Wide awake at 5am which is fine because I was in bed at 8.15pm!!
I was shattered yesterday.
I read for a bit then was off to sleep before 9pm. Apparently I missed a beautiful sunset!
Up and out with the dogs before 7am for a bit of a dog jog though way more walking than jogging.
It was lovely and sunny to the north and east.
And really dark and cloudy to the south. This photo doesn’t do it justice.
This seagull was the goalie the whole time we walked passed.
The sun looked amazing in the clouds.
I was helping out in The little gift shop today and, as usual, it was so lovely. It’s lovely to catch up with so many people that I’ve not seen in ages. I get so much out of helping people choose gifts when they have no idea what to get.
One lady said I was very good at what I did and it was a real talent. Kindness costs nothing and the shop is all about kindness, every step of the way. ♥️ Her words will stay with me.
😘
I love this next one….
I’ve felt good again today. Calm and in control.
For dragonflies ready 2 Blue Merle Border Collies!! Craig is away camping this weekend with Calaidh…. Leaving me with these two beauties 💕
I’ve just looked at the weather forecast and we have strong winds and torrential rain overnight so I hope the campers are ok.
Hope you all have a great weekend! Was about to end with my usual “stay safe everyone” when I remembered that COVID really seems to be kicking back in at the moment, I know 6 people who have got it and it seems like they feel pretty rotten. I got a text about my 4th vaccination and my flu jab and I decided I wasn’t going to get it this time. I kinda feel enough is enough. I never wanted it in the first place but got it and I just don’t know what to do. Now that people are sick again I’m undecided. Will take any advice anyone has. I’m easily persuaded!
It feels like a longer weekend having a Monday off, than having a Friday off, but I know that’s not really true.
I slept in until ooooh 6.15am…. 😳 we had a nice, leisurely, freshly ground coffee ☕️ in the sun room before taking the dogs up the hill for some Scottish Dog Behaviourist photos and filming.
It’s a lovely morning… really clam and still and very mild. The forecast is for heat all week, which is lovely, though to us, that’s 16-20°C which will do me nicely.
Bhru got a wee teensy bit muddy!!
Calaidh loving her red frisbee!
Filming some training!
I stopped in past the meadow garden on the way home. Check this beauty!
Just to give it some perspective, they are very small but so pretty when you stop to look and focus in.
Showered and changed and headed over the Largs to wait for the PS Waverley coming in. She’s sailing from Glasgow around the Isle of Arran today.
I had time for s quick wander round the odd charity shop, Costa Coffee to pick up some sandwiches and a Coconut Milk Latte (DECAF!) and I settled down on the rocks to wait for her coming in.
There were hundreds of people waiting to get on!
And just like that she was gone!
I was home for 1.30 and passed Craig on his way out to work. I have no idea where this afternoon has gone but 3 hours have past and I have done precious little. Two loads of washing, put clothes away and watched some YouTube videos of the quieter places to visit in the world! It’s been pretty cloudy but still warm. I might do some more work on my vision board later on. I’m getting quite into this manifesting malarkey.
It’s been a lovely relaxing day, it’s lovely when the sun shines in the blue sky. It makes everything feel really good.
Such a productive morning! It seemed a long morning as I felt I got so much done.
We were up early as usual, which always helps. I stripped the end and got it in to wash as it was the last thing to do in our newly spotless bedroom.
We had one of Craig’s new ground coffees. I love grinding the beans 🫘 I always drink it black as I’m always fasting in the mornings, since the 20th December….. I should be a size 6 by now. 😂
I’ve been thinking of doing a vision board since Kinesiology last week. I got set up on Craig‘s laptop, through in the living room and we sat together, and I looked at loads of photographs of wonders of the world and places I’d like to visit. I saved them all into one file and will eventually get round to making them up into a vision board. It was so much fun to actually look at so many beautiful photographs. If I want to make something more of my photography, I feel that I need to search out some beautiful shots rather than just pointing and pressing with the iPhone. There are so many stunning places in the world to visit. I am keen to travel by train, plane or boat instead of driving. I’m also quite happy to go on guided tours because you find out so much more information than you would if you were on your own. It’s exciting to think of all the places we can explore.
