I had the best sleep. I woke at 5.30am and got dressed to take the 3 walkable puppers out before work.

(Calaidh is still doing really well but not getting walked yet).

It was torrential rain and we got absolutely soaked!!

It was lovely to be out in it when everyone else was in bed. it was fun to be out in the pouring rain.

I didn’t take many photos…. Obviously 😆

Look at their ears…. Not liking this mum 🫣

It hasn’t been quite as windy as I expected but there was a tree down on the way into work and I drove under it…. Yes I know, I know….. the two trucks in front of me went under it so I followed and then thought about what might have been. 😆

So it’s been another busy day that flew by… not enough hours in the day at the moment!

It was windy but it really didn’t come to much. It’s a year yesterday since I last set foot on the PS Waverley and it was very windy that day too. I’ve not been out this year as it freaked me out a bit!

I got this lovely gift from someone today for helping them out. How lovely?!? So very kind. And it’s the perfect colour too! I may be living in this from now on!

I made dinner and hoovered the house as I waited on it and I’m sitting down with the pups!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I woke with a pain in my lower left shoulder that hasn’t loosened off all day.

My whole body is stiff and sore.

I’ve maybe not been drinking enough water… she says, taking a big gulp.

It could be sleeping in the spare room with Calaidh the last few nights….

So I’ve had a pretty quiet and lazy day today…. I say that and I’ve actually done a lot. Just slowly!

I’ve done another 3 loads of washing. There are only 2 of us in the house but I leave all the washing until the weekend and it’s a good drying day to get everything washed and dried same day!

Craig and I watched an hour long YouTube video on how to use a WiFi microphone for recording. I did a video at Largs yesterday and it was really windy…. Turns out we’ve had these wind cancelling microphones all along…. Who knew?!?!? (Craig…… 😆)

I was so proud of how I handled that.

The guy on the YouTube was speaking so fast and Craig was talking over him, so I calmly explained that I needed to hear YouTube and for us to pause it while we tried to do what he’d just asked us to do.

I get overwhelmed by too much noise and can’t take it all in.

In the past I’d have snapped because I was overwhelmed. We got into a rhythm of listening and pausing and I managed to follow it.

It’s good to understand how you need to best function.

I cleaned the windows by the bird feeder as they were covered!!! It’s still so lovely to sit and watch them feed.

The sun came out and I lay down flat on our decking and stretched my aching body for about an hour while I listened to my audio book. The flat wooden surface really helped. Of course I got cuddled and licked!!!

She who did not like audio books is loving them now 😆

I then decided to take Bhru and Freya for a walk in the hope it would loosen me off… it did help a bit.

I deliberately left my phone at home as I’ve been on my social media on and off all day responding to comments. I needed a break from it.

After my TikTok training the other day, my 2nd TikTok video now has 18.2k likes!!! That’s amazing but it’s more people wanting to watch the Edinburgh Tattoo rather than solo female travellers I think.

So while I was sitting about 16.5k this morning, I did another TikTok post explaining what Her Travel Circle was all about. It’s doing really well too with 711 views already which is great.

I just need to get people to join…. I’ve looked up how best to do that too!!

It’s been all go in my mind I guess so now I really need to switch off. I’m going to read a book for a bit… and drink water and keep running to the loo!!

Hope you’ve all had a great weekend. Hope the storm tomorrow doesn’t affect you too much.

Think of me in my wee portacabin!!

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

I’ve had a really lovely day and it’s been a long day off work! it hasn’t flown in at all.

I woke at 5am, as I was in with Calaidh, and she started shaking her cone… I took her outside and it was quite cold.

We went back to bed for a while but I didn’t really sleep again.

I got up about 7.30am and went out for a run about 8.45 which is late for me but none of the usual girls could make it today.

Michelle came out with me and it was great to catch up with her and get a good chat as we ran. She was worried she would interrupt my “training plan”…. I laughed and told her I practically hugged anyone who wanted to stop!

I ended up running 6.36 kms as I ran to her house to meet her and back!

By this time it’s about 16°C but it feels really hot to run!

Back home and straight out with Bhruic, Khaleesi and Freya… leaving invalid pup, Calaidh, at home in her cone.

I did a lot this morning.

I did 3 loads of washing and hung it up.

