Monday 5 September 2016

50 Before 50 - Part Two

Following on from my 50 Before 50 - Part One post, here is the second part of my list of fifty things I want to do before I reach the age of fifty.

26. Visit the Lake District.
We don't live that far away from The Lakes but it's somewhere I've never been.

27. Use my camera more on manual settings.
I've had my DSLR camera for over three years now and even though I went on a workshop showing me how to use it, I still have it on automatic most of the time. It's time I got to grips with it and started using the manual settings so I intend to take more photos without the camera being set to auto.


28. Have a go at needle felting.
Mick bought me a needle felting kit for Christmas 2014 and I still haven't had a go at it. I love the little hare that can be made with it so I really should get it out and give it a go.


29. Take a trip to the cinema.
I rarely go to the cinema. The last thing I saw was Me Before You in June but Les Miserables back in 2012 was the last thing I saw before that.

30. Do the Leeds Owl Trail.
Leeds has owls on its coat of arms and because of this, owls have sprung up all over the city. The purpose of the Leeds Owl Trail is to inform and inspire people about Leeds' rich heritage. Owls can be found perched on various historical sights including the Town Hall, St Anne's Cathedral and Leeds Bridge.

31. Go on a picnic.
Mick makes a great picnic, he always packs such yummy snacks and treats.

32. Read all the Harry Potter books.
I've already read some of the books but not all so I'm going to start again right from the beginning. Daniel and I read some of the books together but he continued reading on his own and I didn't bother so I've no idea what happens in the later books.

33. Watch all the Harry Potter films.
Like the books, I've seen some of the early ones but not the later ones so once again, I shall start all over again with them.

34. Go to the ballet.
It's years since I've seen a ballet so it's about time I went to see one again.

35. Visit Scotland.
The first time I went north of the border was last year when we stayed in Northumberland. Even then, we only ventured about five miles in to Scotland so I'd like to see a bit more of the country.


36. Have a massage.
I could definitely do with a massage at times to relieve stress so I'm going to indulge when the need arises.

37. Take an overnight trip with Eleanor.
We both love the theatre so this may or may not involve seeing a show.

38. Climb Flamborough lighthouse.
The lighthouse was closed the last time we visited but I'd like to overcome my fear of heights so that I can see the view from the top.


39. Go on a ghost hunt.
I think York would be a good place for this, there's always lots of ghost walks taking place and they even do ghost tours by bus now.

40. Watch a sunset from a beach.
There's something magical about seeing the sun dip below the horizon.

41. Go for afternoon tea.
I only drink tea occasionally but I love the idea of sandwiches and sweet treats, a quintessential British tradition.

42. Treat myself to something I really want.
I'm not sure what this will be, nothing springs to mind at the moment but I'm sure something will pop up that I'd like.

43. Adopt an animal for charity.
I don't mean one that will come home to live with me, I don't think Archie would take too kindly to that. There's lots of organisations that ask you to adopt an animal or become a sponsor, like Hope Pastures where I've adopted Banjo the donkey in the past.


44. Finish the Spice Of Life crochet blanket.
I'm over half way through this project but it's been put aside for quite a while now along with my Granny Stripe blanket. I'm not sure what's happened to my crochet mojo, I'm more in to knitting and cross stitch at the moment but I'm sure it will return when the colder weather arrives.


45. Send a message in a bottle.
I always wanted to do this when I was a child but never did. I wonder where the bottle will end up and whether anyone will read my message.

46. Engage in social media.
I've so far managed to avoid Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and most other social media but I'm thinking of joining in. I'm not sure if I'll just sign up to one or two things or if I'll go the whole hog and join everything. I'll have to find out how everything works first though.

47. Visit a craft show.
I think various craft shows are held at Harrogate International Centre, or a little further afield at the NEC in Birmingham.

48. Attend the Christmas lights switch on.
The lights switch on in my small town has become more of an event over the last couple of years, it's organised by the local Lions, a service club organisation, and now incorporates a fun fair and market as well as local groups providing entertainment throughout the day. I haven't attended for a good many years so it's time I put in an appearance again.

