Challenge number 20– Watch 40 Tom Hanks films.

It seems to be becoming a very nice habit that the occasional evening that we are all home together, to draw the curtains, delve into the box and find a Tom Hanks film to snuggle down together to watch.  I was really pleased when this weekend's choice was The Da Vinci Code as it is a film I have always fancied watching but never quite got around to seeing. 

I am no film critic but I was really disappointed by this film, it felt all the way through like a book that couldn’t be condensed and I had guessed most of the plot before the ending.  It was fun spotting the places that we had been to but I was never really drawn into the film – maybe because I was expecting so much more.  We still have the sequels to watch and I will try to have an open mind but this film unfortunately did not live up to my expectations.

Challenge/treat 18 - "What to wear to change your life!"

This challenge came with Trinny and Susannah’s book and my challenge was to sort out my wardrobe.  This proved surprisingly therapeutic and with the children back at school I emptied my wardrobe, draws and all the clothes stored in the washing pile onto my bed and started the process of deciding if I was really going to wear it again, if it still fitted and if I still liked it!  The charity bags started to bulge and I was able to fit everything back into my draws that I really wanted to keep!  I know I am a hoarder and promise to try harder this year!

Starting treat/challenge number 20!

I started today preparing for my running challenges by going for a training run with some hill efforts thrown in for fun!  I was then persuaded to go for a second run when Phil came home from work as he wanted some company and Tom joined us for a few miles along Marriotts Way.  We all felt that we deserved a film night so ticked off film number one of the 40 Tom Hanks films that were given to  me as treat/challenge number 20.

The Terminal directed by Steven Spielberg was the first out of the box and I have to admit that a film about a man being stuck in an airport terminal did not appeal and would not have been one I would have chosen to watch.  I was soon drawn into the story of a man who arrives at JFK airport only to find that the government of his country have been overthrown and that he is stuck in limbo unable to return home but also unable to enter America.  He carries a tin of peanuts with him (which I thought were the ashes of somebody!) but instead they hold a promise and are the reason for his journey.  This film is about survival and also highlights how caught up in our own world we become that we don’t see those around us.  I`m pleased to report that this film was a treat!

A year ahead of treats and challenges

2017 - A year of treats and challenges

Welcome to my blog, in April I turn 40 and to mark this milestone I have put my life into the hands of my family who have set me 40 treats and challenges to complete throughout the year. We are an active family who all enjoy an adventure! For many holidays now a quick open water swim seems to occur regularly which I enjoy (if it’s warm enough). Other activities we regularly partake in include long runs, bike rides and walks. This year however I will be pushing myself to the absolute limits as these are involved in some of my challenges. They are not all physical and I should end the year with a range of new skills. The distinction between what is a treat and challenge could be quite subjective and I will let you judge for yourself which category watching 40 Tom Hanks films falls into.

Thank-you for following my blog. I look forward to sharing my adventures with you throughout 2017!