Sorted through my wardrobe and straightened out all my clothes…. Pulled a bag together for charity. I had turned all my coat hangers hanging off the back of the rail and that shows everything you’ve not worn since January!! I’m obviously not wearing Christmas clothes just now but everything else goes!!

I poo picked the garden, took all the rubbish down to the bins and picked some weeds.

Then I had a shower which was sorely needed. 🙊

I decided to head over to Largs but I have to be honest and say, my heart wasn’t in it.

I was too tired. I’ve done over 20,000 steps today…. I kinda dragged myself around and it was too busy!!

My photos don’t make it look that busy….. that’s strategic 😆

These guys dropped their anchor and sailed a dingy to the beach!

The sun is a lovely big ball of yellow!

I went to Perk Largs for an iced coconut milk decaf latte and had to have some banana and toffee loaf!

This made me laugh!

I don’t know if this is the anonymous artist, a Sign of Humour? Maybe them or someone copying them!

I tried to do some footage for Her Travel Circle as I had clean hair… 😆 it was a bit breezy though!

A TikTok post I did yesterday is going great, it currently has had 5,706 views. It’s about solo travelling and staying with someone so you can go to the Tattoo!!! I’m pretty certain that everyone who’s viewing it is watching the Tattoo rather than my HTC message but hey… it’s getting me out there and helping the algorithm!!

So I’m sitting outside with the dogs as Craig’s watching the first football of the season!

The sun’s gone in but it’s still warm enough to be out…. Lovely pic of our hydrangea!

So hope you’ve had a lovely weekend so far!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I had an amazing night last night at the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle!

I was shattered on the drive over and yet as soon as I arrived in Edinburgh, I got my second wind!

I paid £8.64 to park in the Q-Park behind the Sheraton Hotel and I only had a 10 minute walk to get to Edinburgh Castle.

The car park is fully secure and you can only get access when you have a ticket to get in the door.

I walked past the Usher Hall where I graduated in 1995. I can’t believe how long ago that was! 🫣😆

I met my brother, Kenny his wife, Gill and my nephew, Rory in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh. It was really busy, full of tourists with everyone getting ready for the preview of the first 2025 Tattoo.

The Edinburgh Tattoo is part of the Edinburgh festival and fringe and it attracts tourists from all around the world. Tickets range from £33.50 to over £500 depending on the seat that you have!! Our tickets were £33.50 and I was really impressed with the location. We were up towards the castle but quite high up and had a great view.

The old me would’ve been terrified on the drive over, terrified when I saw where we were sitting, because it was so high up and worried my vertigo would kick in…

I’m really proud of myself when I respond definitely in situations now that I’m on antidepressants.

I was just so excited.

I couldn’t wait for the show to begin.

I don’t think I’ve actually been to the Tattoo since the 1980s!!

We used to go when we were kids.

It was so lovely to spend time with my brother and sister-in-law and nephew as I don’t get to see them very often.

The only downside to being up the top is waiting to get out but it wasn’t even a downside… we just sat until we were able to move.

I felt way more awake on the drive home than the drive there!! I got home at 1am and was in bed by 1.30am.

Awake at 6!!!!

I’ve had a really lovely day with no pressure to do anything!

I decided to go shopping this morning and stopped at The Little Coffee Caravan as I haven’t been there is AGES.

As I walked towards the van, Donna shout “JULIE!” and I cannot tell you how lovely that was. I’ve not been there in so long and yet she knew who I was…. To be fair, I do plaster my every waking move on social media so I’m not exactly inconspicuous!!

I sat out in the sun for a bit before heading to the shops.

Since I came back I’ve been working on a He Travel Circle post about the tattoo!! I lost the whole thing and had to do it again. It’s out now.

So I’ve just reminded myself how tired I am and I’ve taken myself off to bed.

I had a lovely sleep. Completely dead to the world and then Mum phoned! The first half of the conversation I had no idea where I was, who she was…. When I finally came too, I had to ask her to repeat the start of our chat 😆😆😆

Oh and I bought myself some lovely flowers today.

Welcome August…. My word is SHINE. I’m going to keep working on Her Travel Circle and shine.

