The velvet dress and a tummy bug

When we visited Falkland in 2019 I found the loveliest vintage clothing store. In it was a 1930s silk velvet dress that I intantly fell in love with; however, it was quite expensive and when I tried it on I couldn't quite zip it up. It seemed like an irrational decision to pay a lot… Continue reading The velvet dress and a tummy bug

Still not testing enough and vintage clothes

They've back-tracked on the Christmas relaxation of restrictions and instead of allowing three households to mix from the 23rd to the 27th December they can meet on the 25th December only. Not only that but from the 26th December all of Scotland will be in Tier 4 lockdown which is back to what we had… Continue reading Still not testing enough and vintage clothes

How to get exercise without doing any exercise

I've started wearing my Fitbit again and yesterday, without doing any exercise at all, I managed to clock up 15,427 steps and 87 minutes of moderate activity in one day. Now before you get all excited about the possibility of getting exercise while Netflix cruising on the sofa, let me explain what I mean. Yesterday… Continue reading How to get exercise without doing any exercise

A vintage tartan skirt

I'm taking some much-needed time off this week and today I went op-shopping (to non-Antipodeans op-shopping = charity chopping). I haven't been op-shopping for ages and ages and I got some fantastic bargains including this gorgeous tartan skirt. I could tell from the tag and the zip that it was very old but I wasn't… Continue reading A vintage tartan skirt

Bathtubs for the garden

I took this photo outside the front entrance to the 25Hours hotel in Vienna. I love that they've got old galvanised bathtubs filled with plants! They've also done a good job with the plants where the mix of colours, textures, and heights is pleasing to look at. Most hotel entrances are sterile places devoid of plant… Continue reading Bathtubs for the garden

Possible practical applications in pure mathematics?

The place we've rented in York is unfurnished so we've had to find things to sit on, lie on and eat from. Most of this stuff has come from second-hand furniture shops. In one place, I found a cool old trunk which I immediately decided should be our coffee table/toy box. Here it is: I… Continue reading Possible practical applications in pure mathematics?