Friday Favourites, July: Books, Podcasts

 

Greetings all and welcome to the July edition of book, TV and podcast reviews. Hardly any TV again, but not for want of trying. There's just nothing new that's floating my particular boat. But I know most of you like the book reviews best, so let's launch into them.

Hill Walking in a Heatwave - and Link Up

 

It was blazingly hot last week in the UK - and there was Mr Mutton and me, hill climbing in the Lake District, in the north of England. 

On the first day we foolishly tackled a very strenuous route with a lot of ascent, and boy was it tough. Even Mr Mutton, who is as fit as a flea, had aching muscles the next day.  After that, we chose routes that were more gentle. One of the best ones started in the Whinlatter Forest, where the trees gave us some cool shade. I loved the different shades of heather. 

Jackets for July: Style Not Age Challenge

 

Welcome to the latest Style Not Age Challenge, set this month by Jacqui of Mummabstylish. Jacqui chose "Jackets for July." After the recent heatwave you may be wondering if jackets are needed in July, but temperatures are often low in the early morning and fall in the evening, so you often do need a light jacket or cardigan.

What I've Been Wearing - and Link-Up

We were on the crest of a wave. England had got through to the final of a major soccer tournament for the first time in 55 years.  And we were looking forward to "Freedom Day" - July 19 - when most of the remaining Covid restrictions are lifted.

But doom and gloom descended after the nail biting final at Wembley turned into a loss for England. There were scuffles and fights, with families fleeing to safety, and an  outpouring of racist bile online. 

On the Covid front, the scientists are increasingly worried about the possibility of up to 200 deaths a day once people stop wearing masks and social distancing.