Stay safe everyone 🌻🌻🌻

I woke at 4.44am….. raging at the time but smiling at all the 4’s….. I’m still seeing 11:11, 13:13 etc every day without consciously looking for those numbers.

I am soooo tired but my mind is awake with the thoughts and tight schedule of my busy day.

I woke with a thumping headache and lots of tension. I maybe didn’t drink enough water yesterday or more likely my urge incontinence has me wee-ing it out all day more than it can ever hydrate me.

It occurs to me that my Urge is definitely getting worse and I wonder if that’s a side effect of my antidepressants?

I listed to a lovely podcast by Holly Tucker the other day, interviewing Donna Ashworth and it hit me between the eyes. It was like Donna had lived my life… I obviously haven’t become the world sellout poet but you know what I mean.

She says that by sharing our ugly we help other people realise that they are not alone. I have no issue sharing my ugly…. Though if someone was to call me pishy pants Julie I will die a slow death and may never be able to look you in the eye ever again. 😆😆😆😆. I often forget that people might read this.

So yeah…. Urge is definitely getting worse which means it’s harder to keep hydrated as it’s out as quickly as it goes in! Must keep an eye on that.

It also occurred to me that you might have this vision of me being a lovely, positive person. In truth I do feel that is what I have become but I have not always been this person. I have done some dreadful things in my life which I do still regret, but I also accept all of the reasons I did them at the time. I understand everything that I have done and why. I have hurt people and walked away from friendships that were difficult for my illness. I did what was right for me but I so often feel the guilt of how I treated another human being just trying to do their best….. just because their best didn’t feel right for me. I try to forgive myself as I know it was what I needed but it’s so very often in my mind. I’m not very sure I have actually forgiven myself.

I’ve so often blamed the dogs for my stress and yet I’ve made a life now where we all can live in harmony and I love them so much. I’m don’t put myself into the stressful situations anymore…. 3 or heaven forbid, 4 dogs on a campsite was just not fun for me. We’ve adapted to that and I think it works for us both.

I’m lying here thinking now what else was I going to share for a bit of Julie bashing and then I remembered. I know I’ve said this before but I’m surprisingly not as caring as you might expect. I am so empathetic that I shield myself from other people’s trauma to the point of looking like I don’t care. I can only take on so much. Having listened to a very good friend sit by the beside of her dying friend and work colleague…. I’m not sure I can ever be that person…. She sat with her through her terror of death, her fear, her sobbing and sat beside her to share if.

I’ve always loved her but I’m so in awe of her now. I cannot begin to imagine how she handled that and how she processed it. I’d have sat at the end of the phone and sent motivational messages….. not the same at all.

It’s almost like I can’t make space for other people’s suffering as I’m scared what it will do to me… I think that’s exactly what it is. some would see it as very selfish and I guess that’s understandable. I know a lot of it is self preservation.

This has all been floating around inside me for days now…. I don’t know why but it’s good to get it out.

I feel exhausted and there’s a good chance I onto get to bed until the wee small hours!!!

I have puppy Calaidh at Tartan today so that will be nice.

Right the alarm has gone off so I better get up as much as I’d rather cuddle up with Khaleesi and roll back over. Isn’t it funny how the minute the alarm goes off, I could sleep for Scotland!!!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😆

I slept with this monster last night 😆😆😆

So that was some amount of spouting this morning, I’ve not even going to re-read it, I’m just going to leave it as is.

Really busy day again, much the same as yesterday. Had Calaidh at work.

Had to leave work early to take her back for her check up.

The vet is very pleased with her and suggested more rest and to get some sudocrem to rub on her wound. I’ll pick some up tomorrow. we’ll get the results of her lump investigation next week sometime.

She was such a good girl all day!

So I’m back home, fed the dogs and I’m sitting with them in the garden now as I have to head to Edinburgh in about half an hour.

I’m so looking forward to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo!

I am completely shattered and not relishing the thought of driving to and from Edinburgh Castle tonight but I will love it and hopefully get my second wind for the way back.

Hope you’ve had a great Thursday!

Stay safe everyone ♥️🫶🏼♥️

It’s 8.45pm and I’m in bed and haven’t had a minute to even write the blog tonight!!

Calaidh is doing really well and has her checkup tomorrow.

It’s been a really busy day and started with a run with Rachel at 5.45am.