We then got the dogs ready and took them down to the garage to pick up Craig‘s car. He’s had a leisure battery fitted for a camping trip he has planned for next weekend. It had been pouring all day yesterday and through the night and it was wet when we got up this morning, but we managed to walk half the way there before the heavens opened. It was actually a really nice walk even although we got soaked, it’s nice to be out in the rain sometimes.
So that’s really cool log along the way that someone had painted.
Drookit!!!
I also put a Abbie the Campervan up for sale on Autotrader…. And I sold some of the camping gear I put up for sale yesterday. Had a lovely lady come to the house and got chatting for ages. Poor Craig got stuck in the bathroom as we chatted for so long in the hall! He couldn’t walk out in his towel!!
So we were meant to meet our friends, Lynsey and Euan today to go canoeing on Kilbirnie Loch. How cool would that have been. They are seasoned kayakers and canoeists and were going to show us how it was done. Unfortunately it was too windy this morning for our first shot so we scrapped those plans and arranged to just meet for lunch. It’s a shame we didn’t get to canoe but looking forward to sometime soon. I’ve always wanted to go sea kayaking and Craig seems to have the bug for loch or river canoeing 🛶 so I’m happy to meet him there!!
We went to the new Lochshore Café for lunch. We had lentil soup and coffee and cakes! The cakes are so good I never know which one to pick. I ended up with a white chocolate rocky road which I’m sure is what I had the last time!
We always have such a laugh when we are together!
We took a lovely walk along the new Lochshore path, and I got loads of photographs at the side of the loch. Of course I did. Here are a few!!
I’m on the horse while they’re in the cart!!!
Turned into such a lovely afternoon. The sky was really blue and the clouds are very fluffy looking. Of course on the day where I do more walking than I have in a long time., my Fitbit stopped working, so I’ve no idea how many steps I’ve done but I’m sure it’s quite a lot!
A good laugh is very good for the soul!
I’ve been watching YouTube videos on the natural wonders of the planet since I got home. That seems to be my new fascination.
I’ve had a really great weekend so far. I’m looking forward to a Monday holiday too. It’s great to be sitting here on a Sunday night knowing that I don’t have to get up to go to work tomorrow, it makes a Sunday seem even more relaxing!
I’ve been in bed most of the day. I’m not sick I’m just so lethargic.
The Scottish Dog Behaviourist set his alarm for 5am. Today was my only day off without an alarm. I tried to go back to sleep but got up at 5.45am. I’m very quiet, definitely not full of chat.
I headed out with the puppers at 6.30am!!
The forecast is for rain all day again, but it’s dry for now, though much cooler than yesterday. It is, however, only 6.30am 😂 when was the last time I was out in a T-shirt at that time of the morning?!
I didn’t run as much today. More of a flat footed fast walk at times.
It’s what I call a watery sun this morning. Looks like it will rain heavily soon.
I think that shot is pretty impressive when you consider I have 3 excited Border Collies in one hand 😂 desperate to get off on their walk!
Quite liked the wee thistley things, as you can tell as there are two photos.
“Whatcha stopping for now mumma?!? Awwww there are sheep-y-mehs in here!!”
I dragged the 3 of them past the meadow garden, just to see how it’s coming along.
It’s much the same but still very pretty.
It’s very unassuming behind this gate!
Back home and I sat about for a bit. It’s only 7.30am so I headed back to bed until just before 10am. I was woken up but the dogs doing a proper wolf howl after Craig left the house!!
I didn’t know where to put myself. Didn’t have the energy to do anything but couldn’t think of the kind of nothing I wanted to do. 🤦🏻♀️😂
I came outside for a poo pick and suddenly found myself weeding the very overgrown garden! As you do.
It was a tough slog and I felt a bit lightheaded at times. There are still a lot of very tough weeds but I really broke the back of it. There are some plants that ended up going too but Craig really doesn’t like this part of the garden so I did what he wanted me to do rather than what I would have done. It’s easier to clear it all than clear bits of it.
I asked him to bring a KFC Boneless Bucket home. Lethargy craves junk.
As soon as I ate it, I went for a shower then back up to bed for another 2.5 hours!!
I tried to read a book that Evelyn lent me but was out for the count. I haven’t needed this much sleep in ages.
