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 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇮🇸

Day 1450 a lovely Sunday with a surprise city break booking!! 🇮🇹

What a crazy day.

I woke at 7am and decided I wanted to go away next weekend. As I do.

I spoke to Craig to make sure there’s nothing else on and started looking.

The weather is wet and windy again next weekend so a train trip to Arisaig didn’t seem that appealing. (Should say here that I would love to go to Arisaig at the weekend but not if I get soaked everytime I go outside)!

I then went on to Skyscanner… of course I did.

On Friday 15th April I am flying to Rome for 3 nights!!!

Wow. No one is no more surprised than me!

I am equal parts excited and terrified.

Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Life is short and is for living.

Now.

I almost backed out as I was booking it… a million anxieties ran through my mind. Why would I put myself through the nerves of doing this? Why am I spending this money? What if I’m too scared to go? What if I’m lonely? I don’t drink so can’t just have a glass of wine somewhere? On and on and on…. But I still booked it!

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

I’ve paid a wee bit extra to fly with Jet2 so that I can get coach transfers to my hotel. I also have a hotel with a pool so I have somewhere to relax to if it all gets a bit much. Jet2 also offer 24 hour hotline support so there’s someone I can call if I need it. I can’t ask for much more than that.

Craig is working next weekend, and has never fancied Italy, so that’s the main reason I chose it. He’s really supportive of me travelling… though obviously wishes he could have a holiday too!

So yeah, check me. Excitement and nerves!!

Also I have to get the Monday off work too… eeek!

Other than that bit of dramatic news, I spent the day writing a bit of the book I kind of think I’m writing and headed up to Braehead to spend some Primark vouchers I got for my birthday and Christmas!

The weather is wild today, again! Even the drive to Braehead was pretty hair-raising.

I didn’t get the denim skirt but I did get the jumper.

Also got it in gray. It’s super lightweight but cosy at the same time. It will be great for layering.

I didn’t get the furry body warmer but it was super cosy!!

I got this T-shirt in this colour and in white and that was my vouchers spent!

Thanks Evelyn and Stuart & Lee!

A few pupper photos to end with.

Holding Bhru’s paw!

Big yawn! Sometimes I think we got a dog to match the couch in the sunroom 🤦🏻‍♀️😂😂

Appreciate any Rome suggestions anyone may have?

Hope you’ve all had a great weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1414 Exmouth to Sidmouth by Stagecoach bus!

Slept like a log from 9am until 5am and then was awake on and off until sleeping beauty finally awoke at 8.33pm… that’s my friend Helen, not Craig 😂

We went on a bus trip from Exmouth to Sidmouth today.

This was like a step back in time…. In a previous life I wrote the spec for these buses and checked them all through build.

This bus one was one of my contracts.

Stagecoach selfie!

So yeah… off to Sidmouth.

It’s now 8.23pm and I am shattered. A mere 15,724 steps so far, a lovely lunch out, hot chocolate and cake out and a chippy tea with Helen’s mum and daughter Anna. I’ve had the loveliest day but I’m a bit too tired for words…. I am in my element exploring, walking and taking lovely photos in the sun. Here are a few.

Here we are at the mouth of the River Sid. We walked right up the river through the Byes.

The ford was closed as it was too fast flowing.

We are the two shadows on the left 😂😂

When we got back down to the beach there was a storm rolling by. It was really dramatic.

Models own T-shirt…. Pres from Craigie for my trip!

Helen’s mum picked us up and took us to Budleigh Salterton where we caught this lovely sunset.

Off a a wee overnight secret adventure tomorrow that definitely involves Lyme Regis! Exciting!

All of this is what makes me tick.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1412 busy leap year day at work and flying to Bristol! ✈️

It’s February 29th 2024… a leap year!!

Love this from Donna Ashworth.

Look for the light…. That came up in Kinesiology last night too… another coincidence.

Another restless sleep last night… up at 2am and again at 5am. Result is I’m shattered now and I’ve got 6 hours of travelling to go… 😂 not complaining…. Will try to sleep on the plane.

Work was busy again today and flew by and I managed to get everyone to wear their “Tartan” gear… which is mostly black obviously 🙄 and we got a team photo prior to the handover of two of our biggest van builds. We don’t do that often enough. We should celebrate our big wins but we’re already on to the next 😂

I finished up at 3 as I had an hour to take back. Now I’m ready far too early!

