vivdunstan

Until Christmas I was blogging here once a week through the complete Sherlock Holmes short stories and the audio adventures of Doctor Who spinoff series Bernice Summerfield. I paused them over Christmas, and then since the start of the year have been totally felled neurologically, and for the last week extra ill with a cold probably picked up at the V&A Dundee the Friday before. Though testing negative for flu and Covid. And I'm glad I'm not much iller. But that on top of the neurological illness flare is just too much to cope with.

I'm hoping to get back to both the Sherlock Holmes and Benny (Bernice Summerfield) marathons soon. I am really enjoying rereading the Sherlock Holmes stories and writing up my thoughts after. And similarly listening to the Benny audios, many for the first time for me though not all, and writing up thoughts after. Setting myself the weekly challenge of reading/listening to these and blogging about them turned out to be huge fun, and helped me keep going, and engage with them more deeply. I am keen to resume. But will only do so when I'm stronger. But hopefully not too far off ...

Sending early Christmas and Happy New Year wishes to our friends and family. We will be having a very quiet and restful holiday period. Martin is on holiday for two weeks after today, and will be mainly resting. Hope you have a good time too. The picture is "The Shortening Winter's Day is near a Close" painted by Joseph Farquharson. We have had a large framed print of this since the late 1990s, bought from a glazier in Bonnygate, Cupar. It is currently up on our main wall in the sitting room, and very much enjoyed.

We’re having a quiet night in, currently tucking into Christmas cake for the first time this year, and have been enjoying watching Runrig songs in concert and Queen and Adam Lambert in concert in Japan. It’s not quite New Year here yet - but soon! - but I’d like to wish all the best for 2024 to all our family and friends. Happy New Year! Bliadhna mhath ùr!