It's finally the end of the summer - not something I really look forward to; much as I love Autumn - the smells, the light, the clothing, yet again I feel I haven't had my fill of summery weather. But it does mean that it is time for Cardigan Girl's Annual Fortnight Away From Work. Actually, last year I managed three and a half weeks, and this year it's two weeks and three and a half days, so I'm doing quite well and by the time you read this I will hopefully have left work. We're planning a Staycation for the first ten days - we have relatives to visit, shopping to do (Ikea for bits for our wedding reception), Reading for clothes to wear for our wedding - fiance needs a new suit, and I need a dress for the party), excursions that we want to make (a river trip to Abingdon, a venture to the Waterperry Gardens), and hope to do some swimming in the sunshine as final training for our Great North Swim.
We're then heading up to the Lake District for the Swim; it's a mile in the extremely cold water of Lake Winderemere which I am hoping to complete in around half an hour (it took me 40 minutes and 57 seconds last year). The picture above is from last year's swim; isn't it a fantastic setting? I'm raising money for the mental health charity Mind, and if you have any pennies to spare, please do consider using them to sponsor me - pop along to my Justgivingpage for more details. Mind is a charity extremely close to my heart and I'm hoping to raise £1000 with my swim, and I'm still quite a long way off!
We had a lovely weekend in the Lake District when we did the Swim last year, and it just wasn't long enough to visit all of the literary places. We "did" Beatrix Potter last year, and this year as we're staying in Coniston, I intend to concentrate on Arthur Ransome. I'll be rereading Swallows and Amazons, and probably Christina Hardyment's Captain Flint's Trunk and have the DVD of Swallows and Amazons to watch as well. I have a couple of E.J. Oxenham's children's books set in the Lake District to take with me, kindly given to me by Geraldine who reads this blog. In fact, there is a whole wealth of wonderful children's literature set in the region; I have a bibliography of them by James Mackensie, and need to look through it for some more ideas of things to read - I have ordered one of Geoffrey Trease's Bannermere books from the library. If anyone has any suggestions of adult books then I'd love to hear them!
I intend to pop into the blog with some pictures of where I've been, but bookish and domestic arts discussions will be resumed when I resume routine in mid-September.
Have a lovely time - I adore the Lake District! Good luck with the swim.
ReplyDeleteHappy wedding preparations and staycationing. Wow a swim in Lake Windermere - you're a brave and adventurous woman. You'll totally deserve being huddled up watching Swallow and Amazons on DVD.
ReplyDeleteThe setting of the swim is indeed gorgeous, but I shudder just to think about it - cold water and I do not get along :P Have a lovely time!
ReplyDeleteHi Verity, have a good break, and best wishes with your (scenic) swim. Look forward to the pics and themed reading.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely break Verity! Look forward to hearing about your adventures!
ReplyDeleteLove the cover of that book. Have a wonderful break! You deserve it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a full calendar you have, enjoy every minute! And I just adore the way you tie in your reading with wherever your travels take you.
ReplyDeleteVerity, your justgiving page doesn't seem to be linking to your blog post. Not sure if you realise. (Unless of course it's my crazy computer...)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the name check, Verity. I really hope that you will enjoy those 2 EJO titles.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in the Lake District, and I hope that all goes well with your swim in Lake Windermere.
Hope you are having a supre break Verity - you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the swim Verity (although I'm counting up the days and you might have already done it), it sounds intense. Just added a little bit to your total and you're almost there! Hope you're having a lovely time off.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your vacation! I LOVE the Lake District. :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you've been having a wonderful holiday, Verity. You deserve it! Lucky you, I've always wanted to go to the Lake District but still haven't been. Looking forward to your regular blogging when you return.
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