Day 1504 Khaleesi out of surgery by 4pm and a day by the sea for me 🌊🏖️

It was very strange waking up with only 3 dogs this morning. We’ve been fixated on Khaleesi for the last week and now she’s not even here.

My alarm went off at……. Wait for it… 4.30AM!!! Elly had asked if I wanted to wetsuit swim this morning but she had to be back by 6.45am.

As hard as it is to get out of bed, it’s so worth it. As you know I love being out and about when everyone else is asleep!

Pic taken at 5.30am. It’s 9.5°C.

Wetsuits bottom half, still to get ready to go in. Lovely sunrise glow!

The tide was coming in, and almost at high tide but it was a bit windier than it usually is, when I go in the sea.

We didn’t swim but we stayed under the water and bobbed about in the waves.

It’s the most present I’ve ever been in the sea. I didn’t take a million photos, I just enjoyed the moment.

It felt like we were in for ages… and here I go sharing the million photos I “didn’t” take 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

It clouded over a fair bit, which surprised me as I knew the forecast was going to be good todays

I didn’t find it particularly cold today but it took me ages to heat up, even after a hot shower.

We had great chats this morning, nothing beats a good deep and meaningful conversation! Thanks to Elly for asking me to go.

We decided to take the 3 Borders for a family dog after my shower. .

This is what happens when I say ….. WHO…. WANTS…. TO GO…. FOR… A….. WALK…. Exactly with that intonation 😂

Look at this gate, it’s disappearing after years of no use!

This is what happens when Craig says… GO!

It’s a lovely morning and I’m a bit overdressed as I’m still a bit cold from the swim.

When we came home it clouded over so I hung out the washing and hoovered the whole house. It’s like deja vu from last weekend…. The house is soooo hairy. I want it to be nice for Khaleesi coming home. 😆

Craig had a job in West Kilbride today at 1pm so I decided to go with him and spend some time on the beach. It seems really hot until I get there and there’s actually a really cool breeze.

It’s still beautiful and exactly what I need to take my mind of Khaleesi. That’s not entirely true either, that was the plan but actually I think of her more when I’m alone, it’s the not knowing that’s the worst part. Is she still in surgery, out already or still to go in?! We had no idea.

I sat here for a few minutes. A lovely view over to Arran.

Craig dropped me near the Waterside restaurant and I walked up the coast as far as Portencross.

Sat here for a few minutes too. I have 3 hours to kill.

The tide is out so the beach is full sized.

My photos pretty much all have Arran as the backdrop 😂.

I loved the wee cottage off to the right hand side of the burn. It’s literally on the beach but private enough that it seems secluded too.

I found a sheltered spot behind the Seamill Hydro. The wall to the right of me, sheltered the breeze. I lay down here for a while and rested my eyes. The sun felt very hot.

The beach is just massive when the tide is so far out. I set off again.

I tried to take some arty upside down shots of all the lugworm piles (it disgusts me that they seem to be called that…. ) but I can’t seem to hold the camera straight when I’m hanging upside down… picture the scene?!?

Should say this is Portencross beach now.

I’m getting straighter 😂

There are more waves here. They’re still tiny though.

I love the colour of the sand.

I almost have the whole beach to myself. I wish I had brought some of the dogs. If the tide is in, the beach is tiny and I always feel a bit overwhelmed with 3 dogs on a beach filled with other dogs.

It’s really windy but I love the peace.

The lovely irises growing in the boggy ground.

I’m finally on my favourite rocks at Portencross.

Portencross Castle with the Scottish flag flying.

Love the rocks.

Always think of Claire when I see this lovely blue boat as she took some lovely photos of it.

I’m heading back along the road to meet Craig when he’s finished.

Sooooo green!

I love this house.

How pretty is this?!

And just like that my knight in shining armour appears.

We head home via Lidl. We’re on a budget and it’s great to see how many bargains you can get in Lidl. I got sensitive toothpaste for 69p!!!

That reminds me I actually had the dentist in between shower and dog walk! Just check up and scale and clean. £15.85 and done in 10 minutes.

We got the call when we were in the supermarket with no signal and Craig had to run out to call them back.

Her operation had just finished and it was a success. Her ankle bone has been fused and her foot had been straightened. It all went as planned.

Such a relief. Craig is blinking back the tears all through the crisps aisle… I’m relieved but I knew it would be ok.

We have to call at 9am to find out how she was overnight and they’ll tell us when we can pick her up.

It will be so good to have her home again. It feels really strange without her. Bless.

Thanks again to everyone for your support!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1503 we have just hit our target!! 🎯

How amazing is that?! In less than 2 days, 171 people have donated to allow us to afford Khaleesi’s operation.

I cannot begin to tell you how it feels to be on the receiving end of this…. There is shame that we had to ask in the first place and we are just overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone. People apologising for not donating or for saying they wish they could have given more….. hey we wouldn’t have been able to afford any of it so we completely understand.

This is a huge ask and one that we have only undertaken because the surgeon thinks it will greatly improve her quality of life.

I’ll share Craig’s FB post from today as I am too tired to type it all out again.

I sat out in the garden with them all this morning and Craig got a great shot.

Khaleesi sat enjoying the sunshine. I tied her to the bench so she couldn’t run and play with the others!

She is currently in Broadleys Veterinary Hospital in Stirling. She was put under anaesthetic this morning so the surgeon could manipulate her and determine the surgery required, and he has established that she needs the more complicated surgery.

Her operation will take place tomorrow and we will be able to go and collect her on Saturday.

The house feels very strange without her. Despite my protestations at having SO MANY dogs…. It feels really strange without her here. She’s become a part of the family in such a short time.

She should be able to come off pain medication and that is amazing. She currently gets doggy Tramadol and Metacalm on a daily basis. Coming off meds will do her the world of good.

She will have a much better quality of life.

I did make some Planthood dinner tonight.

And here’s what they actually turned out like!

They were really lovely, if a weeeee bit oniony. (That’s a great word!)

Gayle is picking me up shortly and we’re heading out to Largs for a couple of hours. The Scottish Dog Behaviourist is back at work. We’re both trying to forget what’s going on just now.

Apart from being so eternally grateful to everyone. People really pull around when things get tough. As Craig said all the donations have helped save Khaleesi’s life.

A very humbling time for us.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1502 blown away by donations for Khaleesi’s operation!

Wow what a whirlwind of a 24 hours.

Since Craig raised his Go Fund Me for Khaleesi’s leg operation yesterday, we have just hit over £5,000.

