Its now 20th August and I hadn’t realised how long since I brought this up to date.

After a few days getting back to ‘normal’ Jo arrived from Bolivia with tales of her project in Cochabamba which, with encouragement from Florinda, prompted plans for a big trip next year to South America. This has since become increasingly concrete and looks set for March but more details when we see Florinda next after her family trip home.

On 16^th we went to Manchester to join Matt and Sam on an Indian Cookery course. Good fun but it means we can all cook only the one same recipe. Next day all back for Jane Tomlinson’s Swim for All in the murky depths of Pugneys country park in Wakefield. This is the first step in Jim and Matt’s transition to Triathlon athletes and they both did well, looking lovely as they did in their wet suits. Next step is the purchase of triathlon ‘skins’ which are even more obscene.

Tuesday midday took us to an excellent talk by Professor Mark Thomas of the Molecular and cultural evolution Laboratory, University College London on ‘Demography and the origins of modern human behaviour’ his thesis being that a culture needs a critical mass to sustain accumulated learning. Below this culture gradually deteriorates. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/mace-lab/gallery/skills

After that we had to cycle off to Bishopthorpe to escort a phalanx of school kids to the Knavesmire for an afternoon of pre-Olympic events as the torch came through York. Once delivered we went off into town where we bumped into Roger who told us Peter Thompson and Richard Baldwin were torch-bearers. We waited and cheered Richard along Coppergate before leaping aback on our bikes and beating the torch, carried now by Harvey Smith on horseback, to the grandstand at the race-course. Lots of enthusiasm all round and part of getting everyone in the spirit of the games. Seems to be working.

The next day, after an early session with Mark, I went back to Pugneys with Ian to practice Eskimo (inuit?) rolling in our kayaks. Not entirely successful and Ian nearly triggered a rescue bid by picnikers not realising he was capsizing on purpose, but a good paddle round the lake on a nice sunny day. Also the water quite pleasant and not too cold and murky at all.

Back in York to a concert in St Clements by a Cuban choir Camerata Vocal Musica Aurea. A packed church partly out of solidarity with Cuba but they were truly good. A beautiful concert mixing classical and Cuban.

Next day to Selby to see a ‘live’ telecast of Frankenstein the play with Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. May not be quite as good as seeing it on stage but a lot easier than going to London and very well done. A great story.

Another day, another event as we went to the NCEM to see Eduardo Niebla again. Patnered by a younger guy in amazing duets.

Saturday was Margot’s birthday and Rahab came over for a meal before going with Margot and Sam on the midnight walk. The boys came for the meal and then went off clubbing with Rahab’s new friend Gabriel from Angola. I marshalled for the walk which entailed standing on street corners making encouraging noises as groups of women in ‘angels and devils’ outfits came past until about 2 in the morning. All in a good cause.

 

The following weekend was the annual sailing club outing to Ullswater in the Lake District. With floods promised on the Ouse we had to get the boats out early but managed it and had a good couple of days with plenty wind. In fact I did capsize but only whilst trying to help another Laser that had capsized. While circling around offering moral support while waiting for the rescue boat to come (someone had gone off with the key) I lost concentration and fell in. Quickly got back I and tried to pretend it was a master-class in how to do it but I don’t think anyone believed me. With no wind and lots of rain on Sunday  went for a nice walk at Aira Force and a pub lunch.

Later in the week (4^th) we moved Rahab into her new flat just off the York Road. Convenient for Leeds centre and for the bus to York. On the Sunday we dropped off Jim’s fridge freezer and washing machine after the 10k.

Saturday was spent doing a first aid for water users course and then in the evening to a concert of Bolivian baroque music at the NCEM. It was the group that was the subject of the lecture earlier and they lived up to their billing. Very beautiful and an interesting story http://www.florilegium.org.uk/bolivia.htm. Then early to bed for the next days 10k in Leeds.