I am in my element…… it’s 07.43 and we are already coasting up the side of Mull on board CalMac’s MV Clansman.
I’m standing right here writing this….
Absolutely stunning. There’s barely a breath!
We are so lucky with the weather.
We had a lovely walk last night after the rain stopped.
There is a chance I may be wearing this hoodie all holiday…. 😆
So we had a fairly uncomfortable night in a random street in Oban. I slept a fair bit but we didn’t make the bed up so we weren’t that comfortable… I woke about 4am and it was really cold. So by 5.15am we were in the queue for the ferry. It’s a beautiful day.
We are one of the first to board. Bhruic is not a huge fan of a ferry but she’s settled down now.
And we’re off….
Isle of Mull docked Pharos is a lighthouse shipLook at this water And the sky…. Looking over to Oban
Now I’ve told this story on the blog before but I used to always want to live in this house on the island of Kerrera. It looks right over the bay to Oban. It was knocked down years ago and rebuilt into this stunning house. I would love to live there.
Eilean Musdile – the Lismore Lighthouse
This is the view from inside the coffee shop on the ferry…. Wow.
The Dutchman’s Cap
Arriving into Coll.
Coll
Our first glimpse of Tiree. It’s very flat so photos are not doing it justice!
So I’m gonna leave this here for now, it’s only 10.42 and I’ve taken a million photos already. Straight to the campsite for a lovely relax.
Don’t know what the signal will be like so will take it as it comes. It is a holiday after all!
Of course today did not go as smoothly as I thought it might. We had a lovely morning pottering and getting ready to leave whenever we were ready. There was no timescale, no rush.
We’re travelling lighter than we ever have I think. The last few trips have taught us what we actually need versus everything we would normally want to take.
So you know that I struggle to travel with all 3 dogs…. Well it doesn’t make it any easier to leave these 2 behind. I was almost in tears when we left Calaidh and Freya to wait for their Gran and Gramps and Cookie the Chihuahua to come and look after them for a week.
They know we are leaving without them.
Madame Bhruic on the other had us all set ready to go.
Crochet balancer overload!
I started to get a little bit anxious before we left. I think it was my hiking boots that set me off…… yup, you heard right…. I was only going to take my new hiking boots and flip flops and I started worrying it might be difficult to drive in my heavy soled hikies…. Just before we left I added a third pair of shoes into my armour…. Driving Converse of course…. That was better…
This is the trip was are making this time. Stopping in Oban overnight tonight.
It was a beautiful drive up. the sun was shining but the roads were heaving and my anxiety kept building…..until I questioned my position in the road every time a car drove past me on the other side of the road. My eyes felt like they couldn’t focus properly, I think I was panicking that I would make some huge mistake and ruin everything. Drama, drama eh?! I tried to talk about it, tired to ignore it, tried to talk myself “down”…. But I didn’t enjoy one minute of the drive as a result. I was determined to do it though, To hand over driving to Craig would have meant that I was giving into “it”… whatever “it” was….
When we arrived it Oban the heavens opened…. The rain was torrential and the queue for the town was right up to the top of the hill.
We found a great parking space on the road up to the ferry terminal. We sat for a bit and the rain stopped so we headed out for a wander.
Checking out the fishing boats
And the heavens opened again so we went for fish and chips and came back to the van to eat them. We were soaked.
Eventually it stopped again and started to brighten up so this time we went for ice cream!
McCaigs Folley
I had Turkish Delight and Craig had Vanilla.
We had just commented on the lack of union jacks on our way up north.. given that our village is festooned with them…. And the first ones we saw were in our ice cream!
Craig said he’d get a photo of me so I fixed my hair!!!
We sat down on the rocks and watched the shops coming and going out again…. We saw CalMac’s Isle of Mull, Loch Striven and the new Loch Frisa.
Isle of Mull
We took it in turns to walk Bhru.
Isle of Mull leaving Oban BayLoch Frisa has been doing trials all week
I follow the Scottish Maritime FB page and they’ve been following the progress of the Loch Frisa all week, there have been so many posts about her and she hoves into view…. What are the chances?! (that’s a Blackadder quote there…. Hoves into view 🤦🏻♀️🤣🤣)
I love this place…. It enchants me for some reason. It’s a transient town as people move through it to get out to the Inner and Outer Hebrides. I always wonder who all these people are and where they are going and why? I’m so envious of ferry traffic… we passed the queue for Colonsay today. Never been there…. But we’ve never been to Tiree either and we sail at 7am tomorrow.
CalMac ♥️
So we’re sitting in the van now and I’m shattered. We won’t get the best sleep but that’s ok. We have a week to rest. My anxiety is gone. I am disappointed it raised its head today but hey… it’s the gift that keeps on giving. I just have to keep fighting it. Even on holiday.