I cannot tell you how that makes us feel. Incredibly humble, indebted to people forever. To think that a few days ago that we thought we were going to lose her. Now we have some hope that she could have more mobility than she had, and be pain free.

We had never thought we would raise so much so quickly and are so grateful to the all of those family, friends and strangers who have donated. So many people we don’t even know…. It’s incredible.

She was so much brighter again this morning.

She is definitely picking up on our mood and responding to our increased positivity.

She never bites at her dressing, never whimpers, never cries, never makes a fuss. She’s such a good girl, if only I could master some of her calm outlook on life. She just gets on with things.

So the latest is she has her initial consultation in the morning and they might keep her for an operation on FRIDAY!!!!

I can’t believe it’s so soon and despite the fundraiser, we have not stopped to think about what she will go through…. It’s a sobering thought.

Oooh a wee eye fill moment there.

I’m going to make this a quick one tonight as I’ve been on my phone since I got home.

Oh I did go for a 5.46km run with Lynsey before work this morning!

I cuddled with Khaleesi when I got up at 4.50am as I couldn’t sleep…. It was nice to sit with her until it was time to run at 5.45.

I loved our run this morning! It felt really good and only stopped up a couple of hills. I’m so proud of that.

Right now I’m tired. I’m not eating well just now as I’m too tired to cook but it’s been a big week. It will settle and I’ll get back to it. Meanwhile I had hashbrowns and rice pudding for dinner. 😆

We made the Ardrossan and Saltcoats herald today too…. I’ll end with the link.

No food for Khaleesi from 9pm.

Bless her…. And all of you 😘

Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald – Khaleesi

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1501 the one about Khaleesi the Belgian Malinois

Soooo, my strange comment at the weekend can now be explained.

We’re sitting in Woodbury Salterton in Devon, on Friday 24th, having lunch with friends, we’ve been there for an hour, when we get a call to say that Khaleesi has hurt her leg.

Khaleesi is the Belgian Malinois recue that came all the way from Spain.

Craig had gone out to train Jo-Rosie Haffendon’s dogs, for a week in April last year and fallen in love with her. When Jo’s circumstances changed, Khaleesi needed a new home and within an hour of Craig seeing Jo’s post, Khaleesi was going to be ours.

We joined our gang in September 2023.

Both of her right legs are badly injured. The front leg has virtually no power and she often holds it up when she walks, the back leg has fused at the wrong angle.

You can kinda see the right back leg in this picture, splays out to the right.

So we spend all of Friday afternoon in phone calls back home, trying to decide what’s best.

She isn’t moving…. She won’t move off the bed for food. It’s heartbreaking for those who are with her and equally awful for us being so far away.

We decide that she needs to be seen by a vet and my lovely in laws and sis in law manage to get her to their vet by 6pm on the Friday night.

She’s doped up to the hilt and has a bandage on her back leg.

They believe she has ruptured her tendon in the back leg.

By this time, Craig has already decided that he has to come home. He made me stay, but the logic was, if he went through the hassle, and cost, of coming home, then by some strange twist of fate, we might not lose her.

A dog that can’t put pressure on both legs on the same side is not going to live a great life.

Given that we were an hour and half drive from Bristol, and everyone we knew down there was heading to a wedding on the Saturday, made the travel more difficult.

My lovely friend Helen booked him a bus from Exeter to Bristol Airport, her partner Mike picked him up on Saturday at 7.30am and off he went…

EasyJet charged us a fortune despite the sad story but hey, it was the right thing to do.

We can’t thank our in-laws and Craig’s sister enough, for everything that they did.

Once he was home and he got to see the true extent of her injuries and he started to worry we may lose her.

She could barely move but she was very happy to have him home and fussing over her.

He investigated her leg under the bandage and realised what the tendon rupture meant, the bottom part of her leg just moves all over the place.

The front leg had been the worst and now this one was worserer… I know that’s not a word 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 I’m trying to inject some humour into a stressful situation, it’s what I do…

He slept with her on Saturday night and I travelled home on my own, on the Sunday. I cried when I saw her. She wagged her tail at me but didn’t move.

We cuddled up in the couch in the evening.

I came downstairs on Monday morning and had this awful feeling she wouldn’t have made it through the night.

Of course she had but she was the same the whole of Monday, so lost and sad looking but then, so was Craig.

It was not my story to share as we needed to know what was going to happen before he told Jo-Rosie, her previous owner, and before he told anyone on his business page.

I’ve never seen him so upset.

He slept in the living room with her again last night.

This morning they had another vet appointment at 8.50am.

It was a lovely morning and I spotted them out in the garden so I did a wee impromptu photoshoot, just before work.

The mood was very somber, we were both scared that she might not come home with him. I was sure she would but Craig was convinced this was it.

So the very good news is that Ed the Vet has sent her X-rays to a vet hospital, Broadleys in Stirling and they believe they can fix her injured back leg.

“She will require surgical treatment via tarsal arthrodesis. either partial arthrodesis or pantarsal depending on the level or extent of the injuries”

In layman’s terms there is a chance that they can fix the leg, better than it was when she came to us.

Craig text me straight away to say “she’s coming home, they have options”, what an immense relief.

It’s been a dreadful few days and finally there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Khaleesi knows something has changed. She is reflecting Craig’s mood, she is brighter and even came to the door to meet me when I came in tonight!!

We’ve had some cuddles on the couch!

So the bad news in all of this is the cost.

She is not covered by insurance as this is a pre-existing condition.

We need to generate somewhere in the region of £6,000…… but we can’t not try.

Craig has started a Go Fund Me page to try to help us raise the money. It’s hard to ask people for help but we can’t lose her when the vet had so much hope.

Here’s the link:

Khaleesi needs help to fund her life saving leg surgery

Here she is stretched out in all her glory… bless her.

She has a green bandage now!

We have been truly humbled by the extent of the donations we have received in the short space of time since he launched it. So many donations from wonderful people who are family and friends and more people that we don’t even know… they maybe know Khaleesi from her previous life.

We might just manage this!

It restores your faith in humanity.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1500 of my daily blog!

Who’d a thunk it, as my lovely Gran would have said?! 💜

1500 days of writing an almost daily blog. Only interrupted by the odd bad life event and lack of signal on holidays last year.

I have learned so much about myself… the main thing being that when I set my mind to something, I really seem to stick to it.

I have staying power. who knew?!?

After going off sick in September 2018, with anxiety which sank into depression, I’ve been on a journey of self discovery and healing.

It hasn’t always been pretty.

In fact, at times it’s been pretty ugly.

