Too busy to post

When I'm travelling I try to organise my photos into folders and attach metadata. If I have time I select and resize some photos from the day and save them into a folder ready to be uploaded to Facebook or a blog post. I'm fairly good with the Facebook posts but sometimes I don't get around to blogging. 

Today I've spent a few hours deleting those folders of photos I've shared in blog posts and find myself with quite a collection that deserve a post. 

As we've recently booked our next trip to the UK and Europe today I'm posting some photos from my EnglandSigns folder. These images remind me to keep my wits about me and stay safe as I travel in that foreign land.

Horningsham, Wiltshire

Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk

Hever Castle, Kent

Abbotsbury Swannery, Dorset

On a fence in London

Doors in London

Also in London

On the road in Kent?

At the SS Great Britain in Bristol

Tower Bridge Machinery

A Park in Winchester

A London Theatre

London

Docklands, London

Docklands, London

Botany Bay, Kent

Bath

Wisley Garden

Moravian Settlement near Pudsey

Saltaire

Hale Purlieu, Hampshire

Churchill's War Rooms, London

The 52 Book Club 2024 Reading Challenge

Inspired by fellow bibliophile and genimate, Jennifer Jones of The Best Bookish Blog, I'm signing up for The 52 Book Club 2024 Reading Challenge. 

"The 52 Book Club’s annual reading challenge is made up of 52 unique prompts. The goal is to match one book to each prompt, for a total of fifty-two books over the course of the year. Prompts are related to everything from specific titles, to cover designs, authors, genres, settings, themes, characters, etc." 

The challenge gives one the flexibility to attack the prompts in no particular order. To avoid an end of year panic I must remember to knock over some difficult prompts early in the year.

I completed and really enjoyed a similar challenge in 2022. I didn't enjoy the challenge I enrolled for in 2023 so ditched them after a couple of months.

I am ready for 2024. I will be sharing the results of my challenge reading here on this blog probably in monthly posts. I may also share on other social media channels and Facebook and Goodreads groups devoted to the challenge.

Please wish me luck as I find books that fit the following themes:

Reading Challenge - December

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

I've read quite a few books this month. These can be seen on my Librarything or GoodReads accounts.

Following are details of title I ticked off in December to complete the challenge. You can see the full list of criteria here.

35. Only published as an ebook : Broken Promises: Scottish Breach of Promise cases by Norrie McLeish

I really enjoyed this challenge which forced me to extend my reading repertoire by reading new authors and genres. The only real issue I had was in listening to an audio book, I found it took way too long to get through the story.

I'm sad that the Goodwill Librarian hasn't yet posted a 2023 Book Challenge, I hope she does in the coming days, I will certainly sign up.

In the interim I have signed up for a Goodreads Calendar Challenge that only requires me to read 24 books: 2 per month based on a calendar theme. If you are on Goodreads you can seek it out.

This link will take you to my earlier monthly challenge posts https://ballau.blogspot.com/search?q=reading+challenge .

Reading Challenge - November

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

Since returning from overseas I have lifted my game and read quite a few books. These can be seen on my Librarything or GoodReads accounts.

Following are details of titles I ticked off in November. You can see the full list of criteria here.

40. An audiobook read by the author. I gave this a shot and tried very hard to finish this book but I'm just not a fan of this format. 

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris

45. About current events - I chose this book because I know that this is a continuing issue for doctors.

Scrubbed: A heart surgeon's extraordinary memoir of life, death and everything in between by Nikki Stamp

Reading Challenge Progress - September and October

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

You can see the full list of the challenge criteria here.

As I was travelling overseas during the second half of September and all October I didn't manage to meet the three remaining challenges. My husband and I were so busy and learning about new places that I only managed to read a couple of books.

Now that we are settled back at home I am sure that I will be able to complete the remaining three challenges below by the end of December. 

35. Only published as an ebook 

40. On audiobook read by the author 

45. About current events 

The few books I read in September and October can be seen on my Librarything or GoodReads accounts.

Reading Challenge Progress - August

 On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

Following are details of titles I ticked off in August. With only three more categories to conquer I am confident that I will complete this challenge.

You can see the full list of the challenge criteria here.