Craigie is running me to the airport and I’m flying to Bristol where Helen is picking me up and driving me down to her house in Exmouth. That’s my home for the next 4 days flying back up late Monday.

I’ve packed as little as I can but it still feels like way too much.

It’s funny how all I ever want to do is travel and yet I’m apprehensive about doing it. I’m not a fan of flying… I’d much rather be on the train.

Please don’t go Mum….

It would break your heart! Calaidh looks so sad!

Those holes in the blanket over the couch were made by “someone” trying to bury a bone the last time I went away overnight… what could possibly go wrong this time?!?

I’m off to create meaningful moments as SC Lourie says.

We left at 5.30pm…. We are only 20 minutes or so from the airport and my flight isn’t until 8.20pm…. my phone flashed and said go to gate.

GO TO GATE?!?!!!??

I’m not even there yet… waves of anxiety…

Im not late in the slightest, no idea why it said go to gate 😂😂

I’m loving my new case from Tripp. Colour…. Watermelon!

Won’t lose it anytime soon…. I’m in Starbucks having a wee decaf coconut milk latte and a blondie for dinner. Had last nights vegan dinner for lunch and I’m still stuffed.

Only another hour until the flight. My stomach is doing somersaults but I will be fine and I will enjoy the travel. I know I will.

There seems to be more people in the speedy boarding queue than the main queue tonight.. I just heard a lady in the speedy queue say it’s not very speedy anymore 😂 I used to be obsessed with speedy boarding when I travelled with work but the place is not going without me so I don’t see the point in paying extra for it… I did pay extra for my watermelon cabin case though 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

You can tell I’m just passing the time by rambling. Flight’s just been called!

That’s me almost off. I’m calmer now that I’m here.

See you soon Helen!

Stay safe everyone ♥️✈️♥️

Day 1274 really could get used to this life!

I had the best sleep!!! The neighbours still came back in at 2.30am and put the tv on but I went straight back to sleep. It was soooo good.

There was another lovely sunset last night.

We had a lovely Chinese meal at the pre booked a la carte restaurant last night. The food was amazing.

I tried to get this selfie standing on a hill but I look tiny next to Gayle, it would have been a lovely photo if we could have been at the same height! 😂

We were lucky enough to have this stunning view from our table.

The restaurant was lovely too.

And the food was just so good.

Chinese prawn crackers, Indian popadoms and several dips

We both really enjoyed it… it was much cooler last night and we could have done with a jumper. I think the summer season is ending now as it was much cooler this morning too….. yet back to scorching as I lie here on my sunbed writing this.

Here I am this morning in my lemon loungewear…. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂😂😂 sweatshirt needed outside this morning.

We had a slightly later breakfast… this is the spectacular view.

and a pirate ship from a different location 😂😂😂

So we had a different morning today where we sat by the pool. It’s a completely different dynamic and a new view!

The pool was FREEZING. I didn’t expect it to be so cold. I had a good swim round it though.

We had lunch in the snack bar today but headed back down to the beach for Gayle’s favourite waffles and my favourite chocolate wrap thing…. Here is the lovely lady who makes them for us every day.

Her face lights up when she sees us. I would like her to be my Turkish gran…. So rude of me to believe she is old enough. On the first day we ordered way too much and we all laughed and she zipper her lips as if to say, telling no-one. 😂

View from the beach snack bar.

I had a lovely float in the sea after that. It’s so lovely in there. Then some woman went and fed the fish and I had to keep treading water until she was finished. Didn’t want to swim right though a fish feeding frenzy!!

Then there was a wee bit of drama as clouds of smelly, black smoke billowed out of the kitchens.

It went on for a wee while and was really smelly. So lucky it didn’t get any worse than that. Everyone was watching, even those in the sea.

It’s half 5 Turkish time so it’s a bit cooler now.. I may not have applied the sun tan lotion as liberally as other days oopsie. The sun is beautiful.

These pics were taken just outside the most scenic toilet I’ve ever been to 😂😂😂

Bored yet?!? 😂😂

Snapped at work!!!

Stay safe everyone 🇹🇷🌅🇹🇷

Day 1273 what a lovely way to spend a Monday! 🚶🏽‍♀️☀️🇹🇷☀️🏝️👙🌊☀️🇹🇷☀️

We were in bed early last night with a plan to go for a long walk this morning. I couldn’t get to sleep for the Turkish women chattering next door 😂😂 (we actually think they might be German!£ then got woken at 2.10am by the folk coming back on the other side! Then wide awake reading at 5.30am. Just as well I could sleep all day if I had to. 😂 I then heard the 6am Islamic call to prayer! The hotel is really quiet to be honest and I’ve slept through every other night. 😂 could have been the late Turkish coffee 😂

We were in breakfast earlier than usual. a lovely view from our table.