It was a great 5kms but I was roasting hot after it.

I rushed to get ready and head to work as I have time to make up with all these vet appointments I keep going to! I was in a half hour early.

It was a very busy day today. We had customers in, a rental van to be collected, a van to be cleaned, a mechanic in and oak worktops and tables to be varnished…. I didn’t stop all day and was never very sure which hat I was wearing and when.

It was a good day though. I love to be busy.

I stayed back an hour until 5 but I had so much to do that it didn’t feel difficult to make up the time.

I left work and met Craig at the garage as his car is in for MOT and Service tomorrow.

We had to come home via the supermarket and then I was straight out to crochet next door in the pub!

I did no crocheting as I’ve ran out of wool and I had to leave half way through, to come home for dinner… and go back in!

I have an even busier day tomorrow!!

I have work, the vet and then I’m going to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with my brother and sister in law and nephew at night so I have to be in Edinburgh for 8pm ish…

I can’t wait as I haven’t been since I was a kid!!

So probably not much from me tomorrow but I’ll tell you all about it on Friday!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

What a difference a day makes.

Calaidh was a different dog when I came home from work tonight…. She had a wag in her tail and a spring in her step.

Her focus back on the ball as it always is!

She’ll not be running after that for a while.

She’s been fighting to get to the scar and she’s determined but I’ve won every battle! 😆

She’s on the couch with me just now and is much quieter now that she’s had her evening tablets.

Bless her.

I’ve never spent so much time with her. she’s a loner, she likes to run into another room and hide a lot.

The others are all asleep in the room with me.

It’s very quiet in here! Long may that continue!

Work flew by today. It was really busy. The phone rang a lot and I gave out a lot of free information!!

I cleaned a campervan, had customers in and then it was time to head home!

In Her Travel Circle news… there are people joining which is really lovely to see. I’ve had more likes on my latest TikTok post (after my training course!) than I’ve ever had.

People joined the Circle Community today which is where we will have all our solo traveller chat! It was lovely to see people seeing all the work a few of us have put into it!

It’s slow but it’s building.

I truly believe this can be something great. I’m excited to see what might come!

Very early night for me tonight. I’m shattered!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Poor puppy Calaidh went to get spayed at the vet today.

Our Border Collies have been very lucky in that they don’t have to go to the vet’s very often. Khaleesi has more than made up for them. 😆

Today was Calaidh’s turn.

She couldn’t eat this morning and couldn’t drink after 7am so we were up early.

I feel so much for her…. She has no idea what she’s facing today.

I left at 7.30 to take her straight to the vet for it opening.

She moves around so much when we’re driving but I get to the vets and she plonks down at the back and doesn’t move.

Bless her….. we’re very early but I want to get taken first so I can get back to work.

We go a quick walk and then she waits.

When the lady opened the door at 8.30 she was met with a waggy tailed, happy Calaidh. It was lovely to watch her.

So a really busy day at work. No idea where the time went! Didn’t help I was an hour behind. 😆

I drove straight from work to pick her up.

It hadn’t all been plain sailing.

Poor poppet had a huge lump removed from her cervix during what should have been a routine spay…. Ended up major abdominal surgery.

Her ovaries and uterus were covered in cysts.

She has vaginitis.

And….. a hernia.

What a wee soul. 💔

She slept on the car on the way home.

She scoffed her dinner which is good… not surprising as she must have been starving!

All evening we’ve had a bit of cone on, cone off… taking it as it comes. She won’t move with it on at all.

Cuddles with cone off.

Know have a wee lie down.

She’s melting my wee heart.

Craig’s going to sleep with her tonight downstairs and keep an eye on her. He’s not home till really late though so I’ll get her settled first.

One point to note today…. Thank goodness for anti-depressants as I’ve been as cool as a cucumber. I didn’t panic when I was being shown the lump that was removed, didn’t panic when the vet gave me all the information.… just listened and tried to take it all in.

We both have such a busy week this week. It’s difficult timing to look after her but we’ll have to fit it all in.

Craig is super busy. My boss is on holiday and we are both out all day Thursday. Craig’s going to see Teenage Fanclub and I’m going to see the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. I have to take her back to the vet on Thursday and Craig’s car is in for MOT and service… all on the same day!

