Weeknotes #120: Sunshine on The Island and a new Pope

Sunny long weekend with good food, travel, and relaxation.

Week commencing Monday, 5 May 2025

This image shows a coastal scene at Ryde on the Isle of Wight, featuring a sandy beach with calm blue waters under a partly cloudy sky. Two colourful kites - one teal and one with red, white and blue stripes - are flying above the water, suggesting kitesurfing activity. Several small sailing boats can be seen dotting the horizon, whilst the foreground shows the sandy shoreline. The scene captures a typical day of water sports and leisure activities along this popular stretch of the Solent.
Kites on the beach at Ryde

Quantified Self

  • This week: Stand 5/7; Exercise 2/7 and Move 4/7. (52%). Morning walks: 0/4 (days in the office don’t count). Office days 1/5. Total steps: 38,784

Life

  • A quiet week. White smoke was rising.
  • A lazy bank holiday. We walked into Wimbledon, picked up steaks, and not much else.
  • My local Co-op still has empty shelves after the cyberattack. It’s odd.
  • I skipped our Cinco de Mayo social and spent the evening on a train to Portsmouth Harbour. Glad it ran to time.
  • The ferry to the Island was busy, but fine.
  • We spent most of Saturday in the sunshine with drinks, watching the kite surfers. A proper sunny day.
  • Sunday breakfast at RT Café Grill was delicious. We sat outside and soaked up the weather.

Media

  • Conclave is a Vatican thriller directed by Edward Berger. Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, overseeing a secretive 72-hour papal election. Timely, and very enjoyable.
  • The best transport for cities: trams?
  • Doctor Who: The Story and the Engine mixed African folklore with classic Who mythology. I really liked this one.
  • Still loving Race Across the World, this time from Sanya to Shangri-La. As always, beautifully shot.