27. That's a one hit wonder The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wild
https://www.librarything.com/work/1527/book/222492589

28. About nature  Brompton Cemetery : brimming with stories, buzzing with nature, Souvenir Guide
https://www.librarything.com/work/28631207/details/222350206

36. About sports Maisy learns to swim by Lucy Cousins

https://www.librarything.com/work/13409333/book/223058806

39. By an author who shares your name Peace at Last by Jill Murphy
https://www.librarything.com/work/571765/workdetails/222352687

42. Written by two authors The Bookseller at the End of the World  
https://www.librarything.com/work/28059668/workdetails/222268664

This is not a full list of the books I read in August. The remaining titles can be seen on my Librarything or GoodReads accounts.

Reading Challenge Progress July - A Drought

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

I was unable to tick any books off my list in July.   As I travelled from mid June to early August my reading habit took a hit. Now that I am home again I have resumed reading.

You can see the full list of the challenge criteria here.

 I still have find books to fit these criteria:

27. That's a one hit wonder 

28. About nature 

35. Only published as an ebook 

36. About sports 

39. By an author who shares your name 

40. On audiobook read by the author 

42. Written by two authors 

45. About current events 

This is not a full list of the books I read in July. The remaining titles can be seen on my Librarything or GoodReads accounts.

Reading Challenge Progress - June

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join in. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

As I have been travelling for the past five weeks I am rather late in sharing this post. While I read several books during June only two of them matched the challenge criteria. I need to target the  remaining eight criteria by December if I am to complete the challenge. I think I'll manage!!! 

You can see the full list of the challenge criteria here.

13. Released in the year you were born 
Here is New York by E B White   https://www.librarything.com/work/46410/summary/218641329

49. About science  
Little pieces of me by Alison Hammer and others.
https://www.librarything.com/work/25791168/book/218372555

This is not a full list of the books I read in June. The remaining titles can be seen on my Librarything or GoodReads accounts.

Reading Challenge Progress - May

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

Following are details of titles I ticked off in May You can see the full list of criteria here.

Each month it gets harder to fit my reading into the remaining challenge criteria. I really need to target my reading but just can't help reading what is close by. A post-Covid return to travel is also impacting on my reading time.

7. Already on your bookshelf  My name is Mahtob : the story that began in the global phenomenon Not without my daughter continues by Betty Mahmoody
https://www.librarything.com/work/14694408/book/216625674

19. That was made into a movie Where the Crawdads sing by Delia Owens 
https://www.librarything.com/work/21599568/book/216625159

30. With an index Mary Ann and Captain Piper : The remarkable true story of the convicts' daughter who became the toast of colonial Sydney by Jessica North
https://www.librarything.com/work/28192701/book/217297946

41. That's a guilty pleasure B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton 
https://www.librarything.com/work/10184/book/217834048

44. About business  The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham 
https://www.librarything.com/work/255179/book/217555071

This is not a full list of the books I read in May. The remaining titles can be seen on my Librarything or GoodReads accounts.

Reading Challenge Progress - April

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

Following are details of titles I ticked off in April You can see the full list of criteria here.

I'm late in posting this list because I have been Unplugged for the past two weeks. 

10. About health and wellness Remember me by Charity Norman

18. With a one word title Stiff by Mary Roach

25. Set in the 1800s Curious epitaphs : collected from the graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland by William Andrews

32. That you heard about from a co-worker Dead Horse Gap by Lee Christine

33. Bought from your local bookstore  Fremantle Prison by Cyril Ayris

48. That's a coming-of-age story Where the Crawdads sing by Delia Owens

Although I managed to slot some of the books I read into the challenge categories this is not a full list of the books I read in April. The remaining titles can be seen on my Librarything and GoodReads accounts.

Reading Challenge Progress - March

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

Following are details of titles I ticked off in March. You can see the full list of criteria here.

