Sunday 14 February 2016

The Sunday Papers

Today is Sunday, which naturally means a bit of a lie in.  But better than that, it's Valentine's Day which also means breakfast in bed.  And even better, it's half term which means the usual monotonous Sunday routines of washing school uniforms, packed lunchbox food shopping and getting ready for work don't apply.  The absolute icing on the cake is that we're also away in our favourite cottage in Wales, so really today couldn't get any more perfect.

I sent the man out to hunt and gather the newspaper, which given our secluded and isolated spot meant a 10 mile round-trip in the car, and for shame, he went in his onesie, spurred on by the thought of slipping back into bed to savour breakfast.  At least we're 300 miles from home and nobody knows him.


The Sunday Times is not my usual paper, but I was intrigued to see their newly re-launched magazine, so we delved in.  I'm slightly embarrassed to say that we are predictably stereotypical when it comes to our approach to the Sunday papers.  He'll automatically go for the sports section, followed by the business and then the news.  I'll always pounce on the glossy magazine first, and them move on to the homes supplement, and then travel.

I tried my best to keep the magazine to myself, but my daughter spotted her idol Taylor Swift on the front cover and desperately tried to spirit it away.

What I love best about a huge, meaty bundle of papers at the weekend is flicking through idly until something catches my eye.  I like to dip in and out all through the day - on a normal working week it might sometimes take me the full 7 days to get through the whole thing.

Since Sundays are about lazing and relaxing, I returned to the magazine over lunch.  Venturing outside even though it was cold, with my mittened hands I sipped spicy cumin and squash soup, followed by a very generous portion of homemade chocolate fudge cake.  This was when I read the fascinating article about the Douglas children and the scientific studies that have been carried out over decades which shape policy making in everything from education to health.



It was a brisk, bright day so we headed out for a walk to take in some of the stunning Welsh views.  The walk was rather longer than it should have been due to some inept map-reading, and we returned after trekking (mostly uphill it felt like) 12 km, with rosy cheeks and icy fingers.


While the Sunday roast was cooking, I grabbed half an hour to sit and read and found myself nodding with a wry smile to John Aldridge's tech column about 'techiquette', and as someone who's recently given up wheat, I drooled rather uncontrollably at the chestnut pancakes with bacon and syrup recipe - tomorrow morning's feast if I can figure out where on earth to buy chestnut flour from round here.


After dinner and once the small person was in bed, it was time to rest my weary legs on the sofa with a hefty G&T.  With the equally shattered puppy curled up at my feet it was back to the magazine again.  Since the fire was blazing and I was by now feeling toasty and snug, I was drawn to the fascinating photo essay on Canadian ice fishing huts.  My partner is a crazy cold-water swimmer so I'm used to being out near freezing water, but this is another level.  The hardy Canadians conduct their fishing through holes in the ice, but from the relative 'comfort' of their own individual and portable huts.  Much like us Brits might personalise a seaside beach hut with pastel stripes or hanging bunting, these ice huts are a thing of beauty with bespoke paint jobs and personal additions, and, I'm pleased to see, little woodburning chimneys protruding from each roof.

There's still so much more I want to read - articles about Ruby Wax, Dita Von Teese and India Knight, as well as some I'll happily remain in the dark about - Jeremy Clarkson and Nigel Farage.  Now you can't say it's not varied!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this article but all views and images are my own.


26 comments:

  1. I miss miss miss miss doing this on a Sunday so much! When we are at home I relish doing similar, usually at my Mum's so she can keep an eye on the small peeps and I can read the papers from cover to cover! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, it's a real treat! Hope you get to do it soon.

      Delete
  2. I've not read a newspaper in such a long time, I seem to get all my news online nowadays, your post is making me wistful though, it looks like you've had a lovely Sunday. Mich x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh there's something so much more relaxing about having a proper paper!

      Delete
  3. I take the Telegraph each day and I love having the chance to read through them. Several weeks of newspapers can build up though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I can imagine you'd accumulate quite a stack!

      Delete
  4. Always great to find articles you want to read in a newspaper. Sometimes I buy one and there isn't really anything worth reading. Looks like a lovely place to escape too as well, enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can usually find something of interest, there's soon many sections to choose from!

      Delete
  5. I have to admit I tend to avoid newspapers - especially broad sheets these days. I prefer to read online

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm the opposite! I spend so much time looking at a screen it's nice to read something physical for a change! But you can access it online http://store4.thetimes.co.uk

      Delete
  6. My Dad reads a daily paper and the weekend one. He's been staying a week and the teetering pile of supplements everywhere drives me to distraction!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, I can see they build up, that's why the recycling bin or a real fire is your friend!

      Delete
  7. Looks like you had a nice sunday with family nad relaxation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did, thank you! I must do it more often! x

      Delete
  8. We do exactly the same as you with a newspaper although it's been a while since we've had a relaxing Sunday morning x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I can recommend doing it again soon Cass!

      Delete
  9. This really does look like the perfect Sunday, so cosy and tranquil! I'm so envious of you for having those stunning views on your doorstep.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're on holiday, I wish it was my doorstep! I'm missing those views x

      Delete
  10. This sounds like the perfect Sunday! I love the weekend papers but it has been yonks since I managed to relax and read them like this. It is probably something we do only when on holidays really must make amends! Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, holidays offer more time don't they, but I'd like to get back into the habit of taking an hour on a Sunday just to catch up with the world.

      Delete
  11. So long since I've had a lazy Subday with a newspaper !
    Perfect way to relax

    ReplyDelete
  12. I need to make more time for the Sunday papers I think. I tend to use Sunday to catch up on jobs instead of relaxing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the focus of Sundays has changed hasn't it? Time to reclaim it!

      Delete
  13. Sounds like a blissful Sunday to me, as it includes a respectable newspaper to read through for hours, a roaring fire and G&T, lol!xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah yes - some of my favourite things in life!

      Delete