Into work super early so I could wash the van only to find that there was no car shampoo left….. 😳 so I washed the van with water… and hosed it with a trickle of water since the fancy hose head seems to have disappeared…. 🤷🏻♀️
It looks great from a distance!
Look who was in again today…. My Peanut Pal… just gonna pose in front of this van, he said!
So today was totally different to how I expected, but thankfully, I was so organised for holiday that I was able to do everything that needed doing and still get away on time.
A cheeky trip to Edinburgh Airport to pick up Lockie the camper van and straight back by 3.30pm and now I am home!!!
I’ve honestly spent the whole of this week making ridiculous mistakes.
Hoody on back to front so my face was covered by the hood… saying one thing but meaning the other…. Losing everything… dropping things…. It’s actually been so funny. I’m glad I can laugh rather than get anxious about it.
I’ve just been to get my holiday toenails done, a nice dark red, here’s hoping I get to see them on holiday… it just needs to be warm enough!
I’ve decided not to finish getting ready tonight, I’m shattered and aware I could be grouchy…. So jammies on, feet up and I’m going to relax. The rest of it can wait until I have a fresh head in the morning. As soon as I decided that I felt a sense of calm wash over me. It’s ok to be tired.
So we set off as soon as we are ready tomorrow. Heading for Oban and maybe via Glencoe. Not sure, we will see. No plans other than the ferry to Tiree at 6am on Saturday morning.
I have swithered about writing tonight but I fear it may be a slippery slope. I have so much more time on my hands 🙌 😆
The best thing is that obviously I’m in a good place which really helps. That could be because I have one more day at work until we finish up for holiday. Everything has gone smoothly this week.
I spent last night on the Village Hall accounts and enjoyed getting them up to date. I had a total drama when I realised last years hadn’t saved properly and did not lose my shit! (I have to say it like that as my reaction was incredible for me. I honestly couldn’t understand it but… it was what it was so I just had to do it again. Took an hour or so and it was done. Instead of a whole evening of panic.
It’s finally getting a wee bit warmer… in time for our holiday…. So it’s been lovely to see the sun and an amazing sunset last night.
Our village is all set up for the Queen’s Platimum Jubilee celebrations at the weekend. The wheelie bins are out to protect the newly laid car park as this is where the garden party will be held at the weekend… directly across the road from our house. 👸🏻👑🇬🇧
We will be in Tiree…. 🏴 Of course.
The pub is looking lovely in the morning sun at 5.30am this morning.
The hall has its high level bunting up and Rachel two doors down has the Royal Family in her front window…. Some have eyes and some have holes for eyes…. 😆
I’m not massively into the jubilee… I’m incredibly impressed that the Queen has been a Queen for 70 years, that’s going to be a difficult record to break in future. I’ve just never felt particularly Patriotic or British if I’m honest.
There’s a prize next week for the best decorated house in the village…. My lovely in-laws are moving in to look after dogs 1 & 3 so no pressure…. Well huge pressure if they want to win!!
I do like the jubilee logo! I had a cupcake in the Lake District with this logo on it. 😬🤫
The farm was stunning this morning….
We were first there so couldn’t resist an Avery VW silhouette photo shoot.
Look at the colour of that sky!
I feel super organised at work and genuinely calm about finishing up tomorrow for 10 whole days!
I’m meeting the Crochet Hookers tonight so looking forward to a good natter.
I’m actually glad I wrote this tonight… it flowed more easily than I thought.
Happy that my boss can catch up on my “pish” tonight… he’s been missing it 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤣🤣
Thought I’d finish up with the puppers in their beds last night… Calaidh was looking particularly cute.
I realise most of the UK are on holiday tomorrow, so enjoy……but one more day for me and then I’m done…. Woo hoo!!
I’ve been on a mission today but I’ve actually really enjoyed it despite having bad stomach cramp most of the day.
I slept like a log all night after Friday nights lack of sleep and we had coffee in the sun this morning. It looked like it was going to be a lovely day. It was lovely…. While I was cleaning…. 🤣
Don’t be fooled into thinking I’m in full on summer attire. My Christmas jammie bottoms are up over my knees ready to be pulled back down the minute the sun goes behind a cloud!
So yeah. I’ve been on a mission and blitzed the house today. It feels really good to have everything clean again.
As I cleaned we packed more in the van ready to go away at the weekend. All very organised and calmly-like. I’m quite smug at being so ahead of the game.
I took some photos of flowers in the garden at sunset last night.
(Ignore the nettles!) Love these colours ♥️💛💛💜
I’ve had a good weekend, a good relax and got loads done too. Of course it always helps when you are getting ready for a holiday. 🚐🏕🐶⛴🏝
So after all that I’ve sat down inside now.. The sun disappeared early afternoon and threatened rain so I’ve been crocheting on and off this afternoon.
