Readers have been sharing their thoughts on a range of topics, from the joys of recreational sport to the quirks of daily life. Barbara Smyth from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, writes in response to an article about fitness fans ending up needing surgery, questioning the modern obsession with goals and personal bests. 'What happened to the joy of recreational sport? It's like modern life – goal and target-oriented. PBs, how many laps, lengths, miles? Have to get the laps in, even if the back is killing me. Why? Is it about bragging rights?' She adds, 'As a lifelong sports and exercise enthusiast aged 77 and still loving it, I really don't understand the motivation for wilfully destroying your body in the name of sport.'
WhatsApp blue ticks and woodlice
Ann Newell from Thame, Oxfordshire, offers a different perspective on WhatsApp blue ticks, which were the subject of a previous letter. She says that during the Covid pandemic, she rejoiced every day at seeing the blue tick on a message from a family member who lived alone and had Covid, as it meant they were still alive.
Malcolm Rivers from Isleworth, London, takes issue with a recent article praising woodlice. He writes, 'Patrick Barkham wouldn't be so fond of woodlice if, like me, he found them every day munching into his ripening strawberries on his allotment.'
Country Diary guessing game and film lists
Ros Cordiner from Ludham, Norfolk, enjoys a guessing game with the Country Diary column. She covers up the author's name before reading and tries to guess whether it was written by a man or a woman, claiming she is correct 99% of the time. She adds that no disrespect to the contributors is intended.
Finally, Mike Hine from Kingston upon Thames, London, comments on an article listing films to watch before turning 25, noting that the Guardian's idea of its readership profile may be optimistic. He signs off as 'age 79¾'.
