Lathany

I've been ill for nearly two-and-a-half weeks which is the longest in quite some time. I suspect it was actually covid despite the negative test. I'm mostly better now, but still operating on my one ear being partially blocked. I was never horribly ill, but I'm very tired of the lack of hearing and the cough.

However, it was still an excellent Christmas. The dinner (gammon roast) all cooked to time and was very tasty. The presents generally went down well with their intended. A picture of my favourite here - a necklace made from a coin. Also, the advent calendar, whilst rather more "woodland animals" than Christmas-themed, was also rather good.



And I still have a week in which to do the various things I planned for my holiday.

Today was the team Xmas meal and Escape Room. My team did very badly. The meal was good though.

On my train journeys yesterday I read Boneland, the last book in The Weirdstone of Brisingamen trilogy. I met the first book at school and liked it, the second as an adult and liked it less. So, I had mixed expectations of Boneland. Sadly, I didn't enjoy it and, frankly, struggled with it.

I've read glowing reviews about its literary merit and how it benefits from multiple re-reads. Also, that it was a bold, but excellent, choice to move to adult fiction to end the story. But, I like children's fiction and missed pretty much all the characters from the first two books.

I had more Alan Garner lined up for commutes as I've read very little... now I'm hoping they won't be like this one.

This is mostly for the benefit of Chris, but others may be interested. We're returned to Conan Exiles for the Isle of Siptah episode with sorcery. It's both familiar and new.



And I've made a Path of Dawn for you to follow from the SW shore to our current camp - but mind the crocodiles!

Having finished season 2 of Russian Doll, I don't think it's as good as season 1 but still worth watching. It goes for more varied time travel rather than a loop.

One issue is that Nadia's story dominates whilst Alan's is more of an afterthought. However, as for its predecessor, it does finish strongly. So still recommended.

I've just finished watching the first season of Russian Doll. It had good reviews and involved a time loop so sounded as though it could be my sort of thing.

I wasn't sure at first. I didn't immediately take to Nadia, the central character, and I struggled to remember - or care about - the other characters in her repeated celebration night. However, I slowly changed my mind as events unfolded. By the final episode, I loved it and thought the ending was excellent.

Definitely recommended.

The Forgotten City is an excellent game and the best I've played in years.



It's a mystery set in ancient Rome involving time-travel, conversation and solving problems. As a non-Classicist I was really impressed and enjoyed the whole game (including the optional, slightly Resident Evil bit). Thoroughly recommended.

A rare, but welcome, visit from Reeve this evening.



And now I have fur on my keyboard.

I said we'd go out for breakfast. So we went early to avoid the heat. We avoided the worst, but it was still pretty hot.



Nice sausage roll and cappuccino though.

Bea and I went to see Witness for the Prosecution. I had loved the film and the stage version was awesome.



Would recommend.