Day 373: Bun

Massive iced finger. Be patient.

Yoga's pretty good, isn't it? On so many fronts. I had the pleasure of another class with Katy today. It was rich and hip-stretchy. I was supposed to assist in some way or other, but traffic oddnesses meant that instead of a lift, I had to cycle. I was pleased - I'd wanted to have a go on Lilley's leggy bike and take some evening air - but it did mean I got there a little later than planned, so I took part rather than assisting and that was just right. 

I feel I should do something requiring hip flexibility right now, so much we stretched this evening. We pigeoned, sleeping-swanned, then king-pigeoned it up to top it off. I shall sleep like a starfish, just because I can. 

I've been doing ashtanga in Leeds with Joey Miles - a very good teacher. He adjusts by having  a little lie down on top of your downward dog, or standing on your hands and launching into a push. It's really rather pleasing and such a good extra stretch. Not as careful as Sivananda, but the energy is good and lordy, it makes you strong. I noticed the change in tonight's class with Katy. There are tiny things I don't think I could do before, but now I can, with my new muscles and a little bit more core than before. I need to keep up with both styles. It will be good for soul and body alike. Maybe I'll do a Carol Vorderman and get fitter now than all through the last two decades. Fitter and calmer in the brain. Fitter and more useful. More yogaly all round.

I love an anatomical diagram, me

I loved Lilley in many different guises today, and Daniel too. I'm so very much enjoying being here, surrounded by people who think about things openly, who strive to be better, not because they think they're bad, but because we can all keep making an effort to go further, to find out more, to develop. And people who are nice to each other and who hang out with people who are nice to each other; who don't indulge in bitching or griping, but who look for the good in every situation and who go through their day saying nice things to strangers and friends; who have compassion; who look for more.

I can't say I ate all that very healthily today. Chips were involved, as was hot chocolate and a muffin. Dead food. It served its purpose, but when I came back from yoga I ate half a cucumber, just to complement the juice I'd had before and to refresh my system a little bit. I wonder what cucumber dreams are like? Perhaps I should pop an olive or a nublet of cheese to spice things up... maybe the cucumber is enough to open me to planes of specialness. Last night, following a ryvita feast, I made an escape in a sinking boat with some children (I was one too) and some oversized iced fingers with jam in the middle. Oh, and I had a Brazilian that looked like a moustache facing upwards (so if you drew on a mouth, it would be up by the belly). There will be a profound message in there. My job tonight is to find it.

This came from a 'tax return' search. His face says it.

Oh god - how could I have forgotten. I submitted my tax return today, and paid my tax bill. It was monumental (the feeling, not the bill). This is thanks to Robert Carroll, who did my accounts, recommended to me by Jen, who I did a job with last year. This chain of events that led to me saving more money than imagined, and even the promise of claiming back things next year because I didn't know about them last year. It's brilliant. Okay, so it's a big bill and it's a lot to pay at once and i've had to break into my Isa, but how wonderful that I was able to pay it and that I paid less than I would have had to thanks to Robert's patient help. And I'll know more this year too, so we can just get it in and be done with it in advance this year. 

Just before bed, an unexpected email to say a very lovely friend is planning to come to visit in February. I am delighted. Bring on the iced fingers, it's time for a yoga party.