Day 1636 10th October 2024 – World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day, and the theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health this year is “it’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”.

It would be amazing if big corporations would take this into account and make some changes.

I suffered from burnout which came to a head in September of 2018 when I walked out of work in floods of tears.

There was very little support back then. It was considered a failure to be off sick with mental heath. I knew my career there would never recover despite it being cussed by my reaction to the environment.

This is a really good article on burnout. I have to say I didn’t know it was a thing at the time.

Mental Health UK – Burnout

As a people pleaser, I got tied up in knots trying to keep everyone happy.

As a customer facing Commercial Manager, it was my job to manage the team of customer facing Contract Managers. It was our job to deliver exactly what they had ordered. It was our job to delight them.

I worked long hours to try to achieve this.

I worked extra hours trying to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s as I was a perfectionist and expected the best from everyone.

As a Manager of people it was my job to listen to them, support them and to lead them in the best way that I could. I also wanted them to like me, which, a manager is never likely to be able to achieve. I think it was that bit that probably tied me in knots the most. I tried to keep all the people happy, all of the time.

I was very good at what I did but that did not necessarily make me a good manager of people.

After years of trying to work perfectly in an imperfect world, I burned out. I lost all of my confidence, all of my self worth and I became a shadow of my former self.

The suited and high-heeled senior manager became a snivelling wreck in joggies and a sweatshirt and I put on weight on a daily basis.

There were days when I was so terrified by who I had become.

I was scared of everything.

I got to the stage where I felt I had nowhere else to turn.

Despite my loving family and friends, I felt had become burden and I felt I had nowhere else to turn.

I was so desperate.

I called the Samaritans one day.

It really did help to have someone else to talk to.

When your head is lying to you…. Please, please, please just talk. Speak to anyone who will listen. Get it out. Don’t keep it in and bury it down.

A problem shared is a problem halved.

It’s so good to talk.

On my journey, I have met so many people that have very difficult life stories, it’s fascinating to listen to what others have gone through. I love nothing more than a deep chat with someone.

You never know what someone is going through. The person next to you, could be at breaking point. Always be kind to others.

I will always keep banging the drum.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1635 back out running before work 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

Another amazing progesterone-induced sleep last night. The last of the progesterone for a fortnight.

I woke at 5.15am just in time for the 5.30am alarm. Today is my first day back running with the girls.

I have to say, it was a thought…. But I knew I needed to do it.

It was just what I needed. The usual great chat and we ended up running just under 7kms!! That’s 4 miles.

Head torches on, it was very dark this morning.

I am so proud of the run that we did. I found it really easy to start and then really quite tough.

We ran through Spiers Old School grounds which, with hindsight, wasn’t the best idea. It was very dark and we almost lost the path at one point!

I felt really dizzy when I came back in to the house but that’s the worst it has been today.

Work was “work day 3 since holidays” but I did order chips, cheese and Cajun spice for my lunch and they were SO good!! While my lovely salad sat in the bag and I ate it for dinner.

Home late as I’m making up time at work and I’m rushing this to get out to meet the Crochet Hookers!

It’s all go…

Still all calm on the western front.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1634 back in the office day 2

Wow now there’s a title…. After the excitement of our holiday, the day to day blog seems very mundane. I am still very grateful for that as it also means that my head’s in a good place. I can’t complain!

I had another great sleep and although I’ve still got the cold, I’m feeling much better than I was.

This is something I’ve been trying to explain for a while and I spotted it on FB today. I didn’t notice who shared it.

I used to spend my life in the ego self. I was ALWAYS the victim. I complained about EVERYTHING… and I mean everything. I was never happy. Everything was out to transpire against me. Everyone was out to get me. I worked in a blame culture and instead of seeing it for what it was, and rising above it, I sunk deeper into defending the blame. I believed I was to blame. I believed I was no longer good at my job, that I had failed. I carried that everywhere I went and almost wore it like a badge of honour… oh woe is me.

I was aware of blurting out the whole, awful story, anytime someone asked how I was.

My ego was hurting big time and kicking off in every way.

Fast forward 6 years and I am so proud to say that I’m now the higher self.

Yeah, ok sometimes that ego jumps up and wants attention, but in the majority of cases I can see the bigger picture.

I see lessons in EVERYTHING I do. I am constantly learning from the lessons life throws at me. Constantly trying to understand what my reactions are telling me… and I love it.

I love analysing what people are now try are and why they do what they do. It fascinates me.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see life from the higher self.

It brings me peace.

Funny how a picture on FB can conjure up so many thoughts and emotions.

I had a call with the Doctor, this morning, about my dizziness.

He asked a long list of questions and wants to see me on Monday morning.

I have managed to confuse myself since the call. I was certain he said I had Labyrinthitis…. As the day has gone on I’m now thinking he also said vertigo. He definite mentioned them both. My brain fog isn’t helping this week 😆

Of course for the rest of the morning, the dizziness was off the scale. It settled later on. I’m aware I made it worse by thinking so much about it.

