Summer Reading

I'm off to Canada (Vancouver and Vancouver Island, returning via Dublin) tomorrow. I'll miss the slow pace of my day that I've relaxed into; a morning run, sometimes a swim, time for a Crabbie's ginger beer, reading- with the odd trip to Glasgow and Edinburgh. My body has relaxed; runs are getting tougher, shocked at the sudden movement, my trot is more of a slog now, but my mind is still turning and churning. I'm looking forward to a change of scene, to seeing friends and exploring new places.

I've been devouring books, a true sign of holiday hours. I love hearing and reading recommendations, so thought I would write a bit about a few of the books I've read recently and what I'm taking with me on my holidays.

Gone Girl Gillian Flynn - I started this on a long train journey. I had it on my list for a while- just because it was mentioned so often. I bought it straight away for a friend in need of a thrill(er). I loved the pace, the plot and the sides to the story, but the quick ending was frustrating.

The Accidental Tourist Anne Tyler - This was part of a summer reading list on A Wee Bit of Cooking and it appealed to me. I had never read an Anne Tyler book before but I don't think I will seek any more of her novels out. Macon, the main character, is a dull, unlikeable man, set in his routines, but as he is forced out of his habits I became more involved with the characters in this slow paced story.

Red Dust Road   Jackie Kay -  I have just finished this wonderful book. Wendy, again on her blog, says she keeps  telling everyone she knows to read it and I'm going to be doing the same (my parents don't need to read it though as I've pretty much retold it to them at meal times word-for-word!). Jackie Kay takes the reader back and forth in time, on her journey to find out more about her birth parents; her birth mum from the Highlands of Scotland and her Nigerian father. Jackie Kay's real Mum and Dad are mentioned constantly throughout the book, and her love for them both is obvious- I can understand why, her Mum sounds amazing and I just loved her sense of humour. I just loved this book- in capital letters!

 The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry   Rachel Joyce - A friend called me the other day and started with, "You have 5 euros"...he was in a pay phone. I love the fact that he made time to recommend me a book. This has actually been on my list for a while and I'm looking forward to reading about Harold's unplanned adventure.

Wolf Hall   Hilary Mantel - I still have not read this and since I have suggested it as a book club read in Kuwait I will make sure I get round to reading this period drama this summer.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother  Amy Chua - Again this book has been on my list for a while, I even bought it for a friend as I thought it sounded so interesting. More than a guide to raising children (if there is such a thing) a book of cultures and family. (I'm starting this one on the plane!)

Better get on with my packing, I'm squeezing in a couple of soft-back books as well as my Kindle...that might result in one less pair of shoes going in my bag, but I don't even think my Kindle battery would last my first flight! Happy reading!

The Summer Slow Down

Here the summer term ends in a quick-quick-slow pace. Teaching teaching teaching, followed by half days (where the pupils only come in until lunch time) then time to mark assessments, write reports and pack up the classrooms with no pupils for the last few days. It is quite an anticlimax in lots of way. No real end of year concerts or parties...it will just be the end of a year.

We have been lucky this year with the heat. It only recently got hot hot. The type of heat where your eyes hurt when you walk outside. Where you feel your skin prickle. Where you will sweat no matter what you wear. Teachers stagger round the playground, eyeballs sweating, clutching a bottle of water, reminding pupils that the skipping ropes are not weapons, counting down every minute.

By the time I leave the circus school, the roads are emptying. Everyone wanting to rush home to find refuge from the heat in their cool houses and apartments. The roads are once again turned into race tracks (just like during Ramadan), not wanting to stay out one moment more than necessary. Time for lunch and a siesta.

Facebook is full of daily weather updates. Not a surprise, but neither is the heat. It is a desert after all. Yet as soon as the gauge hits the 40s, we turn to British ways and comment on it endlessly.

I am still running. But my buddy are back to 4:50 am runs or short evening sessions. It makes training for anything challenging. We tried a longer evening run this week, but after 35 minutes I was broken. I spent the rest of the night lying in my underwear on the cool tiled floor of the apartment. Next year I WILL join that overly priced health club...even if I use it on dusty, hot days it will be value for money!

Less than two weeks and I'll be on a big plane again. I'll be heading back to Scotland for a bit, then I am off to Western Canada; for hikes, runs by a lake (I've never been...just picturing it!) and a special wedding.

PS- Today, it was announced, Kuwait was the hottest country in the world (yep,my car read 50 degrees Celsius..it said 51 at one point!). Good job there is a lot of oil and money, as there are not many other reasons to be here. Now the summer exodus begins!

In Inverary

We have had a such great weather recently, even if it was grey every day now for the rest of my summer I wouldn't care. (Good job too-as that may happen!)

On one of these beautiful days, my parents and I were tourists in our own 'neighbourhood' and drove to Inverary for a wander and dinner.

The 'Rest and Be Thankful'.

I really fancied mussels for my dinner, but you can't eat them outside here. Apparently the seagulls enjoy them so much they snatch them out of the bowls, drop them on the ground to smash the shell, leaving the mussel free for them to eat! I had fish instead.

I love Inverary and all the black and white buildings-I always look forward to visiting when I am back in the holidays.

Grey days and cupcakes

A grey afternoon in Scotland - perfect for trying out a new strawberry and coconut cake recipe from my new Jo Pratt book.Mmmm.

(PS -remember to vote (for me!) for the best in travel category here. Thanks!)