Healing mental health during COVID-19 times and beyond
Author: Julie
Iām healing from anxiety and depression and exploring my way through a whole new lovely world with an abundance of awareness and a new love for lifeā¦ and travelling the world!
Another blog that hardly anyone will read but heyā¦ as I said, if you find it here then thank you š
Iām still barred from FB until about 10pm and then hopefully tomorrow Iāll be able to plead my case and get them to take me off this horrible list I seem to be on. I just want to go back to my account, unhacked and WAY more wary of the vulnerability of it all.
If thatās not possible then I will consider leaving FB altogether and Iāll find another way of publishing my blog and photos.
So yeah, I feel different today. I feel like Iāve accepted the reasons for everything thatās being going on. I woke up this morning, opened my eyes and knew instantly that something was different. Iāve felt really hard done to in the last week or so. Iāve felt like everything seemed a bit hopeless. Iāve seen the negative in everything.
I canāt tell you how good it is to feel a wee bit better. Life doesnāt feel hopeless today.
I donāt know why I feel better. Thereās obviously always things that happen to me that I canāt write in the blog. Things that affect me but are not my story to tell. The blog feels like a real chore on those days.
Iāve been so irritated by everything this last wee while and today I see the positive in everything, the reasoning behind everything, rather than the anger. It really makes such a difference. However the switch got flicked Iām not complaining. Itās so draining when you feel mentally rotten.
It poured with rain overnight last night. Absolutely stotting down when we went to bed. it was the same again this morning.
Mid afternoon the sun came out and itās been lovely and warm. Long may that continue.
Iāll leave you with some Just Jules sunset photos againā¦. Because they make me smile!
So yeah thatās WordPress renewed for another year. It costs me Ā£100 a year to rant and moan š¤¦š»āāļøš maybe I should just write it down on some paper, save a fortune and be done with it?!? š Acht I know there are more positive days when I get to travel around our beautiful country and share photos of stunning beaches and sunsets!!
Also another day of being public enemy number 1 on FB. My account has definitely been compromised, to put it mildly. Iām still barred for another 29 hours or so. The majority of my readers are on FBā¦ my new photography page is on FB. I know life does not revolve around Fb but from a positive point of view mine has recently. Maybe this is a lesson to rely on it a bit less and look for other ways to do what I do?!?
Hmmmmā¦ Iām angry and upset and have struggled to come to terms with how difficult is for me to voice that opinion to the FB powers that be. The hackers keep finding me no matter how many times I change my password. Iām not sure how that can even be possible?!?
Anyway, it is what it isā¦. Iām home now and itās pouring with rain outside so we have all the candles lit and none of it seems quite so bad.
I have a feeling my account will never be quite the same again. I feel like Iām on some list that is now easily targeted. Iāll see how the next few days go and maybe have to start afresh.
For those who read this tonight, thank you for finding another wayā¦. And Iām sorry for the negativity!!
Iāll end with some Just Jules Photography shots just to brighten the mood! It works for me anyway. ššā„ļø
Itās a beautiful day here today. Itās been the perfect temperature and Iāve spent all day outside.
So last night it would appear my FB account was seriously hacked and Iāve been blocked for 2 days which doesnāt sound that bad but I canāt do anything this time.
Once again for she who breaks no rules, everā¦.. this is a bit of a pain in the proverbial backside. Since the middle of June there been suspicious activity on my account. Iāve been blocked for days, here and there, about 3 or 4 times.
FB is the hardest company to try and get hold of. Iām exhausted going round and round and round in circles trying to get them to believe that I didnāt post those horrific pictures that actually did show up on my page last night. All of a sudden my time zone has changed from GMT to UTC+07 wherever that is.
Iāve changed my password about 4 times in the last few weeks and yet they are still getting to me. I donāt even understand how that is possible?
Theyāve made me question my own judgement for weeks. Was it the start of the Just Jules Photography page? Was it the fact that I use positive quotes in the blog and maybe donāt reference the authors properly?
What am I doing wrong?
Then last night at 10.18pm I finally realised it most definitely wasnāt me. FB are still to catch up to that fact though.
Copyright infringement hardly even remotely covers from my hacker posted on my page last night.
I had just invited lots of people to my photography page and now I canāt even replyā¦ I just look rude.
Anyway, Iāve reported the hacking about 100 different ways so hopefully theyāll get round to checking it sometime soon. The majority of my readers are on FB so none of them will even get this post. Hey ho, there are worse troubles at sea, my Gran would say.
