I'm building an ark

The rain continues, and B&Q has reported a run on gopher wood. Also, whilst we do have two gerbils, the fact that we only have two gerbils suggests they are of the same sex. And what good is a future world populated only by gerbils anyway. We would need a smaller ark though, I guess.

I've left lots of return to work (and return to school) stuff until the last minute, and I now have to go out to sort out train tickets, collection of clothes from dry cleaners and first trip to charity shop with clothes (result of research- have gone with Salvation Army - overly and overtly Christian, but do a great job and I'm a sucker for silver bands and Guys 'n' Dolls).

So today's blog is being composed whilst waiting for a break in the clouds.

I can heartily recommend Martin Stephenson & the Daintees' 1990 album Salutation Road which is today's blogging soundtrack.  I don't know how to describe his music style - there are elements of soul, blues and gospel in there but also something definitively of the North East of England. It's like a less pretentious Prefab Sprout. (Don't get me wrong - I do love Paddy McAloon, but there are times when he tries very hard.)

Last night, I finished reading the last (so far) of the Game of Thrones books. I started these about six months ago as airport reading and, like other writing of this genre, it has at times been close to unputdownable. (Sorry, spellcheck - as far as I am concerned unputdownable is a real word.) Not watched much of the TV series, which I think is somewhat more, shall we say, graphic, but I like the way the books are written - with each chapter written from the point of view of a different character. They drift in and out of the story as events come to pass. So, whilst most of us think - "Ewww - fantasy" it isn't that bad. I do wish he'd stop killing off all the characters I feel any attachment to though.

As with many series, the books have got longer and more complex as they have gone on - so book six may prove to be a 2,000 page behemoth which a good editor could have got down to 500 pages*, but we will have to wait and see.

Anyway, a dove bearing an olive branch is tapping on my study window, so it's time to don the coat and hit Balham. Until tomorrow dear blog!

UPDATE: it has rightly been pointed out that the series of books is of course "A Song of Ice and Fire" of which "A Game of Thrones" is book one. Happy to correct this.


*Yes JK Rowling, I am thinking of you as I write this.