Thinking I might just have to take a wee nap now too.
I could not have predicted I would have such a good day today.
I went to bed ridiculously early last night… when meant I woke at 12.45 and was awake until at least 4am. For those of you who don’t sleep well that’s maybe nothing…. But I don’t know how you do it. Those wee sma’ hours on the morning seem fairly hopeless and it took ages for me to fall back over. I did though until about 7.30am. Thankfully.
I’d been a real grouch last night and this morning I realised it was that time of the month again and the relief was immense… at least that justifies some “off” time.
I sat in Gran’s chair and crocheted while Craig slept and the puppers were stunning themselves in the early morning rays. It’s been so long since we’ve seen sunshine if felt like a welcome relief.
Bhruic sitting on a bench at the window next to me surveying the gardenWhat is this big orange ball in the sky?!?
So we decided to spend the day on Abbie the camper van, getting her ready for holiday on Friday.
I was gonna name the blog “way less steps than yesterday” and I was surprised to see that despite what I thought of as a sedentary day I’ve still done 11,852 steps today. It’s also 8.15pm already so there won’t be many more.
So while we were working I for Evan…. Hoovering, cleaning, unpacking, repacking…. The village hall car park was being relayed.
Before
The before doesn’t do the undulating mountainous terrain any justice. It really was pretty bumpy getting in and out.
After
Looks amazing…. Our local Finco Contracts did this for free. Not sure we can ever thank them enough!
Had lovely chats with everyone during the day as they carried out the work… I even did some camper van sales pitch!!
So I have one question for you all…. When you have mud on a floor or a vinyl seat cushion…. How do you wash it out? Tried scrubbing with soapy water and it looks amazing…. Until it dries and the mud is still there?! That’s the only negative to today. At least I know everything is clean there are just a few dry muddy marks that won’t clean off. 🤦🏻♀️
We carried on until after 3pm and came round and sat out the back as the sun had reappeared. Claire had also leant me a sun lounger, very timely I may add so I sat on it for almost 4 hours and crocheted!!
Loving the colours on my new creation
Craig’s sister and nephew popped in to see us and we had a lovely few hours while Max weeded the veggie patches and the three of us chatted….. child labour… shocking! Turns out he loves weeding and turns out we have a lot of weed that needing weeding 🥴🤣
Here sits lady muck while Lisa and Craig survey Max’s handiwork!
Look at that sky! 💙
It was a lovely relaxing afternoon and I’ve had a really good day.
I didn’t put out a blog yesterday…. and the world didn’t stop turning.
I had less than nothing to say. I honestly couldn’t even do the… wake up, went to work blog again. It bores me writing it let alone you guys having to read it.
So…. I’ve said this before but I’m going to make a pact with myself. If I have nothing to say then I’m not going to write a blog that day as this needs to be tool that helps my mental health and doesn’t add to the list of things that need doing. If there’s no blog in a day, I’m all good, just my day has been uneventful.
I should say I’ve been good this week. I’ve not been anxious at all really and it’s good I have nothing to have to work through.
Today I have loads to say as it’s 13.16pm and I’ve already done 23,245 steps!!
The weather has been crazy for May in Scotland. Its very wet, cold and windy. I’ve taken some pics on the way to and home from the Farm to show the crazy clouds. There was a lovely rainbow during the class too.
The Fit Body Farm was a killer this morning. We’ve been doing a fairly new thing called DecaFit these last few Fridays. There is a whole lot of running and it’s really just not my thang. 🥴
This morning we worked out 5 stations for 3 mins with a 500m run in between each station. I think I only managed the 500m twice and the rest were closer to 350/400m. It’s non stop without and break…. though hitting the station targets before the 3mins is up does give you a minute of a breather.
So, not my favourite day at the Farm but I still did almost all of it and I know the running will come the more I work at it.
It was sunny when we finished but still windy and cold.
Loved this freshly cut field
I went straight into the shower when I got home as I couldn’t get a heat!
I had to have Abbie the Camper van at the garage for her MOT this morning, so I drove down to Glengarnock with Calaidh and Freya so I could walk back up.
Rainbow and a fascinating tree! Hurry up mumma it’s gonna rain! Whatcha watching?! Strange cloudsI thought this bus stop looked a bit arty?!? Fun in the fieldThrough the woods This is where all the daffies used to grow A strange contraption blowing from this tree… either Chinese lanterns or poly bags?!
Back home and crawled into bed for a wee half hour…. then back out this time with Bhruic.
Craig was working in Ayr so I thought I’d go with him and walk her down on the beach. He dropped us in Prestwick as I’d never been down to that beach as far as I could remember.
