Day 1420 Happy International Women’s Day ♥️

I have met so many wonderful women on my journey.

When I say met…. I have not even met them all. There are quite a few that I have only “met” on FB.

Inspirational women who have listened to every word I have said and have showed me love and compassion. They have sent me words of hope, words of concern and words of love. They have showed me that it was ok not to be ok. Nothing was ever too much trouble. They put up with my crazy ramblings … years of it… and still do.

We need to celebrate the power of women everywhere. ♥️♥️ Always there for each other….supporting each other and lifting each other up.

One day the difficult times that you live through will become your story to pass on other people.

I’ve always felt compelled to show people that my life isn’t as easy as it looks on the outside.

I have no idea why, but it’s my calling, for some reason.

I was in the little gift shop today and this is what my “Work Your Light” Oracle card said today… hits the nail on the head.

The shop was lovely today. All set up for Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Gayle thinks the shop is empty as she’s been so busy! It is not empty in the slightest, it’s full of lovely things!!

It was great to a catch up with her!

It was lovely so many men shopping today, either with kids or on their own.

I wish that men were able to talk about mental health as much as women do.

It’s still not socially acceptable for men to admit anything less than being strong and that has to change.

I know it will change in time.

I hope that the men that read this get something from it to.

It is ok to not be ok.

I got made redundant from the big job and yet we can still pay the mortgage.

I would never have believed that was possible. That’s why I didn’t leave the job I hated. (Strong word but very true!)

Things have a way of changing so that everything works out.

So thank you to all the wonderful women in my life.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1419 work, toenails 💅🏼and pub alcohol restocking!

Well there’s a title and a half eh?!?

I am SO tired today. I didn’t get to bed until at least 11.30pm last night…. On a school night too.

The Hookers on Tour (crochet hookers obvs!) went to see An Officer and a Gentleman in the King Theatre in Glasgow last night. It was SO good. We had great seats in the back row of the Grand Circle…. No one behind us and the grand circle is not too high up and it’s not too busy either. Just perfect…. I’m like Goldilocks wanting everything to be just so…. I’m not a fan of big crowds, or being up in the gods (upper circle) or driving into Glasgow and parking in tight spaces car parks…. So I got to go to the theatre without any of that!! Thanks to Evelyn for driving and taking the strain for us all. She booked the best seats.

The show was just amazing. The music is all big 80’s tunes, just my kind of thing! I couldn’t believe how amazing the hits were and they just kept coming.

In the meantime the village filming of Lockerbie TV drama, went on all evening.

Here are the extras lined up outside our house.

The pub was covered up to keep it dark for filming.

The window in our back garden was blacked out too.

We had stage light in unique living room shining out the window.

There were huge lights lighting up the street.

We had a Ford Sierra parked outside our house… hiding the fact that the lamp post has a fake base. It was plugged into our electricity!!

This was the lamp post when I came home, about three minutes before Craig switched it off for good.

I quite liked it.

No one was allowed to film the controlled explosion to simulate the plane crashing. It’s going to be so interesting to watch the first episode and see how it all comes together.

I got 6 hours sleep.

I took this through the pub window this morning. I loved these wee tables!

The White Horse one last time as I head to work.

It was a beautiful morning and the road was still closed.

If only it could stay like this.

All of our cars were parked in The Gateside Plant Centre.

It was super frosty….. beautiful patterns on the windscreen.

I had to go to Screwfix on the way to work.

The Tartan vans were all frosty too.

So it was a good day at work and it passed quickly and all of a sudden it’s my weekend again! Woo hoo!

I got my toes painted a lovely dark red on the way home, got my eyebrows done and then got back to the village. The road is back open and the pub is being put back together.

The pub now has no name as they wait for a sign writer.

The old sign was too badly damaged on removal.

I’ve been in to help Holly put the pub back to normal. Here it is all empty!

All of the pub stock was in our house so it’s now back in the right place!

It’s 7.45pm and I’m finally sitting down, I could just shut my eyes right now but I’ll give it another hour.

I’m so happy I got to go to the show last night, something really different and there’s a real buzz about the village after the TV crew have been here.

And it’s Thursday night! Woo hoo.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1418 work, filming in our village and Hookers on Tour to the theatre! 🎭

Forgot to say yesterday I got a wee “borrow box” from Gemma at work. She has a friend who does “Oriflame Sweden” and the borrow box allows you to test out samples at home.

What a lovely idea.

So after my 7 hour and 50 minutes sleep… I had a wee pamper this morning. I used lotions and potions that I’d never normally use, I’m more a “rinse my face in the shower” kinda girl. I may have a few two many oils and primers on in one go but hey… I enjoyed it. Will place a wee order which is the point of it all I guess.

So yeah, good sleep last night. Woke for a half hour at 1 with my mind running but got back to sleep until the alarm.

There was a security guard walking the street this morning as today is the day that shooting will begin in the Gateside Inn. I said “morning, are you still awake?” And he smiled and laughed and said morning back. He directed me out onto the road this morning and it made me smile to have my own traffic co-ordinator. It was funnier as there was only one truck coming but it made me smile. How will I manage next week once he has moved on with his filming crew?

