Day 1701 home to Glasgow Airport to Reykjavik, Iceland🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇮🇸

Quick skip back to last night where I went to the Gateside Plant Centre to make a Christmas wreath under Elly’s expert supervision!

My creative juices were not flowing at all last night. I would go so far as to say I was not with it at all. I stopped my 2 weeks of HRT progesterone on Tuesday and I’m finding that I seem to be all over the place in the days afterwards. I couldn’t think straight at all. It felt a little bit of an out of body experience, like I was there but wasn’t really there.

I could not focus at all and undid my wreath twice! I felt a kind of panic that others were doing great and mine was going to be rubbish. I just couldn’t clear my head. Claire was great and understood straight away that something was off…. She even said I could head home and she’d finish mine for me 😆😘 maybe I’d just taken on too much in a short space of time?!

I managed a lovely wreath in the end, even if I convinced myself that mine was awful, the worst out of the bunch and that everyone else’s was beautiful. Our heads can be so nasty to us.

At one point I actually thought there might be tears… thankfully not.

This is me picking holes in my wreath from above 😆

Me hiding behind it… note I was going for Rudolph the red nose reindeer at the top 🦌♥️

With Claire.

I was in bed for 9 before Craig was even home from work. I woke at 5am with a thumping head which wouldn’t shift.

I had no words this morning. You know the way where the woman can’t formulate a sentence and the man’s incredulous that you don’t know the words….. it was one of those mornings….. I took the dogs out a walk, into the cold, fresh air and definitely felt better for it.

I have definitely stressed at the lack of time to prepare the house for leaving (it’s a woman thing) and getting ready to go but I’m incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to travel so much this month.

Our neighbour, Jim, kindly ran us to the airport. He’s just retired and I bet he had no idea he would become Jim’s taxi service so quickly!

The house to the airport and onto the Icelandair flight was seamless.

Claire’s sent me this again this morning! It makes me me laugh so hard!

We’re up in the air now, somewhere over Barra and I’m waiting on an alcohol free Brío beer.

This was us over Largs area.

It’s a beautifully freezing cold day in Iceland. We land around 2.30pm and only catch the last of the sun.

The snowploughs are out in force at the airport.

I spotted the buses Craigie!

These next pics are taken from the aisle seat in a bus across the aisle and two other passengers.. so not the best. The black on the ground is the black lava from the latest eruption near Grindavik. We could see steam rising all the way along it.

The landscape is stunning. It’s so different from when we saw it in May 2023. The snow makes everything seem so much bigger. If you look to the left of the hill,797 will see the crescent of the moon. 🌙

Here it is zoomed in… from the bus, over the aisle… you get the picture. 😆

These were taken from half way back in the bus zoomed out the windscreen. Not that bad considering.

Rush hour traffic jam…..

This is our lovely Hotel Centrum. It much more central than the last one we stayed in.

We unpacked and headed straight out! We have never seen Reykjavik in the dark and it’s beautiful!!’ Especially at Christmas.

This is a famous Rainbow Street (Regnbogavegur) in Iceland. It was deserted. There are usual a million people trying to get this shot!

So at Dougie’s recommendation (he sent me some ideas last night…) we went to Fat Bastard for dinner!!

It may be expensive here but that meal was exquisite!!! Craig’s had the Fat Bastard burger with pulled pork on it and I had 3 soft tacos, one with spicy cauliflower, one with veggie mince and one with Icelandic smoked lamb.

Honestly just the best.

We then went to our favourite Einstok Bar. Such a lovely atmosphere in here.

Is 8.30pm and we’ve walked about Laugavegur the Main Street and it’s getting really cold…. The forecast is for -14°c at 11pm!!

So we are in the hotel just now but going to head down to the sea about 10pm to see if there’s any Aurora tonight. We’ve booked a tour for Sunday night but I think the weather will have turned by then.

A lovely afternoon and evening in Reykjavik!