We didnāt get home from Craigās mumās until after midnight, so I had a long lie until 9.30am. Check me. I had been up to let the dogs out so they were ok.
I pottered about in the garden, pulling weeds (there are millions of them) and cutting back bushes that were threatening to take over.
I took the dogs out over lunch time and actually it was maybe a bit too hot.
I love the clouds in these next pics.
They had a play in the burn to cool down for a bit and then we were on our way again.
For the rest of the day Iāve been pulling weeds and relaxing. This has really been the longest weekend as Iāve forgotten what itās like to have 3 days off and be in the house. Iāve done 4 washing loads and they are all dry already!!! I love that!
The clouds are moving in now and we are due some spectacular rain overnight. Apparently I slept through a very loud clap of thunder last nightā¦.. Craig said it sounded like a truck had crashed out in the road. Oblivious!!
Iāve nipped in next door to feed the cats! Gorgeous boys.
As soon as I got back I the house Calaidh seriously sniffed me all over. Youād think I lay down next door and rolled around the amount of sniffing I gotā¦ I can assure you, I did not!
So all in all a lovely weekend once I got my head round being at home. I feel nice and refreshed and ready for a new week. Just need to get my FB account sorted once and for allā¦. Or leave itā¦ thatās another option. šš¤·š»āāļø
Hope you all have a lovely Sunday evening and the best week.
I must admit I could actually get used to this again. Itās only early Saturdays afternoon and Iām already off longer than I have been every weekend since September. (Except holidaysā¦ it does feel different when youāre in the house!)
I lay in till after 8.30am again and straight up and out with the dogs. I wore my sloth T-shirt today that my lovely friend Helen got me!
Itās a beautiful morning. Itās hot already.
I was roasting half way round!!
The thistles weāre looking lovely in the sun. The sun always makes everything seems a bit brighter. The key here is to staying positive and happy on the darker days too.
I went straight back out to the supermarket to do a quick food shop so I could keep eating healthily.
Weāre off out to Craigās mumās this afternoon for her birthday.
This is Cookie!!
Having a lovely afternoon and evening with family and friends.
It feels like ages since I had a full day off work just to be in the house. I got up about 8.30 but Iād been awake since 6.30, just lay and dozed.
Took the dogs out first thing and itās really cloudy, overcast and damp here after last nights rain but itās really mild.
I wasnāt up for a run, just a gentle walk this morning.
So Iāve had a super productive day and have done lots of things that Iāve been meaning to do for weeks. Iāve tidied out cupboards and drawers in the kitchen, hung out washing and hoovered.
Randomly I havenāt eaten all day and am coming up to 24 hours fasting! It wasnāt deliberate until I realised I was at 22.5 hours without even thinking about it.
Iāve been on the go all day. I only have a half hour to go so Iām going to hold off. Itās funny how some days itās super easy and others I could eat my right at off by the time I get to 16 hours. š
In other news The little gift shop announced the closure of its Lochwinnoch shop. I work in the Beith shop but it means I might only be there one Saturday a month from now on. Iām super sad as I loved it so much but totally understand Gayleās reasoning behind it. Iāve had mixed emotions today feeling grateful for the day off but thinking where I should have been.
I always worry that I donāt have enough time off so the positive way of looking at it is that Iāve just added 24 days extra holiday to my year!!!
I feel the blog has been so half hearted this weekā¦ Iām sorry. Thereās not much to say and you really donāt want to know everything thatās going on in my head as itās been super self destructive this week.
SC Laurie of Butterflies and Pebbles is a great follow!!
āLife is more than giving yourself a hard timeā.
In some good news, I felt so out of balance that I arranged a kinesiology session for tonight, so that has helped calm the tornado of thoughts swirling around.
I could sleep now. I love the calm that a kinesiology session brings me. It takes all the stress out of all the negative thoughts. It corrects my thought processes.
So yeah not much else to say tonight. Itās pouring with rain. Iād thought about going away as Iām not in the little gift shop this weekend, but the forecast didnāt look great. Heavy rain and strong winds again so Iām going to stay home and do housework instead! I might manage a wee trip away for some coffee and cake. š
Iāll leave you with a couple of sunsets from our holiday last week. As much to remind me of our lovely break.
I slept right until the alarm today. Didnāt hear the Scottish Dog Behaviourist get up to start work. I was out for the count!
I still felt really sluggish and couldnāt really wake up but I have to say Iāve had a much better day that I did yesterday. Thankfully.