In March 2020 I started to write a daily blog to keep a record of life in Scottish COVID-19 lockdown

So as I do on the big number days, I’ll have a quick round up of my stats.

1971 without alcohol
1371 without anti depressants
567 on HRT
513 fasting

Look how many units of alcohol I haven’t drunk!!!

I need to manage everything that goes into my life, to ensure that I give myself the best chance of peace and happiness.

This has lead to my love of day trips, exploring and re-igniting my love of travel.

There are days where this is absolutely a travel blog…. I feel for the lovely people I meet on trips, that join the blog and within days get the woe-is-me-I’m-crying-again blog. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

I always promised I would try to be as honest as I can. The hard days really hurt and I have to show incredible vulnerability.

I just hope that someone reads this and realises it ok not to always be ok.

I think we all show the best of our lives on social media, and for some reason I am driven to show you the bad bits too.

I have no idea why I feel a calling to do this but I do. I’ve always said if I can help one person then it will have been worth it.

Also, selfishly, it allows me to process my daily mood swings.

I now know exactly what makes me tick.

I know that I need alone time to refocus.

I need silence to clear my noisy mind.

I need to control what I read, what I hear and quite honestly, who I listen to and who I spend my time with.

I need to surround myself with people who are good for my soul. People who bring out the best in me.

I love talking to strangers as you only get the best from them. So many strangers inspire me.

I avoid people who only talk negatively about others, as I find that drains on my energy.

I can read between the lines and trust my intuition implicitly.

You hurt me and I remember it for too long.

I hurt you and I never forgive myself, but I recognise that I have to do what’s right for me, and put myself first. I feel shame and forgive myself in cycles. I think of you often but I know that my life is better for me, this way.

I try not to talk about other people, I correct myself if I do, I try to see the best in situations and understand why people may act how they act.

I still get angry and blow my stack when things don’t go the way I think they should. I cringe at that but I recognise I do it because I care.

Hats what makes me tick.

I am incredibly empathetic but, finally, no longer put other people’s needs before my own.

That helps me too.

My life will always be a work in progress. (That’s a daft thing to say as everyone’s is… 😂😂 but you know what I mean!)

I have accepted who I am now.

I am proud of who I’ve become.

I still get upset on the down days (ironic!) but I mean that I beat myself up for it. I still have work to do on that.

So to everyone who’s been with me from the very start, for those who are just new, to those who dip in and out, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It means the world when you connect with me, when you comment or message or tell me how you feel, or how you connect with what I’ve written.

It’s very good to talk.

I do it a lot 😂😂😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1499 a trip to Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth and back to Bristol Airport ✈️

I set an alarm for 7.30am this morning as Helen was coming to get me at 9am. Just as well as I was out for the count last night. We didn’t get to bed until 11pm!

The evening reception started at 5pm until 9pm as we were out on the Stuart Line cruises, cruising the mouth of the River Exe.

Stuart Line River Exe cruises

That link above gives you dome detail on the cruise.

I used Helen’s house as a base yesterday and got ready pretty early. I spent a lovely half hour with her daughter’s new kittens, actually as I say that, I think I posted those photos yesterday.

It’s only a 15 minute walk down to the Stuart Line cruise.

Phone matches the dress!

We leave exactly at 5pm.

It was much cooler, had clouded over and was threatening rain which was a shame.

Leaving the harbour.

We went upstairs on and off but it did start raining about 6pm and ended up lashing with rain by 9pm.

Such a shame after a beautiful day. It didn’t dampen the spirits though as the boat has a warm indoor area downstairs.

I’m making sure there are no photos of the bride and groom!!

Here we are, so lovely to spend time with Helen and her family again…. Obviously we missed Craig but you know me, I chatted to everyone.

Laughed at these 3 bots powering along all tied together.

The boat sailed as far up as Topsham. Helen I had walked up here the last time I’d been down in March. It was lovely to see it from the water.

One of the other cruise ships followed us at one point!

I thought this looked like a sunken pirates ship!

Apparently this happens a lot when boats sink and are just left. The harbour master tried to find the owners but it’s often very difficult to do.

It’s raining heavily now, so this one is taken inside. This is Starcross which is directly across the water from Exmouth.

Well go here next time I’m down.

The water took on quite a roll as we crossed the mouth of the Exe. It was the only time it was bumpy.

So back to this morning…. Helen and Mike picked me up at 9am and we headed to Budleigh Salterton.

I was blown away by these stunning colours. Apparently the sea is always like this. The red sand comes from the cliffs.

What a pretty bench with all the bright red poppies!

Typical English beach huts.

First of all we had breakfast on the beach!

Pretty much right after this photo we got soaked!!

We hid under a tree and you can see the squall moving off.

Lovely war memorial with a view.

The wild flowers are so pretty in Spring and there’s so many of them.

Pastel beach huts and the sun is back out…. We’re trying to dry off.

Loved this church and tree.

Because of the weather we decided to head back down to Exmouth and went out around the harbour again.

The tide is in.

I loved this red and blue boat.

We walked down to it.

The clouds are coming in again.

Helen said this boat appeared about 6 months ago and just sits here.

It’s raining again now but we make it back without getting soaked.

The sun comes out just in time for Helen to hang her washing!!

So that’s me at the airport waiting to board, heading back to see Craigie and the puppers.

There’s a chance I may have an empty seat next to me as Craig should have been in it. 😆

I can’t post the blog now as there is no signal and none of the photos have loaded up.

Just home and it’s 7.15pm. Shattered but good to get back to Craig and the puppets and for these photos to finally load!!

Some great shots of the flight and flying in to Glasgow…

I’m off to get some dinner and put my comfies on.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1498 a lovely day in Exmouth, now ready to go to my goddaughter’s wedding!

Unfortunately due to some unforeseen circumstances, Craig has had to get an earlier flight home to look after the dogs.

Please don’t worry, we’re all ok, obviously I was gutted to see him leave at 7.30am and he’s only just landed back in Glasgow at 2.30pm, it’s just not my story to tell.

After he left, I sat out in Helen’s mum’s garden and enjoyed the lovely weather. It says it will only reach 14°C today, but it feels way warmer than that to the ode of us from beyond the wall!

The flowers are beautiful!

I love the early morning sunlight.

We woke at 4.18 and I tried to get back to sleep but not sure that I did.

This is the lane that the house is on! Typical Devon high hedged lane.

We left just after 9 to head down to Helen’s. I will wonder around Exmouth for the day and come back to Helen’s to get ready.

You know me, I love a wander, especially in the sun!