Skip my working day because that was just work….. the village is soooooo exciting tonight! I had to get through the road closure sign and the guy was really rude guesturing up and down to the sign as if I couldn’t see the ROAD CLOSED… I wound down my window and very politely said that I lived next door to the pub… change of heart. 😂 while I was waiting for him to radio through a guy drove out of the village, swearing like a trouper about the road closure. Apparently he’s driven right past the sign and refused to stop…. Hence the attitude I got when I tried the same a few minutes later. There is no reason to be that rude to the poor road closure guy! I’ve realised these days that road closed signs are taken as a challenge…. Getting through no matter what.

So as I drive in to the village it’s full of lorries and location trucks. It’s super exciting. Nothing exciting as this has happened since we all used to meet outside in COVID times. It’s so lovely to have the road closed too. No through traffic!

Calaidh posing next to a 1988 style police car.

I got excited when I saw this 1988 style fire engine…. And yet it turns out it’s a real 2024 one 😂😂😂 how daft did I feel?!?

This is in our back garden to house big lights for the pub.

We have a new “old” lamp post attached to our houses.

It’s on…. Using our electricity!!!

So yeah… it’s all good, we are sitting in darkness and trying to peak out the windows and get photos!! Torn between desperate to get that shot and embarrassment!!

So I’m going out with the Hookers on Tour in 15 minutes. We are going the see An Officer and a Gentleman at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow… I NEVER go out at night… so will have to rely on Craig being the Rambling Sloth TV filming correspondent!

Stay safe everyone 🎬📺🎬

Day 1417 work then visiting a TV set, as you do! 🎬📺

The weather was atrocious leaving Bristol last night and I worked myself into a wee lather before take off.

The plane literally got blown to the left just before it took off. The adrenaline washed through me. By the time we levelled out in the sky I realised I was clenching every muscle sooo tight and had to really force myself to relax. The weather was so much better in Glasgow.

I think Khaleesi missed me… she out her wee paw on my leg and lay there for ages!

I had the rubbishist sleep last night and no, that is not a word, but I’m making it one.

I lay in bed with my eyes wide open until 11.30pm… came downstairs and tried the couch instead. That’s where I got my 5 hours.

Here’s my view as I dried my hair…

I’ve been surprisingly awake and alert today. It’s amazing what a wee mini break does to freshen your head.

Work passed quickly as I was so busy.

So the big news in our village today…. Is that’s the Gateside Inn will be used in a Netflix drama about the Lockerbie disaster and they are filming tomorrow. Here’s the link to the stars involved.

Lockerbie

Here’s the pub during COVID.

Here’s the pub today.

Criag and I got to go in after my work today to have a look around. It will be the pub in Lockerbie on the night of the disaster.

If you zoom in, it’s all set up for Christmas in 1988.

Everything looks so old. It made me feel really old as I thought some of it looked really old fashioned 😂😂 seems I was alive and 16 when these things WERE in fashion. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

The dart board wall is all for the set. You usually see right through to the back of the restaurant.

There’s a cigarette machine….to me this looks 1950’s 😂😂 and cigarettes are £1.35!!!

There’s a juke box…

And a radio like my Grandpa had.

It’s all very surreal. I’m working tomorrow and out at night so won’t see any of the filming!

So that’s our excitement… our house will be in the Netflix Lockerbie show! We is famous. 😂😂

A good Tuesday. It’s not all been easy but I’ve handled everything well and I can’t ask for more.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1416 from Bournemouth to Swanage and back then onto Bristol Airport ✈️ P

Putting this out without a proof read as no time…. 🙄😬😂😘

You cannot accuse us girls of hanging around. We have not stopped!!

According to my Fitbit we have walked 34.44 miles this weekend!!!!

34.44 miles 🤯😁🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️?!?!

Randomly Helen’s Fitbit says she’s done 39 miles but I can assure you I was with her for them all and she did not squeeze in 5 extra that I wasn’t a part of 😂😂😂

So, up and out for 2.5K steps before we got the open top bus to Swanage, across on the Sandbanks Ferry we were watching last night.

It’s not as sunny and the forecast wasn’t great for today but it is dry.

The rising sun at Bournemouth pier.

Here we are on the open top bus on the Starbanks Ferry. ⛴️

Taken out the back of the ferry when a wee fishing boat passed.

The beach out to Old Harry Rocks.

All of these spare chains for the ferry are lined along the side of the road on the way to the toll both.

When we got into Swanage we went straight to the Beavers Coffee Shop for breakfast. I randomly had a mushroom toastie which was really lovely.

Then off out for a wander… the wind is picking up by now.

We walked out into Swanage Pier, it’s beautiful, so ornate and you can imagine the Victorians sitting out there in their big dresses and parasols!

Helen suggested I try some of these in black and white…. It definitely works!

This is all that’s left of the old pier built in 1859.

We then walked away along the front and got battered by the wind!

We then headed out of town to catch the bus back.

We got off the bus at Branksome Chine and walked all the way back down the beach back to the Prom Café for a bite of lunch.

