Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Well after a year or so of waiting, I have finally read the last HP book... and it was worth the wait. I won't say anything about the plot - no spoilers here - but I will say it is one of the best ones of the set. I nearly got disheartened reading the Order of the Phoenix, which took AGES to get going, but the Half Blood Prince and the Deathly Hallows were pacey and fast moving and kept me hooked throughout.

I don't care what the press say, I'm in my 30's and thoroughly enjoyed HP, more so the latter ones, but as much as they may slate her, JK Rowling has written a set of books that children and adults alike have loved. They may be pure escapism but thats one of the things that's great about them. I know when I like a book as I can picture the characters in my minds eye and their surroundings (which is why am often disappointed in the films - imagination is so much better). JK Rowling's style of writing captures every detail perfectly and am glad I persevered to the end (as I used to be one of those who scorned HP as a 'kids book' - "I'm not reading that and jumping on the HP bandwagon!" Am glad I did now...)

So... for all those who haven't read it yet, do so as its worth the effort. It'll be interesting to see what her other future books will be like as apparently she's going to do another children's book and an adult one too... Let's hope they are as good although, lets face it... when you're as rich now as she is, you wouldn't really care would you! Who would of thought the story of a speccy wizard would make you a multi-millionaire...

S x

On the road to Wem-ber-lee

I only got bleedin tickets didn't I!!! Can't wait... England Vs Israel on September the 8th 2007 for a qualifier. Hopefully Mr Becks will be all better by then and I can see my hero in the flesh.

Can't wait to feel the atmos of an important game in a truly spectacular venue!!

C'mon England and roll on September :)

Yipeeee!

Oxford Moonlight Stroll - June 30th '07 (update)

Well we did it. 900+ people braved the rain and walked with soggy feet for 9.5 miles around Oxford at some unGodly hour of the morning! We were dressed in our compulsory Oompa Loompa T-Shirts (my name for them as they were fluorescent orange) so we could be easily spotted in the dark. We had a preparatory feast of Eat As Much As You Like Chinese before setting off. We began our trek at 10.45pm after a soggy warm up at St Edwards School in Oxford. Luckily we all had nice poncho capes to keep semi dry but before long we were squelching along through puddles in the dark.

The first leg up to Maudlin Bridge (the halfway point) wasn't too bad. Kept a steady pace and although it was raining steadily, we got used to it and it wasn't cold. We stopped to re-register halfway and grabbed a banana and water. We then set off for the return route back and it was then the aches and pains began in earnest. Parts of my body were taking it turn to hurt and say ouch. First it was my knees (of which are already buggered with fluid on one of them), then my ankles, then my back and finally the balls of my feet. The last mile took eternity and Woodstock Road near the school seemed 9 miles in itself. That said we arrived back at base at 2am, soggy, wet, exhausted and hurting, but all in all chuffed with our efforts.

We were all given a goody bag and the opportunity to grab 'breakfast' (at 2am!). Most of us collapsed on the gym floor and tried to soothe tired muscles. All in all, I raised £320 online at http://www.justgiving.com/sharonsmoonlightstroll and approximations of about £70 elsewhere. All of us did this in memory of Valerie Connolley, my good friend and best mates mum. Along the walk we all reflected and remembered her with fondness. It was only this time last year she participated in Cancer Research Race For Life with us, despite having painful arthritic knees. She never complained and we raised a lot back then. This time around, I kept fully expecting Val to stroll up beside us wearing a dayglo orange T-Shirt as we all were, or to see her waiting for us at the finish point with a big smile and a cuppa! I really feel she was there in spirit and despite our grumbles about aches and pains, I know we are all chuffed we did it and of how much we all raised for Sobell House Hospice, where Val was looked after. It may sound daft but I felt her prescence there with us all and am sure she spurred us along.

Have uploaded my photos on Flickr so have a look if you like. One more thing, my sponsor page online is open for some time yet so please, if any of you read this and can spare a few quid please donate. Sobell House is entirely run on donations and its events like this that can make all the difference in the last days of someone's life. I know it did for Valerie.

Finally a BIG THANK YOU to you all who did sponsor me. Your money was very much appreciated. Right, I'm off to rub deep heat all over myself!!

Cheers
S x