Experiences of 2023

In addition to 144 books, 2023 was a year of other experiences. In fact, it was a year of 170 experiences. I’ll try to pick one from each category. We ate in nine amazing restaurants and I will choose the one with two Michelin stars that was really incredible, the Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, near Lisbon. Everything, the place, the food, the wine, the whole vibe of the evening, was magical. Bits & Bobs has quite a few gardens, which confirms what I feel : being in nature is what I need right now. I discovered Kew Gardens for the first time, and I know I’ll have to go and paint there sometime. Ten concerts, with a special mention for Chilly Gonzales. I was on a high for days after that concert. Nine courses, so diverse, watercolour, yoga, art and the one I liked best and might do again, The Science of Well-Being, which opened my eyes to how our brains work. Fourteen exhibitions, the last of which, Cosey, touched my heart. Forty films, most of them amazing, but the one I’ll mention because it’s not at all what I am used to watching is Mad Heidi. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. There are only six operas, Le Domino Noir being my favourite. Twelve podcasts, with Cotton Capital from the Guardian, which made me understand England’s involvement in slavery. Six series, the last of which, Panda, is my favourite… also because it casts Julien Doré. Fifteen plays, and I’m going to have to choose two of them. First, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, an incredible story, incredible direction, incredible actors, and then Mamma Mia, the musical, in London, which I could go to see again tomorrow. And, as always, a few short stories. There are no conferences or poems this year. 2023 is also the year when I finished reading the Arabian Nights, 1001 nights in 1001 days, an incredible journey, and when I celebrated my 1’000^th blog post, so proud.