It’s that higher self again. 😆

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1633 back in the office

Back to work today…. I opened one eye early on and figured that I felt a fair bit better than yesterday. I actually had some energy to get moving. I dreaded the thought of having to go back to work but I knew that I needed to make myself do something after days of lounging around.

I’ve still felt a wee bit dizzy today though nowhere near as bad as the last few days.

Right back into it today…. It always takes me a while to adjust after a holiday… a while to remember what I was doing before the holiday but today seemed to take longer than usual. 😆

So that’s the first day under my belt and the rest will flow as normal.

I even had the energy to tidy some of the house tonight.

So hopefully back to normal as Craig chokes up. Bless him. 😷

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1632 this will be such a dull blog after all the excitement of last week!

I slept really well again but I couldn’t wake up….. I was awake but couldn’t open my eyes for ages…. Such a good sleep.

Finally got out of bed to sit and have coffee with Craig and headed back up to bed from 10.30 to about 2pm…

I’ve been on the couch ever since. 🫣😷🥴

The end.

😆

This time last week we were haring about Cavtat and Dubrovnik… this week I’m so exhausted and dizzy I’m languishing from bed to couch.

I’ve had a steady stream of support.

Craig went to the supermarket to get supplies…. He’s a good lad 😆

Coffee & Quotes hits the nail on the head again….

I could not be any slower 😆

And this from Wonder Doodles.

There is nothing in my head. Not stress or anxiety…. I just feel like I’ve been run over by a steamroller. My head is soooo heavy.

I am worried about the dizziness though as my head is swimming when I do move around. It’s been like that for a lot of our holiday. I feel like I’m not really in my head. Some days that would be a good thing 😆 it’s not making me feel sick but it’s really disorienting.

Hope you’re all having a great weekend and huge congrats to everyone who had great results in the Great Scottish Run today… I’ve 2 friends who blasted PB’s today!

So nothing much else to report just now.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1631 still feeling rotten

I’m currently sat under two crochet blankets on the couch still feeling rotten.

Despite all that, I had the best sleep…. Out for the count from 9pm until til 6.30am, breathing freely all night…. I was so grateful for such a good rest.

I got the dogs out first thing and the fresh air was good. It’s pretty mild for this time of the year. we just did a slow plod up the hill.

Just realised Freya isn’t even in this photo!

My head has been so thick all day. Moreso than usual. 😆 I can’t think straight at all. My sinuses and my head are both thumping

Current position….

My case is still sitting in the dining room waiting to be fully unpacked…. But that’s ok. It can wait.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Sorry it’s short.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1630 today has not been my favourite day…

This struck a chord today….

I’ve been wiped out today and everything has felt way more difficult than it actually needed to be. I have horrific brain fog and I’m so lethargic.

I’ve had a sore throat since Tuesday night and I think it’s winning.

I did manage to do the first holiday wash and fill the machine for the second one. I also had a lovely walk with the dogs and collected some brambles… in a clean dog poo bag 😆

I had them on my lovely salad at lunchtime.

Here’s Khaleesi on her walk.

I then tried to process a payment for the Memorial Hall and forgot my pin…. Blocked my account and can’t think clearly enough to get it unblocked. The Hall can’t pay someone because my head was mince when I went to do the payment…. Do you detect the self loathing in there?!?

I had to go to an ATM to try the pin there as that’s the only way the call centre would send me out a new pin… that didn’t work as it said the ATM would not support my type of account… which I knew before I even went all the way there!

So finally… a new pin will be sent to arrive in 3-5 days… I have to verify that at an ATM too.

I was helping out in the little gift shop today as Gayle is on holiday. The dogs were all settled when I left. Bless…

It’s been a lovely afternoon with so many lovely customers. The usual lovely vibe.

And now I’m home feeling like a half shut knife.

I was meant to be out tonight but I’ve just cancelled as I feel like a lead brick. (I did have a wry smile at all these phrases I’m coming out with). The one time I actually decide to go to a night out.

It’s not been my favourite day but that is ok.

Tomorrow is a brand new one.

Comfies on, lemsip at the ready and I’ll get an early night.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1629 flying ✈️ from Dubrovnik 🇭🇷 to Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

It was cloudy from about 3.30pm yesterday so we didn’t do much after having a late lunch.

We did have an ice cream which melted soooo fast!

We went back to the room to sit and read for a while and to admire the view before it got dark.

I watched a guy with his remote control yacht… it was strangely hypnotic watching it sail around… and very cute 😆

We went out for a last walk, at sunset, around Cavtat as the sun broke through the clouds again.

Funny that my last photo is one of the Adriana after its last run of the day. Heading into the next bay to….. park up (!?!?!?) for the night! 😆 I am fully aware that is not the terminology but I can’t for the life of me, think what it should be. We’ve been on the go for 8 hours now and we’re currently up on the air somewhere between the M1 and the M6 apparently! 😆

We wake up this morning to very dark and heavy skies with a forecast of high winds and torrential rain. The best kind of day to be heading home.

A cloudy selfie outside the hotel 😆 not another one that face says!

So it turns out we hadn’t booked transfers for this holiday.