I’m super silent in my head. I’m calm, there is nothing to worry about, nothing I can’t blog about, Craig and I haven’t fallen out, I’m just hiding in silence which I know sounds weird but I must need it for some reason. I maybe need some kind of recovery from the crazy histrionics mid week. Hard work this over analysis! 🫣🥱😂
I’m back out in the garden, jammies on hoping no one from the pub looks over the fence. I have one boob under each arm pit, as you do when your my age and braless. 😂 I could sit here all night.
The rain never came.
Check out our hydrangea bush. I tried to get it all in the photo!
It’s really beautiful.
I’ve had a wee play with the puppers to get some jumping shots!
A couple of them you have to click on the pic to get a full view but I’m sure you get the gist.
So a day of a whole lot of nothing and I could go back to bed and sleep some more. I might just do that.
Getting up some energy from my full day on the PS Waverley tomorrow which I’m super excited about… in a quiet, tired kinda way!
It’s 4pm and I am shattered. I’ve only just sat down and there is so much more still to do. I’ll go back to work for a rest on Monday, I reckon!
We were up at 7.30 and after a decaf coffee, I decided to go for a food shopping. £129 later…. And that’s in Aldi!?!??
My friend Jane posted on FB that she usually goes to Aldi, so is poised like a ninja, to package everything, with the speed in which they put it through the till. 😂 She went to a different supermarket today, so was ahead of the cashier and was proud of herself…. 😂 I laughed out loud at that!
I, on the other hand, reckon she’d put about £50 worth of food through before I’d even turned the trolley at the end of the hill. They are SO fast!!!
(My grammar was not the best in those last few paras, hope you get the gist! 😂)
I took Craig’s car so drove like Miss Daisy there and back. I remember the days I used to jump in any car and drive it like it was an extension of me. Not so much now.
Anyway, by the time I got home, Craig had emptied the dogs room and hoovered and washed the floor. It so badly needed doing. The room was FULL of camping gear. We have way more camping gear than you need, especially for the amount of camping we actually do. You need things for every eventuality and we’ve bought it all over the years. I do feel we just move it all around the house. Well this time it’s all going back into the shed now that Craig has lined and insulated it.
We’ve earmarked a whole bunch to sell and some clothes to charity as well.
The washing machine has been heaving all day, with all the hairy dog blankets. 🤦🏻♀️ I’ve hoovered the stairs and hallway again. I then started going through everything that came out of Abbie the Campervan to try and figure out what to do with that.
I don’t work well with clutter. I need nice, tidy organisation. The mess messes with my head.
So, nothing very exciting to blog about at the moment but the main thing is that my head is good. We’d been invited to a lovely party this weekend but I had to decline as I needed this weekend to decompress and get lots done as I am busy most of next weekend. I would never have done this before. I don’t want to let anyone down but I know what I need to keep everything in check.
I just took a walk up the hills with the dogs. Got caught in the rain.
There’s a new road across the field… great to walk through and not get wet feet 😂
I didn’t feel like I slept well last night… I felt like I was alert all night and yet I wasn’t. I just didn’t feel refreshed when I woke up. One of those nights. The two alcohol free beers I had at 6pm seemed to fight with the progesterone. The progesterone won, keeping me asleep but the caffeine jittered away underneath.
We were SO busy at work today! The phone never stopped ringing, people were queuing up to speak to us and customers were in for vehicle handovers at the same time!
It was 4pm before I knew it!!
As I was driving home, I knew I should stop at the supermarket but I was shattered. I really couldn’t be bothered and in my head was frantically scrambling to think what we could have for dinner…. I was literally chattering away to myself all the way up the road. I phoned Craig… No answer.
He phoned back and said, sorry I couldn’t answer, I was in the chip shop getting us a chippy tea!!! My hero!!
We had really lovely fish and chips from the shop in Stewarton. It’s the most I’ve eaten in a while but it was so good, really meaty fish and just what the doctor ordered!
After dinner I took the dogs up the hill to work off some of my fish and chips!
It’s turned into a lovely evening…. Spot the puppers!
I love the tracks in the grass, mine are pretty straight and Calaidh’s are meandering next to mine.
Freya is shattered at the back!
Thistles!!
