We received two huge Easter eggs in the post with no note to say who they are from. I’ve got it into my head that I can’t eat mine until I know who it is from. Now I’m in a battle with myself. Who will win… my stubbornness or my inner chocoholic?

Taking some time off over the past week has given me some space to think about what each of my blogs is for. Not being clear on this is one of the many reasons I've not been publishing much lately. Think I've got it sorted now and I'm looking forward to getting into a bit of spring cleaning

We took advantage of a break in the clouds this morning and beat the rain. I think Aggie enjoyed her first visit to Rising Sun Country Park too

Small white dog looks out across a large pond towards woodland beyond

BPM (Beats per Minute), 2017 - ★★★★

This has been on my list to see for some time and now it is certainly going to sit with me for some time to come. At times it felt like a documentary and at others a love story set against the realities of the 1990s AIDS crisis. By the end I was bawling my eyes out. Necessary viewing.

Finished reading: The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper 📚

Took me a little while to get into this. Lining it up for a re-read later in the year, feel the arrival of Spring didn’t fully allow me to get immersed in the atmosphere of midwinter.

No Time to Die, 2021 - ★★

Boooooring 🥱

However, I am intrigued to see what happens to 007 next.

My Days of Mercy, 2017 - ★★

It's the chemistry between Page and Mara that makes this film. It's clear what the film wants to be but it fails to either unlock the complexity of the relationships (between all the characters) or explore the conflict between the opposing sides at the death row protests within its 100 minutes.

Day 22: insect #mbmar

Red admiral butterfly sitting on long grass

Day 21: tiny #mbmar

Picked this collection up on the beach a few weeks ago

Two small colourful pebbles, a piece of bottle green seaglass and a shard of deep orange shell sitting on the palm of a hand

Day 20: houseplant #mbmar

Not many to choose from - I chose this because it’s the only one that looks remotely healthy 😳

Wooden robot and a lamb's tale sedum

Day 19: analogue #mbmar

Colourful rag clock hanging on a wall

Day 16: road #mbmar

Viaduct crossing a country road

Day 15: patience #mbmar

As the temperature drops outside I’m waiting to hear whether hockey training is going ahead tonight

Crossed legs in dark blue jeans and suede slippers. Armchair in background

Finished reading: Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper 📚

Bloomin’ marvellous! Sending this on to my Mum to read to my nephews at bedtime - two things they love are quests and King Arthur.

Day 14: horizon #mbmar

Not much to see out there today, much like this pic from the same time last year

A foggy day looking out to sea. both sky and water are various shades of grey

Day 13: connection #mbmar

One connection in a piece of neon art yet to be installed

Two wires protruding from a glass tune containing neon

Tomorrow I will leave the house

Day 12: shiny #mbmar

Shiny plated doorknob

Day 11: gimcrack #mbmar

Never seen this word before so had to look up the definition. Reckon the closest term we use in the UK is knick-knack. Searched the flat and then remembered this…

Minature cello on a stand made of amber resin and iron

Day 10: ritual #mbmar

Reading in bed with the first cup of tea is how we start every day

Book cover of Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper. Background is a duvet cover with bold yellow flower design.