July has been filled with cycling and gardening, but I think I've managed to get a few other things done too. Let's see, shall we? 20 things mended (7/20) Nothing mended in July (I don't think). 19 letters written (10/19) I finally got round to replying to some letters in July, so three more added to the total. Getting there! 18 days without internet (3/18) I did finally remember to have a day without internet in July, and it was great. Lots of reading, most of the day out in the garden, and a good night's sleep. Since then, I've been leaving my phone downstairs overnight rather than taking it to bed, and I've gone to sleep earlier and got out of bed more quickly in the morning too. A good habit to be in. 17 books read (achieved in March) 16 household items or pieces of clothing made (15/16) I made another couple of masks in July. We've been wearing ours in supermarkets etc for a while, but it's now mandatory for most people here, so it's good to have spares. Our previous ones tied behind the head, but that was getting rather tiresome, so I've gone for a different design with ear elastic this time. I can't find the exact pattern I used now, but it was very similar to this one. 15 meals with friends (14/15) Since the lockdown restrictions eased a little, we've had quite a lot of visitors, so our 'meals with friends' count has increased considerably. Pizza with friends in their garden, and then a succession of people here, including friends who camped in the garden for a couple of nights (I've only counted that as one meal, although we ate breakfast and tea with them each day). Gosh it's nice to see people again, and to cook simple food outdoors. 14 meals from home grown produce (0/14) No whole meals, but we're getting closer. I made some gooseberry jam, and I suppose if I'd made some bread as well I could have counted that, but I didn't. We have a plentiful supply of eggs now that the new ladies are laying, and the veg patch and fruit bushes are producing a little now too. I'm going to make a special effort to make at least one entire meal from scratch in August (and yes, it will likely be a kale omelette...). 13 evening lectures (0/13) Nope, although I have signed up for a HarvardX course which I'm enjoying immensely - especially as they have filmed the actual Harvard lectures and put them all online. I'd highly recommend these - they're all free, and I'm learning so much, both about the subject and about teaching style. Not really what I had in mind when I was thinking of evening lectures (which were more about interesting talks run by local groups) but an excellent substitute in the current circumstances. 12 donations to the foodbank (5/12) Financial donation again this month. 11 solo days out for me (0/11) 10 loaves of bread made (0/10) Still no progress on either of these. 9 bike rides (11/9 - target achieved!) So many bike rides! I really got into cycling in July, not surprising really given the nicer weather and long hours of daylight. I've been regularly going down the old railway trails before work, and been cycling eight, ten, even twelve miles at a time. Sadly, in the last week of July I noticed a problem with a back wheel on one of my bikes, so switched to the other, which I knew had a slow puncture in one wheel - and I ended up with a puncture in the other wheel too. New wheel on order for the big bike, and I'll have to fix the little bike as well before I can go out again. Hope my cycling enthusiasm doesn't wear off in the meantime. 8 organised runs (2/8) 7 new places visited (1/7) 6 attempts at cheese making (0/6) 5 'No Quibble' weekends away (0/5) No progress on any of these still, and probably won't be this year (except perhaps the cheese making). 4 pairs of socks made (0/4) Socks still aren't finished, but progress is being made at least. 3 days volunteering (0/3)
2 LAND centres visited (1/2) 1 holiday (0/1) No progress on any of these either. Not bad all round for July, I don't think. Targets now achieved for reading and cycling, and getting there for household items and meals with friends. Not at all bad under the circumstances. Let's see what August brings...
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Hello!Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I'm Jenni, and I write here about our new foray into country living, which includes growing food, knitting, baking, wandering around the fields, and seeing which local cafe serves the best cake. Categories
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