Day 1637 a very early and tired Rambling Sloth today – that once in a lifetime Aurora came back!!

Since I stopped drinking I have found a zest for life, that crops up at times, that feels a high way beyond what alcohol could give me. Wow.

Now I should say here, I am actually working at Tartan today. I haven’t worked a Friday in a long time but I’m full time this week to give me a Monday off for my trip to Milan at the end of the month.

I knew the Aurora was a very strong possibility last night. I kept getting alerts on my phone and then Rachel two doors down was the best alert ever….. “it’s here!” so I call Claire next door and drag her out the back and we “meet” in our respective gardens.

I then tell her that I’m now dragging her out the front and slightly up the hill so we can get the best views. 😆

We walked out the front door and met Emma, another of our running girls, wondering the streets 😆 and the 3 of us set off.

It’s not visible to the naked eye, but I still pretty impressed given that the 10th May showing was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

There are a lot of electric lines up here that spoil my shots so I use them. 😆

It was so beautiful… I stay out longer than the others as I keep taking photos and never know when to walk away, in case it gets better.

This is the village hall.

Back in the garden.

I am so chuffed and tired. It’s 10.20 by the time I get into bed which is late for me! Craig remarks when I come in that I just look SO happy….. this is what makes me tick. Capturing and sharing beautiful things. It may not pay the bills but the buzz I get off this is incredible.

I’m fast asleep when Craig comes up to bed at 12.30 and I get up for the loo…. My brother has posted some very vibrant shots above his house, on our family chat so I head out into the back garden and it’s there above our house and all over the sky, visible to the naked eye. Red.

I get dressed up and head out the front. Purple from this angle.

I head across the road and up the hill again.

I have no fear at all…. Even when I hear a cow munching in the field beside me!

That once in a lifetime opportunity is back and it’s brighter than it was on 10th May.

I am close to tears.

I cannot explain how this makes me feel. I am so glad to be alive, to witness this. So grateful for my courage letting me walk out in the dark and not be scared for once.

I should also say that I’ve put none of those through my photo filter yet. This is just an iPhone 15 pro and holding it in my hand.

💥 ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️💥

The stars are so vibrant too behind the colour.

There’s a car coming from the bottom left. Zoom in on those stars. ✨

Same car lights dull the Aurora but brightens the stars a bit.

Unfortunately Craig’s car was right outside our house.

The village hall again. The streetlights are stopping the real beauty but that’s kind of what you can see with your eyes without the phone camera.

And I am just blown away with gratitude for life. If Craig hadn’t come up to bed late I would have missed it.

He woke me in that high peak.

My alarm didn’t go off this morning because it’s not set for Tartan starting…. Oops… but thankfully I wake at 6 randomly with a pain in my right big toe joint….. 🥴😆 I went straight back out.

It’s cloudy and raining but very atmospheric.

What an amazing night.

Now I have to get a shimmy on or I will be tired and late for work!

And sending positive Aurora vibes for my Canadian bestie Tracey who’s off out to chase them in Vancouver now. It’s just starting for her!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️💜💚

Day 1583 6k run then ferry to the Isle of Arran!

I woke at 4.30am…. Of course I did. I think I may have woken Helen too.

Alarm set for 6.15am and by 6.30 we are out for a run!!

The sunrise was pretty.

I took Helen to see my favourite gate!

And she’s off up the hill looking like a purple wheelie bin.

And we’re done. It’s the first time I’ve run in a week… it was an easy start but I did find it rough towards the end.

Home, cold shower for me then off to Ardrossan to catch the 9.45am CalMac ferry to Arran.

The sun is shining!!!

It is, however, a tad windy!

I managed to get the flag to look like is plastered onto the lighthouse when leaving Ardrossan.

It might not look it but the ferry is heaving. I’ve never seen it so busy.

Finally we can see Brodick and the clouds are clearing.

The wind dies right down in the bay. Goat Fell looks lovely under the blue sky.

We decided to walk around Brodick, look for a coffee shop and then head round to the rocks near Brodick Castle to sit in the sun for a bit.

CalMac’s Isle of Arran still loading as we walk away.

We went to The French Fox for coffee…. It was a lovely wee space. Thanks to my friend Anne for the recommendation. We sat outside under a poly tunnel.

We had brioche French toast to share and she split it between us.

The coconut milk latte was exquisite too.

Then we were off again, headed for the base of Goat Fell. This river was lovely.

Some lovely wee buildings.

Then down to the beach.

It’s beautiful.

It’s still windy at times but a lot less than the ferry.

Now walking back round the bay and it’s lovely and calm.

We got some beautiful shots.

Love this next one.

And then we went to The Parlour in Brodick for pizza…. Thanks to my friend Lesley for the recommendation.

Big smiles… 30 miles done already this weekend!!!

Lovely pizza. Quattro Saggioni and a fruity pizza with fig on it. They were honestly amazing!!

We had about a half hour to kill so sat in the sun and waited for the ferry.

The Isle of Arran AND a man in a kilt with 2 Border Collies!

We are shattered but have had the best few days and still one more to go!

I said it yesterday but I love that we just want to do the same things and are happy to go with the flow. We’ve had a lovely few days on the west coast of Scotland.

We’re on the ferry heading back now. It’s a lot less windy so far. We are the blue dot 🔵

Hope you all had the best weekend. We’ve the day off tomorrow… 🙌🏼🙌🏼

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1557 a bird woke us up this morning!

It’s a beautiful day and we’re we’re woken by a bird chirping away outside the window.

It did not give up until him we were both awake. 😆

It was 6.30am.

I got up and dressed and took the dogs straight out.

Look at that sky?! 💙💙💙

I am definitely a sunshine girl…. What a difference to my mood when the sun shines. There is a spring in my step and a hope that everything will be ok. The sunlight creates a calm in my head.

And then there are thistles. 💜💙💜

The dogs are used to me taking photos all the way round.

I had an appointment at the Optician in Largs for 9.50am.

Back in November they found a freckle at the back of my eye. They need to monitor the size of it. They told me to get in touch around February/March time if I hadn’t heard from them.

🫣

July.

Hi… can you check the size of my freckle?!

I parked a bit further out so I could walk on the coastal path.

Wow.

This just take my breath away. The colours are just beautiful.

No matter what else is going on in my head. This makes it all ok.

There’s not a breath. I wished Lindsay and Euan had the day off work and we could go out kayaking with them! 🛶🛶🛶

My heart shaped stone is still in the same place!

I’ve never take a photo of this fountain before. It’s a shame it’s not working.

The Largs to Cumbrae ferry is a lovely contrast to the blue.

Then the yellow bench!

Ahhh I could lose myself in the calm here. Largs is surprisingly quiet at 9.30am.

The ripples from the ferry… hardly create any movement.

Loading before heading off again.

Standing here when my lovely friend Isy, sent me this.