I may have said before but we book through Love Holidays so that we can pay the holiday monthly in advance. It’s a great idea but it does mean you’re not guaranteed transfers despite the fact that Tui ran us to the hotel on the way here…. We need to be more careful in future ensuring Love Holidays have the correct baggage and transfers selected… per person. We’ve been caught out with both on this holiday…. Never again. I will amend that to say that WE have selected the correct baggage and transfers through the Love Holidays app….. it’s all on us 😆

Tui offered us a €30 transfer but the hotel arranged a taxi for €20. It only takes 8 minutes which is really good. We were at the airport just after 8am this morning.

We got chatting to a lovely lady in the airport, she was flying to Gatwick. She really helped pass the time and we had a great chat. I think you meet people for a reason.

We didn’t board until about 11ish and the transfer bus tried to drop us off at the Newcastle flight 😆 we made sure the plane was for Glasgow when we go on.

I really like this photo of us…. I’m in control of the emergency exit again, so that Craig can have more leg room…. The things you have to do eh?!?

The flight went really smoothly despite my fears over the last few days. I was convinced it would be super bumpy based on the forecast.

My anxieties have been on high alert this week. I’ve had a wonderful time and been really relaxed but there’s been an underlying fear at times, a kind of dizziness. I’m not sure if it’s been a form of vertigo, if it’s my varifocal glasses or not but I have been really anxious about travelling home. I have to spend a bit of time on this and try to figure out what it might be.

And yet it went so smoothly.

I THINK we flew over our village….. 😆

After nearly 9 years of living here…. Finally!

So, not gonna lie, I’m knackered. We got home just before 4 and the dogs were over the moon. We’ve sat outside in the sun and played with them. Glasgow was lovely when we got home. We’ve come in now to get some food. I had a lovely salad. (Stopped at Morrisons on the way home).

We have honestly had the best holiday. I highly recommend it. I’m back on the couch with my comfies on… the cases will have to wait until tomorrow.

Stay safe everyone 🇭🇷✈️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Day 1628 day trip with a difference… to the abandoned Kupari hotels

We sat outside for coffee after breakfast this morning.

Would you believe we are back on the Adriana boat again despite vowing never to set foot on it again. 😆

A little bit of history of our trip today…. All week we’ve been living across the water from the abandoned hotels of Kupari…. Click the links.

The Abandoned Hotels of Kupari

Daily Mail before and after photos

We walked from Srebeno port over to Kupari.

What an incredibly humbling experience to be allowed to freely wander through these hotels that were completely destroyed during the Croatian War of Independence

This was the Hotel Goricina.

This was the Grand Hotel.

Where’s Wally, I mean, Craig 😆

We walked around 3 abandoned hotels in total…. It’s quite spooky and eerie but also incredibly poignant.

140,000 people died in the conflict. Don’t quote me on any of this as I’m just going by what I have read so apologies if any of my “facts” are incorrect.

This is Hotel Kupari.

The bay is beautiful.

A much bumpier boat on the way back but nothing compared to the way back from Dubrovnik the other day.

We’re already pre-sad about the end of our holiday. This time tomorrow we will be home.

It’s almost 2.30 and I’m putting this out now so I can savour every minute of our last afternoon and evening.

What an amazing adventure.

So many lovely memories made.

Best of all we’ve remained friends throughout. 😆 it’s been lovely to spend time together. ♥️

Stay safe everyone ☀️👙🏝️

And visit Croatia!! 🇭🇷

Day 1627 a day spent exploring Cavtat, Croatia and chillin’ 😎 👙🏝️☀️

I slept like a log last night… with my cardigan on!! I was that cold 😆 I woke at 6.10am with the work alarm going off. No work for us today!

I have to say I am so over this whole eating malarkey…. I’ve had more food this week than in ages and my body is really missing the regime of fasting. I am not complaining at all just very aware of it. This is the first week I haven’t fasted in nearly 3 years.

Can’t get enough of the view from our room. We open the blinds while we’re still lying in bed in the morning.

So up and at it again for breakfast 😆

This morning we went for a walk around the peninsula that we haven’t explored yet.

Today’s walk was all about boats and the turquoise sea for me!

I suddenly noticed that Jaguar super yacht was leaving Cavtat. It’s been here since we arrived. It seemed to be loading guests last night.

I watched it as we walked.

Craig spotted an underground network and lookout points as we walked.

We came back into the town and sat here for a while.

We’ve walked back round to the hotel and I plan on sitting out until the sun disappears. The forecast is for it to cloud over later.

I’ve almost read a whole book today… we went for a walk after the sun disappeared from our spot and I had a virgin Pina Colada!

We had a late lunch and early dinner and this was my lovely salad with a view.

Craig had the burger.

We’re back in the room to watch sunset from the balcony tonight. We get the sun from 6pm until it goes down at 6.30pm…. Not long but it’s still worth it for the beautiful views.

It’s been a beautiful day today. So calm after the stiff breeze of the last few days. We’ve been out in the sun all day…. Just lovely.

I am already so very used to this.

