We're due some good weather this week, so it feels like summer finally, doesn't it? No need to get on a plane and jet off to a distant shore for some sunshine, then.
But I was interested to read of a new 'trend' getting a profile on social media where people, mainly men, challenge themselves to do nothing on a long haul flight.
Passengers spend hours looking straight ahead. They have no stimulation at all - no films, no phones, no food or water even, sometimes no toilet breaks (yes, really, and that has brought opprobrium from medics), and certainly no books. The longer you do it, the tougher you have proven yourself to be, apparently.
Some commentators have acknowledged that, while this behaviour is rather extreme, it is good for us to have time away from our phones and devices, and we should recognise the value of boredom in encouraging creativity, and having an opportunity to recharge mentally.
But imagine all that time when you could have been reading a book!
I haven't done much reading this weekend because the weather has been so good. I was out on the river yesterday morning and have been trying to catch up in the garden.
Next weekend, though, I'll be immersed in books again as I'm taking part in the author events at the FolkEast festival at Glemham, just up the road here from Woodbridge.
I hope you'll think of coming along. There's such a friendly, easy atmosphere there, and lots of space. I always think of the fields, woodland and country house bathed in sunshine for the weekend of music, crafts, food and books. And the forecast is looking good.
On Friday I'll be talking to Harriet Constable about her debut novel 'The Instrumentalist' (scroll down for details). And on Saturday, the nature writer Matt Gaw will be discussing his latest book 'In All Weathers' while in the evening I'll be hosting a panel with no less than five novelists. They'll all be sharing details of their latest published books and their current projects. If you like reading Kate Sawyer, Margaret Meyer, Polly Crosby, Sarah Hardy or Saskia Sarginson, come along!
Thank you for reading.