Day 1441 something nice about that number.. Good Friday 2024

It’s my day off today and I have zero plans for the next 3 days… nada, diddly squat, nowt.

That usually just opens up before me like a big hole in the ground but despite saying I’ve been freaking out, I’m actually looking forward to the relaxation. It’s been a busy few weeks.

We had a lovely meal last night at The Ship in Irvine. Our table was booked for 6pm coz that’s how we roll these days. It’s a lovely place.

Craig had Cullen Skink for starter and I had garlic mushrooms. Both were lovely.

Craig had fish and chips and I had vegetable pie…. In keeping with my random not eating meat thing.. it was really good.

Pinch my sundae and I’ll punch you. Not quite sure how I captured this random shot but it’s a good one… the dessert is mine.

This is a Tunnocks Ice Cream Sundae.

Tunnocks are a famous Scottish biscuit/cake brand and I have to say it tasted like a Tunnocks Teacake and a snowball all rolled into one!

It’s 1.30pm and I’ve been for a run with Rachel, walked Bhru by myself and walked Khaleesi and Freya with Claire… had a cuppa, tidied the house, hoovered, cleaned, put away washing, marvelled at the sunshine, put two new washings on and had a shower. Then I sat down in the silence and have almost fallen asleep.

The silence is lovely. I’ve only 3 dogs and they are fast asleep.

Showcasing my crochet here. 😂

Rachel and I headed out at 7.30am. It’s a beautiful morning. Here we are running!!

It’s such a lovely morning.

It’s all about the puddle reflections this morning. It must have rained heavily overnight.

There is a tiny reflection in this puddle!

This huge puddle shows how much it’s rained.

Love seeing the sun like this.

Bhru enjoying some one on one!

I headed back home and picked up Claire, Khaleesi & Freya!

We went into Spiers old school grounds and this huge tree has fallen over. As we walked towards it, it looked like a new, muddy pond… then I realised the tree was down and the water is the root bed filling up after the rain.

Freya having a wee chat with Khaleesi.

Freya getting cuddles from her Auntie Claire.

More reflections on the way back.

Claire came in for a cuppa and got kisses from Khaleesi!

So the weather went from warm in the lovely sunshine to torrential rain pretty quickly.

My in-laws came down this afternoon with our nephew this afternoon… to deliver Easter eggs!! We had a lovely catch up.

We also had a guy come out to fix our French doors at the back of the house. For over an hour we had 4 adults and a teenager AND 5 dogs all in one room…. So the guy had free rein to come in and out the house.!

So yeah that’s my Friday. Been a good day.

Hope you all have a great weekend. No Easter break for me as we work Monday but I’m looking forward to the next 2 days to chill.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1435 dog walks then trip to my brother’s for coffee ☕️ and a look at the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier!

What’s started as a really slow day, has flown in.

I was up at 7 and out with Bhruic and Freya first thing…. It was SO cold I could hardly feel my fingers or speak properly. I was meant to be running with Rachel but I told her no way 😂😂😂 it was far too cold.

Just after I took these pictures it started to rain and it didn’t stop for ages.

I came back and had coffee with Craig but then saw my neighbour Holly passing, either her dog so I jumped out with Khaleesi and Calaidh. We got soaked!! It’s milder by now but still pouring. We had a great catch up though. It always makes the walk go so much faster.

By the time both dog walks were over, it was only 9.30am and the day loomed before me like a looming thing….. what to do?!?

I changed the bed… clean bed tonight, yay! Dusted and polished the bedroom furniture and hoovered the rest of the house, apart from the dining room and kitchen. I’d been fasting for nearly 19 hours when I realised, so I stopped to eat. By this time it was 11.30am.

I knew mum and dad were popping over to my brothers this afternoon. I also knew that the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier was in the Firth of Forth… I thought under the Forth Rail Bridge, so fancied getting some photos of it. so I decided to head over there at the last minute.