All the ones that lead to the beach are called chines. Not a word I’ve heard before.

All the picnic tables are covered with sand over the winter… to be fair most of the beach benches are too!

And then we came to new beach huts under the east cliff… coloured hut central!

How cool are they?!?! They are by far my favourite beach huts.

We cloned the East Cliff and got the most amazing view, albeit a bit cloudy.

The lovely memorial is in memory of the red arrow airman that died in the Bournemouth air show accident. It was designed by kids at the local school. I thought it was very poignant. It’s had to be moved from its original place as some of the East Cliff collapsed. Thankfully it was able to be moved and cleaned and reinstated.

Then we came across the famous Bournemouth goats…. Who knew that was even a thing?!?!? They live on the cliffs to control the vegetation. this guy was giving us a high five!

Interesting that the live on the cliff and all 5 of them were on the flat strip of land right up the very top, by the fence!!

This is the view the goats have 😂 not bad eh?!?

We went back into the Prom Café for lunch, we were there yesterday lunchtime and I took this photo in the hazy sun this morning.

Helen then had the HUGE drive to get me back to Bristol.

We were so lucky to miss the rain we knew was coming but it rained most of the 2.5 hour drive.

So what can I say…. Thank you so much to Helen for organising THE best weekend. I have loved every minute of it. She lets me be me. I’ve not fasted as much as I would normally but I’ve not eaten meat which I just didn’t fancy. We’ve laughed and giggled most of the time. We’ve both forgotten words mid sentence. we’ve had deep life chats and frivolous chats. We’ve made up village names and I still can’t believe that Splinterbottom is not a village in England. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 it soooooo should be.

We’ve made the best memories and for me, that is all the life is about now… and the 34 or 39 miles we have walked!!

I look forward to her Scottish visit in August and no pressure on me to come up with a great weekend?!?!?!

Flight’s in less than an hour. 47 mile and hour winds forecast.

Stay safe everyone… including my plane! ✈️

Day 1415 Exmouth to Bournemouth for the night!

Such a lovely surprise, an overnight trip to Bournemouth. Despite the forecast it’s been another beautiful day!

Helen and Anna made pancakes for breakfast and we set off on our magical, mystery tour after 9am.

Here we are in Lyme Regis. our stop along the way.

As you can see the sun has been splitting the skies all weekend. It’s been cold but beautiful.

Looking down to Lyme Regis sandy beach. This is artificially filled with sand and the right hand side, the rest of the beach is stony.

Down at he little harbour looking back up to where we were. Loved the little red boats.

This lifeboat heading out with a bouquet of red roses. Maybe laying a memorial at sea. It was called the Spirit of Loch Fyne. How funny?!?

Loved this yellow fishing boat. 🚤

Seagull on the horizon.

We climbed these very wonky steps to get up on the cobb which is the harbour wall.

I got new trousers in a charity shop yesterday and new snow boats for Iceland in December…. They were reduced from £120 to £49 and they are fully lined with fur, exactly what I’ve been looking for.

Loved all the beach huts down here.

Love the wee peachy pink thatched cottage.

We jumped back in the car and headed along the coast and I still had no idea where we were going…. As we got closer it was either Poole or Bournemouth and I knew we talked about Bournemouth before… and here we are. It was a bit cloudy when we arrived. This is the pier.

And view from it.

That big dark cloud hung around for a half hour or so.

Then we set off on a big walk to the Sandbanks Ferry.

Here we are having a seat watching the Sandbanks Chain Ferry.

With this view when it’s over the other side. Absolutely stunning.

We got the bus back into town. It’s been the most amazing day. Just perfect!! I’m gonna have to pull the cat out the bag when Helen comes up to stay with me in August! No pressure!

We’ve just been out to a Greek Restaurant called The Real Green. The food was amazing…

The walk back to the hotel was lovely too. I’ve done 24,999 steps.

I’m gonna take a shower and collapse into bed. It’s 8.42pm.

Shattered but still buzzing from the experience!

Off on the bus to Swanage tomorrow!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1414 Exmouth to Sidmouth by Stagecoach bus!

Slept like a log from 9am until 5am and then was awake on and off until sleeping beauty finally awoke at 8.33pm… that’s my friend Helen, not Craig 😂

We went on a bus trip from Exmouth to Sidmouth today.

This was like a step back in time…. In a previous life I wrote the spec for these buses and checked them all through build.

This bus one was one of my contracts.

Stagecoach selfie!

So yeah… off to Sidmouth.

It’s now 8.23pm and I am shattered. A mere 15,724 steps so far, a lovely lunch out, hot chocolate and cake out and a chippy tea with Helen’s mum and daughter Anna. I’ve had the loveliest day but I’m a bit too tired for words…. I am in my element exploring, walking and taking lovely photos in the sun. Here are a few.

Here we are at the mouth of the River Sid. We walked right up the river through the Byes.

The ford was closed as it was too fast flowing.

We are the two shadows on the left 😂😂

When we got back down to the beach there was a storm rolling by. It was really dramatic.

Models own T-shirt…. Pres from Craigie for my trip!

