Bit late with this, only getting round it to it after a week of June.

Let’s see what this months distractions were.

Books

‘Saltblood’ by Francesca De Tores was my standout, a swashbuckling account of Mary Read, who lead a remarkable life and ended up a pirate in the 17th century. Really enjoyed this one, and expect it to get a lot of love in the best of the year lists.

‘Earth’ by John Boyne further cemented his status as one of my favourite storytellers. This was the second in his quartet of books, about a young Irish footballer on trial in a sexual assualt case. Found this to be a propulsive short read - not sure how he manages to get so much story/character into 200 pages.

Just squeezed in ‘The midnight feast’ by Lucy Foley before months end. Listen, if you’ve read her previous books, it’s not much of a departure - she has a formula for her thrillers and it works. This is good craic, a thriller set in an exclusive wellness spa in Dorset where a solstice feast is about to be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Fillums

Just the two films memorable enough to mention - firstly Civil War by Alex Garland. It’s a dystopian thriller, set in a United States that has finally burst at the seams, the fissures of division engulfing the county. Four journalists set out for Washington in a bid to interview the president, meeting all sorts of dangers along the way. Kirstin Dunst and Wagner Moura are amongst the cast.

The battle hardened Dunst is now viewing lawlessness and anarchy in her own country, and not the war torn areas people view from a distance on the news. Yup, it can happen in America too, but the exact reasons for this, and who were the main players, are deliberately vague.

It’s at times thought provoking, and there are moments of high tension and drama. This is not a standard war movie - there’s violence, but I wouldn't call it gratuitous, though it is quite lawless out there. And there’s something dreadful yet awe-inspiring in seeing these famous landmarks becoming battle zones.

I probably need to speak to someone about this movie, as I’m not really sure what I felt about it. I watch a lot of movies alone and sometimes it’s only when I talk to others that I realise what I thought of it. Good performances (particularly from the war weary Dunst, unusual role for her I thought) and it is visually stunning, with a witty script etc, never lets up from the start so has a great pace. I’m not sure why but I found it hard to engage with this, particularly emotionally. Maybe need to see it again.

Next up was ‘Force of nature - The dry 2’ with Eric Bana and Anna Torv. Regular readers will know I’m a bit of a Jane Harper fan so I was looking forward to this, especially as the movie adaptation of the first book was really well done.

Five women head out on a camping trip as part of a work retreat, but only four return. Aaron Falk is on the case, and he’s joined by fellow detective Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie) and the reason for his interest is that the woman missing (Torv) is a whistleblower on a case he’s been working on. Also, these very ranges were the setting for (another) traumatic childhood incident.

Honestly, this is a solid, slow burner of a movie that I thought was a old fashioned thriller. Bana is good again as the brooding Falk, and the ranges provide a stunning setting, particularly in the rain. There’s plenty of tension throughout, and it’s also good to just enjoy a story, and not be distracted by car chases or loud explosions.

Did I use the word ‘solid’ already? Yup. It’s hard to say anything else. I don’t think this version matches the book in the same way ‘The dry’ did but it’s still an above average thriller that you’ll enjoy even more if you haven’t read the book.

TV

Sad that ‘Inside Number 9’ is finishing, one of the most innovative and highly enjoyable shows of recent years. I loved ‘league of gentleman’ and grew up on ‘Twilight zones’ and ‘Hammer house of horrors’, so this was always a perfect viewing for me. If you haven’t watched it, each episode is a standalone, starring Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, usually with some guest stars. It’s funny, macabre, and occasionally moving. Hard to believe there’s been nine seasons, and hard to pick a favourite.

The live halloween episode was superb, with the two actors tweeting during it’s broadcast. The Riddle of the sphinx was another one, Zanzibar (entirely written in iambic parameter) ‘Bernie Cliftons dressing room’ was really moving; nah, there’s just too many. Such a high standard throughout.

If I was suggesting one episode to watch it would be either ‘12 days of Christine’ (I remember it being so good I watched it twice in a row), or ‘A quiet night in’ as it showcases how hilarious the show was.

Finally

I used to listen to new music/podcasts on my walks, but now I find I just want to tune in to nature. This is especially true during my work day, as I need to escape the office and the phones, so just opening up my senses has become all important.

It’s not silence, because I have tinnitus so there is never silence, but there is stillness, which is where all of these experiences appear. It’s where everything appears. It’s the same in coffee shops - I just enjoy the ambient sounds, the movement, the light etc

I’ve also notice that some people seem to find this odd - to see a person on a park bench or in a coffee shop, just sitting there, not on their phone, or reading a book, or with earplugs. I get the occasional strange look - I mean, why is that person not distracting themselves with thoughts?

We seem to have become human doings, rather than human beings.

Back to nature. Of course the Japanese have a word for this - Shinrin Yoko, which roughly translates as ‘Forest Bathing’. Certainly helps me anyway - I can drop into awareness naturally just by being in nature. But I mean, I think we all know the healing properties of nature by now. There’s nothing new in this, and we probably just forget how soothing it can be.

I may discontinue these round ups, as I’m not consuming enough cultural experiences to share. I find it hard to watch something just for the sake of watching it, to say I’ve seen it. I’ll see how I feel next month - perhaps I’ll make them a quarterly or bi-monthly post.

Maybe I’ll keep posting my favourite benches. The one at the top of the post is my Sunday bench, and I can hear the various bells being rung across the city/big town. Usually no-one around, ‘cept me and the birdies.

The one just above is one of my work break benches, in a wide open expanse. Usually a few dog walkers around, but generally just bird song and a nice breeze. Not suitable for inclement weather. Do you have a favourite park bench? Let me know below.

I’ll finish with a guided meditation from of my favourite teachers, Adyashanti.

Anyway, may you be happy, well, and free from suffering.