It was cloudy this morning!!!

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…

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!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️