It was wild!!! Sooooo windy and the sea was whipping up and splashing over the sea wall. I have so many photos.
I’m not sure they do it justice, it was really wild.
Then in the middle of it all, I spotted this.
Arty beach stones
The sun comes out but it doesn’t heat up much….. though it does look a lot prettier!
Full of seaweed! Mumma do you think Dad will hurry up so we don’t actually freeze to death?!?
I was fine for the first hour but after that I was just walking round in circles, praying Craig would hurry up. We sat on a bench for a bit but I think that just made me colder!
Come on…. Let’s move again…. We’ve been sitting too long!!
He phoned to say he was 6 minutes away! 😘😘😘 of course then the sun came out and the sea calmed down a fair bit.
It was soooo good to see him driving towards us…. I got the heated seats on and defrosted.
Back home to hang washing and made a lovely sharing snack late lunch/early dinner.
Pinched this idea from Claire
We had it with Nozeco (alcohol free sparkling).
It was really lovely and now…. I could sleep for Scotland.
It’s 16.18 and I’m now up at 24,951 steps and still waiting to hear if Abbie passed her MOT!!
She did not pass…..She failed for all brake disks, a top engine mount and a white indicator light….. a mere £374. 🫣
Anyway, all fixed now. I just put £133 of diesel in her the other day…. That better do her for now. She’s had enough!
Anyway it’s been a good day. I’m feet up on the couch now. Planning only steps to the bathroom 😆
I woke at 3am…. And couldn’t get back to sleep. I tried everything. Maybe going to bed at 8.20pm could have something to do with it….. it was basically just time to get up 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤣
The farm was great this morning. We did the workout in the rain and I really enjoyed it! Once you’re out in it and getting wet it’s so liberating! Yeah ok I hear myself!
Work flew in as usual and I came home I made a baked potato with egg mayo for dinner… all by myself. Jeez has my day has been that dull…… 🥴
I’m sitting here getting cuddles from Bhru… check the smile on her face. I enjoyed it too.
So I have crochet tonight and I’m gonna start a new blanket for me this time. And of course we will put the world to rights as usual.
I’ll leave you with a photo of my favourite bush…. 😆 In the garden. It’s so pretty.
Sorry this was a boring one. It’s been a good day but I am inspirational-less… I know that’s not a word but it made me smile.
I slept like a log last night… I didn’t want the night to end. Naturally… it meant my holiday was over.
Until the next one that is… 11 more sleeps!!!
The most exciting thing today was Peanut the whizz kid was back in the office.
I took him out for a walk at lunchtime.
Check the savage dog rolling in the freshly cut grass!!
He had lotsa fun.
I love the bum shake I get when he sees me in the morning now. He has the bum shake, not me… obviously.
He finally settled under my desk at my feet. I think that’s acceptance. ♥️
I love this next one…. ‘Scuse the French!
You all know I don’t have it figured out yet… But after everything next big thing I’m that happens I am back on it tomorrow…
His next one sums me up completely.
I have spent my life paying the terribly high price for people pleasing… I’ve worked hard at it and hard trying to stop people pleasing. It still catches me unawares and I still find myself saying things I don’t mean…. Just to make someone else happy. I hear myself. At least I can laugh at it.
I also love this…..
The biggest takeaway from my blog is that it’s ok not to be ok and it’s not weak to ask for help. There is always someone who will want to listen. Remember that.
I’ve actually had a really good day today. I just wanted to say all that for some reason.
It’s been a much drier day today thankfully. I woke at 4.32am to the loudly chirping birdies of Braithwaite Village…. And no rain!
Pop top down ready for the off
I’d had a lovely caravan dinner with mum and dad last night. We had my brothers homemade soda bread with cheese and pickles and grapes. We then went for a lovely walk round the village before I headed back to the van at 8.30pm!
Dinner venue tonight The balloons and flowers new home The Braithwaite Village store is really lovely inside but covered in scaffolding just nowLoved the road signThe Ivy Hotel A lovely wee cottage Sunset sky from Braithwaite Village campsite
So I dozed until 7.32 when I got rudely awakened by my electrical control unit in the van, beeping incessantly at me and switching off…. I have suffered from too little power in the past and now it would seem I have too much power…. Can’t win huh?!
It did it a good few times yesterday but I was awake so ignored it…. Not so much this morning!
The facilities in this campsite are amazing. Despite the site being full, I’ve never seen more than 3 people in the toilet block at any one time and the showers are amazing. So a nice leisurely shower then met up with mum and dad to follow them back into Keswick. I am finally getting my boat trip on Derwent Water!!
It’s really lovely this morning after all of yesterdays rain.