I got to have a sneaky peak at the beautiful bride to be, Mother, Grandma and sister of the bride before I headed out.

This is the view on the way into Exmouth.

The harbour is looking beautiful in the deep blue sky and bright sunshine.

I love the colourful houses.

The tide is in, but starting to head out, it looks positively tropical.

I think that’s the boat we will be on later, sir the Reception.

I walked along here to the beach.

The water seems so clear.

It’s nowhere near as busy as I expected but there a good few boats and yachts out.

The tide here flows out really fast.

This is an upside down photo.

I love the wispy clouds…. It’s to rain later, it’s hard to see that in the sky.

This is the start of the main beach in Exmouth which is huge.

I stopped and got an ice cream at the Sea Shore Ice Creamery. It’s a bubblegum waffle with Turkish delight AND a flake. The guy said it was “a bit out there”. 😂

I surprised it’s not heaving for bank holiday weekend.

Spotted all these Scotland flags 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 in the English sky!

I love these cliffs, part of the Jurassic Coastline.

I found a wee path to save me walking in the sea.

The contrast in colours is stunning.

Random big rock.

So quiet.

I wandered around here for a while.

I love that the photos don’t really show the folk that were there!

Heading back into Exmouth.

The current here is so strong and it’s like the clouds are mirroring the speed!

The clouds are starting to roll in.

Back to the boat we are on tonight.

And the harbour.

The sun shone all day.

I came back to Helen’s and got ready. Here I am sitting with my other goddaughter’s beautiful kittens.

I’m glad I ironed my dress!!

They are soooo lovely.

Right I best dash, finish off and get down to the boat!

Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1497 flying to Bristol for a weekend in Exmouth ✈️

I have been awake on and off for most of the night. I did wake before midnight with such a fright that Khaleesi was at my feet! How can you sleep when a 6ft 3 guy and a dog get into bed and don’t wake you?!?!?

I got up for the loo 3 times…. And finally gave in and got out of bed at 4.50am.

We parked at the Flying Soct car park. We got that for £40.99 which is the cheapest for Glasgow. Edinburgh had much cheaper parking but no use to us today 😂😂

The 3 minute transfer time was closer to about 20 minutes but that’s ok. We were still there in plenty time according to my anxious brain.

No stress this morning. All calm and straightforward. It’s lovely to have Craig with me for a change.

Our flight was delayed by about an hour…. The plane was late landing then they couldn’t find a tug to push us out. Who knew that wee thing was called a tug?!? Makes sense!

I wrote this in the queue for the toilets at Bristol Airport and haven’t stopped all day.

We had a lovely lunch at Helen’s mums where we’re staying.

There are lovely lanes in Devon.

Then went for a walk along Exmouth beach.

Tho I this is the boat we’ll be on for the wedding reception tomorrow.

Craig’s turned into a dinosaur!!

Then we had a lovely chippy tea with all the family and watched this lovely sunset from the living room.

A lovely end to a lovely day and it’s 9.40pm!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1496 full moon 🌝

So that might explain the craziness… it’s full moon today. Watch out everyone!!

Back in the office today and all calm on the western front, thankfully.

No tears.

I did have a very painful stomach cramp just before lunch so didn’t eat much. don’t know why that was all about…

I’ve managed to squeeze some tears out tonight as we get ready to head down south for my goddaughter’s wedding this weekend, in Exmouth.

You know that old packing stress, what to take, what not to take, when to leave, where to park, need I go on?!?

I’m in bed now. It’s 9pm and I’m going to read my book and get up at 5am.

I never got dinner but I have hoovered the house for my lovely in-laws, who are kindly dog sitting for us.

Oh I did sign up for a 10k race in August.

No one is more shocked than me. 😱🤯

One by one the running girls signed up.

I had zero intention…..

Then felt I kinda had to so I just did it.

Plenty of time to get up to speed… or distance…. Plus there is a free Vanila Joe’s ice cream at the end of it. What’s not to love!! the 10k or running before it… 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

So sorry it’s brief and I sound as flat as a pancake. I’m just tired.

Will be bright eyed and bushy tailed at 5am!

I promise.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1495 National Julie Day!

I did not excel myself as a Julie today… it’s another one of those days where the blog is hard to write. Hey, here I go.

It started with a 4.6K run with Lynsey at 5.45am. I’d slept like a log all night but felt really tired and groggy when I woke up. It took me the whole 15 minutes to concentrate on getting ready. I couldn’t think straight.

The run was hard but good. I was so pleased I did it. I was very red again by the end!

I walked straight into a cold shower. It’s not freezing but it’s on the cool wash instead or warm. It feels good against the heat of the run.

I got ready for work and took some photos of some of the flowers in the garden.

By the time I got to work I was in tears.

I just feel a bit run down, the cold is still lingering on, I’m shattered and I just feel really low.

It got so bad that I packed up my stuff and came home. I couldn’t sit there bubbling all day.

I sat at the dining room table and worked till 4.45pm. I was totally fine, spoke to loads of people on the phone, chatted away. Just couldn’t seem to do that in person this morning. I worked later than usual as I felt I’d wasted time faffing this morning.

I did call the doctor as these tears have been around for most of the weekend. She’s given me lots of advice on counselling and told me to be mindful of my own needs at the moment. To be kind to myself.

She didn’t prescribe anti depressants and I am actually really pleased at that. When you have suffered from anxiety and depression in the past, there’s always that fear that it’s “coming back”., that you can’t cope on your own.

She’s scheduled a call in a fortnight to check in with me. This was the doctor that really listened to me when I was ill. She has a lovely manner.

I am the healthiest I have ever been. I don’t drink, avoid caffeine, haven’t eaten meat for months, fast every day…. I enjoy all of that. It’s me taking some control over my own mental health. I need to control what I watch, who I spend time with, what I listen to, to ensure I control my anxieties.

You know what, sometimes that is all bloody hard work.

You can’t always do that and you sometimes feel your energy being drained.

I’m exhausted and I just need a rest from my head.

After the tearful drama of this morning, the quiet working day at home has been a welcome relief.

I’m so embarrassed by the tears that it only makes the anxiety worse.

So another line drawn under a healing day…. And a lovely dinner made.

And how mine looked either the obligatory Border Collie in the background…

It was lovely.

So I’m in my comfies, given my apologies to the Hookers and I’m going to watch Bridgerton and have an early night. Craig is banished to the dining room… he says he’s going to go in sit in the sunroom and look out the window all by himself…. Bless.

Have a lovely evening.