Stay safe everyone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇮🇸

Dy 1694 Ayrshire to Edinburgh Airport 🚙 and flight to Rome Ciampino 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇮🇹

Once again I appear unable to sleep on a flight. I am exhausted but there’s too much else going on and it’s freezing. I should have remembered from my flights to Milan. if I’m cold the Italians on this flight must be freezing.

So everything went well again so far!

Bed at 7.30, woke just after 9pm and again a few times and up with the alarm at 2am.

I was showered, hair washed and ready to to go so only had to get changed and close up my bags. Craig got up with me, bless him, it was lovely to have the company.

I left the house about 2.35am and drove over to Edinburgh Airport. That took about an hour at 10 minutes at that time of day. I thought the roads were surprisingly busy.

The only hiccup is that I think I may be in an NCP car park that’s payable on departure. I’ve pre-paid but they made me take a ticket and my gut tells me I’m in the wrong one. It might be fine. Guess I’ll find out on Tuesday morning after midnight when I land 😆

I chose a seat on the LHS of the plane so I could get to see sunrise.

I am soooo tired. I’m going to try and sleep again.

Claire sent me this after I’d gone to bed last night… I sent her this a while back and it still makes me laugh out loud!

Assume this is us over the Alps

So I landed just before 10am and managed to get on the bus to Rome Termini at 10.30.

This got me into Rome at 11.30 and it took me about 20 minutes to find the bus stop I needed.

Not surprisingly everything is in Italian and the local buses don’t have English at all.

I got out the City Mapper app to try to plan my journey.

It’s a strike in Rome today and everyone said the bus might not come.

So I got a bit frustrated trying to find the bus but actually it was all good. I just need to trust that I can find my way and I’m fine. Breathe through when I think I might start to get anxious. Someone will speak English eventually!

This is where I’ve travelled today.

Once you’ve done it once… it’s so much easier. Once you get into the routine of transport abroad, it’s just like public transport back home. You just have to trust that it will work out.

Melanie met me at the bus stop near her apartment and took me to her home.

It’s beautiful and so special for me to be saying in an Italian home.

She had made a lovely pot of homemade soup. We had lunch and a coffee. It’s great to catch up but I am tired.

It took everything in me to get back up and head back out. My body is screaming for sleep but I can’t waste a second now that I’m here.

I’m here for Melanie’s Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow so I’m currently on the number 8 bus heading back into Rome. I’m multitasking as I’m standing on a bus AND writing this AND trying to stay on top of my stops 😆

Now that I’m out, I’m so glad I have done it. It would have been so easy to stay in the house and sleep. Life is too short.

I’m passing through Trasstevere which seems to be pronounced Trast-avery which makes me smile every time they say it!!

I’m headed for Piazza Navona.

The fountain is being refurbished for Rome 2025. There is a lot of work underway for Rome’s Centenary celebrations. I went to look at the other foundation in Piazza Navona instead.

This city is full of history! I love it!

I then made my way round to the Pantheon.

It was too busy the last time I was here… but today I’m going in!

It’s only €5 entry and you have to wait in a big queue until they let you in.

It is breathtaking. I’m so glad I got to come in here. I’m writing this real time so I’m sitting right here just now.

This is the fountain outside the Pantheon.

I decided to walk back to Melanie’s… it was just starting to get dark.

I spotted the Vatican off in the distance.

I have had the best day. I’m so proud of myself for going out again this afternoon. I feel like I have this solo thing back under control after a couple of wobbles.

Happy weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1622 flying from Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 to Dubrovnik 🇭🇷✈️😎

It’s 7.26am and we’re on TUI Boeing 737 somewhere up in the sky and hour away from Glasgow, on our way to Dubrovnik.

We have been up since 2am!

Minor anxiety when Mr A seemed to have misplaced the passports before 3am. I bought a wee wallet to keep them in but he wanted to carry them…. Without the wee wallet… They’re now in my bag minus the wee wallet which is still in the house. Just saying 😬

Thankfully the car started despite the engine management light on the dash and we were on our way. It was wet and windy this morning. I have actually packed a waterproof jacket. You can never be too prepared. Hey even I sniggered at that. I hear myself.

