I may have been overdoing my running banter recently. The thing is I’m trying to pluck up the will to run the Neolithic Marathon in a few weekends time and it helps to talk about it a bit. My brother assumes I’m running it with him and I have already paid my entry fee, which takes the form of a small donation to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. But truth be told it’s not a charity that particularly gets my juices flowing. More to the point it’s a nasty looking cross country 26.1 miles from the monolithic circle at Avebury to the one at Stonehenge. I‘m not sure I can be bothered really. I suppose you could put some pressure on me to run it - maybe you live in Wiltshire or like wildlife and happen to think it’s a worthwhile cause, or possibly you have a sadistic streak.
You could hardly accuse me of strong arming you for sponsorship! You know I’m not a bossy or particularly pushy sort. I must admit to one bad habit though in that I do nag members of the family a wee bit to come running with me. As I told you, Bob and I did the Crick together ( briefly ) recently, but usually my nagging is in vain. To say I was surprised when Jimmy announced last Sunday afternoon that whatever happened I must make sure that she and Lottie went out at 6pm for a run is an understatement. Noting my excitement she was quick to add that I wasn’t invited, but I didn’t really mind. It was a step in the right direction.
Just before the appointed hour I started badgering them to get their kit on and for them to head on out on what was a gorgeous evening for a gentle romp around the beautiful Suffolk countryside . Alas my efforts were in vain. The mood had clearly departed and neither of them were for budging. Well I say that…Jimmy decided that in lieu of a run she would walk up and down the stairs to her bedroom, a flight of perhaps 11 steps, 50 times. Hardly counts does it? Even so she has since spent most of this week sitting at the kitchen table, claiming to be working on an essay about archaeological instrumentation and complaining of stiff legs!
Anyway, after that preamble, you might enjoy this exchange on the family WhatsApp group chat which I initiated feeling quite pleased with myself having managed to slip away from my desk for 51 minutes 48 seconds at lunch on Monday…..
Talking of moving, you may be aware that I am off to Singapore for our flagship Pan Asian conference (attached is the latest flyer with updated list of attendee companies ) in the first week of June. This is a serious and select event. They are an earnest and clever bunch out there. In an attempt to sort the wheat from the chaff I attach a brain teaser which was posed to a group of 15/16 year old Singaporeans who generally found this risibly easy. If you can solve it ( ormanaged to as this has gone viral apparently so you’ve probably seen it before ) let me know and, well, I might yet be able to secure you a place at our Forum. ( Remember……Tiger Beer and chilli crab…all you want. )
Don’t you hate these five day weeks? Oh well, I’m off to a party on Saturday night so that’s jolly. Old friends throwing a joint 25th wedding anniversary and 21st birthday bash….lucky 21 year old hey?! The theme is Alpine Black Tie. Struggled with that one till I had an absolutely genius moment. I can wear the medals I won for completing two Jungfrau Marathons. What? There’s nothing sad about that. Let me.
PS. Uplifting story. On Monday I found a penny on the street as I walked down Bush Lane on my way to work. I picked it up presuming it would bring me luck specifically, I hoped, in the form of successfully filling the final slot of a particularly challenging schedule for a visiting Asian corporate. Alas it failed me miserably in that regard and I have been feeling a little short changed so to speak. But get this…… yesterday evening, as I drove home from the station, I realised that I had forgotten last Monday, the very day I picked that penny up, to pay my weekly car park fee. I’ve been parking there illegally all week and miraculously I havn’t had a penalty ticket. How good is that? I've saved myself £24. Joy. Living life on the edge. That’s me. I paid for my parking today though.
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