Keep smiling if you feel low as you know it will pass soon.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1494 reflections on my PS Waverley trip yesterday

Oh. My. Word.

I’m writing this on Monday night on the bus on the way back to Glasgow. I cannot begin to explain the true extent of the beauty I have seen today. We got the West Coast of Scotland as its absolute best.

“I’m sailing up the west coast, through villages and towns” to quote Dignity by Deacon Blue!

More accurately, we sailed up the west coast taking in several beautiful islands.

We started off on The Clyde at the Glasgow Science Centre and sailed down the Clyde, under the Erskine Bridge, past Greenock and Port Glasgow and down to our first stop in Largs. We picked a good couple of hundred people up in Largs.

My friend Helen sent me the Waverley’s actual trip for the day. I was so chuffed.

We then headed over to Great Cumbrae and sailed north of Little Cumbrae and over to skirt the north coast of Arran…. With Bute in view most of the way.

We then headed across around the Mull of Kintyre and across to Islay and up the Sound of Islay with Jura visible on the right hand side. We sailed on to Colonsay and then back across towards the mainland via the Correyvreckan Whirlpool. Then down through the Slate Isles, past Easdale, Seil Island and Luing… before head into the sound of Kerrera, past Kerrera and into my favourite place on the world… Oban. In the scorching hot sunshine.

What is not to love.

I also met two other solo travellers, randomly both called Chris. One male, one female. We kept an eye out for each other’s bags while we were off away around the boat. I love that kind of connection with someone. We’ll not stay in touch and never see each other again but we shared the day.

I am shattered but I am so grateful that I had the chance to see all of this. I’m gutted I’m not carrying on further north in the Waverley but, given how much I was “bouncing” on dry land… it’s maybe just as well I’m on the bus home. 😂

So I’ll pick up where we left off… we were just about to enter the Correyvreckan Whirlpool.

Now, I’m not going to lie… this is a bucket list thing of mine and I had NO idea that we actually went through it on this cruise. Also, it wasn’t exactly what I expected. It was a bit like sailing through a bubbling cauldron… actually when has anyone EVER done that?!?

These photos WILL NOT do it justice.

If you have ever drive past the Falls of Lora in Connel, near Oban, the effect is very similar.

As the Waverley went into the Whirlpool she was doing 15 knots, by the time she came out she was up to 2/knots just with the force of the whirlpool…. About 10 minutes later, she was down to 11 knots as fighting against a flowing tide.

It’s now Tuesday afternoon and I’ve had the laziest day in the sun. It’s 4.30 already and all I’ve got to show for it is a varnished bench!!

I am quite pleased with it.

So back to yesterday. Leaving the Gulf of Correyvreckan was spectacular.

It was now an evening sunset cruise. After such a spectacular day.

The film crew that were on board were sailing alongside getting lots of shorts for the David Hayman documentary about the PS Waverley.

We are currently here.

The Slate Islands were beautiful. I was torn between watching out to the sun and capturing the green island of Luing and the coast south of Oban.

This is just at Seil island.

I almost missed it but I caught the bridge over the Atlantic!

The Oban lifeboat came out to see us!

The PS Waverley is a celebrity wherever she sails. It’s lovely to be a part of that. Even leaving Glasgow yesterday, folk were waving out of their Clydeside flats.

I’m back out the porthole in the ladies toilets again as we head down the Sound of Kerrera into Oban!

My favourite place on the west coast, Oban.

McCaig’s Tower up on the hill.

The low sun is beautiful!

Docked for the evening!

Taken from the bow of the Waverley.

I’m already off and so sad that the day is over. It was just so perfect.

We then had to jump straight on the bus to Glasgow Science Centre. I literally spend 10 minutes in Oban!

What a stunning night.

Even the bus trip down was stunning, I kept taking photos out the window.

All of these taken from a moving coach… this is the start of Loch Awe.

St Conan’s Kirk on the banks of Loch Awe.

Reflections of the railway bridge at Kilchurn Castle.

The moon is huge….

It’s finally almost dark so I try to sleep but nothing comes.

I got home around midnight after a few wrong turns in Glasgow. My mind wasn’t as fresh as it should have been.

What a truly wonderful day that will stay with me forever. There’ll be videos and more photos to come, I’m sure!

I’m too tired to proof read this tonight so fingered crossed it’s ok 👌

Stay safe everyone 🚢♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Day 1493 sailing on the PS Waverley from Glasgow to Oban 🚢 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I’m back on board the Paddle Steamer Waverley with Waverley Excursions.

The red line is roughly the trip we’ll be taking.

Craig got me two sailing ticket for my birthday last year and this is the first one I’m using. I wanted to sail all week but I couldn’t find accommodation in some of the places she is docking for the night. I picked the best of the bunch and despite my low mood yesterday, I’m really looking forward to it.

Very early start with the alarm set for 4.55am!

I parked the Glasgow Science Centre at 6.30am and the Waverley sailed promptly at 7am.

I had wanted to be on a Waverley cruise for the whole week but I couldn’t get accommodation booked up north so had to settle for today’s trip which is the easiest to navigate from home.

It’s much cooler this morning so I’m wrapped up. We’re expecting 18°C but in was so cold on my Ailsa Craig tour last year that I’m wrapped up well today. I am still fairly cold and regretting leaving the fur lined boots at home.

Heading under the Erskine Bridge.

Finally the sun is out. I’ve had a hot chocolate breaking my fast very early for warmth!!

Largs Ahoy!

A large ferry crossover behind the Waverley while we are docked in Largs.

Millport on Great Cumbrae.

The sun is out and while it’s hot the breeze keeps it cool. The sea is mostly calm.

They’re filming a documentary about the Waverley with David Hyman.the hope to release it this year as they’ve been filming it for years.

Sailing into Campbeltown at 12.30. I have taken two layers off. I’m still wearing 3!

Leaving Campbeltown.

Loved these cows on this tiny island. So very Scottish! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Davaar Island.

This is so similar to Ailsa Craig.

This next one is the view from the ladies toilet porthole!

This is Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse. I loved the birds in low flying formation.

They did this a lot.

The Coastguard flew out from the Mull of Kintyre and did a fly around the ship. That was really cool!

Heading towards the Sound of Islay. We were meant to sail into Port Ellen on Islay but there was a grain tanker in our berth. We had to divert to Colonsay. This shows Islay to the left and Jura to the right.

The south coast of Jura.

The Paps of Jura.

Looking back over Jura.

Stopping in Colonsay.

Colonsay looks lovely. I’ve never been here.

As I write this we are currently heading for Correyvreckan whirlpool and then into Oban.