Iām a lot less antsy. A lot more focussed.
I listened to a really good podcast today that struck a chord. Itās called āHow do you cope? ā by Ellis and John.
The always start by asking each other āhowās your shame this week?ā John put my life into perspective. š
He said heād been at an event that finished later than expected and he was 25 minutes walk to the train station and was going to miss his train. He said it could of gone one of 3 ways.
1. Fume that the event finished late, try to rush for the train, which he was never going to make, talk down to himself the whole way saying how daft he was for not noticing the time, how ridiculous it was to try and catch the train. Of course typical that he is single and no one can come and pick him up. How useless he must be to not be able to keep a girlfriendā¦ what a waste of space he isā¦. š
2. Take time to walk down the road for the later train, enjoying the view and appreciating the new surroundings š
3. call a taxi š
I often still end up in option 1 and thatās where my head has been these last few days. Iāve been all over the place and Iāve tried hard to calm the whirlwind in my mind.
I am so lucky that most of my life is spent living option 2 now. ā„ļø
Been with the crochet hookers tonight so this is a late one. Itās the calmest Iāve felt all night listening to the ladies talk about their week. Theyāve all had such hardship recently with parents or in-laws passing away. Puts life into perspective.
Not certain that Iāve add the best job of living in the present moment today. My head has been all over the place. I am super antsy, niggly, irritable and I feel like my back teeth are crawling. I just cannot settle. There are tears burning as I write this. Theyāve not been far away for a fair bit of the day.
Iām just so unsettled just now that I feel like Iām caught up in a whirlwind of emotion and drama. I know Iāll read this back sometime (probably fairly soon!) and think jeez get a grip, way too much dramaā¦.
Iām in a right fankle since we got back, I feel like things are in a mess, I canāt find anything and Iām just irritated by it. Iām irritated by everything to be honest.
Iāve actually just had a wee smile to myself as we are sitting out in the garden and Craig is sitting opposite me and has no idea the craziness going round in my head. He is in oblivion which is sometimes how it needs to be. He doesnāt need to know, thereās nothing he can change to fix it. heād probably tell you there was nothing wrong with me.
Again the main reason for my blog. Everything is a bit better when I can write it down. It calms the noise a bit.
I got up at 5.30am to walk the dynamic trio (is that even a thing?!? š) . We walked. There was NO way I was going to run today.
Itās cloudy but dry. We have a lovely walk and donāt see anyone.
I start to take photos of some lovely flowers and thistles.
These guys made me laugh! The one on the left was a wee bit intense and scary looking. š
I got loads of thistle pics this morning.
These are going to be amazing when they all bloom. Theyāre right across the road from my friend Anneās house. Sheād better keep a lookout so I donāt miss them š«¶š¼š
Work was fine today too. Weāre still super busy so every day flies by!
Weāve had a lovely salad dinner again followed by some Dime Bar cheesecake. It was pretty good!
Weāre finalising the village hall accounts tonightā¦. Which I could see far enough but it will be great to get them done so we can arrange the AGM. Rachel two doors down is coming to keep me focussed š
Iām very aware thereās a stroppy teenager inside of me thatās just in a big huff just now. Probably coz sheās not a teenager anymore š by a long time!
That says it all and I need to remember this. We are all just here to live.
I didnāt sleep well last nightā¦. That is, until about 4.30am where I knocked out for the countā¦. Thankfully the Scottish Dog Behaviourist got up early to walk the dogs! Heās a good lad.
Back to work this morning and surprisingly not the chaos that I expected. š I enjoyed catching up on my spreadsheets and getting everything back in order. Thereās not a single clean mug for anyone to use but hey, thatās the worst of it. š
Ellison and I went out and sat in Abbie the camper van at lunchtime as I had some soup to heat up. It was really nice to have a wee mini camping lunch and catch up after her holiday then mine.
Straight after work I headed to the shops and didnāt get home until just after 6. Weāre stocked back up again.
Iād fasted for 21 hours and 45 minutes today which as great. I always find a Sunday afternoon into a Monday really easy for some reason. Tomorrow I will be ravenous by 10am šš
Iām back out of Facebook jail, still none the wiser how I ended up there but I did have a new random FB page open on my account this morning. I finally figured out how to delete it. I think they think Iām infringing copyright by sharing my Just Jules Photography photos with a Just Jules copyright on them. Itās only because I donāt want people to steal them but itās the only thing I can think ofā¦.
Iāll try a few without the copyright and see what happens.