Looking over the the hill called Catbells…. Very unusual eh?!Love these boats
We boarded a 50 minute cruise on the Derwent Water. You can get off at various stops if you have the time. We just went right round.
This is my happy boat trip face! 😆
Selfie!!! Derwent Island Catbells It’s very dark and moody now Looking over to LodoreOops Glasses off as there’s so much spray Catbells AGAIN! Heading back into dock The boat house and looking over to the site of the Mountain Festival which is now clearing up
Zoom in to the sign on the top right window…. Dad said that’s what the ducks are queuing for 🤦🏻♀️🤣🤣🤣
We went to the Lakeside Cafe for brunch and I had a lovely Oat Milk DECAF latte… only remembered because mum asked for decaf first….. 🤔😬 and Chimichurri Mushrooms on Soda Bread with rocket. It was lovely.
A whole lotta rocket!
Sadly there is a chance I may still be tasting said Chimichurri tomorrow and the next day…. It’s very garlicky and very unforgiving… 😷
Then it was time for me to leave and head back up the road. I had a great run. Left at 11.45 and was home by 2.15 without any stops at all.
Immediately after I passed over the border into Scotland, the heavens opened… it was comical. Literally like, woo hoo Scotland! RAIN!!!! To be fair it stopped pretty quickly.
So home for 2.15 and have unpacked and washed everything already. I love getting the van all cleaned out otherwise I’d not do it for ages.
Of course it was great to see Craig and the puppers and have some more of my sister in laws lovely 50th anniversary cake!
We’ve had a lovely weekend celebrating with mum and dad. I’ve left them there for a few more days and I was a weeeeee teeeeensy bit jealous.
Ok let’s start with yesterday or even Friday night…. The van all ready for bed.
I’m super cosy in my bed with my new blanket.
I could not get to sleep at all…… i was wired to the moon, it was 1.08am the last time I looked at the clock.
I’ve been waking at 6am and can’t get back to sleep at all. Which isn’t the best when I’ve been late to bed so I’m a bit groggy all day… and a teensy little bit grouchy. 🥴🤔😬🤭
We met for breakfast in my brothers chalet and they put on a magnificent spread.
I do realise that’s just the empty plates and bowls 🙄
The chalet is lovely…
So we went into Keswick for the Mountain Festival, caught the bus as the traffic was likely to be crazy in Keswick and spent the morning walking around the festival site on the shores of Derwent Water.
This was a HUGE trip down memory lane as this is one of “my buses”… it was built at a time when I worked for the manufacturer and I managed the Stagecoach contract. I found myself remembering all the names of all the colours etc. 🤦🏻♀️🙄🤣
There were loads of activities for kids…. Someone was happy ⚖️🤣
There were lots of fell races starting.
This one in particular caught my eye… a 1500m swim around Derwent Island. Look at all the wee bodies in the water!!
And the finish line…
It started to rain quite heavily by now so we took a walk into the town for a wander round the shops and a coffee shop stop. This is Keswick in bloom.
Keswick is a lovely wee town with lots of amazing outdoor shops. It has quaint, narrow streets.
There are, however, a lot of people.
There’s a market on in the town too.
As you know, we came home and I went for the best nap…. And missed a whole of of sunshine.
We were booked for dinner at the Lyzzick Hall Hotel for 6.30pm. It was a beautiful evening.
Lyzzick Hall was out of this world.
The views over to Cats Bells … the hill in the distance.
The wisteria on the side of the building is stunning.
Me, Mum, my wee Bro and Dad before dinner.
The hotel is beautiful and very tastefully decorated.
A selection of the meals…. The food was honestly exquisite. Could not fault it.
But you know something… it was the staff that really made it. Their attention was polite, witty and funny without being intrusive. They made the whole experience a real pleasure and I would highly recommend anyone to visit.
We honestly couldn’t recommend this place highly enough. They even got happy anniversary on their dessert plates.
We got a taxi there and back and they were faultless too. We were so lucky to have such a lovely evening.
The only thing missing was oor Craigie who’s stuck at home with the dogs for the weekend. He was missed.
I slept a bit better last night and sadly it had rained all day today. This is the crossroads in Braithwaite Village.
We had a slower morning… breakfast about 10.30 ish in the chalet again and off into Keswick for a wander round and then lunch.
We went into the Derwent or Cumberland Pencil Museum…. Well into the shop. Look at all these pencils!!!
A mahoosive pencil sharpener
Dad and Kenny off up the street.
Some lovely pansies.
More stunning flowers.
We stopped a a wee battery operated boating pond and it was a lot harder than it looked!
And then this fudge shop….
So my bro and his family are away home now and mum, dad and I are chilling ready to make some plans for dinner later. Right now I’m cosy in my van with the diesel heater working!!!