Helen’s mum picked us up and took us to Budleigh Salterton where we caught this lovely sunset.

Off a a wee overnight secret adventure tomorrow that definitely involves Lyme Regis! Exciting!

All of this is what makes me tick.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1413 a lovely walk from Exmouth to Topsham for lunch

As suspected the flight was absolutely fine and all anxiety was gone by the time I landed.

It was such a clear night. This is us over Bristol.

I slept like a log! We got to bed about 11.30pm last night after Helen met me in Bristol and we drove back down to Exmouth.

Woke at 6.33am and back to sleep until 8.33am (what is it with the 33’s?!?!)…. When someone called me and woke me up… now who would do such a thing?!? Surely not Craig 😂😂😂

Anyway, it was worth it as it got me up and moving!

By the time we showered and had hot cross buns for breakfast if was after 11am before we got out.

This was the planned walk today from Exmouth to Topsham.

If you follow the black railway, that’s exactly what we did… I took this at the “you are here” sign.

The tide was in, in the estuary for the whole walk.

Here we are setting off.

We’ve done nearly 26k steps today!!

This bench was a memorial to Joanna O’Toole. Here’s the link to the FB Joanna O’Toole Foundation. She dedicated her life to saving animals around the world and died on Ethiopan Ailrines Flight ET302 on 10th March 2019. She was only 37 years old. So sad…. A beautiful bench modelled by Helen!

It was lovely weather with a few rain showers along the way. Much better than forecast.

TRAIN!!!

Lympstone Village is almost half way and is really beautiful with tiny streets. Don’t know how you would get your weekly shop to your front door!!!

We walked along the beach.

And saw this lovely boat. I love the colours.

Someone lives here!!!

Train AND rainbow.

Thatched roof, so very typically English.

The sea on the estuary is all churned up just now, full of sand.

We had a wee seat on a wee bench. I seem to be rocking a combe over 😂😘

The clouds came over just in time for lunch!

Topsham was lovely too. Lots of money in those houses too!! again… with the parking?!? I couldn’t live here 😂😂

But it was very beautiful!

Met this wee guy!

Then we went to The Café in Topsham and had avocado toast.

AND clotted cream scones.

We got the train back to Exmouth. I was too full to walk anywhere!

The tide is out in the estuary but the reflections are lovely. All of these are taken from the train window!

We then went to visit Helen’s eldest daughter and her grandson before he went to his first school disco. He was all dressed up as Spider-Man bless him, such a cutie.

We then went for another walk down the harbour.

The heaven’s opened after this so we headed back to the house.

We now have our feet up on the couch with Helen’s youngest daughter and we’re having a girls night in watching movies!

I’ll be asleep in an hour. 😂😂

Off to Sidmouth tomorrow.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1412 busy leap year day at work and flying to Bristol! ✈️

It’s February 29th 2024… a leap year!!

Love this from Donna Ashworth.

Look for the light…. That came up in Kinesiology last night too… another coincidence.

Another restless sleep last night… up at 2am and again at 5am. Result is I’m shattered now and I’ve got 6 hours of travelling to go… 😂 not complaining…. Will try to sleep on the plane.

Work was busy again today and flew by and I managed to get everyone to wear their “Tartan” gear… which is mostly black obviously 🙄 and we got a team photo prior to the handover of two of our biggest van builds. We don’t do that often enough. We should celebrate our big wins but we’re already on to the next 😂

I finished up at 3 as I had an hour to take back. Now I’m ready far too early!

Craigie is running me to the airport and I’m flying to Bristol where Helen is picking me up and driving me down to her house in Exmouth. That’s my home for the next 4 days flying back up late Monday.

I’ve packed as little as I can but it still feels like way too much.

It’s funny how all I ever want to do is travel and yet I’m apprehensive about doing it. I’m not a fan of flying… I’d much rather be on the train.

Please don’t go Mum….

It would break your heart! Calaidh looks so sad!

Those holes in the blanket over the couch were made by “someone” trying to bury a bone the last time I went away overnight… what could possibly go wrong this time?!?

I’m off to create meaningful moments as SC Lourie says.

We left at 5.30pm…. We are only 20 minutes or so from the airport and my flight isn’t until 8.20pm…. my phone flashed and said go to gate.

GO TO GATE?!?!!!??

I’m not even there yet… waves of anxiety…

Im not late in the slightest, no idea why it said go to gate 😂😂

I’m loving my new case from Tripp. Colour…. Watermelon!

Won’t lose it anytime soon…. I’m in Starbucks having a wee decaf coconut milk latte and a blondie for dinner. Had last nights vegan dinner for lunch and I’m still stuffed.

Only another hour until the flight. My stomach is doing somersaults but I will be fine and I will enjoy the travel. I know I will.

There seems to be more people in the speedy boarding queue than the main queue tonight.. I just heard a lady in the speedy queue say it’s not very speedy anymore 😂 I used to be obsessed with speedy boarding when I travelled with work but the place is not going without me so I don’t see the point in paying extra for it… I did pay extra for my watermelon cabin case though 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

You can tell I’m just passing the time by rambling. Flight’s just been called!