And breathe.

A tough day for our oldest girl but she’s snoring next to me now .

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I didn’t sleep well last night as I ate too late..

I had bad heartburn and tossed and turned. I finally got out of bed just before 8am.

We sat and had coffee and then took the dogs for a walk.

It’s raining!!!!

At this point I am actually walking all 4 dogs by myself! Check me!

So I have spent a fair bit of the day “working from home” today… on a Her Travel Circle.

This was my office for the day.

I’m not gonna lie, it didn’t all go smoothly…. I got frustrated, I got despondent, I felt like it was going nowhere……. But I remember what Gayle says to me every time I feel like this……

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

She is so right.

I KNOW that Her Ttavel Circle will work out. I know it will be everything I want it to be.

It might not just be by tomorrow.

I did a TikTok post yesterday, based on the training course I did on Thursday night….. it’s brought me about 30 followers and my highest views. That doesn’t seem a lot but it’s a start and a positive one.

It’s a journey.

Craig made a lovely burger for a late lunch and we ate at 3pm.

He is very good at cooking up a burger. They’re usually not my favourites but this was very, very good!!!

Calaidh has the vet tomorrow and she’s getting spayed. Bless her. She has no idea. I’m sure she’ll be fine but she’s a sensitive soul.

I’m shattered tonight and feel a bit flat and then I saw this by the lovely Donna Ashworth… says it all 🫶🏼

Hope you had a great weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I slept like a log and woke up with the alarm at 6.25am.

I had a lovely run with Claire….. it was misty rain for the first bit but it dried up quickly.

Craig was upstairs in his office when we arrived home…

Aerial shot!

I took Bhruic and Freya for a walk before the running sweat dried in!

I love this wildflower growing out of the wall… it reminds me that even when times are hard, beautiful things still find a way through.

It was still really cloudy but I’m still in my running shorts and tshirt.

Then back home for Calaidh and Khaleesi.

So I started back on cleaning the carpets this morning.

I cannot tell you how much I love cleaning the carpets. It’s so cathartic! There’s something so satisfying about seeing the dirt lift out. I reckon I could keep cleaning it all day and it would still lift dirt out.

Anyway, it’s all done now and it feels really good.

I hoovered and then cleaned the bathroom then had a much needed shower. 😆

I had a lovely lunch… mango and coconut chicken strips in a wrap.

I sat down to watch a new show called 800 Words. It’s new to me anyway. It’s a lovely feel good show.

Calaidh is out for the count next to me.

Her wee tongue!!

Love it when the dogs are knackered.

I’m knackered too so feet up for the rest of the day I think!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I had a great sleep apart from the fact that Calaidh barked a couple of times….

I brought her in with us at some point… this is what I woke to this morning!

I took Calaidh, Bhruic and Freya for a walk up the hill and spotted a few cows looking through the hedge!!

I’ve always wanted to see a cow looking through here…. Simple life goals eh?!?

Not far along and I spotted this one!!

Bhruic goes in the muddy water looking for a stone to play with 🫣

She can read my disdain!!

I then took Khaleesi a quick walk and gave her a run in the field… her leg is better but I don’t want her to overdo it!

Here she is overdoing it 🫣😆

Love these wildflowers at the side of the road.

How lovely is this…..

I’ve been for a food shopping and cleaned carpets with my neighbours Vax… what a satisfying thing to do!!!

The carpets really needed it and I think I might do them again tomorrow.

I sat and watched the birds of the feeding station…. The sun was shining right on them!

Zoomed in for the action shot!!

Then Gayle and I went out to Largs o. An expected evening trip!!

We had a hot chocolate in Wetherspoons which is sooooo lovely and creamy. It was great to chat and catch up.

On the way home I got another member of Her Travel Circle!! So exciting!! She’s come from my TikTok posts so I will be doing more in there!

It’s now 9.48pm…. I’m running with Claire at 6.45 so I better get to bed!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

It’s 9.04pm and I am only just tho king about the blog!! Where did the day go? I’ve been up since 5.30am…. 😆

It was a bit cooler this morning and misty as I headed off with the 3 Borders. Khaleesi had a sore leg again so not walking her.

I don’t feel the best this morning.

I’m not sure why.

I felt a bit physically unwell. Squeamish.

