touch with people. Bit of a hermit, me.)
79. Create a ‘memory’ scapbook filled with pictures of me doing all the things on this list
Will start sorting out pictures for this very soon.
80. Write up a digital diary about doing the things on this list.
Ditto 79
82. Sleep out under the stars
Hope to combine 82, 83 and 84 by purchasing a hammock and a tarp and sneaking out one night when John is away at TA. (The thought of trying to explain WHY is just too much.) Have found an appropriate easy-to-climb-without-ropes’ tree with low branches, though still feels a bit scary and risky.
83. Sleep in a hammock
See ‘thing’ 82
84. Sleep in a tree
See ‘thing’ 82
91. Listen to “The Lord of the Rings” BBC Radio Collection
Done! One of my favourite versions of The Lord of the Rings apart from the books.
92. Listen to “The Hobbit” BBC Radio Collection
Might put this on my birthday list.
To encourage me not to be ‘all selfish’ and just do things for me, I have separated these into one, three or five chore quests and will not do them until I have completed the requisite number of chores.
