Post624 Triumph of small and friendly

This week’s highlight would have to be Sunday’s 80th birthday celebration for our Book Club convenor - a 90 minute high tea cruise along the Torrens, the river on which Adelaide is built. For 50 years, Popeye boats have taken visitors on tours, between the Zoo and the weir that ensures there is water in the river. I’m not sure how long the high teas have been available but it was a great experience. It’s at least 20 years since I was on Popeye, and I’d forgotten how interesting and peaceful the river is. 

I couldn’t think of a better way to relax with friends, celebrate longevity and appreciate our city. 

There was plenty of food, and refills of coffee, but the joy was really in the conversation, the smooth ride and calm of the environment.

The skipper told jokes about falling in, and one person admitted to not being able to swim. I felt somewhat smug, as I had finally got back into a swimming routine (but not in the river!). 

I haven’t been in a swimming pool  in the nearly two years since I had Covid. Before that I had been doing Aquarobics at the small Unley State Swim pool once a week. After the break I decided I was over travelling home wet in the middle of the day or queuing for a shower. The much larger Adelaide Aquatic Centre, of which I’ve been a member in the past, has been closed, demolished and rebuilt in that time. I  have been waiting for the reopening to set up a new routine. It reopened at the end of January and I scoured the new website for subscription details. While the charges were clear, the services were opaque. There appeared to be a lot of pools open for lap swimming throughout the day and a number of different classes, but finding a timetable defeated me. I emailed a query. 

That was a week ago and I still don’t have an answer. I discussed it with Panayoula last week, and on Wednesday took myself back to Unley State Swim, not for the 11am class but, for the afternoon lap swimming. So far this has proved  a good choice. Lap swimming suits me, I’ve had friendly, helpful service, a lane to myself, no wait for a shower, and security for my bag. I have swum laps for half an hour three times and worked out a schedule to swim at least once a week. I enjoy being in the water and feel invigorated (and a little tired). I’ve also been reminded of muscles I’d forgotten I had.

The bag is finished. Details in my embroidery blog. 

I’ve also progressed the shrug, discovering I had misread the pattern. I’ve adapted for the error and am now back on track.  It's stretchier than it looks here!

The Yarn Trader has come up with an ingenious concept, a Chapter and Yarn Book Club.  It will meet once a month to discuss a book while knitting. The first meeting is early in April and the book chosen is The Full Moon Coffee Shop. The really interesting bit is that Hannah, from Circus Tonic Handmade is creating yarn inspired by the book to go along with the discussion.

It’s hardly my kind of book, and I don’t want to attend a meeting, but I’ve ordered the Shindig Donegal Tweed set of yarn and bought the book. When I have read it, and I pick up the yarn, I will knit a shawl. I’m sure it will make a great gift - and I really want to see how the club concept plays out over time,

Hopefully the delay in creating the yarn will give me the chance to use the two skeins I received for my birthday before it arrives.