Iāve honestly not done that much today. Itās 5.25pm and weāve sold a desk that we had up for sale since we moved the house around, had Claire in for a quick cuppa and been out for lunch to the new The Canny Man in Lugton. Now that I write that, it seems like a lot. šš«¶š¼
I obviously have a million things that I think I āshouldā be doing and donāt want to do any of them really. That old weekend chestnut. š
I seem to have found myself in Facebook jail again for some reason. I have NO idea what Iām doing wrong. I feel like it must have something to do with my new Just Jules Photography page as it seems too much of a coincidence. I start that page and Iāve been banned from FB twice in the last few weeks for breaking their ācommunity standardsā.
If you know me youāll know Iām the least like ever to break any ruleā¦. š¤·š»āāļøš the thing is they wonāt tell me any more than that. If I could speak to someone and find out what they are not happy with then I would either stop doing it or stop it from happening. If you delve into it then you just wade into a massive list of general things that might be wrong and thereās not one that I think that applies to me.
Itās very hard for āshe who breaks no rulesā to be told sheās doing something wrong but we wonāt be more specific than that.
I know I sound a bit grumpy today, maybe just post holiday blues.
Before I got jailed, my Rambling Sloth FB feed gave me lots of lovely messages.
Wow theyāre all a bit wild and reckless. Definitely some kind of message for me in there. Still burning to travel some more but thatās not highly practical for us at the moment. I want to see every country in the world, I always have. The Rambling Sloth goes worldwideā¦. š I wish!!
I have to be honest and say I didnāt feel great when I woke this morning. Iāve been super dehydrated all week, not drinking enough while we were away, and have had tight neck and shoulders for a fair bit of the week. Either that or I was sitting in a draft š It was so tense this morning. My head was thumping tooā¦. But onwards and upwards.
We took the dogs out early on. Itās been like April today with sunshine and showersā¦ we missed the shower thankfully. I cannot believe itās actually July!!! How did that happen.
Wait till you see my next thistle picā¦. I think I should call this one barbed wire instead. It does sum up the day!
We met a couple of neighbours along the way and everyone was feeling a bit down. Must be the weather. It was good to have a chat and a wee hug and try to cheer other people up, all the while feeling pretty grumpy myself.
I pulled the van over to the front door and emptied everything out. I cleaned all the seat pads, swept it out, cleaned the sink and hob. I love getting it all done after a holiday.
As I dumped everything at the door, Craig had it all moved and dealt with before I finished outside. Heād even hoovered up after Bhruic who is now moulting everywhere! Heās a good āun š (well, for today anywayā¦šš)
I then went for a soak in a hot bath and actually took some ibruprofen to help loosen my muscles. That really did help. She who normally hates baths, loved this one. It was nice to just lie back and breathe for a bit.
I did have several interruptionsā¦. The first was Craig telling me a lady had just stared into the dining room window as he sat working at the tableā¦
Then literally a few minutes later to tell me sheād just walked in the front door and asked him if the pub was open as she fancied some pub grub!?!?! He was in a T-shirt and boxers as he ushered her out the front door!?!?! Thatās a first. š¤¦š»āāļøš
I arranged to meet Gayle for a Starbucks at 2pm since Craig was making dog behaviour enquiry calls and I caught up on all the shop news. I see loads of new stock in which is exciting. She doesnāt need me this week as Lochwinnoch is closed for holidays so I get some extra days off. Iāll miss the shop banter but will be good to have a short week first week back.
So yeah, maybe post holiday blues, not sure, but my head is all over the place today. Guess I need to take some of this adviceā¦ just once I figure out exactly what it isā¦.
Freya and I went for a lovely walk before we left Clachtoll.
We couldnāt stay at Clachtoll for the full week as they were fully booked on the Tuesday night so we used it as a chance to pop back down to Ullapool and get some supplies.
Ullapool is a beautiful village in the Scottish Highlands. Craig and I got engaged in Ullapool in 2009. We had done the famous North Coast 500, although it wasnāt called that back then. Craig tried to propose at every place we stopped but the wind was howling so waited until we were checked into our hotel that night.
In true me fashion I couldnāt let that just be all romantic and lovely as I freaked at how much heād spent on a ring, but thatās another story š¤¦š»āāļøš¤·š»āāļøš
Back to Ullapool. It rained all dayā¦ and it was pretty windy.
My first port of call was The Bothy which is a wee coffee shop thatās opened at the entrance to the Broomfield campsite.
