Good weather vs Reading.

VaporPunk · 07-06-2012, 05:03 AM

Does anybody else have this conundrum? Its seems to be happening to me more and more the longer I live in Belgium. Lovely country, but the weather is a bit, well, English.

Whenever the sun pops out, I want to put me book aside and go for a stroll, or a bike ride, and/or sit in a café. I can't read in public (or while walking and biking, for that matter). So my reading time drops considerably.

Maybe I'm just getting old(er).

Belfaborac · 07-06-2012, 05:13 AM

You're getting old(er).

Why can't you read in public? Too shy, or is reading frowned upon in Belgium? Personally I'd love to be able to enjoy a book and a bottle of Girardin Gueuze at a nice cafè right now.

David Munch · 07-06-2012, 05:26 AM

I love reading in the sun.. So no problem there!

Lynx-lynx · 07-06-2012, 05:29 AM

Vapor Punk I do far more reading in winter here in Aus, because it's more comfortable temperature wise to sit under a reading light when reading on an already hot night (they can add a few degrees to one's already hot body).

However, I've always been able to read down the beach, sprawled on a chair or towel. Or anywhere for that matter, and particularly on public transport to and from work etc.

Everyone in Sydney seems to read on the trains: newspapers, magazines, books etc, it's just part and parcel of the culture.

Where did you originally hale from if you find Belgium to have English type weather?

carpetmojo · 07-06-2012, 05:48 AM

Last time I was in Belgium, it was the " Do Not Read On The Grass" signs that put me off.....................

VaporPunk · 07-06-2012, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

You're getting old(er).

Why can't you read in public? Too shy, or is reading frowned upon in Belgium? Personally I'd love to be able to enjoy a book and a bottle of Girardin Gueuze at a nice cafè right now.

I would prefer a kriek myself, or a nice coffee.

Not shy and lots of people read in cafés here. Its just that I get distracted too easily. 95% of my reading takes place in bed, occasionally outside on the terrace. But even there, it can be hard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Vapor Punk I do far more reading in winter here in Aus, because it's more comfortable temperature wise to sit under a reading light when reading on an already hot night (they can add a few degrees to one's already hot body).

However, I've always been able to read down the beach, sprawled on a chair or towel. Or anywhere for that matter, and particularly on public transport to and from work etc.

Everyone in Sydney seems to read on the trains: newspapers, magazines, books etc, it's just part and parcel of the culture.

Where did you originally hale from if you find Belgium to have English type weather?

I envy you. I used to be able to do that, now I have trouble even reading a mag or newspaper in public, forget about a book that requires lengthy concentration.

I'm a displaced Yank, though I do have Belgian roots. Always had extended family here but just moved here like 2 years ago. I used the "English" weather description 'cos most people will know instantly what I mean, rainy and cloudy and rainy...and then more rainy.

VaporPunk · 07-06-2012, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

Last time I was in Belgium, it was the " Do Not Read On The Grass" signs that put me off.....................

Are you sure you weren't in Holland? And didn't the sign say "Do Not Read While On Grass?"

carpetmojo · 07-06-2012, 06:11 AM

Nah, Vapour, man, like, uhh, y'know, like ....... that was, like, uh, y' know, uh.... Amsterdam.....
(little "bike-shop", just off the main drag, past the flower stalls and over the canal .......

)

HarryT · 07-06-2012, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

You're getting old(er).

Why can't you read in public? Too shy, or is reading frowned upon in Belgium? Personally I'd love to be able to enjoy a book and a bottle of Girardin Gueuze at a nice cafè right now.

Not so nice when it's chucking it down with rain, though. The UK's just had the wettest Spring since records began

.

carpetmojo · 07-06-2012, 06:19 AM

And no, I am not "On The Grass" now, despite "forgetting" Amsterdam was actually in Holland !

( I do remember a little Italian cafe not far from Sotheby's Amsterdam saleroom that sells the most lethal Sambuca mixes I have ever had the misfortune to have too many of. I still shudder when I speak of it....)

Belfaborac · 07-06-2012, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Not so nice when it's chucking it down with rain, though. The UK's just had the wettest Spring since records began

.

That's true of course, but surely the cafès and restaurants in Belgium haven't completely done away with awnings?

Chi Cygni · 07-06-2012, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaporPunk

Does anybody else have this conundrum? Its seems to be happening to me more and more the longer I live in Belgium. Lovely country, but the weather is a bit, well, English.

Whenever the sun pops out, I want to put me book aside and go for a stroll, or a bike ride, and/or sit in a café. I can't read in public (or while walking and biking, for that matter). So my reading time drops considerably.

Maybe I'm just getting old(er).

Me. What did we have here, warm and sunny Wednesday? And now? Gee I hate the weather here, it changes 3 times per day. Right now sticky and humid. I couldn't sleep well because of the heat.

Don't worry about your reading time dropping, we have like what, 1 sunny day per month? Rainy weekend is coming anyway. Btw, I'm also displaced, permanently from the looks of it.