Now that we’ve found out you can sit outside, our meals have a much nicer ambience than sitting in the huge, bright canteen style restaurant. I managed some food snaps!

I didn’t eat breakfast but had some lovely Turkish coffee.

We sent off into Didim Altinkum for our walk. It was still nice and cool to start off with. It’s lovely to walk to where we have been looking over from our beach deck out in the sea.

The flag is MASSIVE!!

None of the shops were really open and the cafe bars were just starting to open up. There were gardeners out ripping all the marigold flowers out of all the flower displays all the way along the front. They obviously think the summer season is over! There were Turkish people walking with handfuls of marigolds as they could see they were all being pulled up.

The end of the street still has some flowers.

Here’s the very marbley hotel reception!

Then we went for a seocndlate breakfast as by this time I was STARVING!

It’s been lovely to do something a wee bit different this morning. We’re back in our usual spot on the beach deck for the rest of the day.

We did have ice cream and booked a wee trip for Wednesday!

The temperatures at this time of the year are just perfect for me. It said 23°C when we came up from the beach just now. I don’t need much hotter than that to be honest!

Oh just remembered that I saw the strangest thing on our walk last night….. a row of stars that seemed to be following each other and gradually one by one disappeared. It was the strangest thing! I looked it up when we got back to the room.

Who knew?!?!

I’m still loving the no stress, no worry, no drama, just relaxation….. and of course, the beautiful blue sky and sunshine. Missing my boy and the puppers though. 🧔🏻‍♂️🐶🐶🐶🐶

Stay safe everyone ☀️🇹🇷☀️

Day 1272 a lazy Sunday by the sea in Turkey!

It’s been another beautiful day in the life of a sunbather. Nothing else for it but to lie by the sea, watch the Didim/Altinkum pirate ships sails by and read.

It’s been a bit more cloudy and windy today but it’s still scorching. Factor 30 is doing a great job and despite 2.5 days out in the sun, neither of us have burned.

We caught a lovely sunset by the pool last night.

We went out for a walk into Didim Altinkum last night. The hotel looks lovely.

The streets are pretty quiet to be honest. It must be the season, suits me obviously but even I notice it was quiet.

I think this is us looking back to the lights of the hotel and the beach deck! Lovely moon too.

We had breakfast on the Panorama terrace and headed back down to the beach deck for the day. This was our home for the day!

We had a fancy bed decoration when we got back to our room!

Coffee (not decaf! 😂) and chocolate for a pre dinner snack, showered and back down for sunset. We literally made it with about a minute to spare. The photos don’t do it justice at all. It was absolutely stunning.

The sun was actually a giant, blood red ball in the sky.

Just had dinner and went for a walk…another lovely end to a lovely day!!

It’s so good to have nothing to think about, nothing to worry about, I’m still fasting, I’m eating plenty and having the best relaxing time…. With a very lovely friend….. While talking the hind legs off a donkey. 😂

Stay safe everyone ☀️🇹🇷☀️

Day 1271 in and out the sea all day… it’s a hard life 🏝️☀️🌊🏊🏼‍♀️👙🤿🇹🇷☀️

I slept like a log last night…. My head hit the pillow about 10.30 and didn’t waken until the incessant Turkish chatter kicked in from next door at 8am. 😂😂 I’d love to see how long I would actually have slept, if I hadn’t been woken up! The women next door obviously want to be first for breakfast 😂 they are very loud first thing in the morning!

This is my current view.

Dinner last night was in the Panoramic restaurant which is MASSIVE. Unfortunately they have created the image of a large university refectory which wasn’t the most intimate of surroundings. It was Turkish night and there was a huge selection of food!

The main pool looks lovely at night.

We were going to head into town but in true Julie fashion, headed back to our room as we were shattered from the day.

It’s been a scorcher all day today. We went for breakfast and I had Turkish coffee which was really lovely. I thought it might be a bit strong but it really hit the spot. I don’t eat anywhere near as much as I used to so I was still full from dinner last night. I managed a 16 hour fast. I know I’m on holiday and won’t an age that every day but I’ll do it when I can. The view from breakfast is beautiful.