49. Grow a tree from a pip.
I'm sure I remember sowing apple pips from the fruit I'd eaten when I was a child, not that I can remember anything growing from them. Perhaps I was just too impatient and gave up too quickly. I think I'll give this a go again, perhaps I'll sow something a little more exotic this time.

50. Explore Nottingham.
I should have plenty of opportunity to do this as Eleanor will be living there for the next three or four years. I've already spotted a great yarn shop in the city centre which I'd like to visit and I'm sure there's some lovely green spaces around the city.

So that's my list of fifty things that I want to tick off before I reach my fiftieth birthday in two year's time. I wonder how many of them I'll actually do. A few of you have shown an interest in making a list yourself, I'd love to know if you do, it would be fun to see what things you've included on your own list.

Don't forget, if you haven't already entered my giveaway, you've got until midday on Wednesday the 7th of September 2016 to do so, just leave a comment on my Sixth Blog Anniversary Giveaway post.


55 comments:

  1. A great list and a great idea. I hope you are going to update us on your progress!

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    1. I will certainly do updates along the way, two years is a long time so it will be good to cross things off as I do them.

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  2. what a great list with loads of variety. Maybe I should do one, although my life seemss to be all about impulse at the moment! I've 3 years 3 months until I hit that age ;)

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    1. I certainly shouldn't get bored with it, that's for sure. You could make a list and start now so that you've got longer to do everything on it.

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  3. Some good things on the other part of your list too :-)

    3 things I think you should put to the top of your list, read all the Harry Potter books - I've read them 5 times now and they are still as good.
    Go for afternoon tea!- we have been to the Savoy, The Dorchester and Fortnum & Mason and we are booked in for one at Dunsley Hall at Christmas, such a treat :-)
    Combine getting to grips with your camera with taking photos of all those owls, I'd love to take a picture tour of those :-)

    You have inspired me to work on another one for next year.

    Good luck x

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    1. I'm going to get started on the Harry Potter books soon, Daniel's got them in his bedroom so they're on hand. I'm not sure the venue for my afternoon tea will be anywhere quite as posh as you've been, they sound fabulous, such a treat as you say. That's a good idea making myself use the camera on manual whilst taking photos of the owls, I might just do that. Do let us know what you decide to put on your own list.

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  4. I think your list is marvellous. I wouldn't be able to think up 50 things I would like to do!
    What model is your Nikon? I had a D50 (and still have it) which served me well for years and I, too, kept it on Automatic! Then the flash packed up and the camera shop man said that it would cost too much to get it repaired (I believed him, these things are costly) so invested in a 2nd hand Nikon D90 body with a Tamron lens. I still prefer the old D50!
    I also have a small Pentax for my bag, and it's fine for outdoor work, but hopeless indoors even with flash.
    I wouldn't want a massage. Not keen on strangers handling my body. Had a tummy massage (on the NHS, believe it or not) when I had cancer and they were offering 6 various treatments as comfort things, so I had aromatherapy and the woman massaged my tummy and I felt my privacy very much invaded, I'd not want one again, not even on my back. But our son and his fiancée love having a massage at one of those pampering sessions that some hotels offer. We're all different.
    Margaret P

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    1. I've been making the list for some time, jotting things down as I've thought of them. My Nikon is the D3100, it came with one lens but I bought a Tamron 70-300 lens for it. I also have Panasonic and Fuji bridge cameras and a cheap little Fuji point and shoot which I carry around with me.

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  5. Try your camera on P, programme, this setting presets loads of things, but allows you some individual control. Felting is on my list to do. Loving your list a good mixture of fun and lovely things.

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    1. I do use the camera on P sometimes, it's just a case of getting used to choosing my own settings really. I'm looking forward to getting started on the list now.

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  6. I made that hare and although I recommend taking your time and doing it when you can be peaceful and concentrate on your own, it really is easy and great fun, so have a go and enjoy it! As for the social media, I would give most a miss and just go to Instagram, I started there a couple of months ago and it is lovely, much nicer than twitter and facebook I think! Have fun in any case!! xx

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    1. I think the hare is so cute, I do hope I manage to make it and it's not too difficult. I think I need to get to grips with the camera on my phone before starting any social media, I'm so far behind the times.