Start loving yourself…… I feel I still need to work at this. I love myself when I’m doing something that I’m passionate about. I don’t love myself when my head screams at me and I can’t hear what it says.

Do more of what you love…. Is what I get from that.

Exactly.

I had a quick wander round the charity shop before heading into SpecSavers.

My eye freckle is exactly the same size so nothing to worry about and back to the normal 2 year checkup.

I’ve booked to go back Friday morning for a contact legs trial…. Be interesting to see if they work for me. They would help with water sports… she says… like she does water sports every day…. 😆

By the time I’m out, the tide has come I. A good bit.

So have some clouds.

Reflections for my friend Helen.

The old bridge.

The two Cumbrae ferries passing

Smack bang under the mama cloud. I do think these clouds were like dad, mum and baby clouds 😆 getting confused with the 3 bears.

It’s just calm, it’s beautiful.

The island of Cumbrae in the foreground and Goat Fell on Arran in the background.

Heading back up this lovely road to the car.

I had to rush back as the locksmith was coming back to measure something, and Craig had enquiry calls to make.

Shame as I could have found a bench and sat there all day.

I’ve done some weeding, and filled in a path that I’d dug a few weeks back…. We’re trying to level off the back half of the garden for some artificial grass.

Check this one out… Khaleesi conked out right next to where I was digging!

Then it got pretty hot…. I may have sat down for a while. I’m trying to link my Instagram with my Rambling Sloth FB page…. It has taken me a long time to investigate but it still not happening! Everything I read… does not work for me. 🤦🏻‍♀️ it’s not the end of the world but I out lots of reels on The Rambling Sloth insta and I’d like them to post over to The Rambling Sloth FB but they got to my personal page just now. I figured the personal page is better than nothing….

I did some pupper photo shooting.

Trying to get them all moving towards me at once!

Bhru in her usual ladylike stance 😆😆

Couldn’t resist this…

Gorgeous girl.

So we’re off to our neighbours, Holly and Kenny for dinner tonight. Really looking forward to Holly’s cooking!

It’s still hot, I’m just going to jump in the shower as soon as Craig gets out of it!

Stay safe everyone 💙💜💙

Day 1554 happy birthday to Craig! 🎂🥳🎉🎁

Today is Mr A’s 49th birthday…. He is still not 50…. Another whole year before he’s finally in his 50’s. He’s 3 years younger than me and let me tell you, this has been a long 3 years. 😆

I woke at 4.33am and did a birthday post on Scottish Dog Behaviourist for him…. Then did the dutiful wife birthday post… then fell asleep until 7am when the alarm went off for our run this morning.

I didn’t commit as I didn’t want to be out on his birthday but he was still fast asleep. 🫣 I escaped!!

Emma, Gillian and Rachel ran this morning and we went a different way!

There were a lot of hills. The pic above is taken of us at the top trying to catch our breath.

This is me running up it with Gillian in front. She runs like the wind!

It was a tough one but my head was in a good place.

We ran 8.03k!!!! Never forgetting the .03k.

I feel bad as Rachel wanted to do more but I was knackered. We only needed another 2k to hit 10!!! Obviously….. 🙄

Here we are at the end.

Here I am…. catching my breath!

I did it!

It felt amazing.

For the first time I went under a freezing cold shower and managed some Wim Hof breathing and actually managed to stay under it for a good wee while. I was pretty chuffed with that too…. Anyway enough about me…. 🙄

The birthday boy finally got out of bed and we were all ready for him.

Only the Borders didn’t really get the “pose” memo… they seemed to just sit on Calaidh.

All set for pressies!

Some lovely Old Pultney whisky from my mum and dad. This was the whisky we had at our wedding.

Calaidh loved the jammie snowballs.

Khaleesi ready with her pressies…

All done!

New shorts and T-shirt on.

We had the breakfast of champions…. Wait for it…. Waffles with bacon 🥓 and maple syrup 🍁 with Forum vanilla ice cream!!

Craig said it was the food combination that’s been missing all his life!

We’ve had a lovely lazy morning (obvs after the 8.03k run!) and also had more cake. Bhru is asking him if it’s for her?

It’s from the Curiosity coffee shop… lemon and pistachio blondie and carrot cake.

So the birthday boy is currently asleep on a deckchair in the garden. It’s not hot but it’s WAY nicer than the forecast. It’s meant to rain all day today.

So it’s now 2.30pm and he’s asleep on the couch. I’ve been out and walked the dogs and have come back. This turning 49 seems to be hard work.

As long as he’s having the best day. Which he says he has.

We’re now watching the Rangers-Manchester United friendly on TV, waiting on an early takeaway to be delivered.

We did get a lovely pic together last night after the pub.

Happy birthday Craigie!!

Hope you’re all having a great weekend.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1546 alarm at 4.30am for a wild sea swim

The alarm went off and I had to think what day it was?!? It’s Friday, why is there an alarm….. oh wow it’s 4.30 and I’m swimming with Elly this morning.

I actually felt great and got out of bed no bother.

Sometimes you lie awake waiting for the alarm…. Not last night! It’s such a great feeling.

So out of bed, swimsuit and wetsuit on to the waist and I walked up to meet Elly. She was coming to pick me up but I was ready a bit early and I thought we’d wake less people if I walked to her house… I’m very considerate that way… sometimes too much!

The road was so quiet apart from seeing Lynsey who was off to run a 10k. She’s a machine!

We drove to Irvine beach where the tide was still really high.

The sunrise clouds were so pretty.

You can see the Isle of Arran so clearly as the sunrise hits Goat Fell.

The colours are lovely.

It’s calm, there no breeze and although it’s not warm, it’s. It that cold either. Ailsa Craig there off to the left.

Here we are, 5am!

We’re on our way in….. the water is cold this morning.

I love that the water is so clear. You know what you get on Irvine Beach as it’s so flat for miles out.

It’s just so atmospheric.

Elly is going for the no hands approach for as long as possible.

Check out my FB live from in the sea!

I snapshot this photo from it… it’s the best of a bad bunch 😆

There’s a fair swell in the sea despite it feeling calm.

The clouds are dark blue.

I took a million photos to try and catch these birds which were low flying over the water.

The birds are still here if you can see them?

Birds still going strong!

It’s a shame they didn’t fly in the blue sky space between the land and the clouds.

We’re on our way back out after 20 minutes.

The tide’s on its way out but there are still waves coming in too.

So dark and moody….

There’s hardly anyone on the beach. One girl away for a walk and one guy with a dog. I love this time of day… but you know that by now….it’s not yet 6am….

You can almost make out the cloud inversion in the distance.

The tides gone out a fair bit already.

Can’t get enough photos of Arran.

I think the weather looks better over there!

Last few….

I can’t get enough of this view!

Pano!!

Really enjoyed it and Elly is such lovely, calming company.

Back home and had a warm shower, then off out with hoddit, doddit and ploddit.

It’s 8.30am and the clouds are still lovely.

The sun is trying to burn through.