Cold Duvel please!

spindlegirl · 07-06-2012, 07:36 AM

I often used to dislike good weather, because a lot of my favorite activities seem to contradict it. (knitting, spinning, writing, playing a musical instrument). Socially, the weather seems to drive what people are supposed to "want to do". I've often been told I was nuts to want to "stay in and knit" on "such a good day". Well, sometimes the magnet pull of a preferred activity trumps weather

I do love going outside on a nice day though.

I read an amusing introduction by Isaac Asimov from one of his books of short stories, and he goes through the same thing about why he prefers rainy days. Nobody questions him "staying inside to write" when it's storming outside. My husband and I had a little chuckle after reading that intro.

Reading seems to be one of those things that there is no "vs" with good weather. I can just toss my T1 (or a book) into my knapsack and go.

Rob Lister · 07-06-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaporPunk

Does anybody else have this conundrum? Its seems to be happening to me more and more the longer I live in Belgium. Lovely country, but the weather is a bit, well, English.

This is just another lame attempt to get us to believe that Belgium really exists. I'm not buying it.

Quote:

The existence of the supposed European country of Belgium has been taken as gospel for years by members of the Liberati. It has long been held up as a shining example of Liberal philosophies in action. However, now is the time the truth be known. Belgium doesn't exist.

wyndslash · 07-06-2012, 07:46 AM

i love reading in bed and not out in the sun. sun here is very harsh; you could get sunburned easily and it's quite uncomfortable.

07-06-2012, 05:03 AM	#1
VaporPunk Evangelist Posts: 409 Karma: 49204386 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Device: Kindle 4 + Asus Transformer	Good weather vs Reading. Does anybody else have this conundrum? Its seems to be happening to me more and more the longer I live in Belgium. Lovely country, but the weather is a bit, well, English. Whenever the sun pops out, I want to put me book aside and go for a stroll, or a bike ride, and/or sit in a café. I can't read in public (or while walking and biking, for that matter). So my reading time drops considerably. Maybe I'm just getting old(er).

07-06-2012, 05:48 AM	#5
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	Brussell sprouting ....... Last time I was in Belgium, it was the " Do Not Read On The Grass" signs that put me off.....................

07-06-2012, 06:11 AM	#8
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	Smirk ...... Nah, Vapour, man, like, uhh, y'know, like ....... that was, like, uh, y' know, uh.... Amsterdam..... (little "bike-shop", just off the main drag, past the flower stalls and over the canal .......)

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07-06-2012, 05:13 AM	#2
Belfaborac Wizard Posts: 1,498 Karma: 5199835 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norway Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-950	You're getting old(er). Why can't you read in public? Too shy, or is reading frowned upon in Belgium? Personally I'd love to be able to enjoy a book and a bottle of Girardin Gueuze at a nice cafè right now.

07-06-2012, 05:26 AM	#3
David Munch Scholar Posts: 1,009 Karma: 3999312 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo Libra H2O + iPad Air 4	I love reading in the sun.. So no problem there!

07-06-2012, 05:29 AM	#4
Lynx-lynx Treachery of images ... Posts: 4,113 Karma: 92523791 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Australia Device: Sony 650, Kobo Glo, H2O, Aura One, Forma, Libra 2, Libra Colour	Vapor Punk I do far more reading in winter here in Aus, because it's more comfortable temperature wise to sit under a reading light when reading on an already hot night (they can add a few degrees to one's already hot body). However, I've always been able to read down the beach, sprawled on a chair or towel. Or anywhere for that matter, and particularly on public transport to and from work etc. Everyone in Sydney seems to read on the trains: newspapers, magazines, books etc, it's just part and parcel of the culture. Where did you originally hale from if you find Belgium to have English type weather?

07-06-2012, 06:19 AM	#10
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	And no, I am not "On The Grass" now, despite "forgetting" Amsterdam was actually in Holland ! ( I do remember a little Italian cafe not far from Sotheby's Amsterdam saleroom that sells the most lethal Sambuca mixes I have ever had the misfortune to have too many of. I still shudder when I speak of it....)

07-06-2012, 07:36 AM	#13
spindlegirl Wizard Posts: 1,594 Karma: 21245891 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra h20, Paperwhite 2017, Phone & Tablet w Moonreader	I often used to dislike good weather, because a lot of my favorite activities seem to contradict it. (knitting, spinning, writing, playing a musical instrument). Socially, the weather seems to drive what people are supposed to "want to do". I've often been told I was nuts to want to "stay in and knit" on "such a good day". Well, sometimes the magnet pull of a preferred activity trumps weather I do love going outside on a nice day though. I read an amusing introduction by Isaac Asimov from one of his books of short stories, and he goes through the same thing about why he prefers rainy days. Nobody questions him "staying inside to write" when it's storming outside. My husband and I had a little chuckle after reading that intro. Reading seems to be one of those things that there is no "vs" with good weather. I can just toss my T1 (or a book) into my knapsack and go.

07-06-2012, 07:46 AM	#15
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	i love reading in bed and not out in the sun. sun here is very harsh; you could get sunburned easily and it's quite uncomfortable.