That’s me almost off. I’m calmer now that I’m here.

See you soon Helen!

Stay safe everyone ♥️✈️♥️

Day 1411 a busy Wednesday!

Not the best sleep last night as I woke a few times but I’m feeling much better today. The headache has gone, thankfully!

It was a good day at work today. Super busy but not too much, got loads done and didn’t stop. Love days like that.

We got our oven cleaned today…… look at the before and after. Our oven has been desperately needing done for years now. Look at the difference!!!

I know I should be embarrassed by this… I am but there are two people that live in this house and one uses the oven way more than the other. 😂 that means he cooks more so I should be embarrassed by that…. But hey… I’m more impressed at how quickly they get it back to looking like new.

If you’re local, here is the number…. I am AMAZED at the results.

So I made the last of my Green Chef meals tonight and couldn’t even face eating it.

The power went off at work today so I couldn’t use the microwave for lunch so I ordered a lentil soup… AND chips and cheese. No wonder I couldn’t eat dinner.

I had kinesiology at 5.30pm tonight to try and settle this racing mind of mine.

And this…. Is what it’s all about. Listening to your inner voice.

So my bags are packed. I feel like I have far too much but I’ve got layers in case it’s cold and it’s 4 days. My wee TRIPP case is full and I still have walking shoes to squeeze in!

I’m just gonna leave you the last one from Rachel two doors down.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1410 total weather change!

After such a lovely day yesterday, the cold, wet and windy weather seemed really dreich. Such a contrast!

I had a lovely start to the day when I went into Claire’s, to feed her cats, as they were away.

I managed to see both boys which is quite unusual as they usually hide when I’m there.

They were right out this morning, to see their Auntie Julie. not the best photo but here they are… 😻😻

Gorgeous boys. I sat and had a wee chat with them, all before 7am!! I was also very lucky and got some lovely, purple tulips.

A lovely way to start the day. Obviously I’d been out the back with our girls and fed them too. Julie DoLittle talks to the animals. 😂

I’m still good but have had a thumping headache all day.

The monthly curse (check the old lady definition 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄😂) has hit with a vengeance this month. I couldn’t think straight this morning at all. It was like thinking through cotton wool. I shook my head a few times to try and clear it…. Not that that helped at all! 😂

I still feel good mentally despite feeling a bit rotten physically.

My weekend with the dolphins had showed me how important it is for me to do things like that. It made such a difference to my head.

I’d been really low for most of February and the trip at the weekend has totally lifted my spirits.

I loved every minute of it, the buzz, the excitement, the camaraderie, the exploration, being outdoors, on the sea, the sunshine, the view, the snow capped mountains… all of it.

I made another lovely Green Chef dinner tonight….. that looks nothing like the photo!

I have to say it tasted very lovely. Even Craig had some and we both really enjoyed it. My cashew satay sauce was very dark.

I’ve tried to pack my flight suitcase as I’m off to Exmouth, to stay with my friend Helen, this weekend. My head’s not in the packing malarkey tonight so I’ve sat down to write this and made a list. That may help!

So feet up now. Watching “My Son” on Nextflix. It’s really good.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1409 a lovely sunny Monday! ☀️☀️☀️

I’ve been so giddy today… giggly, excitable, saying the wrong words, tripping over stuff but mostly laughing…. I’m still on a dolphin high.

I slept well, though I had bad stomach cramp when I woke up.

The voice in my head started the anxiety spin…. it was so bad that I should phone in sick, I needed a day in bed. I made myself feel worse, creating drama around it… how would I manage the day when I felt like this, what if I cried… (like, no one would even be shocked by now but still that worried me 🤦🏻‍♀️😂)

I switched off the alarm, got out of bed and got on with my day and managed it just fine. I haven’t felt great. My head is thumping too but I’ve had a great day, despite how I’ve felt.

The snow moon was lovely this morning.

😂😂😂😂😂

It looked lovely, honest.

We’ve had a crazy day at Tartan HQ. It was super busy. Lots of people coming and going. No time to finish one thing before the next thing started… but it was all good.

I felt proud of the way I handled things that would have sent me into a tailspin normally. I felt happy and calm.

It has been an absolutely stunning day today. Pure blue sky and a huge ball of sunshine… and some warmth. We actually had the door to the portacabin open ALL afternoon. It was cold but it really felt like spring. It was lovely.

I’ve also had a couple of massive coincidences today which have made me smile. A chat with a couple about de-icer and they opened the door to their van and a 5l tub of de-icer fell out… we all laughed!

Looking for a particular spoon in the dishwasher in the dark… I put my hand in and lifted it straight out without even trying.

I love stuff like that. Makes me grin.

I stayed at work tonight to wash Bertie the Beetle for the first time. It looks like a new car!

It was a lovely sunset when I went to leave at 5.45.

So a good day. I have 3 sleeping pups at my feet with the 4th one hiding somewhere else and I will definitely be getting an early night. Story of my life eh?! 😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1408 a lovely Sunday still high on the dolphin buzz 🐬🐬🐬🐬

The dolphins are my top emoji. Figures.