Very pretty roadside weeds today.

I met a guy that I used to see all the time on dog walks. He had 2 border collie type dogs…. Then he only had one and recently I’ve driven past him and he was walking alone 😢

I stopped to talk to him and said how sorry I was to see him on his own. I asked what had happened, sadly just old age… and I introduced him to our 3 and he never got much of a chance to say hello in the past. We chatted for a good wee while… he introduced himself. I felt really sad for him but I hope I cheered him up by speaking to him about his lovely girl.

Then I spotted these beauties. There are for my friend Anne! 💜💜💜 she sends me pics when she finds them too. To be fair I think we send the same thistles to each other as these are very close to her house!!

Back home and washings on and out to dry and more weeding…. Before….

After…..

Before….

After….

I sat down just after 1pm and started this… it’s 2.36 already… and I wonder where my day goes eh?!?

I’m sitting outside in the sun. Shorts and vest top on. It’s a high of 19°C today. Got to catch it while we can.

Thanks to Elly for a special morning.

Meeting Gayle tonight so might head to Largs… it’s been a while!

Hope you all have a lovely Friday and rest of weekend!

Stay safe everyone 💜💜💜

Day 1527 recap of my day in Oban yesterday and a trip to church this morning!

I slept like a log.

Out for the count completely until Miss Khaleesi woke me with some licking at 4.30am and I have dozed on and off ever since. I was even too tired to make sure she wasn’t licking her scar, to be honest she doesn’t really anymore so I just mumbled a “Khaleesi, neh, neh” a few times, which is what she’s been trained for no. Come to think of it, it could be “nay, nay”. I have never thought of the spelling. 😂

No wonder I slept, really, it’s been a very busy weekend but one that I have loved so far.

It was so good to catch up with Helen and Mike yesterday. They have a lovely lodge in Oban Bay Holiday Park for a whole week.

As you may know, Oban is just one of my places, I love it sooooo much. It was a real treat to be able to show them around. We didn’t do half of what I had planned. 😂

As I said yesterday, the drive up was great and only took me two hours. I was there just after 9.30am.

We sat and admired the view from their lodge, which is just so lovely, with a wonderful Scotland flag flying in full view, which always improves a view.

We’ve been coming up to this campsite for years. We even had Mum, Dad and Nana visit us once in 2018. Special memories as that was one of the last times we spent with my Nana before she died.

It was lovely to see what Hoseasons have down with it, since they took it over a year or so ago. I do fear that they are looking to build right up into the hill which might turn it into a massive holiday park, but I suppose life brings change. You don’t always have to like it.

It’s currently so quiet and peaceful.

Their lodge is really beautiful with a lounge and kitchen are and a bedroom with en-suite… and a hot tub with a view!

We set off for an explore round the campsite after 11am. The sun was out for the first part of our walk.

I do not remember this lookout point AT ALL!!

To be fair, this was always the most salubrious of pitches and I don’t think I’d ever have walked in front of someone’s caravan to go looking. Now there are lodges here, it doesn’t feel as invasive. I also feel like they cut back some huge undergrowth! I wouldn’t have missed this! There’s a lovely view up here.

Also looking down towards the Kerrera ferry and the Puffin Dive School.

We took a walk to look for Highland Coos!

Found them but only one of them was close enough to be photogenic! They get fed at 4pm every day so expect Helen to accept the mission and get some fab photos through the week.

A wee bit too far away.

Such a beautiful location for a campsite. It’s a bit out of Oban but it’s within walking distance if you’re a walker.

We went down to see the old pier opposite the campsite, it’s looking a bit worse for wear.

Mike took our photo with the island of Kerrera in the background.

I went to take a pic of this yacht and thought the barbed wire added to the shot.

The colours here are just stunning. I am definitely a blue sky photographer!

We walked down the single track road to the Kerrera ferry.

Here it is!

Tell me you’re in Scotland without telling me you’re in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 .

Love a passing place sign.

I don’t know what it is but I’m so at peace in Oban and the highlands of Scotland. If we had the weather, I would never be anywhere else, yet it also would be horrifically overpopulated, as everyone else would want to live there too!

The clouds are starting to roll in.

Love this wee boat. Think I got it on the way back too.

Single track road.

Now at this point the weather clouded over and from a photo perspective, Oban bay doesn’t have the best light. I’ve run a few photos through my Lightroom app to get the best of them.

We popped into the Correyvreckan Wetherspoons on the quay for a quick lunch. Right next to CalMac’s Isle of Lewis, which was loading for Barra.

Spotted the Loch Frisa and the Clansman. Friday leaving for Mull the Isle of Mull just back from there.

The mighty Clansman just coming in from Colonsay.

The little boat tour heading out backwards. McCaigs Folly up on the dark skyline.

The Hebridean Isles heading out the Sound of Kerrera.

A close up with the tide out.

We walked through the town and went to the Oban Chocolate Company for a hot chocolate.

Then walked towards Dunollie.

I’ve had my eye on this house since I was a wee girl. I wish I could find a photo of the old house that used to be here. It was a kit built bungalow style house but it’s so close to Oban that I always felt it had the best view in the world. (Yes a bit dramatic maybe, but as I kid, I was in awe of its location). Then one visit and this had appeared!!!

It’s on a tiny island called Rudh-A-Chruidh (who knew until I looked it up!) built in 2014 it had an asking price of £950k.

One day…. 😂

We sat on a bench near the war memorial and watched the Majestic Line head out to see one by one. There must have been about 6 of them least between 3.30 and 4pm. Two of the are like cute Captain Pugwash ships.

Arty shot before Helen the wrecking ball, knocked all 3 of us down!! We were all crouched down here in a row!

3 craws sat upon a bench! Dunollie Castle above the lighthouse.

We headed back along into town. The tide is in now but still no blue sky.

Loch Striven loading for Lismore.

It’s such a beautiful road through the trees.

Helen trying to wreck another photo opportunity 😂😂

The Kerrera ferry slip now under the high tide. They are going over there today… could I be any more envious?!?! 😂

I left at 6pm after a lovely day with great friends.

Sadly there had been a bad accident on the Glencoe A82 which meant that all the traffic north was diverted to Oban on the A85. I met a huge queue at Connel Bridge but got these lovely shots from the car.

I then drove past 5 miles of traffic which was queuing to get up and over the bridge. I felt so sorry for them all but I had a straight run home and was back to Craigie and the puppers by 8.30pm.

We had walked 21k steps!!

So today we went to church to see our friend and neighbour, Holly, be ordained as an Elder of the local Beith Parish Church.

After the service we went straight for a food shopping, (as you do!) came home and let the dogs out and were invited to a celebration in the pub, next door, this afternoon.

We were there until 4pm when the sun finally came out. I think we have a few good days of weather coming.

We’re sitting outside in the garden now. Khaleesi is in the shade under a tree and I’m enjoying some heat in the sunshine.

It’s been a really busy weekend. I’ll be back to work for a rest.