Stay safe everyone ☀️😎🏝️

Day 1626 bus trip to Dubrovnik and lazing by the sea in Cavtat

Another lovey day on the Adriatic Coast.

It was very cold last night… I’m and I mean that I had a jacket on all the way through dinner and I was cold. Mr shorts and T-shirt never feels the cold was fine.

It was 12°C and same again this morning when we got up. It’s cold in the shade.

Thankfully it was hot when we got into Dubrovnik… in the sun anyway. We’ve had another amazing day but instead of writing the blog half the afternoon, I read my book…. I’ll let the photos tell the story of our day.

The view from breakfast.

We didn’t go on the cable car, just waited for the bus under it!

Sunset beach bar

We’ve had another lovely day. Back up in the room for a hot shower as I’m freeeeezing! The sunset bar had a stiff breeze blowing.

Just need to decide where to go for dinner tonight… decisions, decisions… 😆

Bokun, Bocun it was…

Food was lovely, the best meal we’ve had yet!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1625 5k run before breakfast then a lovely lazy day in Cavtat 🇭🇷☀️

It was much cooler today when we woke up.

It clouded over last night about 4.30pm and rained a few spots through the evening but it didn’t come to much, thankfully, unlike the forecast.

When I opened the sliding doors I was met with a cold wind. It’s been gusting up to 25mph all day.

Thankfully it’s still hot in the sun when you can get out the worst of the breeze.

I went for a run before breakfast this morning.

Of course I forgot to start Strava recording when I first started running…. Reckon I did between 5.5 – 6kms.

I’m really chuffed with that although I stopped to take loads of lovely views.

It’s a lovely path for running on, right by the sea.

The sun isn’t up over the mountains yet.

The sea is wild!! It’s soooo windy.

This is where we saw sunset the other night.

The Main Street in Cavtat is empty apart from everyone cleaning the restaurants.

That reminds me to say, this is one of the cleanest places we have ever been on holiday. It puts Scotland to shame, there is literally no rubbish anywhere. The streets are spotlessly clean.

The Jaguar super yacht is still docked in Cavtat although there’s been activity on it today. A whole lot of cleaning and repairs going on. When we arrived it was bashed up in the back left hand corner… (I’m sure there’s a more technical terminology for that part of a ship) they’ve repaired it over the last few days and now you would never know. A wealth of useless information, me. 😆

I love how the morning sun lights things up as it comes over the mountains.

These two cats are so well looked after. The owner of this balcony covers it with material to create shade when the sun is shining directly on it and the two cats lie on cushions on each chair.

Running back down towards the hotel.

What a beautiful morning… if blawin’ a hoolie!

Back to the hotel.

The view from the window… back to blue sky but you can tell how windy it is by the top of the Italian Cypress tree! (The dark green thin, tall tree)

We went down for breakfast after my shower and I had 3 courses!! I am not particularly enjoying eating that early but it saves us having to buy lunch so it makes complete sense. Three courses was maybe a bit much but hey…. Breakfast is free 😆

We went for a walk the opposite way from the hotel after breakfast. Here’s our hotel from the other side of the bay.

We then found this lovely sandy and stony beach but it was blowing a gale!! It still looks pretty.

We walked back round into Cavtat as I knew it was more sheltered there. It’s a north westerly wind which is blowing straight at us.

We found a little concrete section to sit out, out of the wind but near the sea. We sat here for a couple of hours and read.

Craig then wanted to watch ANOTHER 😆football match…. So we moved round the other side of the bay and he went to watch the game as I sat out in the sunshine.

This was my view. Cavtat is such a beautiful old town.

There are way worse places to spend a Sunday. I read my book and just watched the world go by. I’m so taken by the colours, the different blues, greens and the white buildings with orange roofs.

We finally got some sun on the balcony at 6pm tonight. Our balcony faces north west so we get the sea but not the sun. The rooms are the back get the sun but not the sea!

How pretty…..

We’ve already been out for dinner but honestly, it’s sooooo cold tonight.

We went to a restaurant really close to the hotel for pizza and a burger and I’m now sat on my bed with my joggies and a fleece on!!

Mr doesn’t feel the cold has the air con on low. I’m just so glad that my anxious packing saw these cold few days and packed some warmer clothes. It pays to be prepared!!

Back into Dubrovnik tomorrow.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1624 Cavtat to Dubrovnik by bus and exploring the city 🇭🇷

I think it’s safe to say we will never get the boat to Dubrovnik again so we were up at 5.30am to get an early bus into the city. The number 10 bus is only €8 return for us both and runs every half hour. Way less rockin’ and rollin’ than that boat yesterday. 😆

We were on the 7.30 and got into Dubrovnik just after 8am.

Bearing in mind it’s the end of September… AND so early in the morning, I honestly think we got Dubrovnik at its best. Compared to the crowds I have seen in photos, we didn’t feel crowded at all. We had lots of space to ourselves. We were so lucky.

The bus stops at the top of the hill and you have to walk all the way down. We had a rough idea of the direction we needed to go… ie down… so just followed all the locals that got off the bus with us.