I’m still buzzing from yesterday. My dolphin reel on FB has had 1.6k views which is a loads more than any other reel I have done.

It still only has 29 likes though but we can’t have everything 😂😂😂

I have literally just seen a FB post that said travel now, don’t put it off, don’t use money as the excuse as you will always find a way, life is short…..

I laughed as Craig walked in the living room and he asked what was funny….. I’m seeing this everywhere…. I thought I’d saved it…. It’s not there now. I can’t find it anywhere.

How strange.

So I’ve had a lovely day today.

I slept like a log and stayed in bed for a while. I spent an hour and a half clearing out photos on my phone. I went from 61.940 photos to 60,192 and videos from 1580 to 1509… I have a ways to go! 😂😂😂

I spent a bit of time on my Clever Fox self care journal. I’ve not been able to look at it while I felt low.

So back at it today and looking forward to reviewing my day.

I am so grateful that I got to see the dolphins yesterday. It was such a special trip.

It’s really lifted my mood and given me purpose again.

I’ve written a list of all the trips and events that I have booked or planned this year. Instead of thinking I have so few holidays to take,

I’ve added all of my Friday days off onto my holidays and in 2024 I have 73 days holiday. Now how amazing is that?!?!?

We had a trip out to B&Q today and I was treated to a vegan KFC 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 we just wanted a quick fix but I couldn’t order the chicken. The meal wasn’t the best but it also wasn’t the worst. You shouldn’t really expect a company that specialises in chicken to have mastered the art of veggie or vegan food. Not sure what’s going on there but I’m still not wanting meat.

We actually went out into the garden for a bit…. I swept the decking which was so badly needing done. I should have taken a before…

We sat out on the deck for a bit and I listened to the sound of the birds. It’s was so still and quiet and the birdsong was lovely.

I am calm.

It’s so lovely to be calm after the last few weeks of anxiety.

My trip yesterday was the perfect medicine.

I may just leave you with some dolphins… be rude not to. 😂

There are still another 900 off to go but yesterday’s were definitely the best.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1407 Dolphin Spotting with Clyde Charters 🐬🐬🐬🐬

Wow.

I have just had THE most amazing day! Honestly just out of this world.

This is what life is all about for me. I felt pretty rotten when I woke up this morning. I’d had a restless sleep from about 4.30am and I felt pretty grumpy when I got up and honestly, my head was raging and I was fairly tearful.

A perfect day to have something different to do and not just be stuck in the house.

I’d booked with Clyde Charters for a special dolphin spotting cruise they were running, leaving James Watt Dock Marina at 11.30 today.

I left in plenty time as my anxiety will always make me do…. Here my round trip today.

Just as well I left early as it wasn’t the easiest place to find straight away…. I parked in the marina and set off to find them.

I couldn’t see any obvious signs so I ended up looking them up on the sat nav and walked in that direction!

I spotted a guy near to the end of the walkway and asked him. He laughed as he said they’d had the same issue and he was actually standing in front of the sign that said “Clyde Charters Meeting Point”. I got chatting to them, as I do…. They were really lovely and wishing 5 minutes found out they were precious clients of Craig at the Scottish Dog Behaviourist

😳

How funny!!! Veronika sent Craig a photo of us together… he said it took him ages to figure out how he was seeing me in a photo from her…. It is a very small world!

They were so kind and kept me company on the trip. Everyone else was lovely too and as Craig says, I’ll chat to anyone… I was in my element. I love meeting new people.

Here’s our boat!

The Clyde Charters team were super friendly too and had a gorgeous 6 month old German Shepherd with them.

Puppy and dolphins?!?! Dream day.

We set off up the coast and didn’t even get as far as Gourock before we were joined by 4 dophins… including the baby “Clyde”.

They were with us for about 2 and a half hours and I can’t tell you how magical it was. So I’m just going to have to blast a few of the 963 photos I took today…. And that is no exaggeration!! If you’re on FB please go and have a look at my first “live”, big girl pants on for that. Craig is always telling me to get on camera… so I thought now’s as good a time as any! I’ve also shared a reel and there are more to come. 🙄😬😘

Oh one thing I would say is check out the scenery and not just the dolphins… there’s snow on the mountains, barely a ripple on the Clyde and the odd Ali Cat CalMac ferry passing!

As I said the scenery was stunning as well so I did take a few shots without dolphins too.

The docks had some stunning reflections.

What a truly magical day.

A real bucket list tick ✅

Memories for a lifetime. ✅

Wow.

Hope you’re all having a lovely Saturday. Will try not to talk about dolphins forever. Though can’t promise.

🐬🐬🐬🐬

Stay safe everyone 💙💙💙

Day 1406 a lovely Friday day off 🌧️ ❄️ ☀️

I’ve had a lovely wee day to myself.

The best sleep again…. It was just the best, from 10 through to 7am. Not a blink in the night.

I felt really refreshed and ready to start my dog walk Friday.

First up a dog jog with Bhru in the rain. Bless her wee face.

Next up Calaidh and Freya. It wasn’t pouring with rain this time. We walked mostly but we did jog for a bit.

They had a good run about in the field.