Itās such a lovely space.
I had a haggis roll and Craig had a roll with link sausage. My decaf oat milk latte was just perfect, it hit the spot.
Since we had signal, Craig went back to the van with Freya to make some Scottish Dog Behaviourist calls, while I had a wee wander around the shops, as you do, with a keen eye on all things gift shop!!
Theyāve widened the Shore road and it just looked SO different. I miss the quaintness of the original street but at the same time, like everywhere else, it needs to change to cope with the amount of visitors.
I had a great wee wander but got totally soaked. Thereās no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes and I was definitely wearing the wrong clothes!
We decided to head to a couple of pubs for the afternoon. We started at the Arch Inn where we got engaged.
Now Freya has been exceptional this whole holiday. We have never spent any time with her alone. Freya does not like the inside of a pub. Totally spooked and scraping to get out. Wee soul. Iām much the same but marriage is about compromise and Craig spent the day on a beach with me yesterday šš not his favourite thing. š
We sat outside under cover in the Arch. Freya could just about cope with that, cured up in a corner, refusing treats the barman gave herā¦. In a total huff!
We then headed along to the Ferry Boat Inn. She came in but really did want back out so we didnāt stay long.
We then went to The Chippy for fish and chips to take back to the van.
It rained and blew a hoolie all evening. I did get out to watch the Loch Seaforth head out to Stornoway.
It will turn out to be the best day of the week weather wise but we donāt know that yet. The joys of writing this a few days later. The sun shone all day.
It really is the most beautiful beach. Thereās often no one on it. The waves have been high all week as itās so windy but itās lovely to see it in the sunshine.
I started the morning with Freya on the beach.
We both took a walk out in late morning to Split Rock, which Freya is showing off in this photo!
The colours are absolutely out of this world.
You canāt really see itās a split rock when you approach it walking thoughā¦ it just looks like a rock š
I was far too scared to climb up it. It looks like nothing here but I got a wave of vertigo and had to sit down!! Craig was off up there like a mountain goat!
I decided I would finally go in for a swimā¦ checked the beach and didnāt see any jellyfish šŖ¼ so back to the van to get all my kit ready and back down to the near idyllic bay in the last few photos.
And there were jellyfish EVERYWHERE. All different colours, shapes and sizes. Now I know that many of them are no bother, whatsoever, when you are wearing a wetsuit, but sadly that seemed irrelevant at the time. Iām still putting my face in and snorkelling. Plus the wind is coming from the west bringing them all into the beach. Iām gutted to say I got spooked after only a few minutes of snorkelling. I saw two Lionās Mane Jellyfish almost straight away. The sea was teeming with them. I admit to feeling marginally relieved when a couple and their son came down for a swim, fully suited up, and decided against it. Their son was at Uni studying Marine Biology and reported back that a good few of the jellyfish šŖ¼ were the poisonous ones.
Iām a bit gutted that we came here, or I did, a at least for the free water sports and itās been too jellyfish-y (nope not even a word!) and far too windy for a novice to do anything else.
We sat on the beach for a bit enjoying the sunshine but came back up to get everything dried.
We cooked fresh chicken on the BBQ for dinner and had it in Brioche buns. Freya got a good few more walks too!
I take out the camera and boom, she hits the deck for a photo!!
It was a magical day today. Scotland in all itās beauty.
Weāre home a day early. The forecast was dreadful today and it rained incessantly from teatime last night right through. I think that would be ok if youāre in a caravan or Motorhome but weāre literally sitting on top of each other in the van and nothing dries.
We took a leisurely drive down the west coast of Loch Ness, which adds about an hour and a half to the journey, but weāve seen some amazing scenery.
Itās much windier roads although it looks like the straighter route.
We left here around 9.30am.
Via The Bothy in Ullapool for brunch, for the third time this week!! Freya approves. š A roll and haggis and an oat milk decaf latte!
A leisurely walk through Ullapoolā¦. No rain here thankfully!
Then off on the road down the west coast of Loch Ness, through Muir of Ord, Beauly and Drumnadrochit.
We stopped again in Fort Augustus, to take Freya for a walk down by the lovely river. Itās drizzling now.
I spotted some thistles on the way back to the car!
None of them had a stunning backdrop sadlyā¦.
We carried on down and hit traffic just outside Fort William. 20 minute queues just to get into the town! So straight through and stopped just at the Isle of Glencoe Hotel at Ballachulish. My trusty Co-pilot took photos as we went over the Ballachulish Bridge.
