I did not get up for a run this morning. It’s dark and pouring with rain, I turned over and tried to ignore the fact I was awake in plenty time to go for a run, slightly beating myself up a bit…. Obviously!
I know fine well if I’d been meeting someone, I’d have gone out in a heartbeat, regardless of the rain, but it wasn’t happening this morning.
I’ve cleaned the bathroom instead.
I let the dogs out. The garden looks really fresh and green because everything is so wet. Things are starting to grown now. It looks really vibrant.
I’ve checked ahead in the forecast, as I do and it looks like we will finally start to see some warmth in the air this week sometime!
So if like me, you are heading out to work this morning in a bit of a funk… my friend Isy comes up trumps again with this…
I’m wrapped up now. Off to work.
Fast forward to tonight….
So, I’ve had an ok-ish day.
My head has been wrapped up in cotton wool and I’ve struggled to think straight. I’ve actually hit my temples a few times in an attempt to clear my head. Gently of course 😆
I’ve been irritable too.
Then I saw this and it does really help.
Just to breathe.
I didn’t get lunch until 2.15pm.
Holly next door had handed me in lentil soup and mac n’cheese last night, for my lunch today. How lovely is that?! So kind of her.
I heated it up then didn’t get to it for another 45 minutes… it was still amazing.
This…. ♥️
I’ve not been able to do it all day, but I have really tried. I feel like I’ve been arguing with my ego. It wants to be annoyed and angry at everything. There is absolutely no need to be angry.
I’m just tired and a bit flat. That is normal life. We can’t all be like Heidi the mountain goat, running about the world taking photos every day!!
Half the battle is knowing how you react in these situations and trying to correct it.
I felt much better by the time I got home and I made myself dinner.
Oh wow…..
These were just amazing. One of the nicest things I’ve eaten in ages. I’ve left a portion for Craig to heat up after work tonight.
I was then determined to get my exercise in, so took Calaidh for a walk up the hill.
She’s a happy girl. she’s a tiny black dot in this pic!
The bushes are starting to flower.
The trees are all budding now too.
There’s so much in life to be grateful for, even when you can’t see it sometimes.
Ooooh that little bit of wisdom brought a wee tear there.
I love it when the blog hits the nail on the head for me.
Maybe all a bit too bright too early, but I was on fire this morning!
I got up at 5.30am and went for a run. I took Bhru with me for security…. (My friend Evelyn gets cross with me out too early on my own!) It’s always great that Bhru also likes to stop at every second blade of grass 😂😂
There are no photos as I didn’t take my phone… (check me!) I just recorded it on my Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch lets you set movement goals and I’ve achieved them today already! Wonder how long I can keep that up?!? 😂 actually I know myself now and I feel like this might be my next thing. 🤦🏻♀️😂
I had lovely squashy brothy broad beans for lunch, courtesy of Planthood.
We had a good day and work was busy and passed really quickly.
So I have no idea how this Apple Watch actually works and I don’t have the headspace to even look into it yet. 😂
I’m so tired. I don’t know if it’s the weather or time of the month, or my being too bright too early, but I just want to sleep.
That or drag my knuckles along the floor as I harumph at everything! 😂😂😂 what a ridiculous word…. I way more ooooooft or ugh!
It’s rained on and off all day. Maybe I just need some sunshine.
The best part about not drinking is the time you get at the weekends, before anyone else is up… the roads are quiet, the beach is empty, the sea is calm, well not always obviously, but it was today.
Elly had messaged me on Thursday to ask if I was free to do a sea dip with her this morning. One thing led to another and it ended up being for sunrise (which is no mean feat at this time of year!) and in wetsuits, one of which Elly had to buy quickly! I don’t think I could go in without a wetsuit. I find the cold completely breathtaking in a wetsuit. Hats off to anyone who does that length of time without one!!
I woke at 2.30am to find my period had started.
Oh joy… that explains yesterday afternoon’s lethargy!
Elly was picking me up at 5.30am. I slept on and off between 2.30 and the alarm at 5.
The beach was empty.
There was only one other car parked with no people to be seen at all…. Turns out it was 2 girls from the Fit Body Farm, out for a run, as we saw them when they came back!
Ready to go in selfie. We couldn’t have picked a better day or time. The water was perfect.
I’ve always been told when you’re new to it, you should ideally go at high tide, when then wind is less than 5mph and coming from the east. That way you don’t get carried away from shore. you know how I like to follow a “rule” 😂
The conditions were just perfect.
The sun was just starting to rise.
Morning!!!
I love the colours in this next simple photo. The pinks and lilacs opposite the sunrise or sunset are always lovely.
It feels like we are really far out but that’s only because it’s so shallow.
I’ve found a hole in my wetsuit… I got an extra cold dip this morning!
Love these ripples in the water.
And again!
We stayed in roughly 20 minutes which is more than enough for me in this temperature. We both started to get cold at the same time.
I’m so chuffed with the photos this phone takes. The colours are so real.
The ripples seem real.
It’s forecast to be cloudy today.
We headed up and got dressed as quickly as we could. Hands and toes are always the coldest parts. It’s important to get them warm as quickly as possible. We went for a walk along the beach to warm up once we were dry. My dry robe looks like a dress!! It is a bit big now 😂
I’ve just noticed the heart shaped stone at our feet. The sun is rising fast but it’s still not even 7am.
I just had the best time. I’ve missed sea “swimming”.
For so long it’s seemed like too much hassle. Isn’t that ridiculous? When something you love seems like too much hassle.
I‘m so grateful to Elly for asking me to go today and bringing the sparkle for wild swimming back!
We were home for the back of 7 and it felt like lunchtime!!
I went for a warm shower and then Craig and I sat in the back garden, in the sun, for a coffee.
Look at Queen Khaleesi lying in the middle of the flower bed!
She’s loving the sunshine. It’s still nowhere near as warm as it looks!
We then headed back to Braehead so I could upgrade my Fitbit to an Apple Watch.
