Adrian Phelan
Post 42
Opening ramble| The Odyssey| Bridging to Stamford| Up Mayo| Park running| GOSH| Goodbye and thanks| Social links| Links to past posts
Me mind’s been bent on rambling…
I have a saying, ‘It’s always Friday, it’s always Monday’, because the weeks pass by so quickly, and we always seem to be in one of those days.
We’ve just entered the summer holiday as well, marking the end of another academic year. Life continues to pass by in a flash.
So I think it should be savoured, which is one of the reasons I write this blog and do a few little pieces on social media. For me it sticks markers in the things that have been important in the week.
My family – and I’m sure yours too – fawns over rare old photos of ancestors. But we now have the technology to allow generations of our families to engage with each other and I want to make the most of that.
However, with AI there we will probably need a new TV show called ‘Who do you think you aren’t?’
I hope you enjoy this week’s issue.
The filim bit
I saw The Odyssey this week. I did a brief video blog on it and one or two reacted to say they’d heard it wasn’t that good. At the risk of sounding defensive, the filmmaking has been described as ‘extraordinary’ and I wouldn’t disagree with that; but I know that doesn’t mean everyone will enjoy it. I think you would be hard pushed not to appreciate it on merit, however. I knew little about the overall story before watching but that didn’t matter. It is a cinema ‘event’ not to be dithered over until it gets to TV at Christmas. I didn’t watch in Imax and I’m not sure how much that mattered, but in for a penny…
Whatever way you watch it, get down to the cinema before it goes.
I’d love to hear what you think.
Hurley Burghley House
We visited Burghley House in Stamford for a 50th birthday this weekend and it was a stunning spot to spend an afternoon. We live near Knebworth House and the architecture at Burghley House had similar vibes, but the surrounding setting was very different.
To add to the atmosphere the venue was hosting an Ibiza classics event that evening and throughout the afternoon concert goers arrived, dressed to the nines and wheeling trolleys full of refreshment to see them through.
Several of our good friends from Hitchin made the trip up, so for the day it was our home away from home.
What we saw of Stamford itself looked lovely; a monotone limestone medieval vibe. We popped to a hotel called The George, for a quick drink and it was a lavish setting. A great way to round off the afternoon.
I haven’t done a friends bit one for a while so glad to report on this.
Happy birthday Rosie. All the cool kids were born in 1976.
T’All Ireland
Every sports entry in this blog begins with the line ‘This is largely a sports-free zone’, but I’m writing on the morning of the men’s All Ireland football final between Kerry and Mayo. One of the most profound moments in my life was the first time I walked into Croke Park. It was 1990 and Meath were in the minor and senior Leinster finals on the day, so the ground was full early and the roar from the Hogan Stand was something I’ll never forget. The Dubs didn’t win that day, but for me the sport did. I don’t think I missed a Dubs match for the next five years, which is when I moved over to the UK.
I swung that back to me but want to wish Mayo and Kerry and all their supporters all the best for the final. I know that every Irish pub and cultural centre up and down the UK will have events to celebrate it. I hope everyone has a great day.
Update: Mayo certainly did. They won, ending a 75-year wait. There’ll be no work done in the wesht tomorrow. I would always want Dublin to win of course, but under the circumstances I am happy for them.
Parkrun at 40
I did my 40th Parkrun at the weekend. It was another toughy but I finished it, albeit in the modest time of just over 30 minutes. It’s exactly a year since I did my first sub-25-minute run (In Torbay in Devon) and I have done one or two since, but I am not precious about the times. The spirit of the parkrun is taking part, and it will take a lot to keep me from a start-line somewhere at 9am on a Saturday morning.
If you’re doing a couch to 5k programme, there is no better way to mark your achievement so do look for a parkrun near you.
Do Good Well
A quick one this week. I’ve dashed past the Great Ormond Street Charity stall at the station a couple of times this week to catch a train so if you can spare a few quid, do donate.
Goodbye and thanks
I don’t know why, but this has been the hardest of the 42 blogs to draft, making me a bit self-conscious about it. However, I got there in the end and as ever, I thank you for sticking with it. Do send my CV to all your contacts and I’ll see you next week.
Socially viable
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Past posts
19 July
12 July
5 July
28 June
21 June
14 June
7 June
31 May
24 May
17 May
10 May
2 May
26 April
12 April
5 April
29 March
22 March
15 March
8 March
1 March
21 February
14 February
7 February
1 February
23 January
16 January
9 January
2 January
26 December
20 December
12 December
5 December
28 November
21 November
14 November
7 November
31 October
24 October
17 October
10 October
3 October
Adrian Phelan 