It was so calm when we stopped. After the incessant wind of the last week, the calm was very intense and almost loud, if that makes any sense. I said to Craig it was like being inside but outside. š¬ he politely said he knew what I meant! š¤š
Freya had a good walk and run around and we had some biscuits and cheese before the last leg of the journey, down through some of Scotlandās most beautiful scenery, Glencoe and Loch Lomond.
Of course it was VERY cloudy but after all the rain, everything looks so fresh and green again.
I wasnāt 100% certain that coming home was the right idea, but the heavens opened just north of the Erskine Bridge and itās been pretty torrential ever since. We had a lovely day meandering home rather than a bored day being stressed about being stuck inside the van on a soggy campsite. It was absolutely the right decision.
I am devastated the holiday is over already. It seems so fast and almost like I didnāt appreciate it enough at the time. The weather hasnāt been the best but we have been lucky with a couple of lovely days. It just passed in a flash. the Clachtoll Beach Campsite is impeccable. Spotlessly clean. Motivational signs in the toilets.
Free use of paddle boards, kayaks, boogie boardsā¦. If itās not blawinā a hoolie outside!
Freya has also been an absolute joy. What a lovely wee dog she has been. We never get that one on one time with her. Very special and obviously all thanks to lovely Louise next door for moving in and looking after the other two (who seem very big now that weāre home!!)
Iām very proud of myself for taking over the driving on Tuesday when we drove back up from Ullapoolā¦. Iāve not written that blog yetā¦ but I will. Iāve overcome my driving anxiety and felt more comfortable driving than being a passenger, no offence to Craig!!
So back to auld claes and porridge as my Grandad used to say.
Calaidh and Bhruic were so excited to see usā¦ and we did come back to some waterworks and traffic lights outside house. Weād sprung a leak so at least thatās been fixed!
Lots more blogs to follow when I can get round to them!!
(Again posting on actual day 1176 as no signal on the campsite!!)
Oooh I did not sleep that well. I was shattered but between the heat, some strong gusts of wind, Freya panting in the heat and someone snoring, I felt like I was awake a fair bit. That is ok, I have all day to do absolutely nothing if I want to.
The campsite is very busy but generally quietened about 10.30 to 11 ish last night when I went to bed. We sat watching the bunnies in the field in front of us. At one point there were 5 of them running about right in front of us. Fascinating to watch them.
This was the view out the window at 4.30am. It doesnāt get that dark up here. Even at 1.30am there was light in the sky.
Itās forecast to be sunny this morning and itās trying really hardā¦. Not quite managing it.
Freya has been exceptional. Honestly we are blown away by our youngest pup. Sheās always been the youngest of 3 so has always been more of a dogs dog than a people dog.
Sheās lying at my feet now, honestly barely a peep out of herā¦ except for that exceptionally heavy breathing through the night. The material for the sleeping bag isnāt the best for the heat. Itās amazing in summer but it was holding the heat a lot last night. She got herself a bit too embroiled in it! By the time I moved her, she stopped panting almost straight away.
So itās now 8.15pm and with all things itās not always perfect in paradise. It was so windy that we had to pack up camp to a certain extent. Down came the windbreak and pop top and we wound in the Fiamma awning. It was wild.
We went for a walk before it rained and the scenery was still stunning.
We went to Flossieās Little Blue Shop in the Clachtoll village. Itās the cutest little place. We had cheese toasties.
Then the heavens opened and it rained for about 4-5 hours. Solidly. We went for a nap and I read. Donāt know if Iāve said that there no phone signal so Iām not glued to my phone which is nice.
We had a lovely salad late afternoon and it brightened up. We took Freya our for a lovely walk up to Stoer, the next village.
We walked round the Stoer headland and found the famous Broch. This was a stink g place. Must find out the history when we have signal.
Itās now 8.30pm and the sun is shining. Itās much cooler than it has been these last few weeks but itās beautiful and thatās the main thing.
(Posting this from Ullapool on what is actually day 1176 š we have no signal at Clachtoll which I really rather nice. I wrote 2 days of blogs and Iāve had Monday and Tuesday off completelyā¦ doesnāt happen often!)
We are finally on holiday!!!