The restaurant is a little bit nicer during the day. A little less stark and bright white.

On our way down to the beach deck.

This is how we get in and out the sea. Now interestingly enough, the tide does not seem to come in our out here. I’m not sure how that’s possible but the sea is at the same level every time we go in?!?

We sat here for the morning, our on the beach deck. It’s very sheltered.

The pirate ships all head past just before 11am. They must leave Altinkum at 10 or 10.30.

I am that sad that I counted 11 of them heading out this morning.

There are loads of wee fish in the sea! I’m writing this in the sunshine so not sure if this photo shows them or not!

Very random arty shot trying to catch the stunning view from the mirror passing the gents toilets 😂😂 then realised I’m actually in it 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Current view watching the pirate ships heading back in. We had a lovely chocolate waffle lunch in the beach cafe. We swim, chatted, read, chatted, more chat 😂😂 it really is the perfect chance to relax.

Loving the windswept photoshoot!

A perfect end to a sunbathing day. Back now to get ready for dinner!

Stay safe everyone ☀️🇹🇷☀️

Day 1270 Turkish massage day! 🇹🇷💆🏻‍♀️💆🏻‍♀️

We didn’t get to bed until after 1am Turkish time. We had the air con on…. As you do. We both woke up about 3am absolutely freezing!!! What a laugh trying to get the aircon to go off. The remote control needed the batteries reseated before it would switch off. I went back to bed in joggies and a sweatshirt with a blanket over me too!! Woke up at 8.30am to very loud Turkish chatter next door and lashing in sweat! Air con back on. 😂😂

By the time we got up and moving it was 11am. We had tea and coffee on the balcony.

And we did a first round of the hotel complex. (I know…. Never start a sentence with and!)

Gayle outside our little bungalow garden room.

We found the Turkish massage place straight away and got that booked for 12.30pm. Best to have a good body scrub before you get any sunburn.

So the Turkish massage was out of this world. Gayle went first though, we went in together. Firstly we were in the Hammam, the Turkish bath. You lie on a hot marble table in the middle of the Hammam and they rinse you with water from the sinks that surround the room. Then they scrub you with a scrub mitt and then with Turkish coffee…. Which smells amazing!!!! Then rinsed off again and they soapy suds you with the soapiest soap suds ever. It was so silky smooth… you just lie there and they run it all over your body and gently massage it in. A full rinse again and then you stand up for a full rinse down. Then towel off.

You then sit out on a lounger and have a drink while your “bather” gets rinsed off and changed herself.

The massage is something else!! That wee girl was up on the bed, totally astride me at times and, with the tiniest of hands, delivering the most powerful massage.

We had a full body massage, there were hot stones half way through and a facial with a mud mask to finish off…. With Turkish Apple tea. It was sooooo lovely!

So we are all scrubbed up and ready to go for some sunshine!

I love the decking out into the sea. You can get in and out of the sea without having to fight your way through the busy beach. The hotel has a private beach but it was very busy when we got down to it at 11,30am. The decking has had empty beds all day.

Sitting on the balcony now about to get ready for dinner!

It’s a hard life 🇹🇷

Stay safe everyone ☀️🇹🇷☀️

Day 1269 off to Turkey with Gayle! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇹🇷

It’s 10.22am and I’m sitting outside Viv’s Nails and Beauty, waiting to get my toes and eyebrows done.

I’m not sure how best to describe my mood… in true me fashion, I’m gonna try!

My stomach is churning. I’m all over the place, I’m frantic at worrying about all the things that might go wrong.

When I actually stop to breathe I know that I am completely in control. There is no stress. There is no panic. As long as I have my purse, phone and passport I will be ok. My head is so used to over dramatising everything, the voice in my head lashes out with an “ah but” every now then. It’s determined to trip me up and stop me from being in control.

We picked Gayle ip at 12.45…. We left the house twice… I had to go back for my hand luggage. I have enough hand luggage to choke a horse. You can just never be too sure in my anxiety ridden world. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

We headed into the airport…. To Jet 2 bag drop, where you actually weigh your suitcase yourself. That’s a new one on me.

We headed into the departures and got through security pretty fast. As we were both starving we went to Frankie & Benny’s for lunch.

Halloumi ceaser salad for me and Arribiata pasta for Gayle with garlic bread to share. A Coke and a Diet Coke. That’s how we roll on a holiday with a tee totaler and someone who doesn’t drink much at all. 😂

We went back to DuTy Free and got some perfumes for £20. I have to say the duty free prices were extortionate! Not what I remember. I think I’ve got CK One Everyone or Everything, it was really nice.

