Day 519 & 520 an evening out in Edinburgh with old friends ♥️♥️♥️ and a Largs sunset with ice-cream 🌅 🍦

Wow how did that happen?!? Is anyone with me and still stuck in January 2020?!?!?

I have so much to talk about tonight but it’s already 18.40 and I need to chill at some point so I’ll keep the ramblings short and sweet (here comes war and peace….)

I had the best night last night. A trip out to Edinburgh…. On a school night too!!

I saw my wee brother for the first time since 2019.

I met my lovely friend, Helen for the first time since 28th November 2010.

I met her partner Mike for the first time and he was very lovely so passed the test and is a very acceptable partner for her! 😬😆

I was on a train for the first time since 2019. 🚝💺

I was in Edinburgh for the first time since 2019.

I ate a meal in a restaurant that wasn’t the pub next door for the first time since 2019.

I saw the Forth Road x 2 and Rail Bridges for the first time since 2019.

I had a night out after a full day at work and enjoyed every minute of it for the first time since maybe 2012….. I guess that is the bit to be proud of.

So Helen and I grew up together and became good friends at our church Youth Group. She can correct me but that would have been around 1986 or so I guess?

It was sooooooooo lovely to catch up last night. We’ve left it way too long as usual but I had the best time and was over-awed by everything….. my brothers new back garden, the train, Edinburgh, the dinner and most of all the company and chat.

Should say here that the drive over was quite overwhelming. I was tired, worried about the late night and a bit freaked out about the traffic. I needn’t have worried. I breathed through any anxiety and got past it.

The food was delicious.

We then went to Helen and Mike’s Hotel and she and I had virgin Mojito’s. Poor Kenny caught in the pic!!

So she who is in bed by 10 at the latest most nights left Edinburgh on a train at 9.48pm and did not turn into a pumpkin.

I had a quick chat with my lovely sis-in-law and they came out to see Abz. Gill said the loveliest thing to me that she thought my story was a bit like a fairytale where I got the van converted and then landed my ideal job and she really hit the nail on the head.

I’m at so lucky to have been on this journey to get to where I am today. To have a job that doesn’t feel like work….to be able to stay out late and not freak out about work the next morning…

I left at 10.30pm to drive the hour and 10 home but couldn’t resist a quick stop past the Forth Bridges.

It was sooooo calm. So quiet and so beautiful and so 10.40 at night!!

So then back in Abz and headed for home. Tiptoed into bed at midnight. Check me.

I bound out of bed at 6.30am still running on some kind of adrenaline. I stopped to take photos on the way to work…. I mean honestly?!?!

I pass this river every morning and decided to stop as it was so beautiful this morning.

Work was busy and it was a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky all day. And hot. Bliss though sadly in jeans and a big black T-shirt!

The sad news to report in the Abz lost air con power on the way to Dalry tonight….. she was only gassed on Saturday so there must be a leak. I popped in to the gassing shop and he say he thinks I should get a new compressor but won’t manage in time for holiday. I’ve to pop in on Saturday morning and he’ll gas it up again to give us something for the start of the holiday.

So I’m home. As I said! Writing the blog when Claire hollers from the garden next door…. “Julie!!!!! Are you there?!?” I shout I’m up the back and we meet half way….. she says I’m allowed to say no but would I like to go to Largs for ice cream….. errrr yeah!!!

We went for a walk up the esplanade past the bouncing shows which I saw on Saturday.

So I am super proud of everything I’ve done in this last few days. I am still wide awake and enjoying every minute of everything I’m doing. I’m managing a busy job, I’m organised, in control, I make mistakes but that’s ok. I am just appreciating everything in the moment. Learn to appreciate the present moment and not be stuck in my past or worried about our future.

It’s 9.44pm now and I guess I really should get to bed.

Stay safe everyone 🌅🌅🌅