Iāve been awake since 5am and we finally got out the door about 10.45. It felt like it took foreverā¦ there were a few last minute things that we had to hunt for that took a bit of time. š³
The whole works well under pressureā¦ NOTā¦. Reared itās ugly head this morning. I am not good when we need to find something that has been in the same place for 100 years, until we moved the house around and I put it in a safe place. I was raging!!!! But I found itā¦. Eventually š¤¦š»āāļøš¤·š»āāļøš
Anyway, hereās wee Freya all secured in and surrounded by crochet š
Calaidh and Bhruic have stayed home and our next door neighbour, Louise, has moved in to live with them for a week.
Itās a 5 and a half hour trip without stops so we wonāt be there until about 6 I reckon. Craig is driving Abbie the camper van. Very nice of him! Iām sitting taking random photos as I do!!
The gift shop here is called the Hairy Coo funnily enough, so I bought a pair of cosy socksā¦ forgot to bring socks for my hikies š¤¦š»āāļø
Next quick stop at Tesco in Ullapool to pick up supplies. Freya and I went for a walk while Craig went to Tescoā¦. Girl chose wisely!
We had the best drive up though the last 6 miles is a very tight single track road. Mrs anxiety was very glad not to be driving!
The campsite is everything we could wish for. Never been anywhere as friendly as this. Itās a 2 minute walk to the beach. Just beautiful.
Saturday nights sees the local fish van the Catch Toll, open for business.
Oh and did I say we have ZERO SIGNAL. So nothing is getting through. I feel bad for the poor girl Loki f after the dogs as she will have no idea why we disappeared but other than that itās rather lovely.
Freya has been the best dog everā¦ and check the view out the window. That says it all. Itās 10.40pm and itās still light, Iām still in shorts and flip flops but Iām very tired. 5am was a very long time ago!!
Iāve just sat down for a wee rest and itās 8pm. Iām shattered. Iāve been on my feet since 6am!
I took the dogs out first thing for a jog that ended up just being a walk. It was really light rain. Itās actually rained on and off all day, so different from the scorching sun of yesterday. I just didnāt have the energy to jog! Iāve been tired this week!
Look how tall this grass is behind me in the field!! It really is just actual grassā¦ how is that possible?!?!
When did grass get so high?!
I also spotted my first real thistles this morning. Iām hoping they will be pretty special up in the Highlands!
These ones are just at the side of the road or just inside the field. Not the best photos but still beautiful!
Then we met these guys!
Thought this next one looks a bit intimidating.
The little gift shop was lovely today. Gayle has done a complete reshuffle and got lots of lovely new stock in. In-keeping with the thistle theme, Lindsay did a beautiful window.
We were really busy!
As soon as I got home Iāve been running round trying to get everything together and packing the van. Iāve got the fridge full and lots of stuff into the dining room ready to go in at the last minute. Still loads to do and thereās always something we forget.
The forecast is all over the place so we have to cover all seasons!
So as usual canāt guarantee signal to be able to blog so will see how it goes. Iām hoping to be in the sea a lot. The campsite we are staying on has free use of paddle boards and kayaks. I have one of Claireās books with me and Iām taking some crochet. Hoping to just chill and relax.
Itās 5pm and Iām sitting at the side of Kilbirnie Loch. Iām getting my toes painted at 5.30 nearby, not enough time to go home really.
Itās so hot, beautiful blue sky and there seems to be no one here but me.
I literally just typed that and 2 dog walkers have just walked around the corner. š
Iāve just been woo woo wooād at by a wee white fluffy dog because I said hello!
It is beautiful. So calm and peaceful. This swan just did a wing flap for me!! I love the photo but itās maybe a bit too zoomed in to be anything special?!
A lovely end to a hectic day. Iāve been so busy these last few weeks that Iāve had to leave a lot of work not done but I hope that Iāve done everything that really needed doneā¦ I just know what Iām going back to.
I do need the break. With the exception of Iceland and my friend Helen visiting, Iāve been working 5.5 days a week. Iām looking forward to some down timeā¦. And what a way to start, sitting right here!!
Craig and I are heading off on Saturday morning for a week in Clachtoll, north of Ullapool. Itās a long drive, but itās the first time weāve been on the Scottish mainland for a summer holiday for a while. No ferry trips this time.
The forecast keeps changing and doesnāt look the best at the moment but it will be what it is. It will be lovely if we get some sunshine like this.
I slept in this morning and did not make sunrise. I woke about 2 hours after sunrise and it was cloudy so I hope I didnāt miss anything, I hope!!
Itās been hot today but with a heavy rain shower late morning. It was much cooler when it rained.
I was super busy again today but still managed to sit out at lunchtime, even if it was a bit cooler and windy. I just have to tie my hair up so I donāt eat it!
