On reflection, I’ve decided not spell out the details of
the end of my adventures in philately.
To do so would entail introducing someone who was involved, but could be
identifiable to at least a few of my readers and might, for all I know, actually
be one of them. Best let it lie. Suffice to say that I no longer possess that
Penny Black.
Instead, here are some pursuits* I have followed for a
while over the years, which could have turned into hobbies had I possessed the
requisite obsessiveness:
Chess
Poetry
Drawing
Astronomy
Train sets
Wine-making
Home brewing
Cruciverbalism
Model aeroplanes
Acting
Camping
Weaving
Beekeeping
Phillumeny
Bungee jumping
Flower pressing
* Drawn from my
Chambers Crossword Lists book.
I'd go back to cruciverbalism if I were you, Tim. It sounds .....fun. I think.
ReplyDeletePS You haven't mentioned train spotting.
ah Phillumeny, only just recently have I seen a collection. Do you think collecting Lowrys would count?
ReplyDeleteI had to also google cruciwhatsit. It sounded painful to me.
Two new words in one day - result, although more useful ones may be more helpful in my ongoing education.
There's nothing wrong with flower pressing.
ReplyDeleteProvided one has a long enough extension cord...
DeleteRussell has always been an obsessive collector and, like you, his first collection was stamps. I'm rather glad not to be obsessive, but maybe it's just that I have a short attention span.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Frances, train spotting isn't there, along with bonsai, quilting, cat breeding, and candle-making. Crosswords, however, can be fun.
ReplyDeleteZig, please feel free to collect Lowrys. Don't pay more than a tenner though, they're rubbish. (If you're short of new words, just ask, I've got loads.)
Mago, I didn't intend to imply any criticism of flower-pressers (or bonsai-growers, quilters or cat-breeders for that matter). Should I happen to meet any such enthusiasts, I trust my ever-so-slightly raised eyebrow would go undetected.
Z, yes, I've seen some of his collections, they almost made me wish I was obsessive. Almost, but not quite.