I only went for the SE because it’s the base model and is half the price of the Apple Ultra. It does everything I need it to do. It means I don’t need to carry my phone all the time. I say that and then imagine not being able to take a photo!!! Wonder how long it will be before the watch takes photos?!? ⌚️😂🤦🏻♀️📸
So back home and straight out to pick Gayle up for a wee lunch out. We were heading to Luss for lunch, but at the last minute turned in to Bowling to head to the gift shop called Paton Parcels.
Would you believe we drove straight into the Glasgow Kilt Walk!! There were people everywhere…. Our worst nightmare!!!
We had a sandwich with tea and cake in the Paton’s coffee shop. The radio was blaring, we could hardly hear to talk. It really wound up my anxiety for some reason…. Maybe it was that and the millions of people.
The Bowling Harbour was really pretty. The reflections were lovely.
The water didn’t move at all.
We walked down to the side of the Clyde and it was fairly calm too. There’s an old jetty out in the water, it was picturesque.
Looking back up to the Erskine bridge that we just drove over. if you zoom in to this shot, those two vertical posts are in the foreground and not part of the bridge. How random.
It was really cold so we didn’t hang around long.
We had a wander around the canal.
More reflections.
My friend helen will be so proud… she’s the queen of reflections!
It’s hard to believe there are thousands of kilt walkers milling around here… you can see some of them on this bridge!
I’ve been home since 3 and it’s still only 5pm. This is the longest day! I love getting up early.
There is a fair bit of anxiety today. I do wonder if it’s caffeine instead of decaf coffee maybe, by mistake…. That’s what it feels like, nothing more, just a jitteryness… I made that word up. 😂
I’ve had a great weekend but really desperate for some heat to that sunshine. ☀️☀️
We’re still being blasted by the arctic air so it was frosty overnight again but it’s a beautiful morning. ☀️☀️☀️
I’m sitting outside on a bench in the garden, pretending it’s warmer than it actually is… it’s 11.08am and I’ve already run 3 miles with Run Club, walked Bhru and Freya and then had a big field walk with Calaidh.
I’m contemplating how to top that 😂😂 actually I’m so tired after all that I may just sit here all day with my suntan lotion on!
It’s been pure blue skies with white fluffy clouds and I am determined to live my best life for June who sadly passed away yesterday. I want to make every moment count, even if it is just sitting around relaxing. As long as I’m present in the moment then that’s all that matters.
It’s 7am.
I cannot get over the colour of the sky… 💙
I must take more photos of the trees now than I do of the dogs 😂
Love the early morning sun creating these long shadows… 4 members of run club in action!
Spiers school grounds looking lovely in the early morning sun!
Old Geilsland House.
This morning’s run club, Lynsey, Elly, Rachel two doors down and my bright red face!!
More trees.
All done! I’m definitely the reddest!!!
I love how much we are all smiling.
Back home and straight back out with Bhruic and Freya. Never met a soul…. Just how I like it!
More shadows!
Then back for a half hour with Craig before Calaidh and I headed out with Rachel and Nacho, Jim and Muck!
We walked right up to the top of the old golf course. Views right over to Lochwinnoch and Castle Simple Loch.
The gorse is as yellow as the sky is blue.
Looking over to Beith Parish Church.
The final shadow pic of the day… it’s not even 10am. There could be more….. Jim couldn’t resist! Rachel looks scarily tall!
And yes I actually did put this stick above my head to make it look like antlers… 🤦🏻♀️😂
All the dogs had a blast.
I have to admit after all of that I have had the laziest of days.
I’ve done housework, pottered, hung washing out to dry but I’ve been shattered. I spent a large part of the afternoon on the couch under Craig’s crochet blanket dozing on and off. I’m so tired.
To be fair I have done 22k steps today and most of them all before 10am!!
I am very calm and it feels really good.
On our After Dry January FB group we’ve done tributes for June today. A lovely lady Sally posted this and this says it all.
I’m heading over to Edinburgh to meet my Mum and Auntie Marion. We have afternoon tea booked at The Willow Tea Rooms today.
I have always wanted to go to the Willow Tea Rooms…. There’s always been one in Glasgow but the one in Edinburgh seems to be new. Well it is to me anyway. They are designed around the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. I’ll hopefully have a bit more info once I’ve been.
Wide awake at 6am and out for a run with Rachel two doors down, at 7am.
Here she comes from her two doors down!
It’s a beautiful morning but bitterly cold for this time of year!
Here’s my favourite gate… it’s been a while 😂
We went into Spiers Old School grounds and the lighting was lovely.
I found the run quite hard this morning, more my legs than the breathing.
We did it! About 2.5 miles this morning. I am very red!!
So back home and had to queue for the shower…. 😂 Craig had a really early job today.
What to wear on a day that’s freezing cold in the shade and warm in the sun?!?!
Here I am at Glengarnock in the sun!
Walking through Glasgow Central. This looks black and white but it’s taken in colour.
So I cross Glasgow to Queen Street, sit down on the train and read that my lovely FB friend passed away this morning as a result of her fight with cancer. I’m on a crowded train. I know it’s coming but it takes my breath away. Her lovely daughter messaged to tell me. So very kind of her.
I manage to hold it together for the whole trip.
Just to recap, I have never met this lady. I’m a joint admin on a FB group called After Dry January, where we share our sober journeys. I “met” June over 5 years ago and she has been an amazing support. She saw something in me that I couldn’t see anymore. She sent me gifts, cards and lots of positivity. I wasn’t the only one she supported. I hear stories from the other members, she did similar things for so many of us.
What a very special woman. I hope she can rest well knowing how much she was loved and what an impact she made on our lives.
I did a post for her a few week’s back, on our group, so people could express their gratitude while she was still with us, rather than waiting until she was gone. She got to hear what she meant to everyone.
We all need to be more June. ♥️
The sun is still shining as we pull into Edinburgh Waverley station. 🚉
I hop off the train and Mum can tell straight away that something is wrong. I finally let a few tears flow.
