Intense interlude

I had 10 days between returning from the US and departing for a hiking holiday in Yorkshire. As always, I'm writing in hindsight, so memories are fragmented. The highlight of week one was just working intensely for PRI – two weeks of work crammed into one. The highlight of week two, when I wasn't working, was four golf matches. I didn't play well so nothing much to report other than the agony of defeat.

I was meant to be in London the first week of July but opted instead to play in Lady President's Cup (Tues & Thurs), and the second rounds of McKee Cup and Maureen Edwards Cup. Given my poor performance, I questioned my decision to put golf ahead of all other priorities this year. In Belfast, the book festival, the documentary festival, the photo festival and the blues music festival have all come and gone recently and I've gone to nothing. Due to golf. So I'm disappointed my loyalty to the sport has not been rewarded with improvement. I did go to Geoff before my final match and feel like things could change. We'll see.

In addition to golf and work, I've been hiking two hours in the mornings to prepare for Yorkshire. I may have worn Paddy out. A neighbour cleaned her door brasses and gave me a sachet of chemicals that she used. So I added this to the to do list.

Result.

My last day in town was 4 July – when I voted in the Westminster election, then went to Lady President's dinner, properly attired.

25 June to 4 July