We parked at Direct Parking which is the car park that closed due to Covid and has recently reopened. It was seamless. I paid £63.70 to park there for a week. Two days later they returned that £63.70 but we were still booked to park.

Despite the fact that I love travelling and want to do nothing more with my life, you’re probably not surprised that none of it comes easy to me. I am a ball of anxiety and even now my stomach is still churning. I’m on high alert. I have very little focus. My mild state of panic doesn’t allow me to calmly search for any documentation that’s needed.

I flap.

We go to self serve bag drop with our sub 20kg cases…. I’d brought the scales home from work to weigh them. Mentally high fiving us for being way under the allocated 20kgs.

That is if you have booked 2 lots of 20kg luggage…..

🫣

I had not.

I had only booked luggage for me.

Not Craig.

I’m not sure how that is even possible.

I booked this well over a year ago.

I know how I’ve missed it in all the anxiety checking and double checking as my booking is first with the correct luggage and you have to swipe right to see Craig’s with ZERO luggage.

I never swiped right.

£154 that’s one hundred and fifty four pounds we’ve just had to pay to get Craig’s luggage on board.

Gutted but surprisingly calm as there is nothing we can actually do about it.

We can be raging and as angry as we like but it is what it is.

Security is busier than I have ever seen it at Glasgow but then we don’t take holiday flights very often.

We go for a Pret breakfast. She who doesn’t normally eat until 12.30pm is ravenous at 4.35am. 😆

Breakfast was only £24 and quite honestly isn’t worth it.

The flight is on time and you’ll be pleased to know I have the emergency exit control 🫣 the price I pay for Craig’s extra leg room. I can’t even find my flight booking in moments of flap but you trust me to take control of the over wing door?!?! 😆

When I was a kid I couldn’t say Julie and Tui was my nickname as that was all I could manage!

Tired plane selfie.

Glasgow after take off.

Mid air.

We arrived in Dubrovnik at 9.10am after a fair bit of very cloudy turbulence. I was glad to be on the ground.

The queue to get through passport control was massive and it took us an hour to clear! Gone are the days pre Brexit where we could walk through the EU channel. 😆

We are staying in Cavtat which is a 9 minute transfer from the airport. Our room wasn’t ready until 2pm so we went for a wander down into the town. We’re right on the water.

We went for a walk round the peninsula. It’s just so beautiful.

This is a good view of the town from the other peninsula.

We’ve found a new favourite bar. The Bay Beach Bar. That’s it in the foreground.

Check the feet in this lovely photo 😆😆😆 didn’t realise until after I’d taken it!

Had an early dinner and we sat watching the sunset.

We haven’t been on a sunshine holiday together for sooooo long.

It’s much cooler at night and there’s a chance I’m a bit underdressed now. The sun went down at 6.30pm which is 5.30 our time.

Check the plane coming into land. They look much larger in real life!

I’m only able to sit here and write this right now as Glasgow Rangers are playing Malmo in the Europa Cup and this is the stunning location I get to watch it in.

I have a million more photos but my phone feels pretty hot after writing this.

And relax…. What to do tomorrow?!

Chance I may not come home. 😆

Stay safe everyone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇭🇷

Day 1499 a trip to Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth and back to Bristol Airport ✈️

I set an alarm for 7.30am this morning as Helen was coming to get me at 9am. Just as well as I was out for the count last night. We didn’t get to bed until 11pm!

The evening reception started at 5pm until 9pm as we were out on the Stuart Line cruises, cruising the mouth of the River Exe.

Stuart Line River Exe cruises

That link above gives you dome detail on the cruise.

I used Helen’s house as a base yesterday and got ready pretty early. I spent a lovely half hour with her daughter’s new kittens, actually as I say that, I think I posted those photos yesterday.

It’s only a 15 minute walk down to the Stuart Line cruise.

