Wednesday 21 February 2007

Down to Earth

Starting to seriously think of the Southern Upland Way at Easter instead of the Wainwright C2C, which I'd rather do in the Summer. I remember hearing about a good website that has lots of LDW books on it, so I'll need to dig out the URL.

--

Just listened to a 35 minute podcast that Bob has kindly cut for my students. What a nice bloke he is.

--

I listened to the "Mountain First Aid" podcast, with the gripping drama of the recent accident in the Spanish mountains. Stunning stuff. Cara-"A mere fleshwound"-Lyn, what a woman! I revisited the photos from here as I was listening.

--

Finished reading Bill Bryson's "A walk in the woods". If you haven't read it, it certainly appealed to me, so that is all the recommendation I can give you. Certainly because the closing paragraph reminds me of how I've changed over the past 18 months:

"...these days when I see a mountain, I look at it slowly and appraisingly, with a narrow, knowing gaze, and eyes of chipped granite."

For me, the hills and trails aren't something off in the distant, to be driven through, but are now something to be visited and explored.

If only I had the time ... oh, yes, it is called weekends!

--

I just can't get over the fact that there is a study guide to "a walk in the woods". Here is an example under topics for discussion:

' Why is the Appalachian Trail and the idea of a long journey through the woods a good central metaphor for Bryson's memoir? (source)

--

Quick runthrough of international visitor locations: Le Polo - which is in Morocco - which is in AFRICA! Woo hoo. I'm easily pleased, and have such low expectations in life.

Shh, but someone came back later on Sunday night (GMT) from China.

On Monday, Munich is back, as is Los Angeles and New Haven in the USA. Fresh in are Warwick, Tucker (a name that has to be shouted in a Grange Hill manner), King City (no comment on the AWI game I managed to hold to a draw), and north to Winnipeg. One visit from South America, Buenos Aires to be exact.

For those wondering, the UK is just a mass of orange blobs, and is difficult for me to zoom in and separate them.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think I must be "New Haven"...but I'm not. I'm 30 miles or so north and west in Litchfield County, Connecticut. I've walked and camped a fair bit in the UK, and hope to do more. Hence, my perusal of British sites. Thanks, AktoMan.

AktoMan said...

What, ho, Mark?

I assume Google Analytics picks up on the server access, or somesuchlike. I don't get IP addresses, shoe size, or anything like that from the feed, but it is free, so I like that.

Litchfield County,...it just sounds so picturesque. On the maps, the New England states look so 'compressed' compared to the southern and mid/western states. But I keep having to be reminded of how big the USA is.

One day I'll get across the pond. I've had a hankering to visit Sharpsburg/Antietam, and now to trek some (even just a few miles) of the AT.

Too many dreams, too little money.

Nice to hear from you mark. Take care.

Chris Cowell said...

Bora Da Duncan,
I have just finished reading a 'Walk in the woods' for the second time. I really think there is a film in there, if only John Candy or John Belushi were still with us, either would make a perfect Catz. I listened to 'Life and times of the thunderbolt kid', thanks to the free audio book offers from Audible. Catz was a bit of a character in their younger days too - well worth a read. In fact, all Bryson books are worth a read!
Chris

AktoMan said...

Hi Chris,

I have a feeling that someone had mentioned the chance of a film for "A Walk in the Woods". I looked on IMDB.com, but couldn't find anything listed.

I'll need to follow up the free audio book offer.

And I caught the real Catz on the "South Bank Show", Bill Bryson special before Christmas. A wiry guy. They gave his real name, but there was something about the way he spoke that seemed familiar. Bragg mentioned later that this was Bryson's friend, Catz.

I will need to read the rest. I've never got round to them, even though I like his style on TV.