Most of all I felt down.

The dog walk was lovely.

The sun came out and I got some great photos.

This is a massive spiders web!!

This web was glistening in the sun and way prettier than the last one.

I came home and there were lots of birds on the feeding station…. I love that I keep giving it its official name!

So…. This is when the day turns around… as the lovely Coffee & Quotes suggests.

As I left the house a mouse ran out of our front porch…. I followed it along the pavement… straight into Claire’s open porch, next door.

Now I cannot leave for work knowing that Claire has a mouse in her porch. I’m not certain it will be the best start to her day… so I WhatsApp her and she’s at her inner door in seconds…. Talking from behind the glass, naturally!

She kindly hands me a broom out the living room window.

🙄

The mouse is hiding behind her main front door right in the corner and I can do nothing until I get into the tiny porch with said broom…. There’s not much room for me, the mouse and the broom!!

We chat through the door and she videos what happens next.

I manage to move Mousie…. Right towards me and past me and ALMOST out the front door until it turns around and heads back towards me and I get the HEEBIE JEEBIES big time!!!! I scream dnd jump around and leg it out the door after impaling myself on the inner door handle. Claire is laughing hysterically too. It’s 7.15am and I’m surprised we didn’t wake the village!!!

I eventually have to leave her with her new housemate.

She is very brave and gets it out herself but sadly can’t get it off the main road out front and it meets and untimely end.

Rumour has it the cat who lives on the other side was seen with it (or another one) later on 🫣

So a very sad story in that we lost Mousie… but it completely turned my day around.

Nothing like the heebie jeebies and hysterical laughter to set you up for the day.

I’ve had a great day since.

I unpacked and cleaned two campervan awnings today… it was really hot today which wasn’t the forecast.

It was so lovely to work outside most of the morning.

Back home and I’ve been working on a content creation course for TikTok trying to grow followers for Her Travel Circle.

I’ve watched lots of training videos so had a proactive evening in between hanging up washing!!

Here’s Bhru sheltering in her wee house Craig built on Monday.!

I could get used to a 2 day week! That’s my weekend again!

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️🫶🏼

I didn’t get to bed until 10pm! 🫣

We had a lovely night next door with Holly and Kenny. Holly made us her famous steak pie and there’s always so much lovely food that we ate our body weight!

When the alarm went off this morning at 5.25, I had only just begun to wake. I was still so full.

We slept with the window wide open so it was much cooler last night…. But the birds were louder!

I was running with Lynsey and it was tough going…. Purely because i was carrying a food baby around with me! I felt heavy and sluggish.

It was a beautiful morning!

We ran through the woods this morning as it was so pretty. They are so overgrown.

My favourite gate!

And we ran to the end of the road in Gielsand Estate and back around Spiers Old School grounds again.

It was actually a lovely route.

And we’re done! 5.1k in the bag before 6.30am.

Work passed by so quickly as there was so much to catch up on. The day flew by. I wore my sorts as it was warm but the sun disappeared quite early on. Ellison and I still sat out at lunch!

Someone is loving the bird feeding station!!

The birds are eating us out of house and home! we refilled everything yesterday and most of it has gone already today!

I put some bread in it this evening which is why Bhruic is interested 😆😆😆

I’ve yawned a lot today. Tears streaming down my face as I’m yawning so much! I’m yawning my head off typing this….. 🫣😆

I’m looking forward to an early night again…. After I’ve hooked with the Hookers!

Have a lovely evening!

Stay safe everyone 🧶🧶🧶

It’s 5pm, it’s been a full on day and I am shattered!

It’s been a very practical day off.

I’ve walked all the dogs and we both took Calaidh and Khaleesi to the vets this afternoon.

We’re rushing out for dinner next door tonight as Holly and Kenny are having us round for Craig’s birthday!

Sorry it’s a quick photo dump!!

In the car on the way to the vet!

I took them a big walk while Craig has a job in Mauchline.

Then we sat in the car and waited till he was finished.

I’ve had my cousins curling stone to take to Kay’s of Scotland, for refurbishment, for about two years….. we finally dropped it in today!

Then we’re off to the vet.

I don’t like it either in here Calaidh says.