This is a fresh water fountain. About 2 hours later this was SURROUNDED by people.

See how empty it is?!

We decided to buy a Dubrovnik Pass that gives us access to lots of attractions inside the city, including the city wall walk so we started there. It was a fair climb up and I felt really light headed on the way up. I have mild vertigo when I’m climbing something steep and feel like I’m going to be ejected back into thin air. It’s ridiculous but there are parts of the stair climb that make me feel really nervous. It’s soooo worth it when you’re up there. Looking down over Stradun, the Main Street.

The view over to Fort Lovrijenac.

The next lot of photos are all taken from the walk along the Dubrovnik Old Town Walls.

Holding on for dear life 😆

Can’t believe there’s a basketball court up here!

The wall walk was just out of this world. It was hot and sunny but I’m so grateful we got to see it without hordes of people.

And a veggie garden!

Back down on terra firma and while there are a lot more people around, you can still take photos missing out the masses.

This is the Rector’s Palace.

We had seen an amazing sea side bar from the walls…. I really wanted to go there but we weren’t even looking for it when we stumbled across this tiny arch way and I clicked it might be the bar.

It was so lovely to sit here for a while. 2 Coke and 2 Coke Zero were €24 but it was so worth it for the spectacular location.

Now we’re on our way to find Fort Lovrijenac.

When all of a sudden we stumbled on the steps used in Game of Thrones filming where Cersei walks down naked while everyone shouts SHAME.

Back out the gate we came in.

Then stumbled across another filming location, where John Snow heads off to the Wall.

Heading up to the Fort where you get fabulous views over the Old Town.

Selfie!!

Boom… the canon shot out the sun!

The views were spectacular.

I have so many photos it’s impossible to choose my favourite.

We were back into Cavtat by about 1.30 and have finally been able to relax by the sea. We’ve both been in for a well deserved swim.

We’re expecting rain later which seems hard to believe, and the temperature dips a fair bit until we come home, so we’re making the most of the warm sunshine.

I’m away back in!!

I can highly recommend Cavtat and Dubrovnik as a holiday destination. Lazy day for us tomorrow. I think we deserve it!

Stay safe everyone ☀️🇭🇷☀️

Day 1623 Cavtat to Dubrovnik to Lokrum Island 🌊🌊🌊🌊🛳️🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

It’s 7.31pm here and we have just sat down. I’m absolutely shattered but we’ve had a lovely day… apart from the choppiest boat trip ever to Dubrovnik. Step aside the Waverley back in August… this was something else!!

We had a lazy morning as we wanted to see the rep about fixing our luggage issue for heading home.

We had to sit through the welcome meeting just to get a number from her that we had to call. It was so worth it though as we finally have Craig’s suitcase booked on our return for a mere £23 instead of the £154 we paid on the way out. What a difference and I felt like finally we could relax and focus on what we want to do.

It waa 11 before we decided to get the boat up to Dubrovnik to head over to Lokrum island. When we “do” Dubrovnik, we want to head in there really early one morning, possibly tomorrow.

The view from our balcony in Hotel Cavtat.

A wee walk before breakfast. I have t eaten breakfast in so long!

Little did we know when we set off just how choppy it would be…. Actually the dead give away was the man getting off, in Cavtat, who asked it if would be that choppy on his way back to Dubrovnik…. I still didn’t think it would be that bad.

I have some videos that I will share on insta when I get a chance. I am blown away by all the beauty that we saw today. I want to talk about it all but honestly I am too tired.

Here we are in Dubrovnik. Grateful to be on dry land again!!

We got a gelato to make it all better. We north had crème brûlée gelato which was so good.

This is exactly how much taller Craig is than me!

We headed over on another boat to Lokrum Island. It’s a beautiful oasis of shade, green and the lovely Dead Sea as they call it.

We both had a lovely swim…. So refreshing.

The monastery used on Game of Thrones as Qarth.

We’re on the iron throne!

The boat ride back to Cavtat was even more rough! We treated ourselves to pizza and sunset when we got back!

We’ve showered and are about to head downstairs in the hotel for drinks.

Sorry it’s a rush job!

It’s been a wonderful day. Full on but honestly this place is out of this world. We couldn’t be happier that we’ve come here.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1622 flying from Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 to Dubrovnik 🇭🇷✈️😎

It’s 7.26am and we’re on TUI Boeing 737 somewhere up in the sky and hour away from Glasgow, on our way to Dubrovnik.

We have been up since 2am!

Minor anxiety when Mr A seemed to have misplaced the passports before 3am. I bought a wee wallet to keep them in but he wanted to carry them…. Without the wee wallet… They’re now in my bag minus the wee wallet which is still in the house. Just saying 😬

Thankfully the car started despite the engine management light on the dash and we were on our way. It was wet and windy this morning. I have actually packed a waterproof jacket. You can never be too prepared. Hey even I sniggered at that. I hear myself.

We parked at Direct Parking which is the car park that closed due to Covid and has recently reopened. It was seamless. I paid £63.70 to park there for a week. Two days later they returned that £63.70 but we were still booked to park.

