FITNESS

June was a great month of fitness for me. For the first time in a long while everything seemed to turn out the way I’d planned. As a explained recently, when I wrote about Goals and Planning, I had set a few fitness goals for June. Fortunately I was able to tick off all these goals as done. Being on holidays for 10 days and away for a week, helped contribute towards this success.

Week 1: Walk every day ✔️
Ride 20km    ✔️
Week 2: Walk 5km  ✔️
Ride 40km – not done
Week 3: Walk 7.5km  ✔️
Ride 60km – not done
Week 4: Walk 10km  ✔️
Ride 80km – not done

The longest walk we did, while on holidays, was just over 12k, so a big win there, as I’m on track to go into July with new goals. My cycling goals were not as successful, due to the wet weather here. I did manage to ride a few times each week, but the rain meant that I had to keep to shorter rides of 20-30k My longest ride was 32km. The June goals not reached, will be rolled over to July, so fingers crossed we have a break in the wet weather.

In June, I completed the Iceland Road Virtual Challenge which was a 12 week challenge to walk 1332 km. I love these virtual challenges, as they help to keep me on track. I hate the winter and could easily stay inside and hibernate. Just knowing I have to get out there and walk to achieve the weekly walking goals, keeps me moving. There is a badge at the end and I do love a badge. In January, I started a second virtual challenge in January, alongside the Iceland challenge. This challenge is to walk or cycle a predetermined distance for the entire year of 2021. I have set my distance at 6000km and am almost halfway there.

GARDEN

The green vegies have all been planted for the winter and there’s not too much to do in the vegie garden, except wait for them to grow and watch the weeds grow. We have snow peas and peas that are almost ready to pick, silverbeet, lettuce., bok choy, and potatoes. The rest of the garden is quite dormant due to the cold weather. The only thing happening is that the weeds are growing, and fast. So most days, I find myself patiently pulling out weeds, and seemingly watching new ones grow, as I do so.

The succulents are all tucked away in the hothouse for winter.

OUT & ABOUT

The big highlight of June was our Few Days at the Beach in Winter.   We had a lovely break at Point Lonsdale for a week. This was our first time away since Covid struck, and even though it was only a few hours from home, it was perfect. Oscar, now known as @oscarthefuntoypoodle on Instagram, came with us, and he enjoyed it as much as we did. We didn’t take Molly as she is now just about 19 years old, and is happier with a quiet routine and staying inside in the warm to sleep. My friend Jane from Toolleen Country Retreat looked after Molly for us. She has been going to Jane for about twelve years, so I’m sure she thinks it’s her second home. In her old age, Molly is cranky and scrawny, but still eats really well, and has lots of life in her.

 

The City of Bendigo Positive Ageing Council, of which I am a member, held it’s first face to face meeting last week. It was a relief to get back to meeting in person, as we discussed the needs of the elderly in our city and surrounding area, with councillors and council staff.

Out and about wouldn’t be complete without mentioning work. From July 1, I will be reducing my hours to just one day a week, as I enter semi retirement. As the date approaches, I find myself looking forward to stepping back and taking on other things. As I review my plans, I have a feeling that my semi retirement is going to be very busy.

In mid June I had my first Covid vaccination. I didn’t really want to have it yet as I wanted to wait for the Pfizer or Moderna to be available, but I had to have it to go back to work. I felt quite unwell, with flu symptoms for 48 hours but after that all was ok.

WATCHING

I rarely sit down and watch TV but I often watch shows of my choosing on my second monitor as I work at the computer.

• Lance: Documentary about Lance Armstrong showing his meteoric rise in cycling to his massive fall after he was exposed in one of the largest doping scandals in history. This documentary was a great insight into the mind of a champion cyclist and drug cheat. The Tour de France 2021, has now started, and I’ll be watching every bit of it. I don’t sleep well so it’s easy for me to stay awake in the early hours when it’s on.
• Departure: This is about the investigation into a plane crash over the Atlantic, which kills almost everyone on board. The investigator is played by Archie Panjabi, who I’ve watched in a few dramas, and really enjoyed her characters. Departure was suspenseful with lots of twists. I watched all six episodes of season 1, and I will be eagerly waiting for season 2, which is coming.
• Who Do You Think You Are: I wouldn’t miss it. As a family historian this show ticks all the boxes for me as I watch celebrities tracing their family roots aided by professionals. I’ve even met some of the professionals in the 2021 series which adds to the enjoyment.

READING

• Grown ups by Marian Keyes
• The Secret Within by Lucy Dawson
• The Last Dingo Summer by Jackie French Book #8 Matilda Saga
• Clancy of the Overflow by Jackie French Book #9 Matilda Saga
• Trick of the Light by Fiona McCallum

The Last Dingo and Clancy of the Overflow were my two highlight reads for June. I would give them both 5 stars.

In the ‘good book news’ category is the news that Hannah Kent’s third book Devotion, will be available in book stores in October. This book is set in South Australia in 1838. As a lover of historical novels, and particularly Australian history, I’m looking forward to reading it. But really, it wouldn’t matter the subject matter of Hannah’s next book, as she is an author that I always read. Her novels are very thoroughly researched and real. I loved Burial Rites and The Good People

LISTENING

I’ve listened to some interesting podcasts in June. Following are a few highlights:

• Conversations – Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski, ABC Radio
• My Camino – Dan Mullins
• The West Wing – Hrishikesh Hirway and Joshua Mallina
• The You Project – Craig Harper
•  Women Living Well After 50 – Sue Loncaric

GENEALOGY

There are many exciting things happening in my genealogy world, which will probably take up more of my time after I start working less. I’ve been spending large chunks of time on my family history blog
Tracking Down The Family and on my One Place Study AxedaleThen and Now On Tuesday nights at 7pm on Twitter, I am one of the moderators of genealogy discussion on particular topics. This has become one of the highlights of my week.

AND LASTLY…….

I’ve enjoyed many chats with my son in Queensland during June, and was looking forward to him coming to visit earlier in the month. Unfortunately, a few days before he and my youngest grandchild arrived, there was another covid outbreak, and a lockdown was called for Victoria, so it wasn’t possible for him to come.

How was June for you? I’d love to hear about your highlights and promise to reply to all comments.

 

This post is linked to Denyse’s Life This Week and Natalie’s #weekendcoffeeshare

 

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