1. With a colour in the name Anne of Green Gables - Lucy M Montgomery
https://www.librarything.com/work/3253/book/213752213

5. That you should have read in school  The Pearl - John Steinbeck
https://www.librarything.com/work/2977712/book/214807164

6. On the New York Times bestseller list My name is Lucy Barton - Elizabeth  Strout https://www.librarything.com/work/16413151/book/214636289

8. With an animal in the name The Fire Wombat - Jackie French  
https://www.librarything.com/work/26068631/book/213786943

23. Involving water  Girl from the Sea - Margaret Wild 
https://www.librarything.com/work/25602548/book/213787358

26. With a magical element Devotion - Hannah Kent
https://www.librarything.com/work/26992876/book/213787008

29. With chapter titles Funerals to die for : the craziest, creepiest, and most bizarre funeral traditions and practices ever - Kathy Benjamin
https://www.librarything.com/work/13757464/book/214446954

31. With a map in the front Is that you, Ruthie? - Ruth Hegarty
https://www.librarything.com/work/4500891/book/214691334

38. Featuring the LGBTQ+ community The Mother - Jane Caro
https://www.librarything.com/work/27922184/book/214251141

43. Of poetry Australian poetry since 1788 - Geoffrey Lehmann
https://www.librarything.com/work/12017864/book/214587150

Although I managed to slot some of the books I read into the challenge categories this is not a full list of the books I read in March. The remainding titles can be seen on my Lbrarything and GoodReads accounts.

I will need to target some titles outside my reading comfort zone to meet some of the remaining challenges!

Reading Challenge Progress - February

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each criterion I tick off.

Following are details of titles I ticked off in February. You can see the full list of criteria here.

Of the eleven books I read this month the following titles meet the criteria I haven't yet covered.

9. From an author you already know The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid
https://www.librarything.com/work/44683/book/212360927

12. More than 20 years old Meet you at Raffles
https://www.librarything.com/work/9542550/book/212802741

17. That's a memoir  It wasn't meant to be like this
https://www.librarything.com/work/27609096/book/213352000

20. Over 500 pages long The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton 
https://www.librarything.com/work/12482567/book/212360994

21. Under 100 pages long There's a zoo in my poo
https://www.librarything.com/work/25600751/book/213351839

22. With a music or art theme  The Russian Wife
https://www.librarything.com/work/27783497/book/212674973

24. With a green book cover  The Secret Keeper
https://www.librarything.com/work/12482567/book/212360994

34. That's a  adult young novel  Thirteen reasons why 
https://www.librarything.com/work/3159496/book/212631900

50. That makes you smile  Queen Elizabeth II : a birthday souvenir album
https://www.librarything.com/work/1230060/book/212039014

Reading Challenge Progress - January

On the 27th December 2021 the Goodwill Librarian launched on Facebook her 2022 reading challenge. I made a hasty decision to join this challenge. 

Each month I will report on this blog my progress in reading books that fulfil her criteria. I will add a link to the Librarything entry for each book I read.

Following are details of titles I ticked off in January. You can see the full list of criteria here.

2. Set in a foreign country. In order to live
https://www.librarything.com/work/16520906/summary/211997030

3. Recommended by a friend  The forgotten garden   https://www.librarything.com/work/5503881/book/210668524

4. Part of a series  A few right thinking men
  https://www.librarything.com/work/9921210/book/210452790

11. With a pretty cover The Banksia House Breakout 
 https://www.librarything.com/work/27123453/book/211268996

14. Published this year (It's only January - this one is from the last 12 months) Sweet Jimmy
https://www.librarything.com/work/27069748/book/211747277

15. Translated from another language  Detective Inspector Huss
 https://www.librarything.com/work/57741/book/211268974

16. With a female protagonist  The Marx sisters
https://www.librarything.com/work/426709/book/211596251

37. That's a murder mystery Lies to tell 
 https://www.librarything.com/work/24951213/book/210953591

46. Everyone is talking about  Apples never fall
https://www.librarything.com/work/26067511/book/210925283

47. Based on a real person Nellie
https://www.librarything.com/work/27183688/211700780

Pedicure

This appeared in my Facebook memories today. 

Back on this day in 2010 my eldest granddaughter gave me a pedicure.

Until next year

The local weather here has been rather punk on weekends for the past couple of months. Today the sun was shining so when some of the family visited this morning we took the boat out for a spin in the backyard. It's always interesting to spot new vessels as we fly along.

Our daughter shared on Facebook some photos from our sortie this morning. I just had to share some of my pics and videos here as they are easier to find here on the blog than on Facebook.

We hope the sun shines more in 2022.

Thought of the day

 From my Facebook Memories - 30/11/2015