I’m so grateful I no longer have the Sunday afternoon dread of going to work. Those days are long gone. I do need to get planning my next adventure though.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1504 Khaleesi out of surgery by 4pm and a day by the sea for me 🌊🏖️

It was very strange waking up with only 3 dogs this morning. We’ve been fixated on Khaleesi for the last week and now she’s not even here.

My alarm went off at……. Wait for it… 4.30AM!!! Elly had asked if I wanted to wetsuit swim this morning but she had to be back by 6.45am.

As hard as it is to get out of bed, it’s so worth it. As you know I love being out and about when everyone else is asleep!

Pic taken at 5.30am. It’s 9.5°C.

Wetsuits bottom half, still to get ready to go in. Lovely sunrise glow!

The tide was coming in, and almost at high tide but it was a bit windier than it usually is, when I go in the sea.

We didn’t swim but we stayed under the water and bobbed about in the waves.

It’s the most present I’ve ever been in the sea. I didn’t take a million photos, I just enjoyed the moment.

It felt like we were in for ages… and here I go sharing the million photos I “didn’t” take 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

It clouded over a fair bit, which surprised me as I knew the forecast was going to be good todays

I didn’t find it particularly cold today but it took me ages to heat up, even after a hot shower.

We had great chats this morning, nothing beats a good deep and meaningful conversation! Thanks to Elly for asking me to go.

We decided to take the 3 Borders for a family dog after my shower. .

This is what happens when I say ….. WHO…. WANTS…. TO GO…. FOR… A….. WALK…. Exactly with that intonation 😂

Look at this gate, it’s disappearing after years of no use!

This is what happens when Craig says… GO!

It’s a lovely morning and I’m a bit overdressed as I’m still a bit cold from the swim.

When we came home it clouded over so I hung out the washing and hoovered the whole house. It’s like deja vu from last weekend…. The house is soooo hairy. I want it to be nice for Khaleesi coming home. 😆

Craig had a job in West Kilbride today at 1pm so I decided to go with him and spend some time on the beach. It seems really hot until I get there and there’s actually a really cool breeze.

It’s still beautiful and exactly what I need to take my mind of Khaleesi. That’s not entirely true either, that was the plan but actually I think of her more when I’m alone, it’s the not knowing that’s the worst part. Is she still in surgery, out already or still to go in?! We had no idea.

I sat here for a few minutes. A lovely view over to Arran.

Craig dropped me near the Waterside restaurant and I walked up the coast as far as Portencross.

Sat here for a few minutes too. I have 3 hours to kill.

The tide is out so the beach is full sized.

My photos pretty much all have Arran as the backdrop 😂.

I loved the wee cottage off to the right hand side of the burn. It’s literally on the beach but private enough that it seems secluded too.

I found a sheltered spot behind the Seamill Hydro. The wall to the right of me, sheltered the breeze. I lay down here for a while and rested my eyes. The sun felt very hot.

The beach is just massive when the tide is so far out. I set off again.

I tried to take some arty upside down shots of all the lugworm piles (it disgusts me that they seem to be called that…. ) but I can’t seem to hold the camera straight when I’m hanging upside down… picture the scene?!?

Should say this is Portencross beach now.

I’m getting straighter 😂

There are more waves here. They’re still tiny though.

I love the colour of the sand.

I almost have the whole beach to myself. I wish I had brought some of the dogs. If the tide is in, the beach is tiny and I always feel a bit overwhelmed with 3 dogs on a beach filled with other dogs.

It’s really windy but I love the peace.

The lovely irises growing in the boggy ground.

I’m finally on my favourite rocks at Portencross.

Portencross Castle with the Scottish flag flying.

Love the rocks.

Always think of Claire when I see this lovely blue boat as she took some lovely photos of it.

I’m heading back along the road to meet Craig when he’s finished.

Sooooo green!

I love this house.

How pretty is this?!

And just like that my knight in shining armour appears.

We head home via Lidl. We’re on a budget and it’s great to see how many bargains you can get in Lidl. I got sensitive toothpaste for 69p!!!

That reminds me I actually had the dentist in between shower and dog walk! Just check up and scale and clean. £15.85 and done in 10 minutes.

We got the call when we were in the supermarket with no signal and Craig had to run out to call them back.

Her operation had just finished and it was a success. Her ankle bone has been fused and her foot had been straightened. It all went as planned.

Such a relief. Craig is blinking back the tears all through the crisps aisle… I’m relieved but I knew it would be ok.

We have to call at 9am to find out how she was overnight and they’ll tell us when we can pick her up.

It will be so good to have her home again. It feels really strange without her. Bless.

Thanks again to everyone for your support!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1494 reflections on my PS Waverley trip yesterday

Oh. My. Word.

I’m writing this on Monday night on the bus on the way back to Glasgow. I cannot begin to explain the true extent of the beauty I have seen today. We got the West Coast of Scotland as its absolute best.

“I’m sailing up the west coast, through villages and towns” to quote Dignity by Deacon Blue!

More accurately, we sailed up the west coast taking in several beautiful islands.

We started off on The Clyde at the Glasgow Science Centre and sailed down the Clyde, under the Erskine Bridge, past Greenock and Port Glasgow and down to our first stop in Largs. We picked a good couple of hundred people up in Largs.

My friend Helen sent me the Waverley’s actual trip for the day. I was so chuffed.

We then headed over to Great Cumbrae and sailed north of Little Cumbrae and over to skirt the north coast of Arran…. With Bute in view most of the way.

We then headed across around the Mull of Kintyre and across to Islay and up the Sound of Islay with Jura visible on the right hand side. We sailed on to Colonsay and then back across towards the mainland via the Correyvreckan Whirlpool. Then down through the Slate Isles, past Easdale, Seil Island and Luing… before head into the sound of Kerrera, past Kerrera and into my favourite place on the world… Oban. In the scorching hot sunshine.

What is not to love.

I also met two other solo travellers, randomly both called Chris. One male, one female. We kept an eye out for each other’s bags while we were off away around the boat. I love that kind of connection with someone. We’ll not stay in touch and never see each other again but we shared the day.

I am shattered but I am so grateful that I had the chance to see all of this. I’m gutted I’m not carrying on further north in the Waverley but, given how much I was “bouncing” on dry land… it’s maybe just as well I’m on the bus home. 😂

So I’ll pick up where we left off… we were just about to enter the Correyvreckan Whirlpool.

Now, I’m not going to lie… this is a bucket list thing of mine and I had NO idea that we actually went through it on this cruise. Also, it wasn’t exactly what I expected. It was a bit like sailing through a bubbling cauldron… actually when has anyone EVER done that?!?

These photos WILL NOT do it justice.

If you have ever drive past the Falls of Lora in Connel, near Oban, the effect is very similar.

As the Waverley went into the Whirlpool she was doing 15 knots, by the time she came out she was up to 2/knots just with the force of the whirlpool…. About 10 minutes later, she was down to 11 knots as fighting against a flowing tide.