We grab a quick coffee in Cafe Nero and then head up to Princes Street.
Looking over Princes Street Gardens to Edinburgh CastleSir Walter Scott’s MonumentObligatory selfie! Edinburgh Castle
The Willow Tea Rooms are on Princes Street directly opposite Edinburgh Castle. It’s only been open for 2 months but has been a in Glasgow for over 60 years.
I love that it says “ people might be able to enter and enjoy without relying on the inebriating effects of alcohol for entertainment” she sounds like my kinda gal!!
(You can get alcohol there now for those who are interested!!)
Hide the Primark bag!!!
It was quite quiet when we went in at 1pm but it filled up very quickly.
Mum took this arty shot.
My view.
The lovely art on the walls.
What a stunning view from the tea room, out to Edinburgh Castle.
Mum and Auntie Marion.
Keek! I actually ordered the vegan sandwiches. They were so good. Avocado with tomato, humous with chargrilled peppers and cucumber.
We also got a scone with cream and jam… not vegan obviously and a cake of our choice and we all went with the strawberry tart.
The teapots and cups are all willow design.
Here I am listening intently to Mum!
It was really lovely and cost us £22 each with the 5% service charge added in. Mum very kindly bought mine as a treat! She’s a keeper!!
It as still beautiful when we got out and a weeeeee bit warmer. The blossom is out in full force.
I felt like a tourist in my home city. I ooohed and aaahhhed over buildings like this in Rome yet fly past them here in Edinburgh, on my doorstep. This is the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art.
Even walking into Waverley station looks really pretty in the bright sunlight.
I feel like I am seeing everything through rose tinted glasses today. The new iPhone photos are so vibrant.
Here’s my current view from the train!
It’s cloudy now I’ve got to Glasgow… all 17 stops later 😂😂
So I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I also hope we see some more sunshine. I also hope that it is warmer 😂😂 I don’t want much.
We are firmly back into moulting season. I found dog hair in my lunch today! 🤦🏻♀️😂
I want to say that I don’t know how that is possible, but it’s pretty much everywhere, so it makes complete sense. 🤦🏻♀️😂
Work was crazy busy today. My head was buzzing with too much information, but it felt good.
The day went so quickly, always good for a Thursday. It’s my weekend again!!
It’s back to being cold and cloudy today… a few sunny spells but it’s still so cold!
This made me laugh!! ♥️♥️
I took this photo of Bhru…. She has a random green mark under her left eye. 💚 She’s obviously been rolling in the grass!
And check Calaidh in her bed last night…. 😂😂
How can that even be comfortable?!? 😂
So sorry still not much to say today. That’s still a good thing as it means life is normal and good.
I’m relaxed and in my comfies now.
I have a busy day tomorrow as I’m off to Edinburgh for lunch. I get the train about 9.30am…. Better wear my winter coat!
I just want to say a shout out to everyone who is struggling just now. I know so many people that are feeling pretty sick right now and don’t have the answers. My heart goes out to them all. ♥️♥️♥️
Yesterday afternoon we decorated Ellison’s upholstery workshop for her 60th birthday today!
She saw it for the first time when she walked in at 6.45am!!
I wish I’d taken a photo. 🤦🏻♀️
I bought a create your own banner and HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY ELLISON….. took my ages to create 😂😂
It’s been another beautiful day.
We sat out at lunch and had TrillionIre birthday cake at lunchtime.
There has been pure blue sky all day but it’s been really cold. I’m sitting out in the garden writing this and I’ve a fleece on and it’s cosy but my hands are freezing!! I don’t know when Scotland is going to get any warmer?!?! 😂
💜
I had a lovely dinner again tonight…. Sushi Bowl With Coconut Sesame Crusted Tofu, Edamame, Avocado & Gochujang Peanut Sauce.
It was sooooo good.
In other news I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 11kg or 1 stone 11 lbs since I was at my heaviest! I am super proud of that as for once it’s not a crash diet and it’s just coming off nice and slowly.
I had no idea how big I’d got when I was off sick but Cadburys chocolate buttons were getting me thought every day.
So I have nothing else to report really…. I am annoyed I can’t think of more to talk about but then I realise that it’s actually a good thing as it means all is well.
It’s is still only about 10°C but the sun has shone almost all day. It’s so lovely not to have rain and strong winds.
I slept really well last night, no weird dreams thankfully, but I’ve felt pretty sluggish and weary today. I’ve had to really concentrate on concentrating! Yeah I know I hear myself!
I’ve just said to Craig that I don’t have anything much to say tonight… there’s a first. All is calm on the western front.
I made Jackfruit Carnitas from Planthood for dinner tonight.
It a rubbish photo but even Craig had some and said they were amazing!! That’s high praise indeed.
We’ve been sitting outside in the sun since I got home from work… it’s still not warm but it’s so lovely to be outside.
There’s a big dark cloud looming.
We ended up heading in as the big cloud won!!
I read on FB that a former colleague of mine died the other day.
He retired while I was off sick and fell ill with pulmonary disease in 2021. Des was one of the good guys, he worked all the hours god sent and was always one of the last men standing at work. He gave his job his all.
I’m so sad to hear that he has died. I can’t still hear him call me Jules and see that twinkle in his eye.
Sending lots of love to his lovely daughters and granddaughter.
Another reminder that life is for living. To the max.
Wow I had some crazy dreams last night, I feel really disturbed when I woke up! I’d been walking around carrying an eagle, as I’d apparently killed the guy who used to carry the eagle while looking for someone who’d killed someone else. How random was that!!?!?
So that’s how my day started!!
There was a lovely sunlight in the garden this morning so I took some photos of the Forest Flame in the glow of the morning sun.
As you can see I haven’t figured out what my favourite setting is yet. I’m just blown away by the colours.
I’m still using the phone without a cover of screen protector so have to be super careful!
Work was super busy and was over very quickly.
