190 miles of New Forest

The two men of the family spontaneously decided to cycle to the New Forest and back, staying at Salisbury Youth Hostel on the way, and then a B&B in Beaulieu.

We enjoyed each others' company, and shocked ourselves by cycling 190 miles (in four days). My thighs, unaccustomed to such exercise, are still recovering. I also put on weight: maybe this is because muscle is heavier than fat, or because we did a lot of eating out!

We enjoyed different cycle routes in each direction, and saw lots of lovely scenery and animals. (Photos to follow.)

Return from Spain

Returned yesterday from a ten-day trip to Spain to help clear out the in-law's house. This was an emotional time for all of us, although the sunshine and some physical work in the garden was good therapy; we were pleased to complete more than we had expected.

Disappointed to find an e-mail telling me that I would not be invited to a second interview for a job that I had been keen on.

Eat your heart out Dr Who – time travel is not just for the Tardis

I wonder whether, like me, you've felt that time seems to travel faster as you get older? Somehow there does not seem to be so much time in the day.

It occurred to me a while ago that maybe time feels propotional: as you get older, one day is a smaller proportion of your whole life. I now discover that even scientists have proposed this! All this wisdom comes from an article on the BBC website, reviewing a new book by Steve Taylor of Manchester University: Making Time. You need to read the article (or the book).

He talks of sportsmen training themselves to heightened perception (being “in the zone”) and of how we can make more of time through paying more attention (because that way our brain receives more “information”). This second aspect sounds like a rediscovery of the teaching of spiritual writers as they encourage living in the present moment, and paying attention.

Opposed to this particular spiritual teaching is the practice of trying to be somewhere else by using a mobile phone excessively; or not paying attention to local birdsong (or traffic noise) through addictive use of MP3 players!

Time for some holiday

I've now clocked up an enjoyable ten days doing marketing consultancy work for the charity that sends not only cows but also goats and bee hives.

The next few weeks hold out time for a trip to Spain, spending time at home, and a (another) course on spiritual direction.

More later.

Another one of me in Scotland