The hedgerows looking particularly beautiful just now.
The newly tarmac’d road!
The colours are so blue and green!
On the new road home.
I got back and did a poo pick in the garden, emptied and refilled the dishwasher and burned all the cardboard in the fire. I’m trying to do more in the evenings rather than just doing nothing. It’s worked so far. Feet up now.
I didn’t get to bed until 11.30pm last night. We had a lovely wee evening in the pub for Elly’s hen.
Elly’s home Hen doThe Gateside Gang
Everyone was so colourful!!
The dogs woke me just before 7 and I had a nice lazy morning. I was meeting Claire at 10.50 as she was taking me out for breakfast to Auchengree Farm Shop.
We had a lovely catch up and a lovely breakfast. I had a black pudding roll with a potato scone AND a piece of millionaires shortbread! Very kind of her. 💜💜
Got photos of this big guy outside on the way back to the car.
I wore my new black combat trousers as “The Windsor Waffle” (blogger buddie) persuaded me to keep both pairs I bought yesterday…. Easily persuaded!
Back home and I’ve been a man on a mission!! I have hoovered the whole house, hung up washing, looked out clothes to sell on Vinted to make up for buying new things yesterday and walked the three pupperinos! not selling the clothes yet as I feel they all need a wash first.
I took LOADS of photos of the dogs in the hope that one would be a classic. I think these are the best.
Zoom in on Freya’s teeth! She’s eating grass but it looks like she’s smiling with all her teeth! Loved this cloud! We found thistles mum!! Spot Calaidh?!
This next one is because they saw a kitten, walk out a field, right in front of us. they started to pull… I made them stop and get back behind me, and sit down.
Such good girls. ♥️♥️♥️
The sky is so dark. It looks like it’s gonna rain again but it’s stayed off so far but the wind is picking up. The dark sky makes for lovely dramatic photos.
So another good weekend! Getting used to my extra days off.
Hope you all have a great week. Stay calm and remember we can handle everything that life throws at us this week!
It’s a beautiful day here today. It’s been the perfect temperature and I’ve spent all day outside.
So last night it would appear my FB account was seriously hacked and I’ve been blocked for 2 days which doesn’t sound that bad but I can’t do anything this time.
Once again for she who breaks no rules, ever….. this is a bit of a pain in the proverbial backside. Since the middle of June there been suspicious activity on my account. I’ve been blocked for days, here and there, about 3 or 4 times.
FB is the hardest company to try and get hold of. I’m exhausted going round and round and round in circles trying to get them to believe that I didn’t 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.
I’ve changed my password about 4 times in the last few weeks and yet they are still getting to me. I don’t even understand how that is possible?
They’ve 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 don’t reference the authors properly?
What am I doing wrong?
Then last night at 10.18pm I finally realised it most definitely wasn’t 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 can’t even reply… I just look rude.
Anyway, I’ve reported the hacking about 100 different ways so hopefully they’ll 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 didn’t get home from Craig’s mum’s 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 I’ve been pulling weeds and relaxing. This has really been the longest weekend as I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have 3 days off and be in the house. I’ve 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 night….. Craig said it sounded like a truck had crashed out in the road. Oblivious!!
I’ve 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. You’d think I lay down next door and rolled around the amount of sniffing I got… 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 all…. Or leave it… that’s another option. 😆🤷🏻♀️
Hope you all have a lovely Sunday evening and the best week.
I must admit I could actually get used to this again. It’s only early Saturdays afternoon and I’m already off longer than I have been every weekend since September. (Except holidays… it does feel different when you’re 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!
It’s a beautiful morning. It’s hot already.
I was roasting half way round!!
The thistles we’re 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.
We’re off out to Craig’s mum’s this afternoon for her birthday.
This is Cookie!!
Having a lovely afternoon and evening with family and friends.
I have to be honest and say I didn’t feel great when I woke this morning. I’ve 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 😂 It was so tense this morning. My head was thumping too…. But onwards and upwards.
We took the dogs out early on. It’s been like April today with sunshine and showers… we missed the shower thankfully. I cannot believe it’s actually July!!! How did that happen.