Just before I left Mum called to say the ship was further up the Firth opposite Hopetoun House now, so not quite the same photo opportunity!!

I got over to SQ at 2.18pm…. Having no concept it would take me an hour and 20 minutes from here… not like I haven’t done that journey so many times before! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

We jumped in my brother’s car and he took us up to Hopetoun House where I got my photo opportunity!

Not quite as good as I hoped but at least I’ve seen it.

She’s in this photo…. Honest!

A zoom in….

On the other hand there was an excellent view of the 3 Forth Bridges! Albeit quite far away!

Mum caught me in some photos…

This old house is right next to the coast… completely ruined now.

On the drive back up to the house we drove under all 3 bridges… all these next pics taken from the car. My brother was driving.

The new Queensferry Crossing.

The old Forth Road Bridge, only open to buses now.

The iconic Forth Rail Bridge.

We went back for coffee and hot cross buns and had a good chat before I headed home again. Was barely there for 2 hours… it was all so last minute!

I had a lovely drive home so I’m really glad I went out for the afternoon and did something different.

I popped into the pub for an alcohol free pink gin, to see Craig who’d just come home from work and gone in for a pint.

I made some pasta for dinner rather than getting a takeaway. We both really enjoyed it. It’s too easy to order in at the weekend but that adds up.

Hope you all have a great rest of weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1400 a real family kinda day (usually do stats recap on a big number day but will do them tomorrow!)

I woke up in a some lovely pink floweriness!

My old room is way prettier than it ever was when it was mine. I had a lovely sleep, went to bed at 9pm, never even heard mum and dad come up to bed! Slept until 7am and decided to go for an early morning walk before everyone got up.

The sunrise sky looked lovely.

Could I find the key to the front door to get out?!? Eh naw?!? I was locked in. Thankfully mum got up just in time. I had the loveliest walk!!

Really sadly… where am I standing used to be a field. I’m looking down from the extension of mum and dad’s street which now goes up into the field. There are massive housing estates built in these fields now.

The sunrise was lovely.

Everything looks so bright on the morning sun.

I walked all the way up to the high road… we never used to be able to do that… new housing estates mean new paths. Silver lining I guess.

The Pentland Hills looked beautiful.

I took this photo to capture my mood… I was buzzing, I felt so alive. I NEVER listen to music while I walk but I have found a band called Hollow Coves, I use them for reels a lot and find their music really happy and uplifting. It was lovely to walk to.

There were lots of snowdrops.

My friend Helen grew up down this road but I didn’t have time to walk as far as her old house.

Back in a bit of field that still exists looking over to Turnhouse hill.

So mum had organised a wee surprise for me this morning… I was meeting some of my aunties and one of my cousins for coffee this morning. At such short notice, not everyone she asked could make it. We did some shopping first. Here’s mum outside Penicuik’s answer to the little gift shop. Love that I made her pose outside it! 😂

Here she is outside the Penicuik Storehouse where we end for coffee.

We met my Auntie Christine and Auntie Dy and my wee cousin Fee and her youngest son. It was soooo lovely to see them all. It’s been way too long! When I was a kid we spent every Sunday together and now we haven’t met up in over 5 years… maybe more.

We had the loveliest catch up.

Then we headed off to South Queensferry with Dad, to meet Craig and my brother, sis in law and my nephew, for Mum’s birthday lunch. It’s her actual birthday tomorrow. Of course pics first!

The iconic Forth Rail Bridge.

The three Forth crossings though you have to really squint to see the two road bridges!

The Forth Road Bridges.

A crow!

This is the view looking out the door of our restaurant today… Thirty Knots.

Mushroom tacos for me… still rocking this vegan thing….

That is… until I get to dessert. Then dairy all the way with a Salted Caramel and Scottish tablet Sunday. Unfortunately the Scottish tablet was just fudge pieces but it was still lovely.

We were back home by 5pm.