It’s now Tuesday afternoon and I’ve had the laziest day in the sun. It’s 4.30 already and all I’ve got to show for it is a varnished bench!!

I am quite pleased with it.

So back to yesterday. Leaving the Gulf of Correyvreckan was spectacular.

It was now an evening sunset cruise. After such a spectacular day.

The film crew that were on board were sailing alongside getting lots of shorts for the David Hayman documentary about the PS Waverley.

We are currently here.

The Slate Islands were beautiful. I was torn between watching out to the sun and capturing the green island of Luing and the coast south of Oban.

This is just at Seil island.

I almost missed it but I caught the bridge over the Atlantic!

The Oban lifeboat came out to see us!

The PS Waverley is a celebrity wherever she sails. It’s lovely to be a part of that. Even leaving Glasgow yesterday, folk were waving out of their Clydeside flats.

I’m back out the porthole in the ladies toilets again as we head down the Sound of Kerrera into Oban!

My favourite place on the west coast, Oban.

McCaig’s Tower up on the hill.

The low sun is beautiful!

Docked for the evening!

Taken from the bow of the Waverley.

I’m already off and so sad that the day is over. It was just so perfect.

We then had to jump straight on the bus to Glasgow Science Centre. I literally spend 10 minutes in Oban!

What a stunning night.

Even the bus trip down was stunning, I kept taking photos out the window.

All of these taken from a moving coach… this is the start of Loch Awe.

St Conan’s Kirk on the banks of Loch Awe.

Reflections of the railway bridge at Kilchurn Castle.

The moon is huge….

It’s finally almost dark so I try to sleep but nothing comes.

I got home around midnight after a few wrong turns in Glasgow. My mind wasn’t as fresh as it should have been.

What a truly wonderful day that will stay with me forever. There’ll be videos and more photos to come, I’m sure!

I’m too tired to proof read this tonight so fingered crossed it’s ok 👌

Stay safe everyone 🚢♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Day 1490 a lovely coffee with Lea, time in the sun and The Realignment Project in Luss.

Up at 6am this morning and out with the dogs.

It’s a beautiful day.

The sky is bright blue and the grass and trees are very green, in their spring like state.

I have Bhruic and Freya. In a vest top and body warmer I’m already overdressed!

I’m not in the best fettle this morning. A bit too hot headed and irritable…. Yes… again…. I managed to turn it around.

When you appreciate the beauty around you, it’s hard to stay grumpy.

Love the high level clouds.

Every time my head slips into a negative, and I caught myself, I would take a deep breath and focus on the walk.

It really works.

The trick is being able to see it.

What’s through this gap, they say?!?

I loved this tree. I walk past it often and yet today it looked really pretty.

Can never get enough of the blue! 💙

Back home for a double pupper swap and off our with Calaidh and Khaleesi.

They had a great run in the field.

Someone’s coming to get me! Calaidh just doesn’t move 😂😂

Looking over to the Isle of Arran.

Pretty clouds.

Another of my often photographed gates.

I had a quick shower…. Went to get some trainer socks out the drawer upstairs, got my phone cable caught between two toes on my right foot and walloped left knee first into my desk!

Felt really dizzy so lay for a few minutes. I have the tiniest of bruises but a bit of a lump! it hurts!!

I drove to Silverburn Shopping Centre to meet my friend Lea today. It’s the first time I have seen her since her lovely mum died.

It was so lovely to spend some time with her and get a good catch up. I was so upset I missed the funeral as I had a stomach bug.

We went to our usual Starbucks haunt then sat outside in the sun for a while.

Back home and straight out into the garden.

It’s just so beautiful today.

The Borders in the shade… Bhru has Thor’s hammer and Calaidh wants it. 😂

Khaleesi is loving the shade too. She must have acclimatised to our Scottish weather, if she thinks this is hot. It’s way cooler than Spain!!

She’s back out into the sun!

So tonight’s group of us are heading to The Realignment Project in Luss, on the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

We’ll be doing breath work, yoga, exercise and cold water therapy in Loch Lomond from 7.15 till 9pm.

The girls have gone to this a few times and have always fancied trying it. I was so pleased when Rachel two doors down asked me to go, I booked instantly!

I want to be able to go into the cold water without the faff of a wetsuit. I want to be at peace with it and not feel the freezing cold pain. Rachel says she’s a squealer (😂) and she managed it fine! (She’ll love me for that! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂) so here’s hoping I’m the same tonight.

Hope you have a great sunshine filled weekend. Hold your loved ones close as you never know when you might not be able to anymore. Lea’s mum was one of the lovely ones.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1482 finally some heat in the west of Scotland! ☀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

It’s 6.30pm and I’m sitting outside in shorts and a vest top….. finally. It feels so good to feel the sun on my skin!

I know I had sunshine in Rome, but it’s been a cold start to the year in Scotland. Anyone who’s here on holiday now is soooooo lucky!!

You can imagine I’m like a caged lion… where can I go, what can I do this weekend?!?!

Unfortunately Craig is working all day tomorrow and is out all day on Saturday so I really need to puppy sit my own dogs. 🐶🐶🐶🐶

I have looked at campsites for Saturday night but not sure if there’s much point in setting up camp again for one night. Hmmmm decisions…. Right now I’m very happy sitting out on the decking and feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.

This is my current view!

I had a lovely wee night out in Largs, last night, with the Crochet Hookers.

We went to the Wetherspoon’s Paddle Steamer for dinner. It was really busy when we got in but the food is so cheap. The whole evening only cost less than £15 a head. I had vegan pizza which was surprisingly lovely, with hot chocolate and shortbread for afters. The hot chocolate was £1.76 and free refills. The shortbread was 71p!!!!

We did get a right good natter though. It was lovely to have a change of scenery.

It rained when we left so I couldn’t get any decent photos!

I actually really like this next one after I said that.

It was 9.30pm…. Way past my bedtime.

I set my alarm for the 5.45am run club, fully intending to be too tired and to roll over in bed, instead of going.

Last night was the first night of HRT progesterone for 2 weeks….. I was completely out for the count. I slept like a log all night. The alarm went off, I got up and had one of the best runs with Elly and Lynsey. Lynsey was photographer today!

Not sure I like my rear in this pic but I’m going to embrace it and then buy black leggings….

Lynsey has it ingrained in us that we have to touch the white line at the end of the road in Gielsand Estate!! We do it even when she’s not there.

I love this next one she took of Elly and I! It captures the sunrise run mood perfectly!

We did 5k exactly and I loved every minute of it.

It was so much easier than yesterday. I ran straight into a very cool shower again!

As I washed I really stopped to think about how far I’ve come and it brought some tears of gratitude.

I’ve come such a long way from the days where I could barely put one foot in front of the other even to walk the dogs.