I’d felt a bit of a twinge in my stomach before work this morning. Then as soon as I ate lunch and sat back down at my desk, the big pain came back…. Only for about 10 minutes, thank goodness but it terrified me! I didn’t have any of the meds with me. I will do tomorrow!!
There’s just something rumbling away in there that isn’t quite right yet. It gives me the fear.
So I got home and straight into my jammies!
I settled down in front of the tv and then Claire messaged about going for a walk…… it was the hardest thing ever to get dressed again and head out, but I was never going to say no. I knew it would do me good.
The chat was great as always and the sunlight was amazing!!
Calaidh looks like a wolf!!
Thanks to Claire for suggesting the walk!!
What a stunning light. I’m so excited to see the photos that I can take with this phone!
I’ve upgraded my iPhone from an 11 Pro to a 15 Pro today and I’m excited to see what the new camera is going to bring. There’s a big difference in the camera functionality…. Watch this space.
Obviously I need a day where I have time to get out and take photos! Today was mostly spent in the Apple Store!
We were there for it opening at 10am.
Unfortunately due to me not remembering my Apple ID…. We had an hour to wait until we could unlock the phone. This is a new security feature which is great if your phone is stolen but not so great when you try to buy a new phone.
The bonus was a wee Starbucks breakfast!
Craig snuck this next shot….
Check the dreadful cheesy grin as I sit in the store doing the transfer…. Am I the only person who feels sad giving up the old phone?!?!?
I was sad letting it go…. It’s been in my hand for a long time now!! 😂
So that’s pretty much been my day… following up by some tidying up.
This weekend I have actually been the queen of doing nothing and I have had the loveliest of weekends.
We went to Elly’s 40th last night and what a lovely time we had.
The sun was shining. It had been a beautiful day.
Here are a few photos of our night. Craig looks like the tallest man in the world here!!
We thought we had to squat if we are the front of the photo, in case you couldn’t see the girls at the back… upshot is that I end up in a random squat in every group photo 🤦🏻♀️😂
The girls got a lovely light up headband and the guys had light up shades!
I pinched Craig’s shades!
It was so lovely of Elly to invite us.
So that’s all for this weekend. A very quiet one apart from the party. I feel calm, relaxed and refreshed and sooooo much better than I did last week.
I have a feeling that yesterday’s Rigatoni with mushroom and lentils had something to do with it but let’s say no more.
In true Julie fashion, I’m all or nothing…..
I started the day with a 3 mile run, at 7am, with Lynsey. No one else from our run club WhatsApp group was available so it was just the two of us. Last night I was determined to run today. I had enough of sitting around like a sloth. 🦥
Check the heart rate….. woomph, right up there.
Lynsey is a runner so I’m so pleased I didn’t hold her back too much. I only stopped to walk twice when I felt a wee bit sick!
It felt really good. We saw no one.
I came home and sat in the garden and thought I might be sick…. But I wasn’t.
Look at the colour of my face while I take Bhruic and Freya up the hill…. It’s still beetroot!
This wee kitten was hiding from us…. Zoom in!
Back down the hill and the sun was starting to warm up…. Nothing like Rome temperatures… but Craig and I sat out in the garden and had coffee. It was really lovely. We sat for a while.
Craig groomed Bhru, who is most likely the culprit of the moulting hair in the house!!
I have never seen anything like it!!! He got loads off her. We did some videos for Scottish Dog Behaviourist as it was so crazy!
Khaleesi had physio at 11.30 so I went with them and took Calaidh.
We walked while they were in physio.
I’ve never been up here before, we had a great view over Burnhouse.
How pretty is this old gate?!
We headed back into Beith and took the two Khal/Cals to Mocha Jacks for lunch.
I had Honey, Avocado and Pesto stack! Again!
Craig had my fried egg.
We then came back and sat in the sun all afternoon. It’s been so lovely.
I am so grateful to feel better again.
I’ve done loads of Rome posts and reels on FB and I am trying to put some on Insta too. My reels used to post from insta directly onto my FB page but not anymore….
We have Elly’s 40th birthday party from 6pm tonight… I’m so glad my 2 days of illness have left me……. with a big spot on my chin just in time.
The good news is that I feel way better than I did last night.
I don’t think this is as bad as gastroenteritis…. I think it just stated badly. I think it’s just a stomach bug.
Turns out Craig took a photo of me on the bathroom floor last night… while I was on the phone to the doctor.
I’m in his Jedi dressing gown. This was the only way I could get comfy.
Buscopan Cramps worked amazingly well. I was so grateful for the relief from the stomach cramp. I didn’t care how bad I felt as long as I wasn’t in pain.
I lay on the bathroom floor for a good couple of hours enjoying the relief from the meds. This was where I wrote last nights blog.
So I haven’t been sick since and I haven’t even been to the loo…. I just feel pretty rotten. My stomach is gripey, it’s the only way I can describe it.
I’m taking the cramp meds and Andrews Liver Salts and they seem to be helping. I haven’t even picked up my prescription yet.
I slept in the spare room last night and I moved through to the couch and I’ve barely moved all day.
We had to go and pick up the car from the garage this afternoon. Good news it’s fixed and all covered under warranty. I just have to claim back the labour. Check me getting that warranty policy sussed… finally.
Back onto the couch.
So yeah that’s all from me. I’ve been well looked after.
I felt totally fine until 3.20pm. I text Craig to ask him to pick me up from work as the car is still in the garage.
By 3.30 I had really bad stomach cramps which I honestly thought was trapped wind. (Lovely convo I know) I’d eaten more biscuits than usual this afternoon….
I walked around the workshop, spent time pummelling my stomach, bending and stretching, I tried everything but my stomach distended and the cramps were so painful that I don’t know where to put myself. The drive home was so uncomfortable but the heated seats helped.
I came in and took ibuprofen to try to relieve the pain…. Threw that and everything else I’ve eaten right back up.
I’ve tried bed, I’ve tried the couch but honestly I’m comfier on the bathroom floor.
