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STEPPING OUT FOR SNOOKER BY THE SEA (Episode 74)

STEPPING OUT FOR SNOOKER BY THE SEA 



PodBean Link for those who like to listen... 

 

This morning the rain brings a gentle dampness, and the air holds the scent of sap and twigs. 

 

Alt text says this week’s photo is two women taking a selfie. I say it is me and my sister taking a selfie having learned that it is best if we both sit down. When we stand side by side for photos she looks far taller than me and the photos seem a little out of balance. She says I have shrunk. She couldn’t see me at the railway station when she arrived for her visit, and I found myself standing on tip toes and waving a big double handed wave, so perhaps I might just have to measure myself to find out if I have indeed shrunk a little!

 

We first met up to watch the snooker a year ago, and before this I had never watched it live. We saw Gary Wilson’s 147 break, and laughed at my sister’s impression of me telling her I was suffering from shin splints from walking round The Orme. This year I know even more about snooker and enjoyed watching Stephen Maguire play against Ali Carter. I also know it is wise to pack my walking shoes when it comes to going for a walk with my sister.

 

I love the way our walking contrasts with the sitting in silence to watch the snooker semi-final. A perfect balance. This year Katie set me a new challenge of walking round The Orme before breakfast and up Moel Famau afterwards. There was a moment when we sat down to eat when she was doubting my will for the second part of our excursion, but I refuelled and was good to go. It was important to me to complete the two walks on the same day as part of my ‘Snowdon training’! I have been walking regularly and feeling an improvement in my ability, so it was definitely time to test my stamina. I had not completed a walk of this length (or indeed anywhere near this length) in one day for many, many moons, and having remembered how much my legs ached after my last mountain climb I needed to find out how I was doing. No shin splints and mission accomplished with a proud sense of achievement! That’s good progress for me compared to a year ago and bodes well for our nighttime Snowdon event. To celebrate I have invested in a new rucksack and dubbined my walking boots. I now need to keep up the momentum and ensure I focus on ascending some hills as well as walking regularly.

 

The snooker clashed with the Winter Wool Festival in Blackpool so Kath was there while my sister and I shared a Valentine’s Dinner of our very own. I made red pepper hearts to put on top of our heart-shaped pasta and it felt good to cook a special meal to celebrate the weekend. I was introduced to new songs along the way and am now determined to be better at keeping up with listening to new music. I love the playlists I have created over time, but have rarely added to these and notice that I am missing out. If you hear me singing about going to the ‘Pink Pony Club’ you can thank my sister and if you already like the song and haven’t heard the wonderful version by Edwin (Grandad Sings) here’s the link.

 

Here's to walking, and new playlists.

 

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