Everything went like clockwork as we literally walked straight through to gate 26 and onto the plane.

It’s dads birthday today and sadly his birthday card has had to come to Turkey with me as there were no stamps for sale in the airport and nowhere to post it anyway!!

We’re about 3 hours into the flight and we’re finally both tired. I can’t load images and might not get this posted tonight.

There was a beautiful sunset!

We flew over what I assume were the Swiss or Austrian Alps. That was really pretty but didn’t come out in a photo.

It’s dark now and nothing to see anymore.

Excited to see what our hotel is like when we get there!

We got a little golf buggy to our room!! It’s now 1.22am and we’re 2 hours ahead. Sitting out on our balcony!

Stay safe everyone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇹🇷

Day 1263 exploring Exmouth in the sunshine ☀️

I have done 27,150 steps today and we’re not done yet! I will sleep tonight!!

We’ve had the best day exploring Exmouth. It’s been lovely and sunny with the odd passing squall. We didn’t even get wet though. So lucky with the weather.

My flight was perfect last bight. We took off early and landed early. I was there before Helen!!

We got to Exmouth at 1am and were both out for the count….. we’re sharing a bed and apparently I never moved all night!

So up at 8am and out before 10am and we have walked and walked and walked and walked and talked and talked and talked. I have some stunning photographs.

I’ve met up with Helen’s lovey daughters Zoë and Anna, after way too many years and met her cutie grandson.

We’ve had dinner with Helen’s mum and are having the loveliest chats. It’s been the best day!!

I’ll just share some quick pics just now as I am shattered!

I’m now at 27,943 steps. My sore knee is doing pretty well, considering. I’ve been on ibuprofen and paracetamol all day but it’s really helping.

A wonderful day!!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1203 couldn’t join the dots today 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

I am so tired today!

I’ve come home after work and really just want to sleep! I think this could be an overstimulation from the weekend 😂😂😂Speaking to SO many people!

I’m sitting with my feet up now and my eyes are half shut.

Work was really good today but I almost had the giggles that I couldn’t seem to string a brain thought together. I’d go to copy one thing from a spreadsheet into another and by the time I got there, one click, I couldn’t remember what I was copying. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 As usual I was pulled from pillar to post and couldn’t remember what I was doing at all, so kept chopping and changing. I’m still grinning at how daft it was, which to be honest, is the best reaction to it. Just one of those cloudy head days!!

Rachel, two doors down, posted a couple of lovely wedding photos on FB which I’m pinching!

I got a mention in The Windsor Waffle blog last night!!

Famous!!! What a beautiful gate reflection. 😍

So in other news Gayle and I booked a holiday last night!! We are off to Turkey at the end of September. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇹🇷

I’ve been looking for a sunshine holiday for weeks now. The Scottish Dog Behaviourist is too busy to take a full weeks’ holiday for the rest of this year and I was considering going away on my own. I’ve looked at so many places and happened to message Gayle to ask where she’s stayed in Fuerteventura, as I quite fancied that.

As soon as she heard I was thinking of going by myself she said that she could come with me. Result! Fast forward a few weeks and we have settled on Turkey. I had such a lovely holiday with Auntie Jac a few years ago and Craig doesn’t fancy Turkey so it’s a winner!!

Before that I have my day trip on the Waverley down to Ailsa Craig on Sunday 6th August.

Here’s a photo from the last time I sailed on her, in October last year.

Then I’m off down to Devon for a weekend to visit my friend Helen. It a lovely to have things to look forward to!

Early night for me tonight…. Definitely.

Stay safe everyone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇹🇷

Day 1176 a soggy day in Ullapool with a coffee and filled roll at The Bothy ☕️

Freya and I went for a lovely walk before we left Clachtoll.

We couldn’t stay at Clachtoll for the full week as they were fully booked on the Tuesday night so we used it as a chance to pop back down to Ullapool and get some supplies.

Ullapool is a beautiful village in the Scottish Highlands. Craig and I got engaged in Ullapool in 2009. We had done the famous North Coast 500, although it wasn’t called that back then. Craig tried to propose at every place we stopped but the wind was howling so waited until we were checked into our hotel that night.

In true me fashion I couldn’t let that just be all romantic and lovely as I freaked at how much he’d spent on a ring, but that’s another story 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😂

Back to Ullapool. It rained all day… and it was pretty windy.