I called the doctor as it was so painful and he did call me back.
He reckons it’s the start of gastroenteritis as it came on so quick. He’s written a prescription for Buscopan Cramps and Anti sickness meds…. Which we can get tomorrow…. But I’ve got my hands on some Buscopan already. Honestly the relief from the cramp is wonderful. I’m lying on the bathroom floor in the dogs duvet (🙄😬) with Khaleesi at my feet. I have my head up on the bath and the toilet is literally 12” away.
I am calm again. Long may the lack of cramp continue.
Stay safe everyone and wash your hands with hot soapy water! ♥️♥️♥️
So Bertie Beetle finally got recovered at about 6.20pm last night (which was a bit earlier than I thought!)
The car and I got dropped at the garage and I had to phone our neighbour to come and get me. Poor guy had been driving about for us for hours!!
Wee sad pic of me in the rain walking to meet him…. Still dragging my suitcase.
So the car needs a new passenger side spring and a top mount which is pretty much what I suspected.
Thankfully I seem to have done everything properly this time and the recovery was done under warranty and the parts will be covered under warranty! Check me….
I literally sat on the couch in the dark last night and cuddled the puppers. I didn’t even have the notion to watch tv. Yesterday was a real lesson in waiting…. Waiting for a taxi, waiting for a plane, waiting for Craig then waiting for recovery. I was patient most of the day. 😂
My lovely bush is in full bloom now.
Work was good, it was sunny all day and Ellison and I actually sat outside for lunch. Nothing like Rome heat but compared to Scottish 2024 so far, it was up there as one of the nicest weather days.
Craig made homemade fresh tomato soup for dinner which was lovely.
Calaidh and I then went out for a walk with Claire… this is Calaidh waiting for her, next to the purple bin!!
We had a lovely walk though it was super cold at times!!
There’s a lovely new bench in Spiers Old School Grounds. It says TAKE SOME BREATHING SPACE.
It has the following sign on it.
This is the view from the bench…. It’s lovely.
What a lovely thought. I hope that people get some use out of it.
We had a lovely walk and a grata catch ip.
I’ve got so many videos from Rome that I need to sort through but that won’t be today…. Today’s about trying to get back into some routine after a whirlwind of a week.
Also the Gateside Inn has a new sign since the filming of the Lockerbie drama at the start of March. It looks lovely! I just spotted it!
So that’s all from me.
Back to auld claes and porridge as we say in Scotland. 😂
I finally understand why everyone in Rome carries a jacket… I wore my denim jacket today for the first time.
I slept really well but woke at 5.30am and opened the doors to my balcony just to try and let some air in. I had a thumping head due to the heat of the room and probably a bit of dehydration from yesterday.
My transfer taxi picked me up at 9.25am but I had to be out front by 9am…. Of course I was out front at 8.45am.
My hair seems to have developed a lovely wave here in Italy.
The taxi journey to the airport was very fast 😳😱 but I survived which was the main thing.
I saw more of the back streets of Rome as we picked up another couple from Kilmarnock.
The taxi driver offered me some chewing gum which made me think last nights garlic bread was still doing its magic!
I found check in straight away but she asked if I had any electronics in my bag…..and I did have Craig’s Go Pro… also had it in my suitcase on the way out…. But I stopped to take it out holding up the check in queue!!
I had a lovely lunch and coffee with Alistair (that I used to work with) and his wife Elaine. That passed the whole time at the airport which was lovely.
So…… reflections…
Some Alps down there!
Wow…. I actually did it. I’m sitting on a Jet2 plane somewhere over the south of France and I’m as cool as a cucumber. I have been on the Italian double decker trains and metro system all weekend. My trips have gone like clockwork. I have to thank Sally Webb for the City Mapper tip…. That app lets you key in where you want to go and it tells you exactly how to get there. I lived by that app this weekend. Thank you Sally!! 🚆🚇
I also used Google Maps a lot to help me find what I was looking for.
So for all that, the iPhone charger is paramount. I have an amazing charger that I bought from Amazon… which I’ve used to charge my phone every day and it still doesn’t need charged up. It was a godsend.
I’m still surprised by just how nervous I was on the way out.
I really had to hold back the tears for a fair part of the journey and when someone was nice to me, they spilled over.
The week prior had been really difficult, since I’d booked up. I slowly realised that the hotel was way further out than I wanted, so I spent hours trying to figure out how to get places without using public transport.
I’d been warned by so many people to steer clear of public transport for fear of pickpockets, when I’d posted on the Solo Female Travellers FB group.
When you suffer from anxiety, you only need to be told something bad once as you have already taken it on board, worried about it and overthought it to the nth degree.
The first person to mention pickpockets to me already had my attention. I then seemed to attract the negativity and I stopped seeing the positive comments. to be fair, one woman said “go to Greece, it’s nicer there”, I mean, really?!?
I worried all week to the point of being in floods of tears the day before.
What had I done?
Why was I putting myself through this?
I know why….
Life is short and I want to live it and unfortunately for me, my living it is getting out there and seeing the world as much as I can.
Ugh…. Turbulence. 🤮
I was so far out of my comfort zone this weekend that it almost hurt. I ached with fear, my head screamed at me for booking it. I could have had a lovely weekend at home with the dogs while Craig was working.
I’ve always had this itch to explore.
In 2004 after my divorce and 3 factory closures later, I KNEW I had to go to Australia. I walked away from normal life for 15 months and I loved it.
Yet I knew I had to come back.
I then gave up 12 years of my life to a job that began to make me ill.
I’ve learned so much about myself in the last 5 years. I’m very in tune with what works for me and what doesn’t, and despite the discomfort at times, I know I want to keep exploring. I get a massive buzz from visiting places and taking lovely photos… especially under sunshine and blue sky.
I also love talking to people. If I travel alone, I know I will never truly be alone as I will find people if and when I need to.
TURBULENCE 🤮 I have no one else to tell.