Despite the fact that I love travelling and want to do nothing more with my life, you’re probably not surprised that none of it comes easy to me. I am a ball of anxiety and even now my stomach is still churning. I’m on high alert. I have very little focus. My mild state of panic doesn’t allow me to calmly search for any documentation that’s needed.

I flap.

We go to self serve bag drop with our sub 20kg cases…. I’d brought the scales home from work to weigh them. Mentally high fiving us for being way under the allocated 20kgs.

That is if you have booked 2 lots of 20kg luggage…..

🫣

I had not.

I had only booked luggage for me.

Not Craig.

I’m not sure how that is even possible.

I booked this well over a year ago.

I know how I’ve missed it in all the anxiety checking and double checking as my booking is first with the correct luggage and you have to swipe right to see Craig’s with ZERO luggage.

I never swiped right.

£154 that’s one hundred and fifty four pounds we’ve just had to pay to get Craig’s luggage on board.

Gutted but surprisingly calm as there is nothing we can actually do about it.

We can be raging and as angry as we like but it is what it is.

Security is busier than I have ever seen it at Glasgow but then we don’t take holiday flights very often.

We go for a Pret breakfast. She who doesn’t normally eat until 12.30pm is ravenous at 4.35am. 😆

Breakfast was only £24 and quite honestly isn’t worth it.

The flight is on time and you’ll be pleased to know I have the emergency exit control 🫣 the price I pay for Craig’s extra leg room. I can’t even find my flight booking in moments of flap but you trust me to take control of the over wing door?!?! 😆

When I was a kid I couldn’t say Julie and Tui was my nickname as that was all I could manage!

Tired plane selfie.

Glasgow after take off.

Mid air.

We arrived in Dubrovnik at 9.10am after a fair bit of very cloudy turbulence. I was glad to be on the ground.

The queue to get through passport control was massive and it took us an hour to clear! Gone are the days pre Brexit where we could walk through the EU channel. 😆

We are staying in Cavtat which is a 9 minute transfer from the airport. Our room wasn’t ready until 2pm so we went for a wander down into the town. We’re right on the water.

We went for a walk round the peninsula. It’s just so beautiful.

This is a good view of the town from the other peninsula.

We’ve found a new favourite bar. The Bay Beach Bar. That’s it in the foreground.

Check the feet in this lovely photo 😆😆😆 didn’t realise until after I’d taken it!

Had an early dinner and we sat watching the sunset.

We haven’t been on a sunshine holiday together for sooooo long.

It’s much cooler at night and there’s a chance I’m a bit underdressed now. The sun went down at 6.30pm which is 5.30 our time.

Check the plane coming into land. They look much larger in real life!

I’m only able to sit here and write this right now as Glasgow Rangers are playing Malmo in the Europa Cup and this is the stunning location I get to watch it in.

I have a million more photos but my phone feels pretty hot after writing this.

And relax…. What to do tomorrow?!

Chance I may not come home. 😆

Stay safe everyone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇭🇷

1621 finally OUT OF THE OFFICE!!

Holidays!

I remember when this used to mean so much more to me. When I used to dread every single day in the office, back in my old job. I used to live for the holidays.

Now that I try to live in the present moment, I’m not wishing my life away for holidays and they are just something really nice to look forward to… not to live for.

I had a great sleep despite a light coming on in our bedroom in the early morning …. That was a weird one!! Craig has a ring light for conference calls and it’s on his desk in our room….. it just switched itself on. 😆

It was a beautiful morning as I tried to head into work early.

The car was frozen for the first time this year.

I am not ready for frost. It was 2°C!

The engine management light is back on in my car. It’s only 2 weeks since my warranty policy ran out and I did not renew.

The glow plugs are on their way out. I just hope they last long enough to get us to and from the airport.

My hands were frozen by the time I got into the office. One of the guys had very kindly put my heater on, which took the worst off the portacabin.

So it was a crazy morning. Very busy and another big thing coming from left field that is not my story to tell. It was a morning and a half.

Thankfully due to my hard work lining up all my ducks… the afternoon went very smoothly.

I know there will be things that I missed but I’ve done my best to ensure that they don’t miss me too much. 😆

So now I have a list to get through which I best get on with.

It’s a 3am start for us tomorrow morning so an early night… have to get the house ready for our lovely dog sitter too!

I’m not sure how the blog will go over the next week. I always think that I’ll take a break but I also know I probably won’t. I don’t want to spend hours on my phone either so I’ll play it by ear.

I am determined to get some use out of my flip flops this week. 🩴🩴

Stay safe everyone 😎👙🩴

Day 1620 managed a 5k PB before work this morning 🏃🏻‍♀️🥇

I did not sleep gently last night. I woke a few times in the night and was so tense. I have to say I don’t feel tense, but my body was as stiff as a board.

I woke before 5am with a thumping headache and stiff shoulders and hands.

I wonder if I was just dehydrated.

I’ve drank a lot of water today and the headache is still niggling away.