Wait till you see my next thistle pic…. 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. He’d even hoovered up after Bhruic who is now moulting everywhere! He’s a good ‘un 😂 (well, for today anyway…😆😘)
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 interruptions…. The first was Craig telling me a lady had just stared into the dining room window as he sat working at the table…
Then literally a few minutes later to tell me she’d 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!?!?! That’s a first. 🤦🏻♀️😂
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 doesn’t need me this week as Lochwinnoch is closed for holidays so I get some extra days off. I’ll 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 advice… just once I figure out exactly what it is….
We’re 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 you’re in a caravan or Motorhome but we’re 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 we’ve seen some amazing scenery.
It’s 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. 😂 A roll and haggis and an oat milk decaf latte!
A leisurely walk through Ullapool…. 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. It’s drizzling now.
I spotted some thistles on the way back to the car!
None of them had a stunning backdrop sadly….
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. 😬 he politely said he knew what I meant! 🤔😆
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 Scotland’s 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 wasn’t 100% certain that coming home was the right idea, but the heavens opened just north of the Erskine Bridge and it’s 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 didn’t appreciate it enough at the time. The weather hasn’t 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 boards…. If it’s not blawin’ 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 we’re home!!)
I’m very proud of myself for taking over the driving on Tuesday when we drove back up from Ullapool…. I’ve not written that blog yet… but I will. I’ve 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 us… and we did come back to some waterworks and traffic lights outside house. We’d sprung a leak so at least that’s 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 doesn’t get that dark up here. Even at 1.30am there was light in the sky.
It’s forecast to be sunny this morning and it’s trying really hard…. Not quite managing it.
Freya has been exceptional. Honestly we are blown away by our youngest pup. She’s always been the youngest of 3 so has always been more of a dogs dog than a people dog.
She’s lying at my feet now, honestly barely a peep out of her… except for that exceptionally heavy breathing through the night. The material for the sleeping bag isn’t the best for the heat. It’s 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 it’s now 8.15pm and with all things it’s 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 Flossie’s Little Blue Shop in the Clachtoll village. It’s 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. Don’t know if I’ve said that there no phone signal so I’m 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.
It’s now 8.30pm and the sun is shining. It’s much cooler than it has been these last few weeks but it’s beautiful and that’s the main thing.
I’ve just sat down for a wee rest and it’s 8pm. I’m shattered. I’ve 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. It’s actually rained on and off all day, so different from the scorching sun of yesterday. I just didn’t have the energy to jog! I’ve been tired this week!
Look how tall this grass is behind me in the field!! It really is just actual grass… how is that possible?!?!
When did grass get so high?!
I also spotted my first real thistles this morning. I’m 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 I’ve been running round trying to get everything together and packing the van. I’ve 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 there’s always something we forget.
The forecast is all over the place so we have to cover all seasons!
So as usual can’t guarantee signal to be able to blog so will see how it goes. I’m 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 Claire’s books with me and I’m taking some crochet. Hoping to just chill and relax.
I say that hay fever slapped me in the face but I actually feel like I went looking for it!
I haven’t really suffered much since my late 20’s…. So today I thought it would be a good idea to walk the dogs into a beautiful field…
Looks so pretty. The reality though is that I have sneezed since I left that field. I’ve obviously stirred up the most incredible pollen….
Poor Calaidh is scared of a sneeze. As you do the big inhale she comes running for cuddles and when you actually sneeze… she tried to head for the hills, with her tail between her legs!! Not so easy when she is attached to a lead through all of this.
The whole way home, come running for cuddles, nope I’m off, come running for cuddles, nope I’m off……. 😂 it was actually quite comical if the sneezing and dog antics weren’t so difficult to handle. I sneezed the WHOLE way home. She hasn’t spoken to me since 😂😘 anyway, I did get some pretty photos.
CalaidhBhruicFreya
I saw my first real thistle this morning.
And Bhru spotted some cows down in the burn.
There’s hardly any water. We are desperate for rain. It’s not so sunny today but still warm.
The little gift shop was really busy today and it started to rain for a short time. It was always forecast and it’s super cloudy but muggy.
Gayle and I had decided to go back out to Largs today to visit the charity shops. There’s a new one opened right at the ferry terminal. I picked Gayle up at 3 and we headed over.