I’m so lucky that I’m not shy.
SEATBELT SIGN IS ON THAT MEANS WORSERER 🙄😂 TURBULENCE!!!
Stomach held in tight and eyes shut till this is over!
I tried to sleep through it…. Nope. I’m shattered though but my mind seems determined to stay alert. The captain has just advised there is heavy wind and rain on landing in Glasgow…. Oh joy.
Why do I do this to myself?!? 🙄😬🫨
Actually I am fine, I just want to be home now.
Preparing for landing now.
Ok so that wasn’t the best landing in the world but I’m back on wet and cold ground.
It took us 40 minutes to clear passport control which is a pretty poor show compared to Rome.
Craig picked me up and then Bertie Beetle broke down!!!! I’m certain the other spring has gone this time, the passenger side. Craig managed to limp to a disused layby at the side of the A737.
I’m currently waiting on rescue from the extended warranty insurance policy as that was the mistake I made the last time…. I got my garage to collect me and had to pay for it.
I’ve been sat for about 45 minutes already and they still haven’t allocated a rescue company because they couldn’t find my policy. Craig had to get picked up as he has a job tonight that he can’t miss.
They just text to say someone will be here by 18.54. That’s an hour and a half away!!! Happy days.
Anyway I’ve had the best weekend, back to reality now!
Ok so the Star Wars observant among you will soooooo know it typed Palpatine Hill to start with….. I am my husband’s wife 🤦🏻♀️😂
Another amazing day and my last full day in Rome. I will sleep for a fortnight when this is over.
Today I had booked with Crown Tours for the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The tour lasted 3 hours but they left us in the Colosseum to wander for the rest of the day if we wanted.
It was such contrast to yesterday but only because it was all in ruins…. This ancient area of Rome was as beautiful in its day, if not more so than the Vatican.
I’m not even going to remotely try and regale you with the history of the area. A tour is an explosion of information, while trying to get sunglasses on and glasses safely put in the bag, then glasses on and sunglasses put safely in the bag… while trying to listen and take photos…. you get the gist.
When you travel alone there is no one to hold anything. You just have to try to manage everything as best you can… while ensuring pickpockets don’t see you as fair game.
Palatine Hill is seen as the birthplace of the City of Rome around 1000 BC. It’s where all the upper class lived and all the imperial palaces were built. It had stunning views.
Everything was marble and decorated, even the servant quarters although not to the same extent and the imperial rooms.
The Roman Forum is in the low lying area between the hills and this is where everyone gathered for open air meetings from around 500 BC.
Before the Roman Forum and Colosseum were built, the whole area used to be marshland it was drained around 620BC due to constant flooding. That drainage system is still in use today.
The Roman Forum housed some of the most majestic temples and monuments.
The Colosseum was obviously where all the blood sports took place…. Animal against animal, animal against criminal, criminal against criminal and obviously the gladiators, some of whom became as famous as current footballers would do. Some 450,000 people were killed in the Colosseum in its day…. That’s a sobering thought as you stand inside it. that was all stopped by the Christians in the 6th Century.
The Forum was abandoned in the 7th century for the river area. A huge earthquake in the 9th century toppled many of the buildings and by the Middle Ages it had all been built over. Hence the ruins.
In true Julie fashion I got there early as this was by far the biggest distance I had to travel this weekend.
So many people told me that everything was within walking distance…. But it’s not when you don’t book the correct hotel and you have 45 minutes worth of train journey to get there.
I boarded the train at Balduina and had to take 6 stops to Roma Ortiense.
I chose to wear my short shorts this morning. Until now I’ve been blending in with the Italians wearing long trousers, they also have long tops and jackets with scarves. That’s a generalisation but there are a lot of them dressed for Scottish winter!
Today I stuck out like a sore thumb and I had the only visible legs on the first train!!!
I had to change at Ortiense onto the Metro and it was a good 6 minute walk with my legs on show through Italian suburbia. I only relaxed when I saw other tourists, once I got to the Colosseum. It shouldn’t matter what we wear and I tried to tell myself that the whole way there!
I got to the Colosseum for 8.30am and my tour was at 10. This gave me time to get some photos. The queues were already massive!
I found a nice wee cafe on Via Poliveria (reminded me of my friend Alice as it’s nearly her surname!!) and had a decaf espresso…. Yup I know…. 😂😂…. And a lovely pistachio filled croissant. It was so good.
Our tour started at the Roman Forum.
This old church was only opened in October having been closed for 50 years… they have managed to clean some of the art on the walls.
You can see Jesus in this one.
We are starting to climb up Palatine Hill now.
Looking down to the Colosseum.
I honestly have so many photos I don’t know where to start. I also don’t know that they all load up properly when I publish the blog. I’ll do a minimum for now.
That green door is the one of oldest doors in Rome… believed to date back to 300 BC.
We headed down into the Colosseum.
This was also incredibly busy. Thousands of people wandering around…. Just to give you some perspective.
My tour was the Arena Tour so you get right out into the main arena.
I finally left the Colosseum about 2.30pm… and was ravenous. I tied to go to a recommended restaurant but it was queued out… so I just pick a random roadside eatery and had some garlic bread and another veggie pizza….
I’ve already warned Craig that the garlic from the garlic bread will still be there when I get home tomorrow!!! It was soooo strong.
I didn’t have any plans for the afternoon so just wandered aimlessly, with a metro station always in mind.
I found some really lovely buildings and fountains.
I’m sitting on a comfy seat in the hotel gardens writing this…. As the pool is not open yet…. But I’ll head up soon and that will be me for the night. Pick up is at 9am tomorrow so I’ll get a lie in!!
I’ll be bombarding you with videos and photos when I get back. I’ve been so lucky with the weather. Not a cloud in the sky.
I have not stopped since 7am and it’s 18.02 and I’m waiting on the train to my hotel.
I have had the most breathtaking day where I visited the Vatican Museums, The Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. I made two friends on the tour and we went to meet another girl I’d arranged to meet for lunch. We had lunch, then went to the Castel Sant’Angelo.