I don’t get home until about midnight tonight so I’m going to put this out now and write about the rest tomorrow.

All I can say is, I have had the best day. I’ve been sailing since 7am and it’s now 18.30. No sadness, no low mood, just total wonder at the beauty of the trip!

Wow.

Stay safe everyone ☀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☀️

Day 1492 hmmmm….

There are days when I really don’t like being me.

Where I feel so annoyed at myself for feeling down and for feeling sad when it’s scorching hot outside and I have zero plans. So many people would kill for a day like that.

Yet today was one of those days.

If you roll your eyes reading as I roll my eyes writing this, then just skip to a happier one tomorrow…. Although I have to say the mood swings for the better from about 4.30pm… if you’re looking at some light at the end of the tunnel.

I hate days where I have to write about the doom and gloom. My head tells me people lose interest as I get so much more from a happy day.

I can’t be bothered wiring what I have to write let alone you choosing to read it.

Yet I carry on…. In the hope that it maybe makes one of your down days feel a little less. I’m sure we are all the same, for some reason my head is determined to share it.

We sat outside with the fire pit until 9.30 last night, but I was shattered. I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I slept like a log, still helped along by the progesterone. My alarm went off at 6.30am and I woke from a deep sleep. I felt really tired and sluggish.

Sunday run club met at 7am at Gillian’s house. My Strava app thinks I flew along as I forgot to switch it off for the drive home.

The mood is light when we set off. I’m a non runner with the runners today and maybe I let that get into my head…. But my legs feel like lead. My breathing is shot and my cold is still hanging around. We run for a good while before I have to stop to blow my nose. I’m already wobbling.

From there on I feel like I’m holding the girls back, I’m a hindrance,

I send them on ahead twice and twice they come back for me.

The second time the bloody tears have come again. Hence the completion photo!

When I get home, the house is still quiet so I smuggle Khaleesi out for a walk. I’m happy to not have to talk just yet.

I try to let the tears flow but nothing comes. My tears like to wait until they have watchers.

It’s a really misty morning. It’s really muggy though.

Khaleesi is happy.

I head back and Craig’s up by now. We sit and have a lemsip together, as you do, and I head out with Calaidh and Bhruic.

The sun is desperately trying to burn through.

They have a run in this freshly cut field.

The sun peaks through!

When I get home I head out to Tesco to get myself some snacks for my big Waverley trip tomorrow. (Sailing from Glasgow to Oban).

I got home and put it all away and headed up to bed at 12.30pm and I slept for 2 hours until Craig came up to open the window.

I still felt tired and tearful but I’ve had a good rest.

I sanded down our garden bench.

Just realised I haven’t taken an after photo. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I haven’t stained it yet… that might be a Tuesday job.

I had a good chat with Craig about how I’m feeling and it really helped. I haven’t wanted to talk to anyone, I know I’ve retreated into a shell just now. I’m fed up feeling how I’m feeling and don’t want to burden anyone else with it. I’m fighting the need for change as I can see how to do it.

I need to have some patience that it will come.

At Kinesiology on Wednesday, we did an emotional cleanse. I thought that would be a good thing but maybe it’s brought all of my emotion out to cleanse it.

Today has been my lowest mood in some time… but it has lifted thankfully.

I have so much to be grateful for. Some days I just get caught in the humdrum and sludge of it all.

Hope

You all have a lovely sunny weekend!

This could be Scotland’s summer so we’re making the most of it with another fire pit tonight. I also need to pack for my big trip tomorrow. I need to be at the Glasgow Science centre for a 7am sailing. I won’t be home until after midnight. A day on the water!

So if you’re feeling low today. Big hugs. This too shall pass.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1491 a day in the garden, it’s finally our summer!!!

The forecast says it’s been 21°C but it feels hotter than that!

What a beautiful day.

We’ve had a very productive day despite the heat. I randomly spent the morning clearing out all of my clothes, tidying the drawers and wardrobes. I did some washing and got it hung out to dry. It really helped my head which wasn’t the best when I woke up.

Last night was amazing but mentally a lot more tough than I could have imagined.

I went to The Realignment Project with 3 of the girls I’ve been running with…. Gillian, Lynsey and Rachel two doors down. It was held on Luss Beach on the banks of Loch Lomond….Which was looking particularly pretty last night, after a beautiful day.

Here I am sitting on my yoga mat waiting for it to start.

The Realignment Project is run by two guys, James and Kenny. They run “outdoor coaching focussed workshops, helping you to realign and find your f****** awesomeness!”

It started at 7.30pm. They have great banter!

James asked us to write down something that we thought was holding us back and think about how we could change that negative feeling. There’s a lot more to it than that but that’s the gist.

We then did some yoga and settled down with our blankets over us for 20 minutes of breath work.

The breath work terrified me for some reason. I’m fine just breathing away but being told to focus on my breath induces a mild panic.

James leads the breath work and tells us we are safe, we are just breathing and he talks as we breathe to the rhythm he has set.

My fingers are tingling, I feel slightly dizzy, again this is all normal.

I start to cry. The tears start pouring down the sides of my face onto my yoga mat. I’m trying to hold it back, biting my lip trying to focus, I can’t let anyone see. To be fair we are all lying on our backs, on the beach, looking up to the beech tree overhead.

His words are really searching and they are stirring up emotions inside of me. I am not 100% content at the moment and there are things that need to change. He’s empowering us to make that change, step out of our comfort zone and go for it. The old “life is too short” thing. At least that’s what I hear.

I’m trying so hard to hold back the tears as we all slowly sit up. I can’t look at anyone and focus on getting into my cold water socks and gloves. Gillian is next to me and she spots me first. She gives me a big hug and says it’s ok as lots of people get upset during the breath work.

We start to do some warm up exercise pre cold water dip.

I swallow the tears as we head to the water…. This was the bit I was scared of but now my focus is to not start sobbing in front of everyone. 🤦🏻‍♀️😬

The girls I am with, and two others we went with, hold hands and walk into the water. It feels amazing. This is why I am here. I want to be able to go into the sea without the whole wetsuit palaver.

He talks us through our steps and tells us to stop. We stand still…. He asks us to think about our proudest moment in life. Feel that feeling.

We then all dunk under at the same time. Head under the water and back up. It feels amazing. The bottom lip is still wobbling away. I’m so bloody proud of myself for doing this but I hate that there always have to be tears. I am overwhelmed by emotion. I just need to have a bloody good cry.

I get a lovely hug from Lynsey and Rachel. I don’t want to bother anyone.