I did really well and got 2 wedding outfits, yes, second hand and I will probably sell them on or donate them back to charity after our 3 weddings are over this year. I am not a fancy dressed person these days but I’ve enjoyed trying on dresses!
Love this next photo. The clouds are so atmospheric and I just spotted the wee seagulls… posing for the shot!!
Look how dry the grass is. At least it should get some water soon with the rain that’s coming.
We had a lovely wee shopping trip and back home just before 6!
Craig has the boys in for the Scotland v Norway game and Jim brought chilli with him so I just had a lovely feed and I’m sitting in the garden writing this! Barry two doors down is getting the goals about 20 seconds before our house. I hear him screaming and then our living room erupts!!! 🏴 I think Scotland might be winning?!? Unless they are suddenly screaming for Norway?! 😂
Jeezo man it is hot. 🥵 It’s been 25°C since about 1pm and just hasn’t let up. I was literally stuck to my clothes this afternoon in the metal portacabin! The fan just blowing hot air at me.
I don’t know about anyone else but I can’t deal with the noise of a fan…. I feel such a relief when I switch it off. It must be at a frequency that just irritates me. I can only have it on for so long, blowing it’s hot air around. (Listen to me 🤦🏻♀️😂)
I am trying not to complain but it’s hard not to feel lethargic when we are SO not used to this!! The aircon in my van was amazing!!! I am so grateful for the aircon. It was 43°C inside the van when I left work. 🥵🥵🥵🥵 It was down to 28°C by the time I got home which felt so much cooler than outside. Funny how that works?!? Maybe my sensor is wrong with hindsight 🤦🏻♀️😂
So up and at it today with dog jog before 6am. It would have been so easy to stay in bed but I was determined to start the new week the same as the last.
Took this pic as Calaidh was having a wee shake!
The rhododendrons were stunning. I love that colour. 💜💜💜
I managed to have a shower, make a salad for lunch and a banana and strawberry smoothie AND feed the dogs and tidy the kitchen all before work. It feels amazing being bright and breezy in the morning.
I’m still doing really well on the fasting. I have definitely found the thing that works for me. As with most things I really want to do, I am focussed on it and never let it slide. I really commit to something when I want to.
I feel SO much better for it. I never wake up bloated, my clothes are never tight. I am almost comfortable in my own skin…. But let’s not take it too far. 😂
I’ve been having salad for almost every meal for the last few weeks. Toss everything into a large Tupperware tub, a splash of extra virgin olive oil and some balsamic vinegar and shake! I’m having some lovely meats and cheeses mixed in with it all. I’m not denying myself anything but I am not so hungry anymore either. I love it, it makes me very happy!!
A HUGE cloud has just come over and it’s still roasting but it looks ominous.
The forecast is for thunder just now… and as if on queue. Thunder!! 🌩️⚡️🌩️⚡️ I just wanted to use these emojis.
We’re still sitting out under it but the puppers have gone inside. They were not happy. I’m just loving the cool air!
She who vowed never to look at the plane tracker ever again… tracked Craig’s plane into landing this morning. 🤦🏻♀️
When I woke up after another dead to the world sleep…. This time fuelled by progesterone as it’s another 2 weeks on…. I checked and he was flying over Santander!
Then it was off out for dog jog! Getting into a bit of a routine with all this these days.
No pulling, no fuss, just out for a walk.
And a bit of a run!
We had a big run about in the field and they were all in munching in the grass.
By the time I got to work this morning, he was coming in to land, just passed over our house!!
I know I am sad but I love this tracker…. Also watch with a huge amount of fear, as you know, as the speed with which it descends is quite terrifying to watch! Can’t stop though.
It was a quick day today and I’m just home from work and Craig has had the day with the pups…. They are really pleased to see him and haven’t left him alone.
There was no one at the door to meet me!!!
He’s already missing the 5 he left behind in Spain.
Just sitting outside in the windy sun for a bit though I do have a sweatshirt on today. Mr Spanish heat is loving the breeze!
It’s been another lovely day after yesterday’s clouds. We didn’t see the sun until about 3.30pm yesterday. When it came out, it was HOT!
Sorry for such a quick blog yesterday, I just ran out of day! I literally never stopped from 5.30am until about 10pm. I was so full of “birthday tea” when I went to bed, that I ended up waking at 4am. My mind started racing, the birds were twittering away and I couldn’t get back to sleep.
