Sunday

I finished the audiobook I’d been listening to. This was something new for me. Richard and I often have audiobooks on the go for journeys, but I’ve never listened to one on my own with headphones. As I’ve been struggling with screen time recently, I thought I’d give it a try. My library membership has given me access to a couple of different ways to get hold of them, and I found one that was on my to-read list. I have to sit quietly somewhere so that there aren’t too many visual stimulations to distract my attention. Otherwise, I realise I’ve not taken anything in. Somedays that’s easier than others. It’s definitely a work in progress and a learning opportunity for me.

I made chapatis. Having had success with other flatbreads, it was time to try chapatis. Especially as the recipe we’d chosen for dinner listed them as a serving suggestion. I followed the recipe in Fresh India and had another flatbread success. It was also another opportunity to use, and gain confidence with, my baking stone.

Saturday

I’ve been listening to another audiobook this week - Rewild Yourself. The first chapter is about butterflies. It described them as a good way to start spotting wildlife as there aren’t that many species in the UK. So, during our usual walk in the forest, I purposefully looked for them. And saw three different varieties. The only one I’m claiming for definite is the gatekeeper - we saw five or six during our walk. I think we also saw a Speckled wood, but it fluttered off in the time it took me to open up an identification app, so I couldn’t confirm that sighting. I did, however, log the ones we saw and positively identified as part of the Big Butterfly Count. Watching the butterflies for a while made me realise how fast they are and how much ground they can cover. Amazing to watch. Hard to take photos of!

I’ve been listening to Fortunately for a few years now, thanks to a tip-off from a friend. The Dome sent me their programme of online events a couple of weeks ago. On it was a Livestream version of Fortunately. So I bought myself a ticket. The show was last night, and so I sat in the garden with the dog next to me and watched. I giggled, I nodded in agreement, I noted down the name of a book. That’s pretty much how I react to the podcast as well — a lovely way to spend an hour.

For more Try Something New posts, and the explanation of this project/intention, visit this page.