And we’re done. Calaidh is to be spayed and have a mammoth gland strip and khaleesi got her arthritis injection and antibiotics for a possible urine infection.

And we’re home!!!

Have a great night!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I’m joking…. I haven’t had to wait hand and foot on Craig all day… 😆😆

I’m actually not sure where the day has gone.

I’ve been off work but the day has gone quickly and I haven’t done a massive amount of anything.

I’ve weeded the raspberries and gooseberries,

I cut back the grapevine in a big way and tidied out the greenhouse.

It was forecast for rain all day today and yet it didn’t rain…. So I sat out in the garden and crocheted Craig’s blanket for a while. it was cloudy but warm enough and it felt nice to be outside.

Our neighbour Holly brought in a lovely pate and oatcakes lunch for us…. Just at the time that I felt a bit hungry. Perfect timing and it was lovely. There was a village lunch that we missed yesterday due to Craig’s birthday.

The bird feeding station I got for Craig’s birthday is a great success!

Look at them all up on the fence!

It’s so lovely to watch them.

So not much else to report…. Except I have another lovely day off tomorrow!! 👏🏼👏🏼

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Today is Craig’s 50th birthday!

Finally he is no longer in his 40’s…. He’s 2.5 years younger than me and it’s been a long 2.5 years!…

I tried to get him to go to bed before me last night but I had to give in….. I slept like a log!

He woke at 5am for the loo and I just got up and decorated the house.

He’s said for a long time that he hasn’t wanted to do anything today and just wanted to spend the day in the house.

I’ve second guessed him, I’ve tried to get him to commit to something and finally I gave in and trusted that he was telling me the truth.

So that is what we’ve done.

We started off with presents in the sun room.

My mum and dad got him this lovely hamper box from the Leith Export Co.

He gets lots of lovely gifts and cards from people.

I got him Bulletprufe trousers and a jacket… which he obviously picked!

And this T-shirt….

And a framed pic of my great photo of the dogs.

We finish presents and all of a sudden he announces that he is going outside to have his first cold dip in the tub he installed a while back!

He managed to stay in for a minute or two!

I then have to move the balloons as they keep falling over and I find that they fit perfectly in the front windows!!

At 10.30 I had to nip out to MochaJaK’s to pick up his birthday cake!

Calaidh wants to know if that’s her on the cake?!

Breakfast of champions…. Tattie scones (potato scones!) with bacon, crème fraiche and maple syrup! It was amazing…. If I say so myself.

We made up the bird feeding station I got him! The birds are loving it! (So is he!)

The forecast today was for torrential rain and thunderstorms. It’s been hot all day and the rain didn’t come so we sat outside for the rest of the day. I read the Midnight Library by Matt Haig and Craig built a wee shelter where Bhruic always lies in the garden.

Craig had a rib eye steak for dinner at Ristorante Chez Julesie…

I had a butterflied fillet.

I bought them from Auchengree Farm Shop.

I got him a bottle of Old Fashioned mixer from the little gift shop. I love that I was able to shop local for some of Craig’s birthday!

So here we are in one of our fist photos together….

And here we are a few weeks ago….

He says he’s had a really lovely day.

He says it’s still his birthday tomorrow.

🫣

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I was so sore when I went to bed last night.

Everything ached and I was completely exhausted.

I woke at 2.30am and did not get back to sleep.

I was wired!!

I had done too much yesterday without any wind down time.

So it’s 8.44 and I’m sitting in the garden with the gang. Craig’s working on a Scottish Dog FB post!

I have done two dog walks, run 5km with Claire and Rachel all before 8am!!

I started walked about 5.30am…. One of the houses in the village has these beautiful, massive sunflowers 🌻 outside!

I love the reflection of the early morning sun.

This deer was literally walking about the road in front of us. It was so lovely to watch.

Khaleesi clocked it straight away! The deer must have caught wind of us by then but it just kept wandering about.

It eventually jumped into the field and ran along beside us for a while. It was such a special moment.

I spotted this sun dog above the village as I came back in to it.

I then got Bhru and Freya…. Can you spot Freya hiding?

They had a good run around in the field.

Then finally it was time for our run at 6.45am.

It was a good run this morning although pretty warm! Another 5k in the bag.

I sat out in the garden afterwards and had a banana and orange juice smoothie, with coconut milk. (With the orange juice I made yesterday!) it was really nice.