I’ve had a lovely time but I’m back in my comfies with my feet up sitting in silence 😂😂😂 actually yawning my head off. A great few days with lots of catching up!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1371 ladies wot lunch in Edinburgh 🚆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌨️❄️

I’m on the train to Edinburgh again.

I love the train!! 🚆

We’re having a family ladies lunch today with Mum’s side so I’m meeting Mum, Auntie Marion, mum’s cousin Joyce (who is always called mum’s cousin Joyce!) and my sister in law, Gill.

I had another great sleep and woke up at 6am. It has snowed again over night. By the time I got up, the rain was pouring over the snow and creating black ice 🧊

I got a notification from the Trainline app to say that there was potential disruption on the route for today so I left early, to make sure I got there in time. Here comes the train!

The platform is super icy. They always say “please mind the gap when alighting from the train”… please mind the ice as you try to board the train would be more appropriate!

I don’t get any decent photos from the train as it’s raining and misty most of the way in.

Here’s Glasgow in the rain though.

Me with my hood up. My hair was nice and straight when I left the house… maybe not so much by the time I get to Edinburgh 😂

I got the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh and we were only held up for a bit outside Polmont station. They said there was a technical fault that they were currently fixing.

I met a lovely American family on the train on their first visit to Scotland. Their daughter is starting Glasgow Caledonian University. I of course became the tour guide on the train whether they wanted it if not. I was buzzing for them to see Edinburgh for the first time 😂

Joyce met me in Edinburgh Waverley. The Americans went off to find their Mary Queen of Scots tour…. Who knew that was a thing?!?

We were booked into The Botanist in Edinburgh.

It’s through the new St James’ Quarter.

What a beautiful place.

It’s so pretty inside. It’s such a lovely atmosphere. It’s in the centre of Edinburgh but it’s like sitting in the middle of a jungle.

It feels very natural.

The food was exceptional too. It’s a really good menu.

Joyce and I shared the Red Thai Prawn Kebab and the Grilled Halloumi Kebab.

We got one with coconut rice and one with chips.

It was so good honestly, super tasty, really good quality food. Only cost is £22.62 a head as well which I thought was really good.

Here’s the seabass.

And the sweet potato Katsu curry.

Even the oat milk DECAF! latte was really good.

I really loved it, I would go back in a heartbeat. It’s great to catch up with all the family ladies too and hear everyone’s news.

It’s been a lovely, cold day in Edinburgh.

I took a few shots before I headed back down into Waverley station.

I literally missed the Glasgow Queen Street train by two minutes. They wouldn’t let me through the barrier as the doors were just closing. Dammit…. 😂 I headed round for the Glasgow Central train which stops at hundreds of stations but gets me into Glasgow only 7 minutes later than the Queen St train so I figured it would do me just fine. I’m also seeing a hundred Scottish stations, most of which I didn’t even know existed!!! Who knew 😂

Still an hour of travelling to go but that is fine. It was a lovely day and yet another mini adventure and new experience!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Stay safe everyone ❄️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🚆

Day 1346 Christmas Day 2024 🎄♥️😘

Merry Christmas everyone!

So in true Julie fashion not everything is rosy in the garden. My left knee is agony and kept me awake last night. I haven’t done anything other than stand. I’ve stood a lot at the shop and I stood in the pub last night. When I went to move it was stuck.

I took paracetamol and ibuprofen and it didn’t touch it. I woke two or three times in the night.

It’s been agony all day. 😢 I’m fairly certain it’s just muscular but no idea why it’s so sore.

I’ve also got travel anxiety and I haven’t actually relaxed knowing that me and the sore knee have to drive home.

Anyway moan over…

Other than that we’ve had a lovely day.

We got lovely presents this morning… we were meant to have a £50 limit but not sure either of us stuck to it!

I did a doggo photo shoot!

The puppers had Butternut Box Festive Turkey Feast for breakfast!

We left to head over to Mum and Dad’s about 10.30. It’s takes about an hour and half.

I got a new scarf and I love it!!!

