The joy of boredom (and backgammon)

On a rainy day in the mountains, there was not a lot to do.

Outside it looked something like this.

So going for a walk was not so compelling. Huddling up on a sofa in a blanket more so! Yet with two little ones to entertain a book and a cushion was not going to be the plan.

Luckily, in the little house we were staying in, there was a compendium of board games, so we decided to tackle them. There were many to chose from, however we were in the mood for a new one. So my 7 year old selected backgammon.  I mean the board itself is so intriguing. All the diagonals and colours, with numbers and fancy dice, cause a huge amount of appeal.

We had to read the instructions a number of times and just try it out. In fact by the middle of the game we had just about got our head around the rules and the fun commenced. We played it a number of times, each time getting a little bit clearer on how to play and even a few sneaky tricks to beat your opponent.

It reminded me that being bored and not having a plan, offers up new opportunities. I am often fearful of not having a day planned, or not having a to-do list to keep me busy, yet these spontaneous, low action days are often the most memorable. Do you also find that?

When was the last time you learned a new board game?

When was the last time you had abosultely no plans?

Can we plan in more of these days or does that defeat the object ;-)

Anyone for a game of backammon?