We “sit” with our shoulders under the water. I start to shiver uncontrollably. I start to breathe through it and the shakes pass. I look around and everyone is experiencing similar shivers.

I love being in the water. To be fair, it’s 11°C which is a lot warmer than any cold water I’ve been in recently.

We head out to the beach but I’m reluctant to leave and drag everyone back in. We need some photos of this!

There was no memo about wearing a black swimming costume 🩱 😂

I love that 3 of us are staring at the bottom…. 😂

Considering how emotional I actually feel at the moment…. Look at my eyes and that smile. That says it all.

The emotion doesn’t leave me. It wells up and I keep swallowing it.

We stopped at Starbucks on the way home for drive through hot chocolate. It was lovely!

I’m so grateful to the girls for asking me to go with them.

So yeah…. I felt really wiped out and drained when I woke up this morning. It was a lot to process but also the most wonderful thing to do.

I’m still feeling the effects of the cold too.

Back to today…. We pressure washed the main grass this afternoon.

Look at the difference!

The dogs ran out when we were finished and all 4 of them wee’d within a few seconds!!

Bhru is stalking Claire next door as she pressure washes too!

It’s lovely to sit in a “clean” garden. There’s still loads to do but a pressure wash makes it feel like a new garden.

It’s now 7pm and we have a fire started, planning to stay outside this evening. It’s not often we have a chance to do this.

A lovely day!

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1490 a lovely coffee with Lea, time in the sun and The Realignment Project in Luss.

Up at 6am this morning and out with the dogs.

It’s a beautiful day.

The sky is bright blue and the grass and trees are very green, in their spring like state.

I have Bhruic and Freya. In a vest top and body warmer I’m already overdressed!

I’m not in the best fettle this morning. A bit too hot headed and irritable…. Yes… again…. I managed to turn it around.

When you appreciate the beauty around you, it’s hard to stay grumpy.

Love the high level clouds.

Every time my head slips into a negative, and I caught myself, I would take a deep breath and focus on the walk.

It really works.

The trick is being able to see it.

What’s through this gap, they say?!?

I loved this tree. I walk past it often and yet today it looked really pretty.

Can never get enough of the blue! 💙

Back home for a double pupper swap and off our with Calaidh and Khaleesi.

They had a great run in the field.

Someone’s coming to get me! Calaidh just doesn’t move 😂😂

Looking over to the Isle of Arran.

Pretty clouds.

Another of my often photographed gates.

I had a quick shower…. Went to get some trainer socks out the drawer upstairs, got my phone cable caught between two toes on my right foot and walloped left knee first into my desk!

Felt really dizzy so lay for a few minutes. I have the tiniest of bruises but a bit of a lump! it hurts!!

I drove to Silverburn Shopping Centre to meet my friend Lea today. It’s the first time I have seen her since her lovely mum died.

It was so lovely to spend some time with her and get a good catch up. I was so upset I missed the funeral as I had a stomach bug.

We went to our usual Starbucks haunt then sat outside in the sun for a while.

Back home and straight out into the garden.

It’s just so beautiful today.

The Borders in the shade… Bhru has Thor’s hammer and Calaidh wants it. 😂

Khaleesi is loving the shade too. She must have acclimatised to our Scottish weather, if she thinks this is hot. It’s way cooler than Spain!!

She’s back out into the sun!

So tonight’s group of us are heading to The Realignment Project in Luss, on the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

We’ll be doing breath work, yoga, exercise and cold water therapy in Loch Lomond from 7.15 till 9pm.

The girls have gone to this a few times and have always fancied trying it. I was so pleased when Rachel two doors down asked me to go, I booked instantly!

I want to be able to go into the cold water without the faff of a wetsuit. I want to be at peace with it and not feel the freezing cold pain. Rachel says she’s a squealer (😂) and she managed it fine! (She’ll love me for that! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂) so here’s hoping I’m the same tonight.

Hope you have a great sunshine filled weekend. Hold your loved ones close as you never know when you might not be able to anymore. Lea’s mum was one of the lovely ones.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1489 running with man flu 🤦🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🤧

I still felt rotten but this morning I decided to go out for a run with Lynsey at 5.45am.

Why?

I’ve hardly walked the length of myself these last few days and I need to get moving again.

I always remember Gavin, at the Fit Body Farm, saying if the cold is in your head you can still work out… not if it’s in your chest. This is all still in my head…. Not in that way, I am not making it up obviously. 🙄

So I set my alarm for 5.30am. Or did I?!??

Craig nudged me awake at 5.40am as the alarm hadn’t gone off, with a “did you not say you were going running?!” and I was out that front door in 5 minutes flat and probably running 6 minutes after I woke up!

I really enjoyed it and as hard as it was, I only walked 3 times to stop to blow my nose!

I was soooooo red when we finished. It doesn’t show up in the photo but I was beetroot.

The minute I got in the house the sweat absolutely poured out of me for ages. I had a cold shower and I was still beetroot when I left for work.

It felt really good to have been for a run though and I’m so proud of myself for doing it. Obviously, Lynsey and all the girls I run with keep me going, which is a huge help. I don’t think I’d do it on my own.

It’s been a really busy day at work as I’m finishing up for a few days holiday. It flew by… I got a bit panicked trying to tidy stuff up before I left at 4. I like to have everything just so before a holiday but I didn’t plan on being sick this week. I’m not sure anything was “just so” when I left but hey….

I’m not back in the office until Wednesday morning and looking forward to a wee break.

I’m sitting waiting to get my toenails done and the sun is shining…. And it’s warm!!

Toenails done (orange for the wedding we are going to next weekend) and home and it’s really hot now. Popped in to see Claire and then sat in the garden with Craig and our neighbour Kenny. Oh the banter….🙄😬🤦🏻‍♀️

We’ve moved down to the back decking that Craig pressure washed last weekend. We rarely get the sun here now but it’s lovely for the dying embers. It’s 20.20 now and the sun is just about to go.

The pups are having fun!

Happy weekend to you all when it comes!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1488 take the man flu to work!

I had zero intentions of going back to work today. I felt awful last night. I had no energy, was so listless and kept focussing on how “sick” I felt.

I wrote in the blog about how we should change our terminology. I told anyone who messaged that I was “healing” instead.

I had a rotten nights’ sleep, was coughing for Scotland but did manage to sleep in between. When I opened my eyes I realised my head felt a bit brighter and I couldn’t face the thought of wallowing about all day. The thought of lounging about for hours just didn’t appeal to me at all.

At 6.30am, I got up and decided I was just going to go back to work.