Phone matches the dress!

We leave exactly at 5pm.

It was much cooler, had clouded over and was threatening rain which was a shame.

Leaving the harbour.

We went upstairs on and off but it did start raining about 6pm and ended up lashing with rain by 9pm.

Such a shame after a beautiful day. It didn’t dampen the spirits though as the boat has a warm indoor area downstairs.

I’m making sure there are no photos of the bride and groom!!

Here we are, so lovely to spend time with Helen and her family again…. Obviously we missed Craig but you know me, I chatted to everyone.

Laughed at these 3 bots powering along all tied together.

The boat sailed as far up as Topsham. Helen I had walked up here the last time I’d been down in March. It was lovely to see it from the water.

One of the other cruise ships followed us at one point!

I thought this looked like a sunken pirates ship!

Apparently this happens a lot when boats sink and are just left. The harbour master tried to find the owners but it’s often very difficult to do.

It’s raining heavily now, so this one is taken inside. This is Starcross which is directly across the water from Exmouth.

Well go here next time I’m down.

The water took on quite a roll as we crossed the mouth of the Exe. It was the only time it was bumpy.

So back to this morning…. Helen and Mike picked me up at 9am and we headed to Budleigh Salterton.

I was blown away by these stunning colours. Apparently the sea is always like this. The red sand comes from the cliffs.

What a pretty bench with all the bright red poppies!

Typical English beach huts.

First of all we had breakfast on the beach!

Pretty much right after this photo we got soaked!!

We hid under a tree and you can see the squall moving off.

Lovely war memorial with a view.

The wild flowers are so pretty in Spring and there’s so many of them.

Pastel beach huts and the sun is back out…. We’re trying to dry off.

Loved this church and tree.

Because of the weather we decided to head back down to Exmouth and went out around the harbour again.

The tide is in.

I loved this red and blue boat.

We walked down to it.

The clouds are coming in again.

Helen said this boat appeared about 6 months ago and just sits here.

It’s raining again now but we make it back without getting soaked.

The sun comes out just in time for Helen to hang her washing!!

So that’s me at the airport waiting to board, heading back to see Craigie and the puppers.

There’s a chance I may have an empty seat next to me as Craig should have been in it. 😆

I can’t post the blog now as there is no signal and none of the photos have loaded up.

Just home and it’s 7.15pm. Shattered but good to get back to Craig and the puppets and for these photos to finally load!!

Some great shots of the flight and flying in to Glasgow…

I’m off to get some dinner and put my comfies on.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1497 flying to Bristol for a weekend in Exmouth ✈️

I have been awake on and off for most of the night. I did wake before midnight with such a fright that Khaleesi was at my feet! How can you sleep when a 6ft 3 guy and a dog get into bed and don’t wake you?!?!?

I got up for the loo 3 times…. And finally gave in and got out of bed at 4.50am.

We parked at the Flying Soct car park. We got that for £40.99 which is the cheapest for Glasgow. Edinburgh had much cheaper parking but no use to us today 😂😂

The 3 minute transfer time was closer to about 20 minutes but that’s ok. We were still there in plenty time according to my anxious brain.

No stress this morning. All calm and straightforward. It’s lovely to have Craig with me for a change.

Our flight was delayed by about an hour…. The plane was late landing then they couldn’t find a tug to push us out. Who knew that wee thing was called a tug?!? Makes sense!

I wrote this in the queue for the toilets at Bristol Airport and haven’t stopped all day.

We had a lovely lunch at Helen’s mums where we’re staying.

There are lovely lanes in Devon.

Then went for a walk along Exmouth beach.

Tho I this is the boat we’ll be on for the wedding reception tomorrow.

Craig’s turned into a dinosaur!!

Then we had a lovely chippy tea with all the family and watched this lovely sunset from the living room.

A lovely end to a lovely day and it’s 9.40pm!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1458 🇮🇹✈️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 flying back home from Rome to Scotland and then car breakdown!!

