Really enjoying seeing the variety in photos being posted for today’s challenge prompt 🤩
📸 September 2023 photo challenge. Day 4: Orange
Somewhere between green and red 🍅

📸 September 2023 photo challenge. Day 3: Precious 🥰

📸 September 2023 photo challenge. Day 2: Buildup
It’s two weeks today until the first match of the season.

Finished reading: Supporting Cast by Kit de Waal 📚
📸 September 2023 photo challenge. Day 1: Abstract

Derivé in Durham
This morning I took a short train ride to Durham to take a walk and explore some (new to me) corners of the city. This activity and the prompts I used to guide me were inspired by Andrew Eberlin.
Here’s what I found…
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Pick any direction and walk in a straight line. After 100 paces take a photo of what is in front of you.
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At the next opportunity turn right. Photograph the oldest and newest building on the street.
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Turn down the next street that starts with a vowel. Photograph something that moves.
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Head in the noisiest direction and find somewhere to take a self portrait.
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Wave and smile at the next surveillance camera. Photograph it.
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Turn left. Find a place to sit for a while and watch the world go by. Walk to the subject that most captivates you.
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Go north until you see something red or yellow. Or both. Take its photo.
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Take two lefts and photograph the middle of the road. If it’s safe to do so.
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Take the next right and photograph something wonderful.
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Find something that no longer works.
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Meander to a nearby tree. Photograph it close up and far away.
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Take a typical photo of Durham.
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And then photograph something discarded or lost.
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Stand somewhere and photograph a passer-by.
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Walk until you notice something unreasonable. Document your experience.
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Continue until you want to photograph something. You choose the subject. It’s a free world.
The End.
The walk took about 90 minutes in total with 60 minutes time on the move. This final image is the route the prompts took me in.

I enjoyed seeing some new parts of this small city. I know it a little but definitely found some areas new to me, and appreciated some places I used to frequent during my lunch breaks when I worked here briefly. I’ll definitely do this again and maybe see what new perspectives it can bring to my home town.
Someone wrote recently about the reason for blogging / who a blog is for. Can’t find it now and want to share with someone 😞 Can anyone point me in the right direction?
On my way to Durham this morning for a wander inspired by this derivé walk
My Neighbor Totoro, 1988 - ★★★★
Almost ashamed to say this is the first time I’ve watched this. I was tired and feeling a bit sorry for myself and some time with Totoro et al was exactly what I needed.
I’m kind of amazed that a film almost as old as me could feel so timeless, but I guess that’s the magic of Miyazaki.
YouTube have unintentionally made the best user experience ever. Loving the calm of this, long may it last

“You’re not a perfectionist. You’re insecure about how your best effort will be received.”
💬 Unknown author. Source: Dense Discovery #250
This is one of those quotes that took the wind out of me a little the first time I read it.
Finished reading: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin 📚
I devoured this. It is one of those rare books that’s as good as everyone says it is.
First full session back at hockey tonight and it’s clear that the brain needs pre-season as much as the body. My decision making was definitely off 🏑
Holiday highlights #2 - a cheeseboard to rival Christmas with newfound favourite, Alp Blossom

Well, the better team on the day won. Just a shame we didn’t get the same level of football in the second half after the ref lost all control of the game. Other than that all I can say is I bloody love Mary Earps 🤩 - player of match for me even though on losing side ⚽️
Switching to ITV for half time to hear what Karen Carney, and hopefully Emma Hayes, have got to say about the game so far ⚽️
It’s World Cup Final Day! So excited and nervous. No idea how I’m going to distract myself for the next couple of hours until it kicks off ⚽️
Holiday highlights #1 - with three kids under 10 finding a holiday let with its own play park including the climbing frame pictured, a trampoline and two decent football goals was a big win.

Just home from a week away with the family. A wonderful mix of outdoor activities, rest and countless games of Yahtzee. Spending the afternoon on the sofa reading in the hope of extending the holiday mood a while longer.