The instant I made the decision, I doubted it but I jumped in the shower and got moving.

Not gonna lie I have felt pretty rotten for a large part of the day, and have probably spread my germs around to anyone who got near me, but I’m so glad I went back and got on with it.

Ellison and I sat outside at lunch and I had a lovely salad. I could have done with a nap just after lunch, but that was not to be. 😂

One of my suppliers told me to go home and have a lie down 😂 and I reminded him I didn’t own the company like he did!!

I made another Planthood dinner when I came home.

Mine looks like this….

With my second favourite bush as a backdrop. 😂

It was really tasty. Minty fresh. I loved it.

I sat out in the garden to eat dinner. It’s not sunny but there’s a warmth in the air. The fresh air does me good.

I have kinesiology tonight. I will never be able to explain how this works but I just love it. I love the calm it brings me.

So I’m in my comfies, on the couch, I’m sparing the Crochet Hookers my cold.

Onwards and upwards!

A few good things to end with.

So true….

It takes so much strength to do this. ♥️

This…. ♥️

And this is what I fight all the time… the resistance to things that arise that I think shouldn’t… keep calm and stay in the present moment.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1487 man flu wins!

I had to stay off sick today. 🤧🤒😷

I actually had a great sleep until 4am.

Both progesterone induced and Cold & Flu night capsules 💊 (which are exactly the colour of that emoji) they knocked me out for the count. It’s so lovely to be able to breathe.

It’s 3.30pm and I just got out of bed for a change of scenery. I’ve slept on and off all day. I started to read a bit but my eyes were too sore.

My nose has finally stopped running but it’s now all stuffed in my sinuses.

So I’m not sick…. I am healing. 😘

A few positive things to end.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1486 is it possible for a woman to get man flu?!?

Therein lies the question, can a woman catch man flu if the man had it first? 😂😂

I slept really well but when I got up I felt pretty rotten. I took cold and flu tablets and it all dried up in time for work.

There was an incident on the road with a red car…. It stuck in my mind. It pulled out slowly from a junction to the right of me. I had to slow down as a result. My ego bent out of shape, how dare they…. How dangerous, did they not see me….. Blah blah blah.

I quickly caught that thought and as I watched them go from so very slow… foot to the floor and careering off down the road, obviously feeling bad for pulling out in front of me.

These are the irritations that we need to move past.

They can ruin our day, change our mood, enrage us for no reason.

You are lucky there wasn’t an accident, lucky it slowed you down if maybe you were driving too fast. How bad did they feel haring off like that. How unsafe was that?!?

I always love to look on the other side of things and try hard to think the best instead of the worst. It makes life so much easier.

I’ve been really busy at work, with customer visits which has passed the day. Just as well as my head was like thinking through cotton wool.

So yeah, comfies on, crackers and cheese for dinner…. And I’ve now gone deaf 😂 my ears have popped and won’t unpop…. Definitely man flu 🤦🏻‍♀️😂😘

Sorry it’s a quickie, I’m off to wallow in self pity 😂😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1485 I “dot de told” but had a good day anyway!

I woke up at 5am and felt like I was swallowing glass…. My throat was all scratchy and sore.

I got up and had a big drink of water and it seemed to help as I fell asleep until 8.30am, unheard of for me!

I stayed up for the Aurora again last night so I was shattered. I ended up joining Claire, next door in her back garden and we lay on the seats at her fire pit, holding phones up to the sky. Nothing was happening. I can’t remember when we came in… I think just before midnight.

Still got some moody shots… love that I’ve caught out 14 year old neighbours purple lights in her bedroom!!

The sky was much brighter than it had been the day before.

I triggered our security light down the back coming back in from Claire’s…. Blinded me!!

Just nothing happening in the sky.

My friend Michelle did get some Aurora shots from about half a mile away… I was in bed by then and couldn’t muster up the strength to head back out.

So back to this morning, I lay in bed for a bit, reading some positive quotes to lift my spirits.

Once I got moving I decided to head to Home Bargains and Aldi for a cheap toiletries, house cleaning stuff and food shop. All done by 10.30am. We’ve had no tin foil, extra virgin olive oil, bin bags or Fairy Liquid for a good few days…. I never run out of things like that…. This time I ran out of everything!

I feel really lethargic. Everything is an effort but I hoovered the house as it needed doing.

The 4 x moulting dogs have taken their toll! I’ve been picking it up on the daily, but nothing beats hoovering it up. Incidentally we have the Shark Anti hair wrap hoover…

Which does not do what it says on the tin…. No wonder it struggles to pick up at times.

It felt good to get it done even if I needed a wee sit down after each room!

I’m not really sure where the afternoon disappeared to.

It got really sticky and hot so I sat in the sun. Craig pressure washed the back artificial grass and decking and it looks lovely.

We just need to deal with my meadow garden (far left) which turned into a horrific weed-fest when I planted my meadow flowers… I may never hear the end of that!

Incidentally we have artificial grass because of the dogs. We lived one summer with three dogs and this is what it looked like.

After one winter…

Every time the dogs came in they were filthy. The artificial grass has been a godsend.

So we have to pressure wash it from time to time to freshen it up. “We”….. 😂

The bit Craig has just washed is away down behind the big black shed. We have a huge, beautiful garden but it’s a lot of work to stay on top of all the weeds, washing grass and staining all the decking and fencing.

We had a thunderstorm around 4pm… it got quite loud and heavy rain so I went for a shower. The heavens opened and Craig said the main road was running like a river.

The skies cleared and it’s been sunny again ever since. We’re sitting outside enjoying the birdsong.

My second favourite bush has started to flower.

I just love these colours.

The forest flame have both been reduced to a white hot heat now… see what I did there?! 😂

So not much else to report…oh I did made another Planthood dinner.

Craig had some too. It was a really good one… and I have some left over for lunch tomorrow.

So I’m just sitting here having some quality cuddle time with Freya. Pup #3.

Bless her wee socks. It’s lovely in the early evening sun.

So… remember that we can take whatever this week throws at us. We can choose how we respond to situations outwith our control.

I will try to remind myself of this 🤦🏻‍♀️😂🫶🏼

There’s a good chance of Aurora again tonight but the experts are saying that it won’t be the same as Friday night. That was a once in a lifetime opportunity. They say we can expect to see it again maybe in the next 23 years.

I’m undecided as to whether I’ll stay up or not. It’s hard to decide to miss out just in case “they” are wrong! One final pic as a reminder of how special Friday night was.

Stay safe everyone 🩷💜🩵