I love the friendship of the run club girls. I appreciate their support and their encouragement. I love that I run so much further with them, than I would do on my own. I love the feeling of accomplishment. I love getting up early and running before everyone gets up.

I felt so alive this morning.

Fast forward to the half shut knife I am now… struggling to stay awake!! 😂😂

It’s been a good week at work too. It’s gone quickly and I’ve enjoyed it.

I made another lovely Planthood meal tonight….

This was one of the best I’ve had, if a little bit spicy! It tasted soooo good!

This is my latest view….. throwing a tennis ball as I type.

Will be an early night for me tonight I think. Hopefully a blissful progesterone induced sleep!

Stay safe everyone ☀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☀️

Day 1459 back to auld claes and porridge 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

So Bertie Beetle finally got recovered at about 6.20pm last night (which was a bit earlier than I thought!)

The car and I got dropped at the garage and I had to phone our neighbour to come and get me. Poor guy had been driving about for us for hours!!

Wee sad pic of me in the rain walking to meet him…. Still dragging my suitcase.

So the car needs a new passenger side spring and a top mount which is pretty much what I suspected.

Thankfully I seem to have done everything properly this time and the recovery was done under warranty and the parts will be covered under warranty! Check me….

I literally sat on the couch in the dark last night and cuddled the puppers. I didn’t even have the notion to watch tv. Yesterday was a real lesson in waiting…. Waiting for a taxi, waiting for a plane, waiting for Craig then waiting for recovery. I was patient most of the day. 😂

My lovely bush is in full bloom now.

Work was good, it was sunny all day and Ellison and I actually sat outside for lunch. Nothing like Rome heat but compared to Scottish 2024 so far, it was up there as one of the nicest weather days.

Craig made homemade fresh tomato soup for dinner which was lovely.

Calaidh and I then went out for a walk with Claire… this is Calaidh waiting for her, next to the purple bin!!

We had a lovely walk though it was super cold at times!!

There’s a lovely new bench in Spiers Old School Grounds. It says TAKE SOME BREATHING SPACE.

It has the following sign on it.

This is the view from the bench…. It’s lovely.

What a lovely thought. I hope that people get some use out of it.

We had a lovely walk and a grata catch ip.

I’ve got so many videos from Rome that I need to sort through but that won’t be today…. Today’s about trying to get back into some routine after a whirlwind of a week.

Also the Gateside Inn has a new sign since the filming of the Lockerbie drama at the start of March. It looks lovely! I just spotted it!

So that’s all from me.

Back to auld claes and porridge as we say in Scotland. 😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1448 rail trip to Pitlochry to see Mum & Dad!

My alarm went off at 5.45am…. I woke at 3.11am to think about what I was wearing today. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Of course I did. It was a great sleep until then but obviously the rain, snow, cold etc was playing on my mind. Us over thinkers need to make time to overthink!

Craig got up to make me a decaf coffee which I ended up taking with me… and of course the first train is delayed… a 40mph restriction on the track due to the heavy rain overnight.

I got a bit antsy… I had a half hour to get across Glasgow before my next train. It was only delayed by 11 minutes but the restriction is making us later. Then FB shows me this.

Synchronicity ♥️

I did literally run across Glasgow from Central to Queen Street, a steady jog. I’m a bit dishevelled and out of puff but I made it!

Next stop Stirling!

Should say here with my Club 50 railcard, (oh my actual god, how much does that freak me out?!?) Glengarnock to Pitlochry cost me £39.75. Now I know I could drive for less than that probably, but my view is it keeps mileage down on the car and I get to look out the windows and see the world like a lady of leisure. That’s the plan…. 😂

Made it to Stirling with a half hour until my next train.

Of course Mrs overactive bladder always has to find the loo…

Closed due to flooding

😳

It will be fine. 😬

I survived…. I’m the blue dot 🔵 on the map!

The snow appeared just north of Stirling. all of these are taken from a moving train through tinted windows!

It’s very dull, misty and overcast…. All 3 of them but the snow is really pretty.

About to arrive in Pitlochry. There is no snow!!

What a lovely day we have had!! Mum and Dad met me off the train, such a shame this is blurry, they appeared as the southbound train pulled out the station and I was crossing the bridge!

They were all bedecked in waterproofs and I felt a bit under waterproofed!

The took me to Cafe Biba for lunch.

A lovely wee building, just like our house! I had the veggie breakfast but didn’t eat the egg… I’m still on this “not fancying meat” thing. I would eat it if it was put down in front of me but I’m just not able to choose it for some reason. I had a lovely soya decaf latte! Completely perplexed Dad!!

Mum and I went for a wander round the shops starting off with Heather Gems which was recommended to me, by Margaret, yesterday!

It’s a huge store where you watch them making the jewellery too…. Lovely!

We had a good wander around the shops, until 1pm when chauffeur Dad, as he said he was called, came and picked us up!!

We decided to head up to The House of Bruar just north of the lovely village of Blair Atholl.

This is a very posh shopping complex where you walk about and look at things that you can never really afford to buy! That’s a slight exaggeration… the shoes dad picked up were £435… I said he should get 2 pairs!! There were lots of photo opportunities though.

This is a cashmere jumper canoe!

The Troop London canoe.

The Yeti canoe. I think Craig will like this one!

Here’s mum in motion… this is the sit-ooterie for food!

We had another cuppa and a cake this time.

Think our village woodcutters need to up their game!

Even the fresh fruit and veg looks amazing.

We headed back down the road towards Pitlochry and stopped in Blair Atholl to look at the water wheel.

There was no water running through the burn at all…. Would you believe that this is the reason…

Maybe we got their rain in Ayrshire??? I feel like it’s rained all winter… just shows you!

Our next stop was the River Garry Bridge. It’s soooo high up!! this is the view looking north.

Looking south is so very different.

Then chauffeur Dad drove us to Faskally wood where I got a few photos of Loch Faskally.

We went back to the caravan for a quick pit stop to wait for my train home.

It’s started to rain by the time we got to the station to wait on the train.

We mucked about with the mini flower train!

As we waited the Royal Scotsman train pulled into Pitlochry heading north. It is stunning and as dad pointed out, everything that could be painted, has been painted! Click that link and get a look. It’s lovely.

If you zoom in, everything underneath it is spotless, every window had been cleaned, it’s an old train that’s pretty immaculate!

Think I’ll have to stick to the Inter7city for now!!

I’ve just pulled into Stirling but this is a direct train to Glasgow so I don’t have to get off here.

I’ve had a lovely day with Mum and Dad! I love that we are making new memories together. That feels important to me.

We need to plan our next adventure!

Only another hour and 45 until I’m home to Craig and the pupper bunch!

Have a great weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1442 dog walks, writing and a trip to Largs! ☀️☀️☀️

That’s two days in a row the forecast has said one thing and the weather has done the opposite. I’m not complaining. I’m sitting here right now….

I have my jacket off and even had my jumper off earlier. The sun has been shinging almost all day. It’s been cold but it’s beautiful now. I have fur lined boots and fleecy leggings on and I am pretty cosy.

