I took the urchins to the cricket, which was really glitzy, as cricket matches go. Music and flames and crowd participation. We sat at the top of a stand in the jet stream from the doughnut stand forty feet below us. We watched a women's game in the afternoon then the men's game in the evening. The men's game was really thrilling, it came down to the last three balls and the team we were supporting (Welsh Fire) won. I did threaten to take my knitting, but it was exciting enough that I wasn't bored at all. I did see someone knitting while watching on the television though.
The middle boy went to Lords to watch cricket that week as well, so he was handily placed to make comparisons for us. It was the old guard MCC members versus dancing on stage, flashing lights and blasts of rock music.
The biggest boy is pressing on with driving lessons. One of the advantages of this that I hadn't realised before is that he can now critique my driving as we go about the place. It's incredibly helpful as you can imagine, you can no doubt picture the scene. His instructor sounds as if he has an excellent sense of humour, which is probably a prerequisite.
The dog has had his first dog ice cream of the summer. Honestly, who invents this stuff? He thought it was marvellous, although he has pretty low standards when it comes to food. Much of what he eats when he's out and about doesn't qualify as edible, or even mentionable.
I am trying to carve out tiny moments to read. I enjoyed the Judith Flanders book and I always like Kate Rhodes, especially her Scilly Isles series. Any good books at your end? I hope you're enjoying the summer and that the occasional ice-cream is coming your way. xx
I’m reading a lot during Covid-times and my favourite book so far this year has been ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens. Last year my fave was ‘The Silent Patient’ by Alex Michaelides.
ReplyDeleteDog ice cream whatever next? Was it from an ice cream van?
ReplyDeleteFrom a fancy ice-cream shop!
DeleteThey haven’t made cat ice cream yet. Maybe I should set up a business, what do you think? Wow all those excitements and driving criticism. I would have definitely taken my sock knitting to the match. I’m intrigued by that lovely picture of the lake. Have you been away or is it local. So atmospheric. Hope your week goes well :) B x
ReplyDeleteI can remember my eldest, who must have had all of 2 driving lessons at the time, informing me that I 'rode the clutch'; you can imagine how thrilled I was! I really wish that I understood the rules of cricket, it seems like such a civilised game and anywhere that I could take my knitting has to be a good thing. Bertie is 1 up on me in the ice-cream stakes. I feel that the summer is slipping away and I may have missed the opportunity. Mind you, vegan ice-cream out and about is tricky to come by if you're not a fan of sorbet. I've never read any of Kate Rhodes, I shall bear her in mind. Currently re-reading Jules Verne's 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' and picked up G K Chesterton's 'Complete Father Brown Stories' at a brilliant charity shop for 50p, so that's my holiday reading sorted. Love Bertie's bronze friend and that lake looks idyllic. xx
ReplyDeleteThe joys of driving a Learner Driver around. I'm not sure which was worse, the spoken or unspoken critique. I've been trying to widen my reading and move out of the handcuffs section of the library - just enjoyed Tidelands by Phillipa Gregory - but inexplicably found Val Mcdermid book in the basket too.
ReplyDeleteI think it was when I heard my 7 year old nephew tell my sister how to drive that I realised he was going to be either, a) a rally driver or, b) like his father. Either way - he was critiquing far too early.
ReplyDeleteI'm having a Barbara Pym moment, having decided that nothing else was going to hit the spot. Now football is back on, I can get through 1 every couple of days without having to put it down to make conversation. Bliss!
Happy reading xx
Dog ice cream? i can't even imagine. Most of our dogs over the years have been content with drips on the floor from a distracted child. Emma-dog gets a Timbit* when we go through the drive-through - as is our custom when going for a jaunt. We started that when we found out she only had two months to live....six months later and she's delighted with the whole idea.
ReplyDeleteThe combination of rock music, pyrotechnics and cricket creates a cognitive dissonance that I can't quite shake.
I'm reading all of the books right now...very difficult to narrow down a favourite. xo
* Timbit, also known as 'doughnut hole' or a little round doughnut-like confection.
Well this is one of those odd things when you come across something you've never heard of, then immediately happen upon it again. I was at the top of a mountain watching the sunset yesterday evening and someone had a box of Timbits. I was very curious, trying to peer at what they were. And here you are with them as well, so now I know. There's a word for that sort of coincidence, but I can't remember it.
DeleteI've never been interested in cricket. I don't think that I'd like to be a learner driver nowadays, and thankful that I actually gave up driving a few years ago. Doggie ice cream sounds good. I've enjoyed Kate Rhodes Scilly Isles books as well. I've just started reading all the Helen MacInnes spy thrillers, the first of which was published in 1941. Happy reading. xx
ReplyDeleteCricket is not a game I even attempt to understand. Seeing it on British movies and television series makes me think about Downton Abby or Jane Austen. But your Cricket sounds much more modern that all of that. Oh driving lessons. They were so tough. By the way I have a non stop commentary from Little Buddy as I drive, "you are going 40 and it is only supposed to be 30......" Well you can imagine how I feel about that. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteAnnie has recently passed her driving test... some eye rolling was noted last time I drove her to the shops. Don't mention the dog ice cream to my Jack please.... thankfully no fancy ice cream shops near me. I just looked up Kate Rhodes on Goodreads, I might explore the Alice Quentin series. You might enjoy the DCI Daley series by Denzyl Meyrick. It is set in the rugged West of Scotland.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation, I've ordered the first one from the library.
DeleteI love your honest posts so much. Sons, driving lessons, dogs and their disgusting food preferences, reminds me of that phase in my life, so swiftly over, enjoy, and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCricket's the game of choice in our house too, Mick plays and Daniel did when he was young, yet I've never once sat through a full game yet, I've managed to avoid it at all costs, even the trips to Headingley to watch Yorkshire. Hmmm, doggy ice-cream, Archie gets the end off my cone, haha.
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed watching the 100 cricket on the TV, a game that is loved in our house. Unfortunately Master Clicky missed out on going to The Cheltenham Cricket Festival having had a 'ping', he was not happy. Cn x
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