It was cloudy this morning!!!

I finally understand why everyone in Rome carries a jacket… I wore my denim jacket today for the first time.

I slept really well but woke at 5.30am and opened the doors to my balcony just to try and let some air in. I had a thumping head due to the heat of the room and probably a bit of dehydration from yesterday.

My transfer taxi picked me up at 9.25am but I had to be out front by 9am…. Of course I was out front at 8.45am.

My hair seems to have developed a lovely wave here in Italy.

The taxi journey to the airport was very fast 😳😱 but I survived which was the main thing.

I saw more of the back streets of Rome as we picked up another couple from Kilmarnock.

The taxi driver offered me some chewing gum which made me think last nights garlic bread was still doing its magic!

I found check in straight away but she asked if I had any electronics in my bag…..and I did have Craig’s Go Pro… also had it in my suitcase on the way out…. But I stopped to take it out holding up the check in queue!!

I had a lovely lunch and coffee with Alistair (that I used to work with) and his wife Elaine. That passed the whole time at the airport which was lovely.

So…… reflections…

Wow…. I actually did it. I’m sitting on a Jet2 plane somewhere over the south of France and I’m as cool as a cucumber. I have been on the Italian double decker trains and metro system all weekend. My trips have gone like clockwork. I have to thank Sally Webb for the City Mapper tip…. That app lets you key in where you want to go and it tells you exactly how to get there. I lived by that app this weekend. Thank you Sally!! 🚆🚇

I also used Google Maps a lot to help me find what I was looking for.

So for all that, the iPhone charger is paramount. I have an amazing charger that I bought from Amazon… which I’ve used to charge my phone every day and it still doesn’t need charged up. It was a godsend.

I’m still surprised by just how nervous I was on the way out.

I really had to hold back the tears for a fair part of the journey and when someone was nice to me, they spilled over.

The week prior had been really difficult, since I’d booked up. I slowly realised that the hotel was way further out than I wanted, so I spent hours trying to figure out how to get places without using public transport.

I’d been warned by so many people to steer clear of public transport for fear of pickpockets, when I’d posted on the Solo Female Travellers FB group.

When you suffer from anxiety, you only need to be told something bad once as you have already taken it on board, worried about it and overthought it to the nth degree.

The first person to mention pickpockets to me already had my attention. I then seemed to attract the negativity and I stopped seeing the positive comments. to be fair, one woman said “go to Greece, it’s nicer there”, I mean, really?!?

I worried all week to the point of being in floods of tears the day before.

What had I done?

Why was I putting myself through this?

I know why….

Life is short and I want to live it and unfortunately for me, my living it is getting out there and seeing the world as much as I can.

Ugh…. Turbulence. 🤮

I was so far out of my comfort zone this weekend that it almost hurt. I ached with fear, my head screamed at me for booking it. I could have had a lovely weekend at home with the dogs while Craig was working.

I’ve always had this itch to explore.

In 2004 after my divorce and 3 factory closures later, I KNEW I had to go to Australia. I walked away from normal life for 15 months and I loved it.

Yet I knew I had to come back.

I then gave up 12 years of my life to a job that began to make me ill.

I’ve learned so much about myself in the last 5 years. I’m very in tune with what works for me and what doesn’t, and despite the discomfort at times, I know I want to keep exploring. I get a massive buzz from visiting places and taking lovely photos… especially under sunshine and blue sky.

I also love talking to people. If I travel alone, I know I will never truly be alone as I will find people if and when I need to.

TURBULENCE 🤮 I have no one else to tell.

I’m so lucky that I’m not shy.

SEATBELT SIGN IS ON THAT MEANS WORSERER 🙄😂 TURBULENCE!!!

Stomach held in tight and eyes shut till this is over!

I tried to sleep through it…. Nope. I’m shattered though but my mind seems determined to stay alert. The captain has just advised there is heavy wind and rain on landing in Glasgow…. Oh joy.