I got a new purse which I love too. It’s multicoloured and matches my scarf. It’s not in this photo 😂😂

Khaleesi made herself at home!

Mum and dad had made a lovely meal.

We’ve had a lovely day!!

I now have the anxiety of getting Craig’s car out of mum and dad’s driveway….. the things I worry about eh?!

I have an appetite for drama and suffering eh?!? Told you I’d throw that at myself sometime soon…

Sending myself some peace. I can do this.

Stay safe everyone 🎄🎅🏼🤶🏼

Day 1312 a lovely day trip to Edinburgh Castle with Mum & Dad 🏰

A super frosty, foggy early start this morning, catching the train to Edinburgh to meet Mum and Dad for the day.

It’s 8.51pm and I’m already north of Glasgow on the train. The freezing fog still hasn’t lifted. It’s like pea soup. 😂

I’m half an hour early I think, but I booked my ticket through Trainline. Last time I travelled to Edinburgh it was £41. This time it was £25.90 because I booked in advance. I also upgraded to allow me to take any train today. I think that was an extra £3 or so. It was well worth it… hence the being half an hour early.

And just like that the sun burns through the fog just outside Falkirk. If you zoom in you can see a bank of fog in the distance. It’s going to be a beautiful day… didn’t bring sunglasses either. 😎

You can see the heavy frost in the foreground of this photo.

Crossing the viaduct.

I have arrived!

I went for a wander as I was a half hour early. It’s the most beautiful day now.

I met Mum and Dad up the top of Cockburn Street.

We decided to head straight up to the castle.

It’s so nice to see it without the Edinburgh Tattoo scaffolding on the Esplanade.

Edinburgh is so much quieter than the last time mum and I were here during the Festival.

I say that and there were a LOT of people I the Castle during the middle of the day.

Looking down to the east end of Princes Street and the Wallace Monument.

The one o’clock gun!

St Margaret’s Chapel.

Mons Meg.

When we were wee this was kept inside. It’s obviously been preserved enough to bring it back outside.

We stood up here to watch Edinburgh’s 1o’clock gun go off. Even when you know it’s coming, you still get a fright.

This is fired every day except Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day, to let ships in the Firth of Forth know what time it is.

Here is Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags… the crags aren’t particularly visible due to the sun but if you zoom in you might see them.

I’m sorry but does this gold roof not remind you of something?!? 💩

You can see they are setting up for the Christmas Markets down in Princes Street Gardens. Think it opens next weekend.

I have so many more photos but I think I might break WordPress. 😂

I love this shot of us leaving the castle… the longest legs in the shadows!

We were SO lucky with the weather. It’s been very cold but a beautiful day. It’s so lovely to make these memories together, rather than sitting around inside a house.

I even got a nice shot in Edinburgh Waverley.

It’s dark now and I’m just north of Glasgow again where the blog started.

Thanks to mum and dad for such a lovely day.

Happy weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️🏰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Day 1298 a wee day out in Glasgow! 🚙🚆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥙

Check me.

I’m on the train heading into our big smoke, Glasgow. I’m off to meet Mum’s cousin, Joyce, for lunch. Something we’ve talked about doing so often but actually never quite get around to planning… yet here we are! She’s waiting for her train in Edinburgh and I’m almost in Glasgow so I can walk from Central Station to Queen Street Station and meet her.

I didn’t get to bed until 11pm last night after the Beith Young Farmers concert. Louise next door was amazing in it. She did so well, I don’t know where the years have gone but she’s grown up into such a lovely girl and it’s amazing to watch her up there.

I was awake at 6am… as usual and heading out with Calaidh, Bhruic and Freya before it even got light. (Sorry, Evelyn!). I did have my hi vis vest on and a head torch though so I was very visible. It got light pretty quickly as I walked. I forgot to pick up my phone but the sunrise was lovely and red.

I dropped them home and got Khaleesi and the phone and headed back out again.