They love my new dry trainers.

I saw my first daffodil.

The Khaleesi’s turn.

Spooky trees through a Mali’s ears. ♥️

We saw this lovely rainbow.

It was only minutes before we were hammered with hailstones. Poor Khaleesi was petrified.

We got back home and dried off… we were drenched.

I got ready and headed up to Asda for a food shop. Not been to Asda in years. I got lots of veggies and vegan food. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I’m just not into meat just now at all.

I came home, put the shopping away and made two pots of lentil soup. One with bacon and one without. Check me.

I know fine well I will probably end up eating the one with meat too!

The sun came out and I spent a half hour outside with the dogs… it was warm in the sunshine.

I made little videos of them. I shouted one of them to come while the other 3 stood still. Calaidh was the only one that broke ranks when she shouldn’t have but only because it’s all about the ball for her. 🎾

Oh I also decided to book one of the Waverley cruises. I’d been looking at a 3 day cruise…

I wanted to do the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday but I can’t get accommodation in Kyle of Lochalsh AT all.

So that meant I could only do the Monday. So it’s all booked. Gonna be a VERY long day from 7am to 10.45pm… and that’s without the drive to and from the Glasgow Science Centre! That said… I’m soooo looking forward to it. I should start to list all the things I have planned this year to remind me of how many exciting things I am doing.

So it’s been a good day, I’ve enjoyed myself. I’m calm and relaxed and looking forward to my wee dolphin 🐬 trip tomorrow. The forecast is very cold but sunny.

Currently typing this with a Bhruic on my knee….

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1405 yay it’s my weekend!!

Just after saying that I had this sleep thing sussed… last night happens.

It wasn’t THAT bad I did fall back to sleep down on the couch, after 2am, but the fitbit says no you didn’t… it’s not always right. 😂

I felt super tired this morning and a bit unsettled and tearful… again…. 🙄

I had a good chat with Ellison when I got to work and she put my head back on my shoulders.

I actually walked back from the chat with a calmness that I carried all day. Sometimes the noise gets so loud. Jeez I sound like a crazy person.

This next one is why I write the blog. I need daily silence to put my mind at rest.

I try to make sense of my troubled thoughts and replace them with peace and strength.

And this is exactly it….

I am in too much of a hurry. mostly because I keep seeing things like this….

I need to feel the fear and do it anyway.

I have no plans this weekend.

I know for so many people that seems like heaven.

Unfortunately for me… it stretches before me like a big hole in the ground. (I’m sure I’ve stolen that quote from a show!)

I hate the thought of having nothing to do.

So… I’ve booked myself onto a Clyde Charters Dolphin Spotting Tour on Saturday. It’s £49.99 for 3 to 4 hours of dolphin spotting on the River Clyde, sailing out from Greenock. Something a wee bit different and easily accessible from home.

I’m a bit nervous I look like the sad, lonely wifie on the boat as it will be way smaller than the Waverley, but I’d much rather do that than housework.

Life is for living.

Always with this run out of time thing….

So get up and comfies on.. I’m relaxed.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1404 a very rainy Wednesday 🌧️🌧️🌧️

So I chose not to sit on a cactus 🌵 today.

I had an “excellent” sleep again according to Fitbit.

I don’t often get such high praise for my sleep though I do seem to have it nailed the old sleep this month. Must be all the anxiety wearing me out.

So thankfully the anxiety has passed… left behind is still some unsettledness and I’m using that word. I’m still creating a bit of pain for myself…. Tension building up.

I also feel I have no filter. Words are just tumbling out me at a rate of knots.

I’ve given Karen Salmansohn a follow as I like this next one.

And this…. From the Power of Wordz…. Wow.

I just don’t know how to do it yet. I firmly believe change is going to slap me in the face.

Let go and focus on what you can control.

I’m still not letting go enough.

I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So many people I know are going through tough times just now. It’s another sign that you only live once.

Absolutely…..

But I hear this as well….

And also this….. it’s very hard but I have done this in the past. Can’t take too much drama these days.

And finally this….. I need to stop being angry and sad.

I love that my Fb is set up to let me read all of this.

I’m off to meet the Crochet Hookers in the pub now. I’m still sitting in my work gear. I had cheese and crackers for dinner… not the best but it suited me tonight.

Jeez I sound mumpy don’t I?!?! I don’t mean to. I’ve had a good day. I just can’t shake this feeling just now. I should sleep on it some more, that’s a plan!!

And it did actually pour with rain this morning!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1403 not much to say about the day Tuesday 😂

I did not sleep well last night for the first time in ages.

I’d had a can of Diet Coke for lunch… you’d like to think that one can of Coke didn’t cause it but I was sooo antsy in my sleep. I tossed and turned like a tossy turney thing. I didn’t feel rested when I woke but Fitbit reckoned I had an alright sleep.

I feel bored today. Like time has just stopped and I’m waiting for it to pass. I can’t wait into I can get back into bed. I still feel quite irritable too.

At lunch I saw this…

This made my shoulders relax a bit, it made me smile. It’s so true.