And finally at 4.16pm the sun just peaked out from behind a cloud.
Going to have to put out a quickie today as we’re just having pre dinner drinks before we head out for Mum and Dads 50th anniversary dinner… still sadly minus Craig who’s stuck home with the dogs. Miss you Craigie. ♥️
We’ve had a lovely day wandering around Keswick and then back to the van for the best nap! I could have written the blog but I chose to nap… priorities huh 🤔
The sun was scorching when I woke up and the van was super cosy.
This is the view from my brothers chalet now. It’s a lovely evening.
I slept like a log last night, two nights of no sleep finally took its toll. I was in bed from 8 and slept until 4.45am!
Up for the Farm this morning and it was super hard work but good for the head.
Check the hair out of the pleats!!
I got home, packed up Abbie the Camper van and drove down to the Lake District and was here for 1.30pm.
We went straight out into Keswick to a really fancy supermarket that I LOVED!! Booths. It’s a very lovely shop. We got some supplies and went for coffee, I had a scone with cream and jam and and an oat milk latte! I could not believe the number of bananas!!!!
We then headed down to Derwent Water for a wander round. There’s light rain on and off but it’s very atmospheric.
My sis in law made this amazing cake!!!
Happy Golden Wedding Anniversary Mum and Dad! Lots of love ♥️ and Craigie we miss you lots ♥️
It’s 7.49pm and I haven’t stopped all day. I know that’s not unusual for most people but I didn’t get to bed until 11.30pm last night. On a school night!!
Rangers very sadly lost in the last second of the game last night in penalties. It was devastating after such a tense game. Hence the 11.30pm bed.
I woke at 3am and couldn’t sleep because Snorey McSnorerson was in action… my head’s been spinning for a couple of days now so I lay getting angry. Not…. at the snoring but at my thoughts…. so I stormed into the living room and tried to sleep on the couch. That didn’t go well but I did eventually make it to 6.30am but by then I was exhausted.
A people pleaser cannot please all of the people all of the time. A people pleaser can only do what she thinks is right and try to please herself. A people pleaser not pleasing everyone all of the time is in constant turmoil. Trying to live a normal everyday life. The fake smile never more evident.
I have had to fight so very hard all day.
We’ve actually had a fantastic day at work. We handed over so many customer vans today…. five in one day!! And you know what… I did all of that despite being shattered and feeling rotten.
We had a living room full last night and I got my hair in French pleats… that’s what the girls were doing while the boys were focused on the game!
I’ve spent the day telling everyone I had the hairdo of a 5 year old 🤣🤣🤣
I need to believe in myself more. I still allow outside influences to shake my core. I use them as a excuse to prove I’m still not quite there yet.
Writing a daily blog becomes difficult when these outside influences are things that can’t be written about. They are not my story to tell… but I soak them up like a sponge.
Don’t stay up as late as I did last night!
Claire and I went a walk with Calaidh when I got home and we put the world to rights.
Calaidh posing in the wild garlic The rhododendrons starting to bloom
I have to say that I chose to sit on the bloody cactus all day.
I found criticism even in the things that went well and that needs to change.
Tomorrow is a new day. I’m in bed and the electric blanket’s on. I still have my 5 year old pleats. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤣 and I feel so much better for writing this down.
I have 4 days off work now and I’m heading down to the Lake District to celebrate a very special occasion with Mum and Dad and my brother, sis in law and nephew. Poor Craig has to stay home with the dogs but that’s just one of those things that happens. It can’t be helped but I’ll miss him… and I know he’ll miss me 🤣🤣🤣 that goes without saying…. Who am I kidding?!? We all know the poor boy has peace for 4 days….. 🥴🤣
I guess not every day can be plain sailing and you learn from every experience you go through.
It’s the football Europa League Final tonight and I am surrounded by some very proud Rangers fans. They are playing Eintracht Frankfurt, in Seville, after an amazing journey through the league. It’s stuff that dreams are made of.
I’ve just seen two Rangers tops walk past the front window as I write this! It’s everywhere.
So I’ve decided, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em so I’m going to watch the game tonight. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the excitement!
Craig came home from work, did a food shopping, cleaned the house, walked the dogs…. What’s not to love?! 🤭😆
I woke up at 3am this morning and couldn’t stop thinking… overthinking. I finally got back to sleep but then felt drugged when Craig’s alarm went off at 4.45am.
It was a lovely morning though after a monsoon rain storm last night
The Farm was really hard this morning! Lots of arm work. We were knackered after the class and sooooo got and sweaty.
I get into the shower. Wash hair. Shower.
NO TOWEL!!!!!!
Honestly…… I couldn’t believe it.
The morale of that story is when your gym bag feels light… it is light for a reason. I did a mental “clothes for work” scan… yup all there but the bag was light so something was missing!