Why do I do this to myself?!? 🙄😬🫨

Actually I am fine, I just want to be home now.

Preparing for landing now.

Ok so that wasn’t the best landing in the world but I’m back on wet and cold ground.

It took us 40 minutes to clear passport control which is a pretty poor show compared to Rome.

Craig picked me up and then Bertie Beetle broke down!!!! I’m certain the other spring has gone this time, the passenger side. Craig managed to limp to a disused layby at the side of the A737.

I’m currently waiting on rescue from the extended warranty insurance policy as that was the mistake I made the last time…. I got my garage to collect me and had to pay for it.

I’ve been sat for about 45 minutes already and they still haven’t allocated a rescue company because they couldn’t find my policy. Craig had to get picked up as he has a job tonight that he can’t miss.

They just text to say someone will be here by 18.54. That’s an hour and a half away!!! Happy days.

Anyway I’ve had the best weekend, back to reality now!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1455 when in Rome! (I had to call it that… 😆)

It’s really been a day of different emotions. If you haven’t been following, this is my first split trip abroad in about 19 years.

Poor Craig is working all weekend and I fancied some sunshine and found this trip to Rome.

I had a great nights sleep, which surprised me, though I did remember to take the progesterone which was something. That always helps me sleep. I felt calm when the alarm went off at 4.35am, there was no nerves or worry.

I got ready and we left the dogs sleeping so I didn’t have to do that goodbye… and I drove to the airport in Bertie Beetle. That helped focus my mind and not let it wander.

When Craig drove away I had a bit of a wobble. I checked in with Jet2 and the young girl said, “oh you’re travelling alone? That’ll be lovely” and the tears welled up and I couldn’t speak properly.

This weekend was my idea. I booked it and yet I’ve created some kind of mental turmoil for myself ever since. I’ve been surprised at the fear I’ve felt.

I walked into the main terminal to head to departures and the two women in front of me were whispering about me. Cringe.

I literally felt like a flashing light waking through the airport as if everyone was watching me.

Just before we boarded the plane I met a guy that I used to work with in my old job. I told him how nervous I was… I told anyone who would listen.

I sat next to a lovely couple on the plane from Knightswood and we chatted for most of the flight. They don’t drink either. Denise gave me her phone number in case I was stuck when I was here. How lovely.

Her husband Simon was sitting at the window so he took some photos with my phone. That’s the Austrian Alps!

When we landed I met another woman and her son and we got a bit lost together!!

At baggage reclaim I found my old work colleague again. I left them to go and find my transfer only to end up sharing the transfer with them, although they are staying somewhere else.

What are the chances that, miles away from home and end up sitting with someone I worked with for 12 years!!!

There are no other photos of my trip until after 3.30pm, my head just wasn’t in the game. Even although I was talking to friendly people, I still felt quite overwhelmed.

The Aparthotel Adagio Vatican is fine. It’s nice enough but a bit run down…. As suspected it’s also miles out from the city. I took this on the way back in the evening.

I have a small apartment with a seating area. It is quite basic but it’ll do fine.

The tears spilled over again when the receptionist asked if anyone was joining me.

I can’t believe how emotional I have felt about being on my own.

The hotel is right next door to the train station.

She gave me all the details on the trains and told me to go to the Tabac on the other side of the train station to buy a 3 day ticket.

That’s been my fear since I finally figured out how far out the hotel was…. The travelling across Rome.

Here I am heading down an escalator into the station.

I am a new woman.

Gone is the quivering wreck, replaced by Mrs Practicality. Into the Tabac, bought a ticket, into the station, no fear at all. It felt like the most normal thing in the world.

When you suffer from anxiety you just have no idea when it will strike and when it will disappear. It’s been completely the opposite doe me today. I expected the travel to be easy and the negotiating Rome to be terrifying. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😂

So now that’s out the way… let’s get to the good bit.

I got some advice for a Fb group called “solo in style: women over 50 travelling solo and loving it”…. Full of very inspirational women. They suggested I look up Romewise who detail what you should do when you’re in Rome for the first time for 2.5 days… eh moi!!