And then Craig joined us so I’m back to the start….. it’s not even 8.30am.

I spent the whole morning on 50th birthday celebrations duty. Food and drink shopping so we don’t have to go out tomorrow! I had a lovely coffee in Curiosity Coffee Shop to keep my strength up!!

At 2pm Craig is finally finished working for the next few days. Think we’re having a lazy afternoon and getting a takeaway tonight. I mean that’s just how we roll these days!!

50th Birthday Eve for Craigie 😘🥰

Hope you’re all having a lovely Saturday!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

It’s nearly 10 to 9 and I’m aching and exhausted but I’ve had such a productive day.

I’m going to list it as I do t have the brain capacity for chit chat 😆😆

6 loads of washing, managed to have the bed washed, dried and out back on by 3.30pm!!

Hoovered the whole house

Cleaned the full kitchen, sun room and dining room

Took the 3 Borders for a lovely walk and stopped at MochaJaKs for an iced latte and a Carmel blondie.

Wrapped someone’s 50th birthday pressies and hid them away.

Sat and read a book in the middle of all the drying laundry.

Went to the pub for one alcohol free gin and slimline tonic,

Came home and stained 3 or our decks in the garden (WHY DO WE HAVE SO MUCH BLOODY DECKING?!?!?)

I physically ache all over but I got so much done!

Quick pics.

Forgot I also made fresh orange juice with the juicer Ellison gave me last week!

I would prefer if the decking looked like it had been stained but hey…. I’ve used 2.75 containers full of stain so I know it has!

How Friday nights roll when you don’t drink 😆

Stay safe wveryone ☀️☀️☀️

I was up at 5am….

It was a beautiful morning.

So quiet and calm.

It felt good to be up and about this morning rather than lying in bed.

There are a gazillion photos.

The weeds at the side of the road are so pretty.

And now a million thistles!!

Khaleesi was in her element!!!

I love these next two thistles… one of them is having a down day…. I thought this was really lovely as it’s just as pretty and just as meaningful as the one growing up the way.

There is a spiders web of dead flies under this one.

Loads of spiders webs.

Th effect around the sun is lovely.

Sunrise over the village school.

The streets are still so quiet. It’s my favourite time of the day.

Then off with Bhruic and Freya into the big field over the road.

Freya always has to have something in her mouth 😆😆

The same bit of leaf.. it’s still there!

The back of our village hall.

Our lovely village in the sun.

Some flowers in the hall garden.

Work was really busy again and flew in. No dramas today. I was in a really good mood, maybe because I’m off for 5 whole days!!!

Back home and Khaleesi was looking very majestic!

Until she got kisses from Craig!

The dogs are still not allowed out in the garden… I think they are bored! We had heavy rain earlier so I hope we can let them out again soon.

So yeah…. 5 whole days off! 🙌🏼

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

I’m shattered tonight… stiff and sore!

I’ve hardly sat down all day.

I woke just after 5am and got up at 5.25 to run with Claire and Lynsey.

It was a lovely morning.

I went out the front door to see Claire doing her stretches!

I ran quite well today. I didn’t stop and I was faster than I have been so I’m pleased with that.

A lovely photo at the end!

Work was non stop.

I cleaned two campervans…. Not fully finished but almost. I have to speed up my cleaning! It takes me far too long 😆

We had two rush jobs drop in too and I have to admit I flapped at the second one.

I calmed back down almost as quickly as I went into orbit.

I always say that I’ll have it engraved on my headstone…. Works well under pressure… NOT!

That’s unfair. It was something we don’t normally do in less than 24 hours and I was in the middle of two campervans 😆😆

So….. back home…. the gardener……

Our garden looks AMAZING!!! We cannot deny he does a great job.

He also washed the decking.

The downside…… despite us asking him about 4 times, between us…. He did not use dog friendly weed killer.

We now can’t let the poor dogs outside.

We don’t know how long for as he had no idea how concentrated his solution was.

He’s adamant it’s pet friendly but Craig proved to him that it’s not!

It is what it is and we can’t change it bow.

We just have to enjoy our beautiful garden in a few days.

Stay safe everyone (don’t roll about in our garden!!) 😆😆😆