My first port of call was The Bothy which is a wee coffee shop that’s opened at the entrance to the Broomfield campsite.

It’s such a lovely space.

I had a haggis roll and Craig had a roll with link sausage. My decaf oat milk latte was just perfect, it hit the spot.

Since we had signal, Craig went back to the van with Freya to make some Scottish Dog Behaviourist calls, while I had a wee wander around the shops, as you do, with a keen eye on all things gift shop!!

They’ve widened the Shore road and it just looked SO different. I miss the quaintness of the original street but at the same time, like everywhere else, it needs to change to cope with the amount of visitors.

I had a great wee wander but got totally soaked. There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes and I was definitely wearing the wrong clothes!

We decided to head to a couple of pubs for the afternoon. We started at the Arch Inn where we got engaged.

Now Freya has been exceptional this whole holiday. We have never spent any time with her alone. Freya does not like the inside of a pub. Totally spooked and scraping to get out. Wee soul. I’m much the same but marriage is about compromise and Craig spent the day on a beach with me yesterday 😂😂 not his favourite thing. 😂

We sat outside under cover in the Arch. Freya could just about cope with that, cured up in a corner, refusing treats the barman gave her…. In a total huff!

We then headed along to the Ferry Boat Inn. She came in but really did want back out so we didn’t stay long.

We then went to The Chippy for fish and chips to take back to the van.

It rained and blew a hoolie all evening. I did get out to watch the Loch Seaforth head out to Stornoway.

Couldn’t miss a CalMac ferry could I?!?

Stay safe everyone 🌧️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌧️

Day 1173 ROADTRIP To Clachtoll in the Scottish Highlands! 🚐🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☀️

(Posting this from Ullapool on what is actually day 1176 😂 we have no signal at Clachtoll which I really rather nice. I wrote 2 days of blogs and I’ve had Monday and Tuesday off completely… doesn’t happen often!)

We are finally on holiday!!!

I’ve been awake since 5am and we finally got out the door about 10.45. It felt like it took forever… there were a few last minute things that we had to hunt for that took a bit of time. 😳

The whole works well under pressure… NOT…. Reared it’s ugly head this morning. I am not good when we need to find something that has been in the same place for 100 years, until we moved the house around and I put it in a safe place. I was raging!!!! But I found it…. Eventually 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😂

Anyway, here’s wee Freya all secured in and surrounded by crochet 😆

Calaidh and Bhruic have stayed home and our next door neighbour, Louise, has moved in to live with them for a week.

It’s a 5 and a half hour trip without stops so we won’t be there until about 6 I reckon. Craig is driving Abbie the camper van. Very nice of him! I’m sitting taking random photos as I do!!

We stopped at Ralia Café to let Freya out and grab a late lunch. I don’t know what we are both doing but I liked this photo 😆

The gift shop here is called the Hairy Coo funnily enough, so I bought a pair of cosy socks… forgot to bring socks for my hikies 🤦🏻‍♀️

Next quick stop at Tesco in Ullapool to pick up supplies. Freya and I went for a walk while Craig went to Tesco…. Girl chose wisely!

We had the best drive up though the last 6 miles is a very tight single track road. Mrs anxiety was very glad not to be driving!

The campsite is everything we could wish for. Never been anywhere as friendly as this. It’s a 2 minute walk to the beach. Just beautiful.

Saturday nights sees the local fish van the Catch Toll, open for business.

Oh and did I say we have ZERO SIGNAL. So nothing is getting through. I feel bad for the poor girl Loki f after the dogs as she will have no idea why we disappeared but other than that it’s rather lovely.

Freya has been the best dog ever… and check the view out the window. That says it all. It’s 10.40pm and it’s still light, I’m still in shorts and flip flops but I’m very tired. 5am was a very long time ago!!

Stay safe everyone ☀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☀️

Day 1171 the out of office is on! 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

It’s 5pm and I’m sitting at the side of Kilbirnie Loch. I’m getting my toes painted at 5.30 nearby, not enough time to go home really.

It’s so hot, beautiful blue sky and there seems to be no one here but me.

I literally just typed that and 2 dog walkers have just walked around the corner. 😂

I’ve just been woo woo woo’d at by a wee white fluffy dog because I said hello!

It is beautiful. So calm and peaceful. This swan just did a wing flap for me!! I love the photo but it’s maybe a bit too zoomed in to be anything special?!