I’ve found a new path and a new bench today. I’m in Largs but I parked at the Marina and walked from the Largs Pencil, into Largs. People have told me to do that a lot, I finally have!

The Pencil is a memorial to the Battle of Largs in 1263, between the Scots and the Norwegian Vikings.

It’s so lovely to see the sun and in between breeze gusts, feel the warmth of it. It’s been away for a LONG time! I am so ready for Spring and Summer.

I met up with Craig’s sister Lisa and my nephew and we played on the 2p machines for a wee while until I won a dolphin keyring! It’s been ages since I did that!! So serious!!

But the sun was calling. I’m like a caged lion being inside when the sun is out. I’ve also fasted for 19 hours so I’m ready for a cuppa. I sat outside in Indigo Eats Largs. It was a beautiful wee sun trap albeit, by the side of the road, it felt very European!

I haven’t washed my hair since Wednesday morning!

I could have sat there all day but the sea was calling. I walked up to the top of the promenade, turned back round and walked all the way back down to the Largs Marina where I’ve parked. I can’t bring myself to leave, it’s just so beautiful. I’m now perched on some rocks at the jetty!

Sunshine and blue sky is very good for the soul. 💙☀️💙☀️

Here are some more photos from the walk.

They are rebuilding the harbour wall up the top of the promenade. It looks like they are extending it into the sea a bit too.

Looking back down to Largs.

CalMac’s Loch Riddon seemed to stop sailing at 4pm.

My blogger friend The Windsor Waffle, thinks railings are my new thing… she might be right. It’s the shadows too!

My new favourite bench with a lovely dedication on it.

I’ve had a lovely day. I didn’t sleep that well, I tossed and turned like a tossey turney thing. If you ask Fitbit it says it was much better than it felt!

I got up at 7.30…. I’m still trying the no phone before natural sunlight but it’s hard. 😂

I took Calaidh and Bhruic for a run.

Then back to get Freya and take her up the hill. I left my phone to charge as it didn’t charge overnight.

I then really randomly sat down at my laptop and started to write…. I feel like I have a book in me. I say that and squirm because my head says not to be so ridiculous and my heart trusts that it might help some people. I wrote for about 3 hours just jotting things down.

Will see how it goes. I may never mention it again…. I feel drawn to help people but I’m not sure gallivanting around the world, with anxiety, is the best kind of business plan. 😂

On the way back from Largs I stopped at he Hailey Brae roadside view point. Wow.

The gorse bush is almost in full bloom with the Isle of Arran on the horizon.

Largs is just down in the foreground here.

I had the lookout to myself. It was so peaceful.

I love the calm. I love the peace. I love the sun. I love the blue sky.

I am very happy.

Stay safe everyone ☀️💙☀️

Day 1436 ROADTRIP with Gayle to Lochgoilhead! As you do…. 😂

So…… Gayle and I have been talking about going to The Boat Shed Café in Lochgoilhead for ages now… Gayle saw it on Instagram and I’ve been following it too.

It’s such a pretty coffee shop on the banks of Loch Goil and it’s about an hour and a half drive from where we live.

We agreed to meet up today as the Scottish Dog Behaviourist was working! He is so busy he’s having to work a Sunday now.

When I picked Gayle up I gave her options… the first of which was the Boat Shed and she jumped at it and we both got really excited. I was so pleased she wanted to go and didn’t think it was too far. She was pleased that I was happy to drive there.

It’s a beautiful day. After all the rain and wind we’ve been having, the cold sunshine is just so lovely. It is still pretty cold but there’s a warmth when the sun is beating down on you.

I was up at 7am and did 2 dog walks before 8.30am!!

Bhruic and Freya first…. look at that sky!!

The morning sun makes this old mossy wall look so green against the blue.

It also made me look really tall and the puppers look like wolves!

The primroses are blooming, I always think they are so pretty.

Gielsland Estate looks lovely in the sun too.

It’s so quiet I stop the 3 of us for arty middle of road shot.

When I used to have the big, heavy job and used to drink and be Mrs life and soul of the party, I would never have seen this time of the morning…. This is now when I’m at my best. No one around, sounds of the birds chirping and nothing else. I just love it!

Home and quick change for Calaidh and Khaleesi.

It’s just so beautiful.

Khaleesi zonked out in Gran’s Chair when we got home. This is the seat I used to sit in when I was off sick… it’s a great seat to relax in and lovely to see Khaleei likes it too.

So back to the ROADTRIP. Love that WordPress always puts that word into caps for some reason 😂😂😂

We set off on an exciting adventure.

It’s a beautiful drive… my trusty Co-pilot even thinks to take some photos for the blog. She’s a keeper 😂 the next 4 are Gayle’s taken from the moving car!

The drive through Scottish lochs and mountains is breathtaking at any time but when that sky is blue it’s just stunning!

We get to the turning for Lochgoilhead and the road goes down to single track, with passing places. It’s not a great single track either but a very crumbly road with steep verges at either side, if you pull off the tarmac there’s a chance you might not get back up onto it.. my anxiety heightens a little. I’m relieved that I didn’t know this in advance!

Lochgoilhead is beautiful.

The single track road runs right along the front of the loch elevated about 6ft from the water itself… no barriers, just the drop. 😬We finally get to the Boat Shed Café on our tiny single track road…. We made it!!

There are lots of people standing outside, come to think of it we’ve driven past loads of people walking on the single track road towards and away from it.

The realisation…..

The car park is over full already and there is literally nowhere to park.

We’re both completely shocked as that thought had never crossed our minds. We’d driven all this way only to not get in?!?!

We had no option but to drive right past it. I finally found somewhere to turn and we drove past again but nothing had changed.

About half a mile up I found somewhere to pull the car into. This shows how narrow the roads are…

We parked and walked back.

We stood in the queue and took the obligatory selfie with the sign in the background.

There were about 7 groups of people in front of us. I don’t know how long we stood but nothing was moving. Gayle was reading lots of comments on their Instagram page about the lack of parking and the trouble you could get into parking illegally…. We talked ourselves into worrying that the car wasn’t in a proper parking space and could be construed as in a passing place…. I went to take some photos of the loch.

I mean it would have been a lovely view for coffee but the outdoor area isn’t in the sun… the sun is shining on the road side of the building. Everyone had blankets and looked freezing.

We really sadly gave up our space in the queue and decided to leave.

We were gutted that we’d gone all this way and couldn’t get parked. It’s only 24th March, goodness only knows how hard it must be in the summer as the Loch Goil cruises go from the same car park.

With hindsight, the car was fine where it was parked and we could easily have stayed but the shine had gone a bit by then.

Instagram follows are all very well but the reality of the beauty of the place is often different. Their posts are beautiful, so appealing but obviously everyone and their Auntie want to go too!

So back in the car and took a shortcut back to the top of the Rest and Be Thankful. I say shortcut… the satnav didn’t want us to go on this road but it was so much quicker.

