Glis glis

50 things I’d like to do in my lifetime

In memory of Kim, who made a list like this… Some of them are big, some are small, some I could achieve tomorrow if I wanted, some I might never achieve! All of them are things I would really love to do…

1. Go paragliding (preferably over the Alps)
2. Go kayaking somewhere gorgeous and wild - went kayaking in the Pacific in California - explored the sea caves, poked sea stars and rested on a hidden beach =)
3. Go skiing again, and successfully turn right(!) - went dry-slope skiing but that was a real learning curve after snow, so no right turns! Did a mini jump though =P
4. Go to a spa place (preferably Bath) and be pampered all day
5. Visit Paignton Zoo - done July 2005 (and more times since then), it’s a fantastic zoo =D
6. Visit Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust
7. Photograph puffins
8. See a Dartford warbler - done, I’ve had some amazing views since I moved to Devon! Same with nightjars
   
9. See a Siberian long-tailed tit or an azure tit
10. See a water vole in the wild
11. See an otter in the wild
12. Go whale-watching and actually see a whale (third time lucky?)
13. Swim with dolphins
14. Handle a dormouse
15. Do more volunteer work, maybe including conservation work abroad - currently doing various BTO surveys
16. Be a zookeeper for a day
17. Have a paper published in a scientific journal (very unlikely given my career path, but a ‘50 thing’ nonetheless)
18. Become competent at identification of British fauna and flora
19. Do a field study on mammals (other than rabbits!!) - done summer 2005, caught 8 out of a possible 10 species =)
20. Return to Ramsey Island, as an RSPB volunteer
21. Read all the books I own that I haven’t had a chance to read!
22. Find and read my Brambly Hedge and other favourite childrens’ books again =’)
23. Go through all my childhood books and toys, find at least one thing I’d forgotten about, enjoy the memories =) - done summer 2005, found lots of things I’d forgotten, including my play Post Office, and Fuzzy Felt sets =’)
24. Learn more about my family history
25. See Sarah McLachlan or Katie Melua in concert - saw Katie Melua at Powderham 27/07/08 - got right up near the stage, and we danced to 9 Million Bicycles =)
26. See all Fawlty Towers episodes - “There’s too much butter on.. those.. trays” “Ah no, senor - uno, dos, tres” (April 2007)
27. Make a soft toy teddy or wombit
28. Enter Wildlife Photographer of the Year
29. Enter an art competition
30. Sell a print or greetings card of a photo/oekaki/painting (or the real thing!)
31. Sell something on eBay - sold an old textbook Oct 2005, hope to sell more stuff in the future!
32. Create an online shop called Glis Glis (latin name for Fat Dormouse) …well I have the domain name!
33. Construct/do something DIY-wise that I’m proud of
34. Cook a proper 2+ course meal that I’m proud of
35. Do something out of character like learning salsa or belly-dancing
36. Learn at least one new skill e.g. a sport, language, musical instrument
37. Own a pet tortoise/rabbit with Tom
38. Live with Tom - as of 23 October 2005 =’D *happiness*
    
39. Buy a house, and have a wildlife garden - got the keys 25 June 2007… garden is progressing =)
40. Marry Tom =’) - 29 September 2007, at Larkbeare House =DDDD
41. Go to California (these going-places ones involve Tom, of course!) - 30 Sept to 15 Oct 2007, a wonderful honeymoon with many big trees and interesting birds =)
42. Visit an American national park - Had a whirlwind tour of Yosemite 12 Oct 2007… Extended plan: Go camping in Yosemite (or another park)!
43. Tour the UK in a VW camper van
44. Go camping on the Scilly Isles
45. Go to the Galapagos Islands or Madagascar
46. Go on a ‘classic’ wildlife trip e.g. safari in Africa, tigers in India, orangs in Borneo
47. Visit a rainforest
48. Go to New Zealand (& Tasmania… & Rottnest Island…)
49. Work/volunteer in Antarctica (short-term)
50. Explore as much of the world as I can =)