A lovely end to a hectic day. I’ve been so busy these last few weeks that I’ve had to leave a lot of work not done but I hope that I’ve done everything that really needed done… I just know what I’m going back to.

I do need the break. With the exception of Iceland and my friend Helen visiting, I’ve been working 5.5 days a week. I’m looking forward to some down time…. And what a way to start, sitting right here!!

Craig and I are heading off on Saturday morning for a week in Clachtoll, north of Ullapool. It’s a long drive, but it’s the first time we’ve been on the Scottish mainland for a summer holiday for a while. No ferry trips this time.

The forecast keeps changing and doesn’t look the best at the moment but it will be what it is. It will be lovely if we get some sunshine like this.

And relax.

Stay safe everyone 💙💙💙

Day 1137 back to the little gift shop 🎁 a reflection of our hotel in Iceland and the Sky Lagoon spa 🧖🏼‍♀️🧖🏽‍♂️

Jeezo I am shattered! Didn’t get to bed until 11pm which is late for me… I did doze on the couch last night. We watched The Forever Purge on Netflix…. It was great but I must have fallen asleep after it.

Then he who shall not be named… let his 5am alarm go off this morning and promptly fell straight back to sleep…. While I ruminated and pondered all things Tartan 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m working in my head at 5am in bed on my day off…. 🥴🤷🏻‍♀️

Off to the little gift shop today and took some photos (as I do!) of the lovely new Tinsmiths jewellery. It’s so delicate, it’s made from old tins!

Love it! The day flew by as usual.

Chatting to Gayle today and I realised I hadn’t shared any photos of our hotel in Iceland 🇮🇸…. The Hotel Reykjavik Grand.

It was a lovely hotel, I’d highly recommend it. it was set up for conferences on most days when we were there so I assume it’s quite a business driven hotel.

Our window was facing into the inner atrium. Downside we had no view and couldn’t see the weather, upside, got to nosey on people in the hotel 😂

So this time last week Craig and I were in the Sky Lagoon which was only 11 minutes from the hotel.

Check out the website!! The Skye Lagoon .

It was another amazing experience.

It’s and oceanside, geothermal spa. The ocean is behind me!

It has a waterfall!

Waterfall monster!

We only took the phone in at the every end for photos. Some taken in my phone waterproof bag… which look awful… others we just took it out the bag and held onto it very carefully.

This is where the 7 step treatment takes place.

Step 1 geothermal spa

Step 2 freezing cold plunge pool.

Step 3 is a sauna with a view out over the sea. The window must be 8m x 2.5m and they say it’s the largest window in Iceland. It was breathtaking

We sat in there for over 15 minutes. Such an amazing space…

Step 4 was a misty cold spray

Step 5 and oily salt body scrub

Step 6 the steam room

Step 7 is a shower, freezing plunge pool and back in the warmth of the spa!!

We went to the bar for two alcohol free beers as Craig was driving.

It was such a lovely time relaxing in that pool. Really special.

It did actually start to rain but that felt so good as the pool was so hot.

It was a really special time for us. A memory made that we will never, ever forget.

So tonight, back to reality, I have my jammies on, we’ve had dinner and I’m not moving for the rest of the night…. Life in the fast lane huh?!

Stay safe everyone 🧖🏼‍♀️🧖🏽‍♂️🌊

Day 1130 Reykjavik Café Röst, Omnom Chocolate shop and The Sky Lagoon!

Oh wow we have had an amazing day. A day that dreams are made of.

As we sat over dinner in the Sky Lagoon, we remarked how this holiday is the kind of thing that happens to other people.

It really has been out of this world. I would kill for another one day but hey, it’s not to be and we are home tomorrow morning. 🇮🇸✈️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

As I’ve done the past few days, I’ll post a few photos and then this will be a total write up in itself over the next few days or weeks.

We had an actual lie in this morning. I did wake at 5.30 but finally fell back asleep and didn’t wake until 8.30am.

There is so much of Iceland still to see but we have run out of time. We could have spent the day visiting the famous Golden Circle but neither of us had that length of drive left in us. We realised that yesterday’s trip was the equivalent of taking a day trip up to Ullapool and back home in one day, with stops along the way! It was a huge drive!!

So we decided to have another reccy in Reykjavík this morning and managed another 17k steps. (It doesn’t get any easier to spell regardless of how many times I type it!!!)

Our favourite Reykjavik eaterie where breakfast cost us £55. 😆 it was exquisite so you really can’t get too bent out of shape!