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  7. Another varied, and interesting, list all of which will keep you busy through to your 50th birthday. I'm on Facebook and Twitter, and much prefer the later. Flighty xx

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    1. It seems that different people favour different social media sites. I must admit that from what I know at the moment, I'm leaning towards Instagram but that may change.

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  8. I have a felted fox that I started and abandoned , I've promised myself I will finish it. Out daughter gave her Dad a sea turtle as a present. She, the turtle, usually hangs out down by Ft. Lauderdale in Florida. He can track her online.

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    1. You must finish your fox, I bet it will be so cute. How lovely that you're able to track the turtle online, I think it's brilliant that you're able to do that, and such a lovely gift too.

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  9. Looks like I'm going to have to follow your lead m'dear. Although I'll have to think of 60 things, next year.

    Jean

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    1. You must let us know what you decide to put on your list, I think it's going to be so much fun crossing things off as we do them.

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  10. I love your list I've done quite s few things you have on there but unlike you I've not yet managed a course to use my camera I have the exact same one as yours and always have it on auto the bloody thing scares me lol. Lovejoy says just use it play around with it etc so I did on our last trip but only because my phone was swamped by a freak wave as it was under my sun bed so I was unable to use the phone camera that's after lugging it with me too with just a carry on bag.

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    1. The camera course was just a half day workshop that I picked up on Groupon, it was very useful though, explaining where to find things on the camera, what they mean and how they affect a photo. I think it is best to play around with it but like you, it does scare me a bit.

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  11. There are a few things on your lists that I've recently done, such as being more active on Facebook. I joined 6 or so years ago, but rarely logged in and I think I posted maybe 3 or 4 times in total. Until this year, that is, when I made it a sort of New Years resolution to be more active on it. I've quite enjoyed my interaction with friends, especially those from afar that I don't get the chance to see very often and it's also a good journal, of sorts, about happenings in our own lives.

    And the camera - oh yes. I purchased a DSLR last April and the manual has been sitting in my "to do" folder since then.

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    1. That's one of the great things about social media, isn't it, being able to interact with people from afar. I really don't know what we did without computers. I bought a book which goes with my camera but I think I learnt more from the half day workshop that I took part in than I'll ever learn from reading. Things seem much easier to grasp when they're actually explained.

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  12. Great list, Jo. The massage sounds good to me right now.....
    xxx

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    1. I've only ever had a couple of massages in the past so I'm looking forward to that one.

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  13. What a great second part of your 'to do' list.
    It really is a great mix of things to do and all totally do-able I would think.
    I went to a London Ballet many years ago now ... it was so magical, I loved it. Must try to go again.
    You simply must go to the Lake District it is one of mine and Eddie's most favourite places.

    It will be great to see you cross things off your list in the coming two years.

    Once again belated birthday wishes

    All the best Jan

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    1. My mum used to take me to the ballet when I was young but it's many years since I've seen one now, I'm really looking forward to going again. The Lake District is a place I've wanted to go for many years, we just never seem to get round to going so this is one thing I really must get crossed off the list.

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  14. It's a good list and there are quite a few things on it I would like to do too such as exploring new areas in the north of England, the Midlands or even Scotland. If that doesn't happen there are always interesting things to do in our own localities. The Leeds Owl Trail sounds like a good way to find out more about the city's heritage.

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    1. There's so many lovely places in the UK to explore, I could have really made a travel list of places I want to visit. The Leeds Owl Trail should be interesting, of course, I'll have seen many of the buildings already but I'm sure I'll learn more about them.

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  15. That's a good list Jo, I've got a few years yet before I'm 50 but maybe compiling a list now would give me chance to tick them off!! Nottingham is a lovely city. It a short train journey for me and I spent a lot of time there during my teenage years and I have also done all of the touristy stuff with my Swedish pen pal and also the children. The castle and caves are great to visit as is the robin hood centre.

