Live a little and try something new!

Summer has arrived!!!

As this is the UK, summer has predictably been a few sunny days and lots of wet and windy ones, thanks Global warming! (Sarcasm)

Regardless, the increased number of dry spells brings to my mind the opportunity to get outdoors!! Make a break from being couped up all of the time. This year I intend to make the most of being outdoors by trying new things.

1) Gardening.

I have a teeny weeny garden. With two large plants and a small plot of soil 1m by 2m. The rest is paving. Perfect and low maintenance. That being said looking at two plants and paving is pretty boring, so this year I have put some colour into the garden. (You will quickly note, i am not a botanist). Some pots have been purchased and in these i have placed fuchsias and lavenders and some supposedly pretty coloured flowers whose name escapes me.

In the small plot i am attempting to grow some produce. This fits quite nicely with my attempts to get healthier. I have peas, garlic, onions, carrots, Brussels, lettuces, fennel, mixed herbs, pumpkins, courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries in my tiny plot. All growing with mixed success. It would seem that onions and garlics are really easy!! From the looks of things, another few weeks and fresh organic produce will be making it onto my plate!!

My little green plot

2) Dragon Boating.

I know, I know, you are all wondering dragon boating is. Well here is a picture. 22 people on a boat, one steering, one on the drum and 20 paddling!! I joined a brand new club and we so far have 8 regulars!! Anyone interested in giving it ago should definitely look up a local club...

Picture taken from the web

The history of the sport can be found on wikipedia: Dragon-boat

It is hard, sweaty work, with regular practises taking place on a river. So far my experiences have been blessed with good weather, so good I've came home with sunburn. It is a heck of a work out, on the arms and lower back. Great for your core and thoroughly enjoyable.

3) Croquet

A past time for posh people (at least literature would so have me believe). June the 5th is National Croquet day in England and my neighbour has been playing for years and invited me to her clubs open day. Life is all about new experiences, even if that involves hanging out with old folk. Yeah it might not seem cool, but old people are awesome and i don't care if you think i am cool, i'll do what i please. Again we have been blessed with mighty fine weather, so fine the sun added considerably to my sunburn. And literature is correct, the people at the club were incredibly posh. One felt, one ought to talk in a more clipped, appropriate manner. 

Hopefully with the continuation of good weather i'll be able to get out and try some other new activites, perhaps horse riding? Or competitive freezbie? Camping? The options are endless.

Happy summer!!