I had to dry myself with my sweaty gym gear…. 🤦🏻♀️
Work went really quickly but I got loads done so all good.
So nothing else for it but to settle down with some pizza, alcohol free beers and some good friends and see how this goes down.
I soooo hope that they win. It would be pretty special.
It’s so lovely to get caught in a rain shower sometimes. It clears your head.
I walked out the door and the heavens opened. Too late to turn back, I just got wet.
It’s mild out there today so it was kinda warm rain…. Everything smelled so fresh and looked so green. This last week of rain has brought so much growth.
The sky is lovely despite the rain.
It’s been a testing day… I’ve been a bit too reactive to outside triggers but the triggers are all mine and mine to control.
It’s hard work being in my head sometimes. I think too much, worry too much, care to much, yeah all of the above. If I could switch it off I would have done it long before now.
Healthy eating still on track which is something! I’ve made every meal and eaten fruit and veg I’ve not eaten in months!
Such a dull, dark, dreich day. It’s been dark since 5am… well obviously it was dark all night but you know…… 😆
There was a lunar eclipse last night.
Yup I missed it. 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🤦🏻♀️
To be fair it poured with rain all night and…. I was also asleep. It has rained almost all day. Super heavy at times.
I was very interested in this… strange feelings may arise….. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🙄😬🤣
I’ve felt so much better today. Only felt a bit dizzy at the Fit Body Farm this morning and that was totally understandable…. given the fact I was having to wheech myself up and down off the ground at a rate of knots!
It was hard this morning but I enjoyed it.
I honestly feel so much better now that I’m back. It was really hard getting up at 5am. I could have cried and felt really sorry for myself. Once I’m out the door it’s fine.
Everything is in bloom in the rain!
My head has been so much better today. I’ve had healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner! All prepared in advance. I actually smiled to myself as I served up dinner.
I dislike stir fry as much as I dislike period drama…. 🤦🏻♀️🤣🤣 I’m really enjoying this exploration of my likes and dislikes. Still not a huge fan of stir fry but it was tasty. Love that Bhruic and Freya were so excited by it.
I was super nervous this morning and yet it passed really quickly… I’m sure working out helps my mental health way more than I even thought possible. I’ve felt calm and in control of my emotions today. It’s such a relief after feeling so out of sorts yesterday.
I love this next one. 💜
And this….. just sums up my life!!
And I am more than happy to be Kermit the Frog 🐸
I’m finishing this with a big smile. Kermit the Frog… bring it on.
Day 777 and that’s the best title I can come up with?!?!
My day started early and I sat out on the garden with the dogs for a bit… this is how my morning rolled.
Bhruic in action Calaidh’s nashers
There was a cool wind so I came back inside and put a Downton Abbey on, just to keep quiet until Craig got up. 🤭😬🤣
Claire messaged to see if I fancied a trip to Silverburn Shopping Centre as she knew I was heading to Braehead this morning to take some clothes back. Silverburn had the same shops so that sounded good to me.
I have this thing that I have to be there for shops opening. Not sure why I have that rule in my life but I do. If I don’t go first thing and be there before everyone else then there’s no point in going. If it gets busy then I was there first? 🤦🏻♀️🤣 I subjected Claire to that rule this morning. 🫣
We had a lovely wander around and I took some clothes back and Claire got some amazing bargains. A successful trip all round.
We stopped for coffee in Starbucks and I had the most lovely piece of Pistachio loaf with raspberry icing and a Coconut decaf latte (of course the decaf was thanks to Claire as I always forget to ask for it!)
I’ve honestly not felt right since. I assumed at first they’d given me caffeine. I had a few head spinning dizzy spells towards the end of our time at the shops. I did actually say spizzy dells in my head when I was writing that and couldn’t figure out how to spell it… then corrected myself 🤣🤣🤣 I was scared I might fall over but they passed pretty quickly.
Something doesn’t feel right. I don’t feel Sick just occasionally my head is swimming.
I like the sound of this next one…
When we got home I lay down for an hour but couldn’t sleep. At least I rested.
I spent a bit of time up in the spare room separating out clothes and stuff for charity. I just don’t feel quite right. Uneasy, out of sorts.
I’m actually not irritated but I don’t quite know what to do with myself or where to put myself.
It must the 2 day weekend…. 🤷🏻♀️😆🤣🤣
I’ve had a lazy rest of day…. There’s a chance I think I have finished Downton Abbey!!! What will I do with the rest of my life 🙄😬🫢
We cooked roast chicken, potatoes and veg for dinner. Just how Sundays should be.
I went to bed a slovenly, junk shovelling slob and woke up ready for action…. to take on the day and have taken back control of my fitness and healthy eating. Who knew that was gonna happen?!?