I dragged myself out of bed at 5.30 to go running with Lynsey at 5.45am. absolutely no offence to Lynsey 😆

I found the run quite tough. It was dark all the way so we had our head torches on and couldn’t get any photos. We could see the red of the sky in the morning though.

And guess what?!? Hardly a difficult one, given the title…. I ran my fastest ever 5kms!

I got a few best efforts…. I couldn’t believe it. I actually shed a few tears… I was so proud of myself despite how rotten I’d felt, I had run so well.

Here we are at the end.

I have to say thank you so much to Lynsey and the other girls I run with. I would NEVER do this without them. Lynsey has consistently run with me mid week and has helped me increase my stamina. We have such a great wee running group and we’ve created a great support network. This was my last run before we go away.

I felt great when I got back but my whole body still felt stiff, so I had a bath in Magnesium bath salts. She who hates baths actually had a bath before work. 😆 The first time in my 51 years… well maybe that’s not true as I’m sure I didn’t have a shower when we were you get the gist. 😆

It really relaxed me and by the time I got to work I was super chilled out.

That said, I have been exhausted all day. I’ve felt like a lead brick… with a headache!

I’ve found my fasting really hard which I very rarely do. I was starving and ended up eating before lunch.

I wasn’t inspired by my lovely peanut chickpea curry…. Or my soup. I ate the curry but didn’t eat the soup. I was so hungry when I got home.

I’ve moved the suitcases through to the living room and finished some last minute packing… I’ll probably say the same tomorrow too. always lots to do last minute.

I am so excited about our trip but I will be very glad to be at the airport on Thursday and all the decisions on what to take, will be over. It will all be too late.

The weather is not due to be as hot as Turkey was last year, so I’m taking a few warmer things than I would normally.

I’m sad about leaving the dogs too. I usually leave them with Craig so I don’t have to worry about them. I hope they are well behaved and I hope they don’t miss us too much.

So yeah, maybe it’s just the step away from normality that’s got me feeling a bit off. I love to travel and explore but I also do love my safe haven and comfort zone.

I always crave my comfort zone when I’m about to leave it… some people are never happy eh?!

Except I am.

A lot more these days.

Roll on the holiday!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1619 last Monday at work for a fortnight!

I had big plans at work for this week…. To get all my ducks in a row and make sure I leave a seamless handover when I finish on Wednesday night. Not that anyone will read it but I will feel better 😆

That’s not fair… I said that all for comedic effect… someone will read it. Maybe 😆

So yeah… big plans today out the window today…. So many things happened that were not part of my plan… but hey that’s life. These things happen.

I’ll still try my best.

I hate to let anyone down.

When you suffer from anxiety, you try to cover so many bases that actually it takes double and triple the work… and then it usually means that you still miss something. I always find coming back to work hard as there will be things I’ve forgotten, things no one has done that I would have expected them too and things I just feel dreadful for. I shouldn’t think like that though. It’s just the way my mind works.

I always love this as we head into autumn … the beautiful colours.

The trees show us how easy it is to let things go and move on in the present moment. We just have to choose to do that.

So just a quick one tonight. I’ve been ironing Craig’s T-shirts…. He said they’d be fine. They wouldn’t have been fine. 😬

My friend Helen will be proud of me, I’ve enjoyed the ironing for a change.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1618 a very productive and restful Sunday

It’s only 2.20pm so far and I’ve already had a lovely day.

The sun hasn’t come out yet despite being forecast but it’s stayed dry.

I had a lie in until 8am. Check me… 😆

Craig and I sat and had coffee…

I commented on this lovely Coffee & Quotes post that I am not ready for Autumn yet but I’ll try and embrace it! 🍁🍂🍁🍂 where was our summer?!? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Craig was wood cutting with the Village Woodcutters this morning so I took the dogs up the hill. Our regular field was being muck spread so I avoided that like the plague and went a different way. We’ve not been up this path for a long time and it’s become very overgrown. I didn’t take photos but have done 3 reels today. You’ll find them on my The Rambling Sloth Instagram.

I did take this one heading home.

I loved watching them exploring and sniffing out new scents. Playing with sticks and stones… yeah not great and you have to watch them carefully, but they love it.

I then took Miss Khaleesi out for her 10 minutes…

Some fangs she has… munching on grass! She was in good spirits on her walk today again..

I came home and made a Peanut butter curry with chickpeas. (Click the link for the recipe).

It is LOVELY!!!! So good. It will last a few meals this week.

I also made a pot of lentil soup with my new Chopper from Amazon. It’s the first time I used it and it dices an onion like slicing through butter. It chips a potato in the same fashion. I also grated my fingers but hey… 😆

We then went to Mocha Jak’s for lunch.

I had the veggie haggis and Siracha toastie, Craig had a BLT triple stack!

With a lovely iced oat milk coffee…. I forgot to ask for DECAF…. Buzzing….. 😆😆

We got home and I ironed some more holiday clothes and really feel like I’m ready for my holiday now. We leave at 3.15am on Thursday. It’s nice to be organised and in control… for now. 😆

We then popped into the pub for a couple. Our lovely neighbours are looking after the puppers when we were away and will move in. We are so lucky that they will do that for us. My inlaws are very good too and will come and stay when we need them.