I got up and did everything backwards this morning!! I made my lunch, had a shower and then headed out for dog jog?!?! Go figure…. A run after my shower?! 😂 not my smartest move but hey… I’m tired.
Mid jog, I stopped to show you how tall the cow parsley is growing!! Absolutely nothing to do with taking a breather….. 🙊
They had a good run around in the field this morning too.
There’s also lots of these lovely yellow iris’ along the side of the field, so pretty. There’s a lot of them in the wild just now.
I loved this Hawthorne tinged pink!
I can’t tell you how guilty I feel when I head to work and leave these 3 wee faces. They’re used to Craig being here on and off through the day. They get under your feet as you leave, as if to the and trip you up!
Please don’t go mum!!
So the Scottish Dog Behaviourist is actually home tomorrow, finally! It feels like he’s been away for weeks! He’s had a great time, done loads of training and learned loads but think he’s ready to get back to our 3 amigos. He’ll certainly miss the 5 dogs he’s leaving in Spain too.
He’ll be home tomorrow morning just as I get to work, so our lovely friend Lindsay will pick him up and bring him home.
So I’m off to crochet tonight in the pub…. Alcohol free gin and tonic for me! We’ve not met up in ages so I’m looking forward to seeing everyone. It is just the other side of the fence from where I’m sitting just now so not too much of an effort. Guess I should actually take my crochet this week and get back into it, or that blanket will never finish itself!
I was out in the pub last night… on a school night! Our friends Lindsay and Euan walked out from Beith to meet me next door. We had a lovely wee catch up and FaceTimed Craig in Spain!!
I came home and played with the dogs for a bit and got some lovely random photos.
Always love the jumping shots!
This morning started off cloudy. I had an alarm set for 5.30am and was off out with the dogs but had to wear a long sleeved top. I felt pretty tired and grumpy if I’m honest. I get sluggish as I jogged. Not feeling it today.
We saw this big sheep!
Freya alway checking up to make sure I’m still there!
I’ve not been in the best mood today. I don’t quite know where to put myself. I think I’m just tired after being so busy at the weekend. I got through lots at work so that’s always good. The sun came out about 9ish and it’s been really hot today. We’ve had the door wide open all day and even the fan on.
I am LOVING this run of beautiful weather. All the things mulling round in my mind should be irrelevant when I look at that lovely blue sky and just breathe.
I just yawned my head off…. Early night needed I think!
That sun emoji is still right up there at the top. Even above my ♥️ emoji which I use a lot.
I’m sleeping really well these days… there no snoring in our house as he’s away and obviously I don’t snore at all so I’m out for the count! 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️😂
I felt a lot of anxiety when I woke this morning. It’s a beautiful day again and I have a sea swim planned at my favourite Portencross beach, today at 11am.
Now that sounds to me like the perfect day… and spoiler alert… it absolutely was… just the best…. But oh my god I make some amount of fuss in my head before I go!!!
There’s the dogs to be walked… and I like to do that before everyone is up… so I better get moving…
We went a different way today. They were so excited as they know they get off at the top of the hill so they pulled me all the way up. I stressed about that.
Then Freya needed a wee rest!
There are loads of buttercups up here.
Look how clear the sky is. You can see all the way over to the Isle of Arran.
A gate specifically for The Windsor Waffle my blogger friend. Just so she knows I’m still looking for gates 😂
Sooo many buttercups!!
I still had ages to get ready to head to the beach. I was stressed about remembering everything I needed to take (which was all safely stored in one place, I might add..) and of course I needed to be there an hour early so I could get parked. my driving and parking anxiety has been quite bad this weekend.
We’ve had a big event on in the Village Hall this weekend and I seem to be petrified of not getting parked when I come home. My whole weekend has been jigged around this event, which is, quite frankly, ridiculous!!
Anyway… I get there for about 10am and this is what greets me. Portencross is the best I have seen it this year.
The water is so still, so calm and peaceful. I could sit here for hours.