I reached a level of acceptance this afternoonā¦ my ducks are finally lining upā¦ Iāve realised there are some things I wonāt get done and Iāve had to accept thatās ok. sorry I should say thatās before I go on holiday. Tomorrow is my last day at Tartan until Monday 3rd July! Holiday!
I stayed back tonight to wash Abbie the Campervan. I had to tighten the bolts for the pop top roof and I hoovered and cleaned and tidied up everything for going away. I was on a roll when Craig phoned to remind my I had āknittingā tonight as he calls crochet! Iād forgotten!!!
Quick rush home, crackers and cheese for a rushed dinner then off to crochet!
I was shattered when I got up this morning again. Slept like a log all night and could hardly move when the alarm went off. Since starting HRT I reckon this would most likely be time of the month, but nothing happens anymore so maybe I just have the lethargy and negativity so graciously served up at this time, or Iām actually just tired and grumpy!
I dragged myself out on dog jog and actually felt so much better for doing it. I was very grateful for dog sniffing to save me jogging!
Itās super cloudy this morning, rain forecast but warm considering itās only 6am.
So I actually felt great this morning.
Noticed that I wasnāt able to like any comments on my new Just Jules Photography page first thing, but figured it must be a signal issue and didnāt think any more of it.
Got the monthly stock check completed today which is always a big task. All these ducks that I want in a row for finishing up on Thursday, grew arms and legs and started walking away from me! Jobs that I thought were easy became more than I bargained for. I think I have to accept that I wonāt get it all done.
I also felt a bit like this before we finished up for Iceland. The pressure I put on myself, to leave everything in a perfect state, makes me anxious and worried when things donāt go to my well laid plans. I had to take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. I catastrophize about everything that could go wrong when Iām not there to manage my side of it. Why would I ever take holidays eh?!
Todayās motto was ā works well under pressureā¦NOT!ā I reckon. I do not work well when Iām out of control, thatās for sure.
I found out at lunchtime that I was on some kind of 9 hour curfew with Facebookā¦.
My activity didnāt follow which standards? Doesnāt help that everyone I told said āwhat did you do wrong?ā š„ŗ
My account was hacked a few weeks back. Someone random accepted s friend request that I hadnāt made. I caught it quick and my password was changed. since then they keep asking me if my activity is my ownā¦. Which is great really but it feels like FB hasnāt been the same since. My newsfeed has been dreadfully slow, mostly businesses and I hadnāt felt right for a while. Now this. š¤¦š»āāļøš¤·š»āāļø
Then the doctors surgery phoned to say, āgood news, we have managed to track down some Utrogestan (progesterone) for youā¦. You just have to collect it in Howoodā
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I felt so deflated by everything. Real doom and gloom and humphing about thinking itās so unfair I canāt even drink to cheer myself up.
None of these things are a big dealā¦. I apologised to the lady calling from the doctor, for my dejected tone and told her Iād just had a bad afternoon and I thanked her for trying to source the progesteroneā¦ she felt really bad that I had to try and get to Howood which is actually 12 minutes from here. That puts it into perspective doesnāt it! I work 5.5 days a week and donāt have any spare time to go and get itā¦. But I will have to make the time!
So I listened to Fearne Cottonās Happy Place podcast on the way home.
That did the trick. Sorry I should also add that I vented it all to poor mumā¦ that probably really did the trick and the podcast smoothed over the cracks.
Take time for yourself every day to be present in the day.
They called it a ritual. I donāt imagine much more of a ritual than writing a daily blog every day, so it was great to hear of the benefits of doing something like this. Sitting with your emotions, anger, fear and worry and trying to understand it. Even if only for 30 seconds a day. This, of course, takes me way longer than that š
The blog hasnāt posted automatically over to FB for 3 nights now. These things are sent to try us! Thereās good reason so many people avoid it! Will see how it goes tonight.
Itās a beautiful evening. The sun is hot. Iāve had another lovely salad, fasting is still going well and we go on holiday on Saturday. So much to be grateful for. Iāve had an alcohol free pink gin and lemonade in a gin glass with a huge ice cube!!
It made a lovely sound as I swirled the ice cube round in the glass. Like a bell ringingā¦ kinda.
I would love to get up for sunrise tomorrow morning on Summer Solstice but itās at 4.34am and the forecast looks cloudyā¦. I would also love to stay up for sunset at 22.07!! I am fairly certain my tiredness will allow neither. š
The Rambling Sloth š¦„ 