Pic of the week 1/1/23
Happy New Year!
2022 is behind us, and we look ahead to the empty book that is 2023, its chapters waiting to be filled. Personally, and as a family, 2022 was not a bad year, but for society as a whole it was not good – political chaos in the UK, war in the Ukraine, death of the Queen, cost of living crisis, strikes, broken Britain …
Sadly, on a societal level, I don’t think things will get too much better. I think (hope) that the war in the Ukraine may be over by this time next year, but equally it could still be grinding on. We will have a winter of discontent, with continued, and increasing, strikes (which I support) and as I would always hope that I, and my loved ones, stay fit and healthy, it is particularly important right now as our NHS is in crisis due to years of underfunding.
But other than moan and complain, spread the word and take action where I can, there’s not too much I can do about societies ills, but what do I have to look forward to, to hope to achieve over the coming twelve months?
This time last year I wrote of bringing my weight under control – whilst I think I have stopped things getting any worse, it hasn’t got any better, so this is a very tangible goal I shall strive for. Getting that weight back below the 13 stone mark.
Exercise – I stopped swimming last year as I just ended up with sneezing fits, but I will look in to the Greenbanks open air pool – if they have lane swimming sessions I may well get back in the water. I have run less – I now often only run 7K rather than 10K on a Sunday morning. I think I am becoming more relaxed about my exercise regime – its more about doing something than logging the longest distances and fastest time. I am, after all, nearing my mid-fifties! I ran this morning, but my foot now hurts; I think I have developed plantar fasciitis and so may be unable to run for a while. However, I shall set a target of running 500 Kms this year. Also, an absolute must, is to keep up with my yoga, and maybe do more stretching at home.
My Spanish continues to improve, and I continue to enjoy the learning journey. With trips to Majorca and Barcelona already booked up, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to practise my spoken and listening skills “in country.”
After a really cold spell, the last week or so has seen remarkably mild weather and, when it hasn’t been raining, I’ve spent quite a bit if time outside pottering in the garden and this is something I aim to do more of this year.
I realised I hadn’t blogged on my maths blog for nearly two years, so today I posted my first maths blog since Fen 21. I am committing myself to writing (at least) one maths blog post a month, Definitely doable, just got to get the inspiration.
Get the 205 its MOT, and improve its paintwork, so I can start driving a classic.
And despite all that looking ahead, here’s a little summary of the year that was, some highlights of 2022: