Lincoln needs public institutions
It’s a good thing the 6 Nations rugby tournament has weekends where there is no play. Ostensibly this is to allow players to recover from what are obviously very physical games that take their toll on a body. Actually the fans also need recovery time. Were we to spend five consecutive Saturdays watching the rugby in the pub there would be far more marriage break ups.
So today I will hopefully get some jobs done. I’m not totally sure what these jobs will be particularly as Anne has cautioned me from trying to fit too much in. This was in response to my proclamation that I will cut the front hedge using my new step ladders.
We are also heading down to Coops’ garage to take some promo pics of Anne with her van which Anne considers will take up much of the morning. That and going to the tip which is also down Coops’ way. We are throwing a glass topped table/sideboard that we have been unable to sell on ebay nor give away.
It’s another dull day in the Colonia. Perhaps a good day to indulge myself in some philosopherontap thinking, aka this diary entry. When I throttled back from work I did intend to do a lot more writing but that hasn’t happened. This is partly because I think I’m not conditioned to not work. I have been able to do some exercise that would not otherwise have happened but not the great literary efforts I had in mind.
When we were in Venice in January we passed the Istituto Veneto Di Scienze Lettere ed Arti. It struck me that there was no reason why Lincoln should not have such a public entity/body/edifice – struggling to find the right word here. There isn’t anything like it in Lincoln afaik. Ok we have a library, and the Usher Gallery, and indeed the University but the Lincoln Institute of Science, Letters and the Arts is different.
Using the same thought process I figured we could also look around to identify other such “institutes” that the town lacks. The Lincolnshire Sausage Foundation. The World Centre for Alternative Something or other. We could bring back some of the Roman buildings long since lost to us. The Forum. The Roman Baths. This really demands a philosopherontap session in the Morning Star to thrash out what is missing. Doesn’t have to be achievable. Just what is not there that should be. The Lincoln Olympic Stadium…
I’m quite excited about the step ladders btw. 3m tall. There is nothing in the garden I won’t be able to reach. Especially the apples at the top of the tree that are obviously going to be much better than any of the ones lower down but which we have not been able to harvest before. Anne has just finished up the last of last autumn’s crop. They weren’t in much state for eating but fine for apple tarts. I believe tomorrow lunch’s apple sauce is from our own apples:)
The bird feeders have been attracting plenty of small birds. Having been able to watch them at it I note that they often sit nearby first looking around for any signs of danger. They don’t dwell at the feeder either. Quick in, get what they need and out again. I am happy to be able to help them. This is a truly dreary time of year with the occasional sunny days not really making up for the rest of them.
There is colour in the garden. The daffs are out and there is a pink blossom on one of the shrubs that hangs over from next door. The beech hedge is also a rich light ochre colour. You forget that it’s summertime state is green.
Some garden pics inc ladders and last night’s restaurant here.
Tags: diary