We’ve succumbed to the convenience and ease of a megacampsite near Viareggio on the Tuscan coast which is pleasant enough but I am v glad we are not here in the height of summer. If the warm weekend we just had is anything to go by, this place would be swarming! As it is, we are just one of four groups camped on our little road for many more. There is a pool, shop, bar and all amenities we need and we don’t need to move too far.
Truth be told, I haven’t really moved too far in a few days……but have been attempting to do the d-thing. I now know who my external examiner will be so I have been reading up on his work. Thankfully, I have already used quite a bit of it but I also today found a thesis from one of his recent students so have been looking for tips from their write up. It was actually quite a good and easy read and I was left thinking how on earth people can be so articulate, interesting and informative in what they write. Every time I look at my work, it strikes me as quite dull and not beautifully written at all. Aargh!! Maybe I will subliminally learn how to be more coherent just by reading other work in my area and draw on ideas.
I think I have been achieving though…. I have had a stab at re-writing that conclusions chapter and whilst Andy watched Le Mans did a full re-read and scribble edit of my printed document. Then yesterday whilst he did a 64mile ride, I drew a diagram of my thesis structure (yes – my brain is that odd!) and then drew new versions of the framework I have developed to reflect the various stages of my investigation (the collaboration literature, questions arising from the context literature and a version updated to reflect my findings). These should hopefully help me weave my story better……I just need to find some inspiration to be robust, articulate and interesting! Hmm…..
It’s not all bad having to study in the sunshine though, and today I did learn about comparative sizes of Ants. There was a huge one that took an interest in the thesis and a teeny weeny one (like an ickle trump, Catrin) that couldn’t wait to run off it.
On Sunday we did move a bit and rode up the coast road, hoping to see the sea but mainly dodging the Italians heading home from one of the millions of beach clubs that dominated the landscape. We celebrated getting to one end with gelato (well, we are in Italy) and Andy escaped a brain freeze, then aperitif’s at the other end before eating in an amazing local restaurant. I enjoyed a seafood carbonara that was delicious and lived up to its reputation and Andy had spaghetti vongole again!
I’m thinking Andy might need to blog about his ride into the Luca Hills, but he was quite knackered when he returned – it was a pretty muggy day yesterday – so I am not sure whether there are any entertaining snippets. Let’s hope so!
Meanwhile, I’m hoping we’re off for one of these to celebrate a hard days work!
Meanderings in Merfyn 