We hate leaving them…. Craig will worry about them a lot when we are away. I will just be drawn to any dog that I see!!

So I’ve had a lovely weekend! A perfect combination of action and relaxation for me.

I forgot I’ve done all the housework through the weekend too…. I was hoovering before the dogs were up this morning. I can’t leave the house in a mess. 😆 it’s hard work being a woman sometimes. 😆

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1617 Moffat pics and a productive Saturday!

I’ve had a lovely day today…. But I’ll recap on my trip to Moffat yesterday.

It’s been YEARS since I’ve been to Moffat. It’s a lovely little town situated just off the main Scotland to England arterial motorway, the M74. It’s a straight drive for me, through Glasgow and south, with just a few miles to the centre of Moffat. It’s shown here with the dropped pin.

I had an engine management light on when I first started the car yesterday. I phoned our garage who were kind enough to check it before I went. They said I’ll need glow plugs soon but they reset the warning light.

Off I went and had to stop for fuel…. Of course. Then as I left the petrol station, my Apple car play wouldn’t work so I had to drive all the way without the sat nav. It was actually fine but two big things trying to raise my anxiety levels before a long and different journey for me.

I recognised Moffat as soon as I drove in. We came here when I was a kid. I turned right too early and ended up in some dead end at Moffat Mill car park…. I stopped the engine and the bloody car play worked 😆 technology eh?!?

Mum and dad were staying at the Camping and Caravanning Club site in Moffat.

They were really impressed with it. The toilet block is massive and very clean. The staff friendly and helpful. It’s also situated 5 minutes walk from the centre of Moffat, which is a huge bonus for any campsite.

I was surprised they weren’t around when I arrived. I phoned them both and it just rang out…. No answer… strange so I set about walking the campsite and found them straight away. Neither of their phones had missed calls but that was the end of the things to try my anxiety!

Here they are all set up.

We headed to the Moffat Mill for a coffee and cake…. It’s a huge shopping area that coach loads stop off to buy all things Scottish and clothes…. I have to be honest and say it didn’t impress me much and looked like it could do with a big makeover. It was heaving though.

We then walked the 5 minutes in to Moffat.

It’s a very pretty town.

The sun came out.

Check this vintage American car randomly parked in the street.

This is the narrowest hotel in the world and is in the Guinness Book of Tecords.

It’s only 20ft wide but 162 feet long.

They say it may be narrow but it has a BIG personality.

The famous Moffat Toffee Shop. You can’t got to Moffat without getting Moffat Toffee.

It’s not even toffee…. It’s a boiled sweet that “changes flavour from a caramel and treacly outer coating to a sharp lemon centre”. I could never have put that into words myself!

Look at the rest of the shop……… it’s like sweetie shops from when we were wee.

So many sweeties!

We actually went back there later too and I got Mum and dad heading into it. ♥️♥️

This is Moffat House if memory serves me right. A hotel and restaurant.

We went into this little pottery shop. They were playing the Old Rugged Cross… not what you would expect but it turned out it was religiously themed pottery. It’s a very pretty building.

This is the very grand Town Hall.

Apparently a lady had just driven her automatic car into this hotel a few days before. She had demolished the ramp up to this door.

This is the garden centre in the Main Street. It’s very pretty.

We went back to the campsite and Mum and I headed to the The Green Frog which I’ve been following on FB since a friend recommended it.

It was very quiet. There was no one in the cafe and the shop which I thought was a real shame for that time on a Friday. It does have this beautiful land behind it and another very busy campsite.

Lots of reflections.

It’s very pretty and used for fishing.

This is the Moffat Ram. A lovely bronze statue. Behind the Ram sculpture is Hugo’s Moffat where we went for an early dinner.

The food was UK style tapas and it was very lovely. We had a lovely meal.

I bumped into mums glasses as dad took this photo!! 😆

We had mint aero waffles for dessert… forgot to take a photo.. it look way too tasty.

We had another walk back to the campsite and I headed back home.

A lovely day making memories.

I’ve been writing this for ages now and not even go to today.

It started with a run at 6.45am… another 5.85k under my belt.

I’ve also walked all the dogs. can you see what Khaleesi has spotted?!?! 🐿️

A big run in the field for the Borders.

I’ve packed my suitcase for our holiday on Thursday and finished the last of the holiday ironing.

I’ve been to Claire’s for coffee and biscuits and then ended up staying for lunch. We had a good catch up!

I’ve also really randomly booked another mini trip back to Rome for the end of November.

My random friend (😆 her words) Melanie has invited me to spend Thanksgiving with her and her friends. She’s American living in Rome. It was so very kind of her and I was so lucky to get flights for £74…. Cheaper than getting the train to Inverness!

We met on the Solo female travellers FB group. There are so many lovely people out there. Who knows who will be sitting around her table with me at the end of November. I’m excited to find out.

I think I’m done now. That was a long blog. 😆

Have a great Saturday night and a lovely Sunday.

I’ve had a good day.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️