Captain Cook Round
It’s rare we have a completely free weekend together but due to plans to visit friends falling through, that’s how we found ourselves this weekend. To get us out and about we decided to take ourselves on a long walk a little further afield than we’d usually go. We chose the Captain Cook Round from Pocket Mountains' North York Moors guidebook.
The day was overcast but still, fine while you were on the move but a damp cold set in if you stood still too long.
The walk started with a steep climb from our starting point at Kildale station up a lane to meet the Cleveland Way. Our route then took us across the moor where we saw a lot of grouse in the heather. We diverted off the main path to climb to the summit of Roseberry Topping which needed to be taken slow due to mud on the stone path.
Rejoining the Cleveland Way we dropped down to Gribdale, where we stopped briefly for our picnic. Then it was back on the ascent to Captain Cook’s monument which was shrouded in cloud when we got there.
As we decended through woods and farmland back to the station we caught sight of a barn owl in flight. It initially came alongside us from the farm buildings and into the woodland, then passed up the lane where we’d just come.
Distance: 13.3km Elevation: 518m Time: 2h 57m
Finished reading: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel 📚
Sublime. What a way to start a new year in books. Really want to reread Station Eleven now too.
I’ll watch most sports with the notable exceptions of F1, horse racing and golf. Today may be the first time I’ve actively chosen to watch darts. Have to see if Luke Littler can continue his amazing run and take home the top prize 🎯
This is the first year in I can’t remember how long that I haven’t heaped pressure on myself to finish lots of things (and inevitably fail) before the new year ticks round. It feels refreshing.
The Truman Show, 1998 - ★★★★
Still holds up after more than 25 years. Watching now (and with Izzy for the first time) it seems remarkably prescient.
Finished reading: A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo 📚
Last book of the year. Indulging my love of queer origin stories.
Booked my first overseas holiday for five years today. A short trip over the North Sea to explore the Netherlands and celebrate one of those big 0 birthdays ✈️
Home Alone, 1990 - ★★½
Introducing my wife to a classic. Not the best filmmaking but good fun nonetheless.
It’s amazing what you can forget about a film you haven’t seen for ~30 years though. I’d erased practically every scene that took place outside the house.
Love at First Sight, 2023 - ★★★
Described by a friend as an unexpected delight and I wholeheartedly agree.
Finished reading: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich 📚
My first Erdrich book but definitely not my last. This was a slow burn for me until a little over half way through when I just had to find out what happened next. It’s a rich story based on the history of the author’s own family.
An offering left at the bus stop
Testing posting from Google Keep after seeing all the chat about posting from Apple Notes.
Every December I aim to hold out as long as I can on putting the decorations up. My one concession this year is the wreath I made at a work social this week which is now up on the front door.
My Spotify Wrapped has taught me one thing: I need to take more control over the music I listen to and not lazily listen to the daily mixes that the algorithm throws up 🎶
I remember a time when it seemed all the links shared in newsletters went to Medium. It’s the same now but for Substack 🙄
Finished reading: If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery 📚
Finished reading: The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers 📚
Sad to reach the end of the wayfarer series but excited to read more from Becky Chambers and the worlds she creates.