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    1. I've been to Nottingham a couple of times in the past but I was just visiting friends so I haven't done any of the touristy stuff. I'm sure Eleanor will be able to show us round once she's got her bearings.

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  16. I love the variety of things on your list. What is needle felting? I haven't got a clue!

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    1. Needle felting is a process of locking wool fibres together to make a more condensed material. You start of with a clump of wool, which just looks like a clump of fluff, and continually punch barbed needles through it which makes the wool fibres lock together. You're able to sculpt shapes whilst doing this. I'm not sure if I've explained this in an easy to understand way, but I'm sure there'll be lots of videos on You Tube where you can see what I mean.

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  17. Another great list, I hope you accomplish a lot of your aims. Mmm social media, I've set up an instagram account. It was easy to set up but it does take a little getting used to. x

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    1. I thought it might. I'm not used to any of these sites so I'm sure it will take some time before I use them regularly.

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  18. I am ashamed. I should have a 50 before 50 list (only 18 months to go!) but I haven't taken the time to make it... yet. I like what's on your list, there's a lot of good stuff there to do. And if you need a friend for some of them, let me know.... Leeds isn't far, is it!

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    1. Leeds isn't far, I shall definitely let you know if I need a partner in crime. You should definitely make a list, it's so easy to put things off, even if they're enjoyable things, so I'm hoping that my list will make me get round to doing some of the things I've been meaning to do.

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  19. More great items on your list - we climbed Portland Bill and met with Larry the lighthouse keeper (yes, he really is called Larry lol) bit scarey coming back down though!
    Good luck with your list, will be fun seeing oyu post as you them off over the coming months.
    NEC craft show in November, our craft group have a bus trip.

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    1. I'm not very good with heights but I'm sure I'll be okay at Flamborough, I hope so anyway. I think there's a craft show in Harrogate in November too, how lovely to be part of a craft group who organise trips to these events.

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  20. Great ideas and so doable. Do try the neddle felting it great fun, and the massage, really good idea. Hope you enjoy trying out some of your ideas. xcx

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    1. Eleanor's done a bit of needle felting and she's really enjoyed it. I've only ever had a couple of massages in the past and they were a long time ago so I'm looking forward to going again.

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  21. Let me know when you are visiting Scotland, we can host you if you want to spend time in Glasgow! x

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    1. Thank you, that's so kind. No plans as yet so we're probably a year or two away from Scotland yet.

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  22. Part 2 of your list is just as good as part 1, Jo. Good luck with it all! :o)

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    1. It's certainly varied, it should definitely keep me interested for the next two years.

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  23. What an excellent list ...... and you definitely need to do #35, then we can meet up!!

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    1. Mick went on a football tour to Edinburgh before we met and on a work trip but other than that, the only time either of us have been to Scotland was last year and that was only just across the border. We like what we've seen so far though so we definitely want to take another trip.

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  24. I love the hare in your kit, I find something so beautiful in the shape of those moon gazing hares.
    Oh yes the owl trail sounds great, another blog post in the making there!
    Picnics are one on the best things ever, definitely do more of those.
    I have to say a massage would be high up on my wish list too.
    Lisa x

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    1. I've got a thing about hares at the moment, I've got another post coming up soon about another hare. I've only ever had a couple of massages but I'd definitely like another, a great way to relieve stress.

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  25. I love your list, everything is realistic, some great ideas especially some of the places you want to visit. There's so much of our lovely country I've never seen xx

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    1. I could have filled up the whole list with places in the UK that I want to visit, I haven't seen anywhere near enough of this country.

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  26. I did enjoy your list, I felt I got to know you better. You really must go to the Lakes, you'll love it, Archie too, there are so many scenic pet friendly places to stay. I like the overnighter with E to, and the ballet!xxx

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    1. I can't wait to go to the Lakes, it's somewhere I've wanted to go for a long time and as you say, I'm sure Archie would love it there too. I'm not sure where Eleanor and I will go yet but it will be nice to do something together.

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  27. This is a fantastic idea!!! May I borrow the 50 before 5O idea??

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    1. Of course you may. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

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