I have no idea what triggered this overnight, or, indeed, how long it may last. 🤷🏻♀️
I’ve said so often that I seem to be better at things when I sneak up on them, surprise myself, rather than actually planning it.
I woke up at 6.30 something, went to the loo and back to bed and started thinking that there was a Saturday class at the Fit Body Farm that I could go to… I had no intentions of going…. I’d read a FB post last night where someone said they’d really enjoyed it yesterday and I knew it would be the same session.
I lay there and thought for 20 minutes.
I said the words to Craig… “I can’t believe I’m even saying this out loud but I’m thinking I could maybe have gone to the Farm this morning”. As soon as I said it I regretted it. As he said go, go, go, I cuddled into the covers and thought no way!!
But the seed was planted. At 6.50am I jumped out of bed to get ready. My plan was to hit the supermarket on the way back to get some food in too. 🥴😬
So yesterday’s carb fest seems to have been the last straw of my stuffing-my-face week.
It’s a lovely, watery looking sun but a quiet start to the weekend.
I am taking back control.
This is also very true!
Now I’m not gonna lie, that was very hard work this morning, the first day back is always the worst…. But I did it and I can honestly say I’ve felt amazing as a result. (I say that lying on a bench in the garden thinking that I probably need a nap but it’s a different kind of tiredness. It’s not the lethargic feeling I’ve had this week, it’s a genuine tiredness because I did so much, so early).
I went straight from the Farm, very sweaty… to Aldi for a food shop and bought loads of healthy food. I felt like I was on a roll.
Came home and cleared out the fridge to put it all away… always hate that bit but needs must 🤦🏻♀️🤣 and then I made a raspberry smoothie for breakfast. I mean, I’m impressed even if no-one else is.
Not gonna give you the recipe 🤣🤣 it was “ok”… did the job but tasted like a smoothie made without following a recipe.
Then I took the puppers out for a walk.
They were so good today! I feel bright and fresh!
It’s a lovely morning after all the rain we’ve been having but it feels like everything has grown so much since I last walked round here. Even the drive to the gym has sprouted greenery over the last week.
I’ve never noticed this ancient gate before.
Back home and had my shower, washed and dried my hair and got a wee table set up in the back garden so I could work on stitching together my crochet blanket!!! I look like an old wummin ootside wi’ ma knitting’ 🤦🏻♀️🤣 (Scottish accent necessary!)
I made a lovely salad lunch! Check me.
At 2.17pm precisely I cut the last end of wool! It’s finished!!
Hallelujah! I think this has been on the go for years. 😆 It’s in the washing machine now so I can square it all up to dry it.
Now what to start next??? I have been wondering aimlessly for the last hour and a half not sure what to do with myself. I’ve hung up a washing but thinking I might go find some other wool to start crocheting something else. I do have plenty of wool to be getting on with. 🫣🤭
I decided to make an early dinner instead… Prawn Pad Thai…. Forgot photos as it was so tasty. Followed by a wee Limoncello dessert. Ooooh I can taste the booze.
I haven’t cooked a single meal for over a week and here I am with 3 today.
I’m heading into Claire’s for a Nosecco and munchies evening…. Which sounds just lovely to me!
A bubbling cauldron of molten lava is ready to spew. Could I be any more dramatic?!?
It’s Friday 13th today and for those of you who are superstitious, I found this rather lovely way of looking at it.
And also this…. Which did make me laugh!
I feel incredibly overwhelmed today. I am overthinking and worrying about things that haven’t even happened. Purely because things don’t seem to be going as smoothly as Little Miss Perfection Pants would like.
Now I know that there’s a chance a lot of this is down to my lack of exercise and very poor diet. A roll with egg and tattie scone for breakfast, chips and curry sauce for lunch and the odd cake thrown in along the way… I could just be buzzing with too many carbs.
I experienced a huge after lunch crash. My teeth feel like they are bleeding sugar, my body has blown up into my clothes and yet my mind is still racing around a 100 miles an hour.
It’s very, very loud inside my head.
I tried writing some of my worries down. it’s one of the techniques they advise and it does help.
It’s this simple. We are very lucky to be very busy at work and I’m all over the place trying to determine what we do for the best. It’s not even my sole decision but I’m just going to fill my head with worry.
Worry is such a waste of time.
I know that it’s only because I care.
I’m home now and we’re having a movie night tonight so I’m in my comfies all ready for a relaxing weekend.
Of course the anxiety has all gone now.
And this time last week we had just freed Abbie the Camper van from her mud pit so today has been way less stressful on the grand scheme of things 🤦🏻♀️😳😆
Let’s just put it down to being one of those days.
The Rambling Sloth 🦥 