shakeyourbooty recently sent me a beautiful portrait of our family, photographed on the happy occasion of both my sisters’ graduations. I’ve pinned it up next to my computer at work - every time it catches my eye it makes me happy, proud and homesick for family all at the same time.

Email exchange with Dad soon after:

Me: I showed our family portrait to more colleagues today and they commented on how young you look too They’re sure you must be in your 50s! More comments on how lovely Mum is. My colleague says it must be something in the water (which must be why I am ageing so fast in comparison).

Dad: If you think you are ageing fast in the UK, you know what to do! Although you do know the water here is reprocessed sewage.

Writing about More Gear Happiness:

Lovely. Soft, very sticky, tight yet comfortable. Precise and sensitive but stiff enough for good edging. No news yet on durability - still fairly early days.

And just like that, nearly a month has gone by. Funny thing that - you think you have a handle on spending time wisely and then the passage of three weeks smacks you in the face.

Ah well, here we are again, and just about to head off to the Lakes for the second time this summer -perhaps this time we may even get some summer weather. It occurred to me that since we are likely to collect further tasty bits of conversation while we’re out there, as you do, now might be a good time to put down for posterity some of the ones that made me laugh in July. In lieu of photographs, because I’m too neurotic to take them, memories in the monopod household are made of these.

(1)
(Near Seathwaite)
Me: Awww! That lamb is so cute.
Him: Mmmmmm. Tulang.

(2)
(On a walk around Ennerdale Lake)
Me (spying a small drowned mouse): Oh. Poor thing.
…
Me: I wonder what sort of mouse it is.
…
Me: Oh, I know.
Him: What?
Me: A dead one.

(3)
(On a scree descent - Him going very easy because of foot problems)
Him: Sorry. My feet are so rubbish.
Me: Awww. It’s ok, dear. Your hands are really nice.
Him: {unimpressed mumble}
Me: You know, by way of comparison.
Him: Huh.
Me: It’s a compliment. Accept it, you big numpty.

There were a few more but looking back they’re not funny anymore. Consider yourself spared.

Much to post, but in between trying to qualify as a reflexologist (and falling dismally behind, but that’s another discouraging story), trying to enjoy what’s left of my leave from work and getting somewhat stressed by the fact that we may be moving house next Friday (that is, of course, if our purchaser finally stops being such a laggard) and virtually nothing is packed, I thought I’d just leave you with this exchange.

Me: I’ve had my hi-fi upstairs for eight years.
Him: You know, there are two ways one could interpret that.
Me: Well, I couldn’t possibly have had it upstairs for eight years, could I. Seeing as we’ve only been here for three.
Him:…
Me: I’ve had my hi-fi, comma, which is upstairs, comma, for eight years. Happy now?
Him: {big grin}
Me: Pedant.