It’s just a shame a big group of age 60+ seem to have moved in to the picnic area and even at that time, have music blaring on a loud speaker. They are all chatting over it. Sitting under a large gazebo, none of them in the sun and they’ve brought an actual karaoke machine. I mean, really?!? Who does that. No care for anyone else sitting nearby them. Not sure why they hadn’t just stayed at home.
Down on the rocks and thankfully their tunes don’t travel.
I sat and watched this wee family of ducks float past! The wee one at the back was paddling like crazy to keep up. I was so lovely to watch.
I go swimming with Ellison from Tartan Campers and her sister Eileen who has been doing it for years so knows her stuff! We also met Chantal and Lesley today (they are really good swimmers so they were off for a good two kilometre swim).
Eileen is really good at taking photos but had left her phone pouch at home. I gave her mine. No point in me faffing with my phone and getting nothing! Also allowed me to relax and enjoy it without taking photos all the time.
We swam out the little stony beach at the side of Portencross Castle.
We literally walked in here and swam away!
Don’t be fooled into thinking I was swimming with a spaceman!! Ellison is wearing her snorkel mask which covers her full face and allows you to breath through your nose and mouth while snorkelling.
Eileen obviously took all of these photos. It just felt like such a special day. I’ve always wanted to swim there. I was petrified of jellyfish and saw none. I preferred not to look but once I borrowed Ellison’s snorkel I saw that it was amazing to swim under water.
I could have lay about in the water by the side of the castle all day!
It’s lovely to come out of the sea into the heat but you’re still exceptionally cold. The heat helps you to warm up a bit faster but you still have the shivers.
We sat and had a lovely lunch looking out to sea, I took a salad with me, I was ravenous by then!
Then to top it all off, Ellison and I took a wander back round to the castle and went inside. I’ve always wanted to do that! The views from the top are incredible.
This next picture shows the bit we swam in. It was amazing to see it from above.
Yet another day spent with people who are very good for my soul!
The whole reason I write this blog is to show people that I might look like I do lots of amazing things at times but I do feel a lot of anxiety around it. It doesn’t always come easily to me. It would have been so easy to stay home today and look what I would have missed.
Feel the fear and do it anyway!
Off to meet friends in the pub tonight about half 6… it’s been all go but a great weekend!
Lots of calls with Craig during the day today catching up on his dog training too! All good over there!
Wow you know you’re having good weather if the sun emoji is at the top of your emojis. Right next to the Scotland flag!
I’ve had the best wee day to myself so far!
To be fair it started at 2am with a bark…. To wake up to this.
The moon was so bright that the room was light…. We don’t have curtains so wear eye masks but once I was up it was just really beautiful. Made me a bit less angry at the dogs. I let them out and we all went back to bed… until 6.15am when another one barked… or quite possibly the same one so it was off out for this mornings dog jog.
I didn’t take a lot of photos this morning as it’s just as beautiful as every other day this week.
It was a lovely walk. Back home for a peppermint tea in the garden before I got showered to head out.
I walked to the little gift shop this morning. It was such a lovely day and the village hall has a big event on with about 20 visitors expected. The downside to roadside living is that you can come back and never get a parking space!
Also getting my steps up!
It already feels really warm but I have to have warm clothes for the shop as it’s always really cool.
I had the best morning. It was heaving!!! So busy but I still got lots of lovely chats with customers. Doing what I love the most. Chatting to people, making them smile and having some banter.
The morning passed so fast. I didn’t get a chance even for a coffee, let alone the lovely salad I’d taken with me. I of course had to walk home in 22°C heat which is very hot for us Scots… wearing jeans and trainers, carrying my sweatshirt and body warmer!!
It is just a scorcher of a day. It’s hot and I am…. Wait for it…. Outside in my garden in a bikini for the first time in a VERY VERY VERY long time.
I am lying like a coiled spring, waiting on someone to walk into the garden so I can wrap myself in a towel but I’m in a bikini and not horrifically horrified by what I see.
The dogs just want to be with me so I’ve moved next to some shade so they are not to hot but able to still be close to me. Our artificial grass gets very hot in this weather!!
This is the life.
Gayle and I are going to Largs for a chippy tea later and I’m so looking forward to it!
Here we are!!
We’ve come to The Fish Works in Largs!
It is stunning here and we are having such a lovely time! I’m off to enjoy it!
The Rambling Sloth 🦥 