These Days

Another blogging gap.  What have I been doing?  Well, I'm obviously persevering with my punishing training schedule in preparation for the Starlight Walk around Letchworth with Gina next Saturday night in aid of the Garden Hospice.  If you have recently come into money. ie, you've won the Euromillions, or have just found a few coins down the side of the sofa, and would like to contribute to a very good cause it would be lovely if you wanted to sponsor me ...

http://www.justgiving.com/gill-leary

I have been out today and walked 7 miles without any problems, so ten miles next weekend should be fine.  Gina can always push me in a wheelbarrow for the last three miles if there's a problem.  

We discussed doing the walk in our pyjamas, but have dismissed the idea just in case people think we have escaped from somewhere.  Will let you know how it goes!

What else have I done?  Well, I had a few days with a friend in Berkshire, and we visited the RHS gardens at Wisley.  I've never been before and it was fantastic - so much so that I am now a fully paid up member of the Royal Horticultural Society.  How very grown up.

To redress the balance, last weekend I did something a little less middle aged, and went to Leeds Festival to see the Foo Fighters.  

I didn't go and camp for the entire weekend - that would have been a step too far.  Fortunately I have a friend Betty, who lives a couple of miles away from the festival site, so I stayed with her the night before and went with her two lovely daughters, Laura and Fiona.  I thought they would find it a bit of a pain dragging an old bird around with them, but they didn't seem to mind.

Me and Fiona

I didn't feel the need to dress up, although plenty did (no photos, but why do SO many people want to go as a banana?)

(the one in the middle who ISN'T in costume is Laura)

When I got there and saw the other 39,999 festival goers, I did feel I was very much at the upper end of the age range.  I found I did quite a lot of walking - if I sat on the grass it's difficult to get up again; and if I stand still for too long my back aches - but walking, I'm fine, so in between bands, I must have done 5 or 6 complete laps of the site.  But there's always plenty to look at - I watched this for a while but didn't feel inclined to have a go myself ...

Why would you????

There's also plenty of places to get a drink, but I managed all day on a solitary cup of coffee - and therefore I only had to visit the portaloos once - not an experience you want too many times in the day.  My companions didn't restrict themselves to a cup of coffee - but then neither would I a few years ago.

I did think that perhaps it's time I acted my age and stopped going to gigs.  But then the music starts and I realise that I just love it - the live music and the terrific atmosphere.  

All the bands I saw, especially The Mark Lanegan Band, The Black Keys, and MOST particularly, the Foos, were brilliant and I had a really great time, so maybe I've still got a few gigs left in me yet.

These Days - Foo Fighters