Third time lucky

This blogging business is insane.

Since I started writing my own a few weeks ago, I've become a little more savvy with the other sites and blogs out there and have unconsciously become addicted! I'm going to put together a proper collection I already recommend soon, and apologise now if you haven't yet experienced how good they can be!

The only comparison I can think of is: if you've ever sat browsing YouTube, being offered links to suggested related videos which pop up after each finish, stopping only when your laptop battery dies, you realise it's 4am or the internet connection cuts. This has happened to me a few times, usually watching rugby league 'greatest hits' compilations or Sonny-Bill and Sam Burgess tributes. Sad, I know, but see if you don't get sidetracked and watch another after the two below!

Sonny Bill Williams
Sam Burgess

Back to the original point, blogging is addictive! and time consuming... but so so worth it.

(An example is at Colossal, where artists, designers and photographers exhibit their latest creations.. This ones pretty cool, Dollars, by Mark Wagner. And then Jay-Z on his personal blog making himself art - guess that's a matter of opinion but I think he pulls it off?! There's some amazing things I get by email every Sunday too thanks to (Sarah) 'Coggles Sunday Supplement' - this is my favourite from todays interior design section…
These are just a few which have kept me busy over the past week!)

This week has been a blur of lie-ins, golf, sight seeing, reading and card games spent with the family. I've been back in Harrogate a few days now and just about managed to mentally prepare for a week spent in school attempting to plan with some colleagues and sort out my classroom, files and displays. When approaching this, I've decided to stick with a personal touch, partly inspired after reading a blog by Faded + Blurred, interviewing an interesting black and white portrait photographer, Tom Hoops. He comments:

“If you don’t do what is essentially you, in terms of what is your creative vision, then what you’re going to produce it going to be a bit weak.”

Guess I'd better start as I mean to go on… Strong!

Last week I mentioned golf. Safe to say, Charlie got a lot better… Dad didn't! Charlie gave me a real challenge (the definition of challenge for this purpose being winning), with my Dads highlight discovering his best use for a golf club…

There are no words...

The weather has been perfect for golf this week and Bridlington and Hainsworth have been some of the best courses we've played. It was just a shame my skills weren't up to scratch (no pun intended) and George came to visit and play with us in identical gear. The look the golf pro cast upon us both, as we walked in with cream chinos, white golf shoes and white Ralph Lauren polos (complete with navy big ponies) is one I will try to erase from memory as quickly as possible.

Dad, Charlie and I at Bridlington Golf Club

Just to keep Charlie's ego in check, here's some photo evidence of me beating him the last time we played, even if it was by one shot, on the last hole... I can officially say I won the last time we played. Bragging rights maintained for one more year (cue 'smug' face)!

The scorecard from Hainsworth, where my handicap won me the game!

In my first blog I mentioned I'm going to start reading more… I keep thinking about travelling and how much I read back then, which has inspired me to read three books. Khaled Hosseini wrote 'The Kite Runner' and 'A Thousand Splendid Suns', which I read in Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, shortly after travelling through South Africa. The next logical reads, then, are Khaled Hosseini's third book: 'And The Mountains Echoed' and the unfortunately ill, but incredibly influential and intriguing man that is Nelson Mandela, 'Long Walk to Freedom'. I've also bought Nelson Mandela's 'Conversations with Myself', another more recent addition to the 'Long Walk to Freedom'. Next time I visit South Africa (unplanned as of yet - wishful thinking!), I want to be more understanding, informed and familiar with him before visiting Robben Island and seeing his cell and living conditions for myself, as well as the incredible country he has helped shape today.

'Conversations with Myself' - Nelson Mandela

Next week I'll be travelling again in Portugal with the family, so I may have to post the Sunday blog on Friday! If you have any tips for travelling to Portugal or know any nice spots near Faro - please comment below! Thanks to Galley for the tips on where to go for lunch and Dobrashian for the surfing spots!

Thanks so much for reading! Have a great week,

Tom