We met Rachel two doors down, with Nacho, so once again it was great to have company on the dog walk.

Khaleesi is still fascinated by the cows! This big bull was staring at her too but the moment had passed by the time I got my phone out!

Showered and off to catch the 10.12 train to Glasgow Central.

Glengarnock Station was looking really quiet this morning on the Glasgow bound side.

I loved the colours on this mild autumn morning.

😂 I’ll take a photo of anything!

My trip with Helen from Exmouth into Exter made me appreciate the beauty of our journey into Glasgow. The colours are amazing this morning, I’m sure it’s going to rain at some point.

It was much colder in Glasgow than I was back home, yet it’s only half and hour away. I wish I’d worn a proper coat instead of my denim jacket. I also took a cosy black dress off as I thought I’d be too hot. Nope, freezing! 😂

I’m early to meet Joyce so took a wander around to take some photos of Glasgow… of course I did!

This is Central Station.

This is the Citizen where we are going for lunch.

I have to say that it strikes me that Glasgow is pretty quiet traffic wise but that’s the first time I’ve been in since the Low Emission Zone came into force. It’s definitely easier to cross the roads!

This is George Square. The heart of Glasgow city. It’s pedestrianised at two sides now, such a difference. It seems more European if that’s possible.

Here’s our famous Duke of Wellington statue with its traffic cone! A symbol of the humour of Glasgow. Every time they take it down, someone else puts it back up so I think it’s finally here to stay! (Shame about the scaffolding!)

Maybe as I’m more keen to travel and appreciate the present moment, I am much more aware of my actual surroundings. I used to fly through here and barely look up.

The city was the draw for everything when we were younger. Every night out, every celebration. I feel like it’s moved on and left me behind and now I can look at it as a tourist which is really quite nice.

In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. 🥰

I love this. I’m standing in Queen Street Station waiting on Joyce writing all this.

There’s a guy playing the customer piano in the station and he’s great! I’m nearly in tears with the emotion and memories that his music stirs up…. Anyway gotta go waltzing over to meet Joyce while he blasts Abba’s Mama Mia!

We have had such a lovely time! It’s been great to catch up and have such a good chat.

The Citizen is beautiful inside.

Even the toilets are lovely! (Uh huh…. I took photos inside the toilets 🚻)

The food was so good. We had drunken prawns with bread and olives to start followed by Grilled Halloumi Salad for mains. I’d love to know how they made that as it was so tasty.

It doesn’t look it in this picture but it was huge. There was a lot going on underneath the halloumi!

Lots of chat later and a quick wander around the shops and I’m back in Central Station ready for the 4.15 home.

I’ve done 15.5K steps so far and my legs and bunion joint are really sore. I need to do something about that. I don’t know why I’m so stiff. It does all seem to be muscular. Joyce did ask me today if I needed new knees?!?! 😳 I seriously hope I just need to loosen up the ones that I have 😂😘

A lovely day out with lovely company.

Have a great weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1286 a wobbly morning but off to have a lovely afternoon! 👩‍👩‍👦‍👦

Well the hormones have taken hold this morning for the first time in ages. I am so tearful. The tears are just streaming down my face and while they do stop, they’re back about 10-15 minutes later. This is ridiculous.

I’ve always said I want to tell the truth with this blog, no matter how uncomfortable it is for me to do that.

I’m so glad that Craig has been away this weekend as it wouldn’t have been any fun to be around. Let’s get one thing straight, it’s not being alone that has made me sad… I think it’s my expectations for the weekend…. The amount I wanted to do it needed to be a three week weekend! I was rebuilding the house while catching up with friends and family on top of dealing with the dogs.

I’ve been so impatient with the dogs, not had the confidence to walk the three at once so had to do separate walks where I berate myself all the way round for not managing the three of them… there go the tears again. I met a man with a two dogs off lead and the adrenaline that flowed through me was enough to choke a horse. (Poor metaphor but it did make me smile). Of course it was fine.