Day 1 is

The Spanish Steps
Piazza Navona
The Pantheon
The Trevi Fountain

I had them all in my sat nav as I knew I’d never remember the order.

I got the train from Balduina Station to Villa Aurelia. Only the second time I’ve ever seen a double decker train.

I changed at Villa Aurelia onto the Meteo and headed to Spagna where I immediately found the Spanish Steps.

What struck me most, as you’ll see, is that it was heaving. There were thousands of people.

Everyone is trying to get the perfect shot, the perfect pout, the perfect selfie that it felt really sad and I wondered if I was just as bad. I’ve never been aware of the Instagram or TikTok culture as much before. It was all about the shot.

I went into the Trinità dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps. It’s behind the Obelisco Sallustiano.

It’s a 16th century church with beautiful views across Rome.

Back down the steps.

I then headed to the Piazza Navona taking random shots on the way.

This is Piazza Navona.

Again… heaving!

Next stop is only 5 minutes away, the Pantheon.🏛️ it’s a format Roman temple and has been a Roman Catholic Church since AD609.

It’s looks very old.

It was so busy that I didn’t bother to queue to get in. There were two huge queues and I was already 4.30pm and I hadn’t eaten much.

I walked around the back instead.

I can’t remember what this was but it looks quite unassuming…was a stunning church inside.

Nothing would prepare me for the Trevi Fountain.

It is just beautiful and break taking… however, this is the reality…..

A crazy amount of people!!!!! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen crowds of people like this. All posing, vying to get the best shot of themselves in that place.

I found a lovely little roadside bar, La Fontinella and sat down for garlic bread, veggie pizza and an alcohol free beer.

Loving life.

The hotel is so far out that I want to get home before it gets dark so I thought I’d come and sit by the pool.

The pool doesn’t open until MAY!!! I brought two bikinis. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 I must get help with my next city break hotel booking. 🤦🏻‍♀️

So I sat on my balcony and watched the sun set over Rome.

The end to a lovely day. A loud day and a busy day. A very emotional day but I am here. I have done it and I’m excited for the Vatican tomorrow.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1266 back at the office for 3 whole days!

Oooooh my flight home last night was a rough one. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿✈️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

It was delayed by an hour due to a hold up in Amsterdam. to be fair, the hour passed fairly quickly.

There was a lovely sky when I left Bristol.

I didn’t take many photos as I a bit too scared to look out the window!

I found comfort by squeezing my belly button right into my back so that my stomach didn’t feel the roller coaster ups and downs, and shoving a fingers in my ears to drown out the noise during landing. Sure I looked as calm as a calm thing. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

It was a pretty hairy take off to start with so the landing didn’t come as any major surprise. We had up to 61mph winds forecast.

I am never flying again.

Until Thursday of course. 😱😬

So yeah, home to lots of cuddles from the doggos.

Today has flown in back at work. Don’t know where the day went. I’m so busy this week trying to finish up for Turkey but also have something on every evening too. I’m finding it really difficult to pack for my first foreign sunshine holiday in years, I can’t remember what I need to take, but hey, an excuse to buy whatever I leave behind. 😆

I have the Gateside Memorial Hall Committee AGM tonight, where I am resigning as Assistant Treasurer and from the Committee.

I am surprised, but I just don’t take to the formality of a Committee, to be honest. It just doesn’t seem to be my cup of tea, for some reason. Rather than the dread of going to a meeting, I am choosing to leave. I’m more than happy to help out at functions in the hall but just not to got though the committee formality. I couldn’t wait to be a part of it at the time…. And to be Treasurer was a real honour…. Yet as with other things in my life, I’ve tried them and have chosen to move on.

The meeting is at 8pm when I’m usually ready for my bed!! It’s 18.47 and I really need to go upstairs and do some Turkey packing before I go…. I keep putting it off. 😬

Just do it!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️