I am absolutely knackered but it’s been an amazing and really wonderful day.
First stop at Peter’s Square before my tour began. it’s 8.30am. The queues are very long already.
I don’t think anything can prepare you for the grandeur of the Vatican. I feel liked it’s way beyond anything I have ever seen before.
I was super early for my tour so I stopped for an iced coffee…… not decaf 🤦🏻♀️😂
I toured with Brastours and there was no real logic to my choice, it was just a guided tour which I randomly selected. You get an earphone and you can hear the tour guide as she talks into a microphone. It so clear. it also skips the lines as they call them so you’re guaranteed immediate entry.
This is just inside the Vatican and the first view of St Peter’s Dome.
Right about here the coffee started palpitations 😂😂😂 I felt really dizzy and lightheaded and thought I was going to faint… thankfully it passed.
I got speaking to another lady who felt exactly the same as me and she thought it was the one headphone in one ear making her feel a bit off balance.
Tilt your head for extra dizziness… these are the Vatican Gardens. Beautiful.
I have never been anywhere as busy as this. The Vatican gets 45,000 visitors A DAY!!! Imagine how much money they must make but there must be some amount to upkeep it too.
The next shots are all photos from the Vatican Museums.
I saw so much today and listened to 3 hours of commentary… it’s impossible to remember most of it.
I do remember this was one of the first statues of Venus, depicting the female body.
There are literally thousands of people walking around. At any point in time the museums are full of people, you have to do some sneaky moves to get photos which the hundreds of people between you and the statue.
Look how many people are in here!
As we head down into the Sistine Chapel we are not allowed any photography but our guide had talked us through everything we were about to see.
Once again, nothing can prepare you for the beauty and the opulence of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo lay on his back for 4 years on high scaffolding and painted it all. So obviously no photos but it’s a sight to behold.
Did I mention we had to wear long trousers and a long sleeved top for this visit? It’s hot but respectful.
We then head into St Peter’s Basilica behind me…. It is the biggest church in the world.
This is the tomb of Pope John Paul II.
I think this mosaic is Raphael’s but I’m second guessing that now.
The two ladies I spent the tour with, Sandra and Helen, asked me what I was doing this afternoon and I told them I was meeting a girl from a solo female travellers group, for lunch. They asked to tag along as it would be a good recommendation for lunch if an Italian had booked it.
So we spent the rest of the afternoon together.
Back to the Vatican.
Then to the Castel Sant’Angelo. There’s a tunnel linking the Vatican to the Castel so the Pope could escape in times of trouble!
I have so many more photos of the day but the blog is not loading properly so I will stop it there.
You are never alone when you are alone. There are always special people that you meet along the way. Solo women travelers are a support network like no other. I felt very privileged to be a part of that lovely group today. Thanks to a Sandra and Helen for looking after me on the tour and thanks to a Melanie for being our American Italian guide for the afternoon!!
I will sleep like a very happy girl tonight and get up tomorrow and do it all again. Colosseum style.
It’s really been a day of different emotions. If you haven’t been following, this is my first split trip abroad in about 19 years.
Poor Craig is working all weekend and I fancied some sunshine and found this trip to Rome.
I had a great nights sleep, which surprised me, though I did remember to take the progesterone which was something. That always helps me sleep. I felt calm when the alarm went off at 4.35am, there was no nerves or worry.
I got ready and we left the dogs sleeping so I didn’t have to do that goodbye… and I drove to the airport in Bertie Beetle. That helped focus my mind and not let it wander.
When Craig drove away I had a bit of a wobble. I checked in with Jet2 and the young girl said, “oh you’re travelling alone? That’ll be lovely” and the tears welled up and I couldn’t speak properly.
This weekend was my idea. I booked it and yet I’ve created some kind of mental turmoil for myself ever since. I’ve been surprised at the fear I’ve felt.
I walked into the main terminal to head to departures and the two women in front of me were whispering about me. Cringe.
I literally felt like a flashing light waking through the airport as if everyone was watching me.
Just before we boarded the plane I met a guy that I used to work with in my old job. I told him how nervous I was… I told anyone who would listen.
I sat next to a lovely couple on the plane from Knightswood and we chatted for most of the flight. They don’t drink either. Denise gave me her phone number in case I was stuck when I was here. How lovely.
Her husband Simon was sitting at the window so he took some photos with my phone. That’s the Austrian Alps!
When we landed I met another woman and her son and we got a bit lost together!!
At baggage reclaim I found my old work colleague again. I left them to go and find my transfer only to end up sharing the transfer with them, although they are staying somewhere else.
What are the chances that, miles away from home and end up sitting with someone I worked with for 12 years!!!
There are no other photos of my trip until after 3.30pm, my head just wasn’t in the game. Even although I was talking to friendly people, I still felt quite overwhelmed.
The Aparthotel Adagio Vatican is fine. It’s nice enough but a bit run down…. As suspected it’s also miles out from the city. I took this on the way back in the evening.
I have a small apartment with a seating area. It is quite basic but it’ll do fine.
The tears spilled over again when the receptionist asked if anyone was joining me.
I can’t believe how emotional I have felt about being on my own.
The hotel is right next door to the train station.
She gave me all the details on the trains and told me to go to the Tabac on the other side of the train station to buy a 3 day ticket.
That’s been my fear since I finally figured out how far out the hotel was…. The travelling across Rome.
Here I am heading down an escalator into the station.
I am a new woman.
Gone is the quivering wreck, replaced by Mrs Practicality. Into the Tabac, bought a ticket, into the station, no fear at all. It felt like the most normal thing in the world.
When you suffer from anxiety you just have no idea when it will strike and when it will disappear. It’s been completely the opposite doe me today. I expected the travel to be easy and the negotiating Rome to be terrifying. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️😂
So now that’s out the way… let’s get to the good bit.