Wow, even as I write this I really how difficult my head can be and I bring all of this on myself.

Every step with the dogs was a drudge. Bhru and Freya first, then back for Calaidh. Half way through Calaidh’s walk I felt a surge of positivity and energy which was nice. I smiled, looked around and appreciated the moment.

It didn’t last…. Poor Claire asked if she could borrow two eggs… is there a way to say todays not a good day to be borrowing eggs 🤦🏻‍♀️😔 she spotted it straight away… more tears. Jeez….

I was planning to fast until I head over to Edinburgh this afternoon but I had a egg mayo bagel and it has helped. I’d already done 16 hours fasting so I thought some food would help.

I’m gonna put this out before I go. We have a family get together in Edinburgh this afternoon at mum’s cousin Joyce’s house. (Always call her mum’s cousin Joyce for some reason… smiled again!)

I was have a lovely afternoon and at some point normal Julie will kick back in and no one will ever know. 🤦🏻‍♀️😆😉

At some point I will feel completely calm and forget that this ever happened…. Except that I have written it all down. ☺️

I saw rainbows everywhere this morning.

Heavy overnight frost!

Then I spotted these really cool clouds on the way back down the hill. They made me feel a bit dizzy through the lens. (lens?!? 😂 iPhone!!)

So yeah… not the best morning. No real reason… all hormonal and I’m cringing like a cringey thing putting this out but if you met me on the walk I’d have smiled and you’d have had no idea.

You meet people like me all over the place. Everywhere. You have no idea how someone is feeling. So please always be kind.

I say that…… and don’t be too kind if you see me today as you might get tears 🥹🥹🥹😔😂😂 best just pretending none of this has happened 😂😂

So I’m off to shower, get dressed, hair and make up done and I’ll be fine. I’ll have a lovely day catching up with family I’ve not seen since February. I’ve arranged for neighbours to pop in and let the dogs out.

I have a busy week at work while half of Tartan take holidays at the same time…. But it will all be fine and I’ll wonder what all the fuss was about. Again.

Life with crazy hormones can be tough.. but I’m fighting it every step of the way.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1187 two whole days off in a row and mother in laws birthday get together!

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.

Having a lovely afternoon and evening with family and friends.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1159 a walk to & from the little gift shop & birthday party at the in-laws 🥳🎉🎁

It’s another beautiful day. There’s still a breeze which, at some points, seemed like a howling gale in the back garden 😂

We were up with a woof at 6.30am, goodness only knows what disturbed them this morning. To be fair, I do love the early mornings so I’m not complaining.

We sat outside right a coffee… DECAF of course 😂😂😂 I am far too quick to take Craig’s suggestion that he’ll ask the dogs. 2 days in a row now that I’ve wanted to go out with them but give up in a heartbeat, as I’m so grateful that I don’t have to.

Think I may be shunned by Calaidh as a result 😂

So I decided instead to walk to work…. That’s how I can explain it to myself but in all honesty, there a another reason….. it’s the Beith Gala day today and I am…. Wait for it… worried that I might not get the van out of the car park as it might be too busy when I leave. Seriously. It’s amazing what I can make up in my own head. So instead let’s pretend it’s all about the exercise. 🥴

To be fair, I did really enjoy the walk. It’s calm and peaceful. I did get stopped by one of our lovely neighbours, to see if I wanted a lift, but I was striding it out and enjoying it. also taking photos… naturally!

It is a beautiful walk and the same again home only this time, more gates AND pretty damn hot! The breeze is suddenly working in my favour!

I stopped by the community garden on the recommendation of one our customers.

Then off up the road!

So many very old gates on this road.

They are all hanging by a thread!

It is scorching hot today. 25°C is about as hot as it gets here. I’m sitting in the garden for a wee while before we get ready to go out to the in-laws for my father in law’s birthday party. I am so hot I may not be able to move.

The dogs won’t leave me alone either so there’s not much sunbathing being do’e!