Sage and Maple latte….

Serrano ham and cheese platter for me and Craig had a smoked lamb sandwich. I mean the food really is as amazing as it looks.

Craig found a doggy in his favourite chocolate shop, Omnom.

So by this time we are stuffed. I should say I managed almost a 23 hour fast as I didn’t eat after our huge lunch yesterday as I was so full.

I actually love this next photo of me. It’s not often I see pure joy in a photo of myself. This is it.

We were booked into the Sky Lagoon this afternoon for 3.30pm. I will tell you all about it when I have more time. We booked the date night package which gave us use of the geothermal heated lagoon and a 7 step spa programme.

It was OUT OF THIS WORLD. We both feel so lucky to have been able to do that today. It’s definitely a day that we will never forget.

2 alcohol free beers as Craig was driving!

Followed by the Sky Platter for dinner. This plate was close to £30! Again… just exquisite food and perfect amount.

I can’t find the words to say how amazing this holiday has been. Everything has gone just perfectly. No stress, no drama, no pressure. It doesn’t feel like we have only been away for 3 days… we’ve done so much.

I haven’t even considered taking antidepressants…. Lots of food for thought when I get home.

I will miss these crisp, pure white bed sheets without dog hair. 😆

It will be good to get puppy cuddles though!

Stay safe everyone 🇮🇸✈️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Day 1127 out of the office is on!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇮🇸

Wide awake at 3.30am this morning thinking about everything I needed to do on my last day. Jeez I’m only off for two whole days which was probably why it was so easy. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Had a relatively calm day and got through everything I needed to.

The sun shone today and we sat out at lunchtime. It was so nice to feel the warmth of the sun! The temperatures are picking up here but Iceland will be a few degrees cooler. Obviously. 🥶

In less than 12 hours we’ll be flying from Edinburgh to Keflavik Airport in Iceland.

It doesn’t look very far does it?!

So super early start for us! Trying not to wake the neighbours. 😆

It’s been so long since we flew anywhere and my new found indecisiveness is convinced I’m taking all the wrong clothes 🤦🏻‍♀️😆 I packed a last minute pair of shorts and flip flops in case the sun shines in some freak weather event!!! Gotta have that optimism.

I dropped Abbie the Campervan off to the garage for her holidays…. MOT and full service along with a knock at the O/S front 🤦🏻‍♀️😬🤷🏻‍♀️😂

So despite all the excitement, I do feel a bit flat tonight as I had the call with the Doctor today finally.

The call comes through in the middle of your working day and I felt very much like I’d been thrown into a discussion that I hadn’t had time to think about.

In the past, you would sit in the surgery and rehearse your “lines”. The call is great and it saves you going to the surgery but the two hour window makes it difficult to stay prepared.

I told her how I’d been feeling and how the anxiety was taking over again. I explained the fear that seemed so overwhelming at times. And of course in true me fashion I ended up crying on the phone…

The purpose of the call, for me, was to ask for Testosterone which is the next step in the HRT cycle.

Did that word even register in my thought process once during the call?!?! Nope. Zero. Nada.

She has re-prescribed antidepressants.

I have to say I am completely torn between being devastated and slightly relieved as there may be some light at the end of the tunnel of fear that’s been building up.

I can’t tell you how hard this is for me I write.

It feels so awkward and vulnerable.

I’m cringing at the very thought of posting this yet I always said I’d be honest. If I can help one other person see how difficult life can feel for someone who looks like they should have it all together, then it’s worth it. (how do I think that is actually one sentence?!)

It feels like s step back to me. Like I’m admitting defeat. Like I’ve given in.

Yet I am so tired fighting these feelings AND I wouldn’t say any of that to a friend who was considering taking them.

When I should be super excited about a holiday I’m worried that I ruin it by being a jerk when we’re away. There’s a very fine line between happy and excited me and jerk me. (Forgive the shocking English… 🤦🏻‍♀️😂)

So… to take or not to take. That is the question.

I haven’t yet.

I am sure I probably will but I could do without that life changing decision tonight. I have a holiday to sleep for!!

Calaidh is not letting us leave without her.

So, I’m not sure what will happen with the blog for the next few days. I may or may not be able to post but rest assured there will be a million photos being taken while I try my best not to be a jerk!

Here’s Bhruic and Freya guarding the bags now 😂

I’m off to post this before I chicken out but I must admit I do feel better for typing it.

Stay safe everyone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️🇮🇸