I got some advice for a Fb group called “solo in style: women over 50 travelling solo and loving it”…. Full of very inspirational women. They suggested I look up Romewise who detail what you should do when you’re in Rome for the first time for 2.5 days… eh moi!!
Day 1 is
The Spanish Steps
Piazza Navona
The Pantheon
The Trevi Fountain
I had them all in my sat nav as I knew I’d never remember the order.
I got the train from Balduina Station to Villa Aurelia. Only the second time I’ve ever seen a double decker train.
I changed at Villa Aurelia onto the Meteo and headed to Spagna where I immediately found the Spanish Steps.
What struck me most, as you’ll see, is that it was heaving. There were thousands of people.
Everyone is trying to get the perfect shot, the perfect pout, the perfect selfie that it felt really sad and I wondered if I was just as bad. I’ve never been aware of the Instagram or TikTok culture as much before. It was all about the shot.
I went into the Trinità dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps. It’s behind the Obelisco Sallustiano.
It’s a 16th century church with beautiful views across Rome.
Back down the steps.
I then headed to the Piazza Navona taking random shots on the way.
This is Piazza Navona.
Again… heaving!
Next stop is only 5 minutes away, the Pantheon.🏛️ it’s a format Roman temple and has been a Roman Catholic Church since AD609.
It’s looks very old.
It was so busy that I didn’t bother to queue to get in. There were two huge queues and I was already 4.30pm and I hadn’t eaten much.
I walked around the back instead.
I can’t remember what this was but it looks quite unassuming…was a stunning church inside.
Nothing would prepare me for the Trevi Fountain.
It is just beautiful and break taking… however, this is the reality…..
A crazy amount of people!!!!! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen crowds of people like this. All posing, vying to get the best shot of themselves in that place.
I found a lovely little roadside bar, La Fontinella and sat down for garlic bread, veggie pizza and an alcohol free beer.
Loving life.
The hotel is so far out that I want to get home before it gets dark so I thought I’d come and sit by the pool.
The pool doesn’t open until MAY!!! I brought two bikinis. 🤦🏻♀️😂 I must get help with my next city break hotel booking. 🤦🏻♀️
So I sat on my balcony and watched the sun set over Rome.
The end to a lovely day. A loud day and a busy day. A very emotional day but I am here. I have done it and I’m excited for the Vatican tomorrow.
Ok so let’s be clear here, the version of me that booked a solo trip to Rome for this weekend, is most definitely not the version of me that woke up this morning.
There were tears while I was still lying in bed. Not just a wee tear, I wanted a good bubble.
What have I done? Why am I putting myself through this. Why am I so scared.
Despite booking what I thought was a central hotel, it seems that mine is a “little out of the way” so I will need to use public transport which so many people have told me not to use. I can’t get a taxi as they overcharge tourists, on the buses and the metro pickpockets will steal from you. If I’ve heard once about pickpockets and scammers, I could write a book on it!
We also know that while this is a possibility, the same can be said of anywhere, any city.
What does my anxiety do with all this?!? Build it up into a huge crescendo that ends in tears.
Why don’t I just cancel?
Because… I have to do this. I am not looking forward to it in the slightest and yet I know I will have a fantastic time, and wonder what all the fuss was about.
I’m nervous about the flight, I’m nervous about being on my own… she who LOVES her own company. I’m nervous about where I will keep my money and phone. I take a million photos, is someone going to pinch my phone out my hand? Do I carry a rucksack too as I’ll need suntan lotion and a hat. I’m nervous about how I get to, and find, the Vatican and the Colosseum for my tours. I’m nervous about where I will eat. I have cereal bars packed just in case. Of course I do! 😂
It’s exhausting…..
Poor Craig has been amazing this week helping with all my techy stuff. He’s organised all the chargers etc. and he’s tried to be excited for me, when he’s the one being left at home, then he gets the wailing Julie to have to console. Hard work eh?!
I’m writing this before work to try to get it out of my head.
I haven’t been living in the present moment at all this week. I even forgot to take my progesterone and change my HRT patch last night. I’m all over the place.
Breathe.
All those good words didn’t change my head as much as I’d hoped.
Work was good but the incessant rabbiting voice inside my head had not gone away.
A lovely Italian lady I used to work with has sent me her mobile number in case I’m stuck, she says she has family in Rome that would help me if I needed it. How lovely is that?!? Thanks Alice 😘
I also joined a solo female travellers group and one of the women has given me her number and suggested meeting for lunch one day. That might not work as both my tours are in the morning but again, how lovely of her to offer.
Yet still my head is screaming at me. If wants to be wrapped up in the drama of it all, the what ifs?
I said yesterday, my biggest problem is that I need time to relax and decompress on a daily basis and I haven’t been able to do that as there have been too many things needing done.
I’m sitting outside Viv’s Nails, waiting to get my toenails done, randomly booked for tonight, over a month ago. I feel the calmest I have done today.
How can this be my life’s dream… to travel and yet I allow it to cause me so much stress?!? Go figure.
My what ifs are bundled into some giant tornado.
If you told me you were going to Rome for the weekend, I would be so very envious. 😂
I have to just rip the band aid off and do this.
We can all sit and say I told you so when I’m bouncing around Rome tomorrow, loving the weather and the vibe.
I made another lovely dinner tonight from Planthood. Spicy Turmeric & Lemongrass Laksa With Rice Noodles, Crispy Oyster Mushrooms & Aubergine.
I have to say it was my least favourite. I took a photo with my favourite bush as a backdrop… as you do!
So that’s all from me. I’m sorry for all the drama this week but I’m telling it how it is. Most holiday posts just show the wonderful photos and not all the feeling behind it. i ladle it on!
Keep an eye on my FB and instagram pages but I’m going to do my best to soak it all up, once the fear has past! I don’t want to spend the whole weekend on the phone so I may not manage full blogs but I’ll see how it goes.
I will catch you all on the Italian side. 🏴✈️🇮🇹
The Rambling Sloth 🦥 