😂😂😂😂😂 so much so I’ve just put it on the blog twice…. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

I definitely need to listen to this…

I love this next one.

I’m not sure at what point I realised it but nothing matters to me like it used to. I no longer crave the bigger house, the better car, then nights out, the drink… give me a phone to take photos and a beautiful view and that’s more than enough.

I’ve needed to quieten my head today. It’s not been bad…. Just not where I want it to be.

I’m listening….

I’ve tried to take conscious action today. All too often my head kicks off the way it always used to.

I need to forgive myself for not being the perfect version of myself every day.

Back home and I made chipotle lentil tacos for dinner tonight…. I have to say they look nothing like they did on the recipe card but they tasted really lovely.

They only took about 20 minutes which is much more like it. They were quite spicy but super tasty.

Not much else to report just now. I still have to clean the kitchen and get into comfies but I’m relaxed. Will get an early night too.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1402 another Monday in the life ♥️

I’m still doing good.

A couple of wee wobbles today but nothing I didn’t bounce back from. There’s been anger and irritability but also a marked change in my behaviour in other ways.

I love when Kinesiology kicks in and I feel myself responding differently to certain situations.

I had an amazing sleep…. 9.30am until 6.10am without really waking at all. I stirred a couple of times and felt really hot and sweaty when I woke but it was such a fab sleep. I love that!

I’ve had a very productive evening so far.

I took Calaidh for a walk so I could call Mum when I got back. Multitasking. It was a freezing cold walk. A right chill in the wind.

Didn’t help that I had my hand up to the phone the whole walk. 😂

I really want to make a point of walking after work though.

I came home and made dinner. (I probably shouldn’t have eaten a packet of crisps and bag of mini Twirl’s on the way home in the car. I’m eating too much junk).

It’s called Peanut Marinated Smoked Tofoo Bhudda Bowl.

This is for my lunch tomorrow..

It’s meant to look like this…. It is super tasty. I loved it!

Could it be possible that I could be a Tofu convert?! Will see.

So a good day. Still have the dishwasher to empty and refill to tidy up my cooking mess. Then I can relax.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1401 who’d a thunk it and a roundup of stats!

On day 1359 I put out my blog as usual… the next day I called it day 1400 and only a few people noticed… I had NO idea why I had just jumped 40 days. Thanks to clever Rachel two doors down for making me realise I wasn’t crazy… on the 24 hour clock 1400hours comes straight after 1359!! Duh…. 🙄 😂

I usually do a stats roundup on the significant days of the blog. There was way too much to talk about yesterday. I still can’t get my head around the fact that I have written this for almost every single one of these 1401 days… give or take.

It helps my head so much.

It challenges my head on the days I can’t talk about something that’s really bothering me.

But most of all, it’s a blessing to be able to think through my day and make sense of it.

I’m feeling so much calmer after Kinesiology last week. We have taken the sting out of the urgency for change. I am back in alignment for now.

I have a great life. I have a lovely husband and 4 lovely dogs. We have a lovely house and live in a lovely village and I have the luxury of only working 4 days a week. I used to dream of that kind of freedom.

I used to dream of the job I would have and now I have it.

There are days when all of that implodes on me and creates so much stress that I just want to run and hide.

I expect FAR too much of myself and yet I’m proud of that as that is what makes me, me.

I have done all of this with the help of counselling and Kinesiology and the support of everyone around me.

And most of all because I refuse to give into it.

1,871 days without alcohol
1,271 days without anti depressants although always consider them when it gets bad
467 on HRT, not really sure what this has done for me but hey, I’ll keep on.
413 fasting, my newest fad ( I say that and I recognise I’m pretty committed when I settle on something 😂)

So why have I learned in the last 100 days… hmmmm I’ve had some tough days but still nothing like I experienced before. I think there’s always the fear that I will head back down there. Maybe I’m really not a fan of winter.

I’m not missing the van at all, that surprises me but also helps me to know I made the right decision selling her. I’m super excited to explore again in 2024 and I’m so looking forward to some sunshine.

I will miss campsites randomly…. There’s a lovely camaraderie between campers. I will miss that, just not enough to keep running a van. Sure I can get a wee tent if I miss it too much. 😂

I’m feeling really good today. Positive about the future. Grateful for everything that I have and grateful to finally be calm and not want to head for the hills.

I want to explore the whole world and experience the cultures everywhere. I know that I will get to do this and will enjoy every minute of it… it just doesn’t have to happen tomorrow.

So back to today… a run with Calaidh this morning in my new trainers. DRY FEET!!! Yay. Calaidh approves.

When I got home we went to Mocha Jak’s for brunch.

I had the Honey, Pesto & Walnut Avocado Stack which is new! It was really lovely.

Back home and Craig watched the football while I had a wee rest and watched some episodes of Manifest on the iPad, lying on the bed.

I then took Freya out a walk. She’s chuffed with the trainers too.

I did some training with her, she’s a good girl.

It’s been a lovely sunny day. It started to rain when I walked Freya but it’s the first day I’ve been out with a sweatshirt and a bodywarmer and not felt frozen. ☀️

So yeah, 1.401 days…. Bring it on the rest.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️