The Rest and Be Thankful is named after the old road which was super narrow and windy to the top of the road. You had to rest and be thankful when you got to the top.

This photo doesn’t do the depth of the valley any justice! if you look to the left you’ll see the new road which cuts up the side of the hill. This gets closed after almost every heavy rain shower due to landslides. The old military road gets used more often than it should be!

We then got back onto the A82 and headed down into Arrochar. We eventually found a parking space!

We managed to find a takeaway for hot chocolate and a chocolate bar as we were starving by now!

Spotted this GATE!!!

It’s so still and calm but clouded over a bit.

Sadly despite the beauty, the beaches are covered in plastic. It’s really sad as it’s sooo bad. it must wash up in storms but there is so much of it.

Back in the car and down through Tarbert to Firkin Point on Loch Lomond. I stopped because there are toilets here!! It’s very pretty too.

Back into the car and further down the Loch to get a picture of Ben Lomond.

Then we headed back down the road and home.

Despite not achieving our main goal, we had a great day! Great company for a lovely chat.

Happiness is what you make it and I’m never happier than out sightseeing and especially with a great friend!

Wishing you all a great week ahead!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1434 train trip to Stirling to meet Mum and Dad!

Today The Rambling Sloth Explores Stirling…. Well Stirling Castle to be precise. I’m meeting Mum and Dad up there. Our tour of Scottish castles continues!

I love doing things like this with them as we are making memories rather than sitting about in each other’s houses.

I woke at 5 but managed to fall back to sleep before the alarm at 7am… only got 86% for last nights sleep…. Love that I think Fitbit is scoring me. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

My train is 8.42 out of Glengarnock to Glasgow Central.

The forecast is not the best for a day out but as the week’s gone on, it’s got slightly better and there is sun now, in amongst some showers. It is very windy though!

This is my journey from home up to Stirling.

Of course I’ve taken the train as I like doing now. I get to watch the world go by rather than have to drive and find parking spaces.

Just as we pull into Stirling the heavens open but Mum and Dad are already in the car park waiting for me. We head straight up to Stirling Castle.

Within 5 minutes the sun is shining again and that’s par for the course all day.

Mum took this lovely one of Dad and I looking at the Sir Robert the Bruce monument and in the distance over to the Wallace Monument, if you zoom in.

I tried to get a photo without all the cars parked on the Esplanade.

This is actually all you can see of the castle as you walk in.

Mum and Dad are members of Historic Scotland so mum only had to book a ticket for me. We went straight to the Unicorn Cafe for coffee and cake… can’t sightsee without sustenance!

By the time we come out it’s raining again, but the mini daffodils are so pretty in the stunning gardens around the castle.

I got talking to a couple from the Gold Coast in Australia, right under that big tree, as we sheltered from the rain. We were talking about the history it must have seen in the past. I love taking to people I don’t know.

The views off behind that tree are just stunning. Stirling Castle is built high up with views for miles around.

You can also see the next band of rain moving in. actually this one was moving away!

This is the Wallace Monument which is off to the other side.

Back into the gardens.

This is the back of the Grand Hall. It’s beautiful in the sunlight and look at that sky! We are soooo ready for some sunshine with actual heat in it. In Scotland we can sometimes have some warm weather in March, not so this year.

You can tell how windy it was!! Mrs no hat is creating havoc for the selfie.

Love this tunnel.

The front of the Grand Hall.

And this is inside.

With the Queen on her throne. 👸🏻 😂

Last time I sat here I was with my Australian cousin Linda in 2018!

Love this one of mum and dad… not posed, just resting.

The stain glass windows are stunning in the sunlight.

This is the gift shop but sure it was something else long before that!

The circle on the ground below is the remains of the Kings gardens. I’ve never noticed this before. The Queens garden is just out of shot.

The flags 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Guess you have a rough idea that I took loads of these until the Scotland flag actually blew in the right direction!

Another favourite shot of mum and dad… both being present in the moment.

Now I made them pose!

I love this of Mum wandering around the chapel.

Now we’re inside the newly renovated Palace. Dad says when we were kids we walked through this and it was all just stone and wood. It was refurbished in 2011 to look as it may have back in the day when Kings and Queens lived here. (I have to confess to not being too great on the history of it all… there’s way too much to remember and I’m more taken with the beauty than anything else).

The ceilings are stunningly beautiful. This is the famous Stirling Heads. Which are carved oak roundels, recreated from the 1540’s.

Not the best shot but there was a full rainbow when we left.

I’ve had the best day. If you’ve followed the blog for a while you will know that I’ve realised that THIS is what makes me tick. I love exploring, catching blue sky and taking photos of the beauty that I see.

My head is clear, I’m present in the moment all day. There is no stress, no worry, no fear, no irritation. Just calm…. And a fair wee bit of excitement. Quite a bit of excitement to be honest.

This is living for me. Making the most of each day as much as I can.

Happy weekend to you all!

Stay safe everyone 🏰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👸🏻

Day 1428 a wee day trip to Loch Katrine!

Oooh I did not sleep well… Fitbit decreed it was a “FAIR” sleep… I agreed.

It was lovely and sunny when I finally got up, though super frosty. It’s one of those mornings where the sun defrosts the car before you go outside…. Love that!

So I set off just after 8am, in the glorious sunshine, headed for Loch Katrine.

The first part of the journey from home to Glasgow Airport, was through thick fog. Thankfully the fog cleared and there was pure blue sky. My head wasn’t the best this morning but this was just the tonic.

It was a stunning drive.

The morning sunlight made everything stand out. The colours were very autumnal. The mountains were very brown as the heather isn’t growing yet, the ferns were a beautiful rusty red/brown and any water I passed was like glass. It honestly took my breath away.

Yes I was a bit anxious on some of the roads, when someone got stuck behind me but I was there just after 9am.

Could that be any prettier?!?

It’s the blue that gets me every time. I took similar photos after the boat trip and they look really different. I was so lucky to be able to see this.

This is the Sit Walter Scott Steamship. She doesn’t sail during winter but is ready for her first outing of the season, next Friday.

If you look at the photo above, she has canopies front and rear but on my photo below she has a fixed cabin area on the front.

I had about two hours before the boat trip sailed, so I set the timer on my phone for 45 minutes to walk alongside the loch. I had plenty time to get back if I turned with the timer. I’ve marked the walk with a thin red line out to Brenachoile Point.

It only worked out at just over 4 miles.

You can see the wind is starting to pick up and that’s the last of the still reflection shots.

The road alongside the loch is slightly wider than single track but an old style waterworks road with rusty old railings, very pretty in itself.

This moss was so vibrant.

I may have disturbed these geese….

Brenachoile Point has views all around the lock.

It also has a beautiful little shingle beach with crystal clear water.

As I said, I was so lucky to get here but the timer went off and I had to turn back. It made a lovely wee picnic area.

Sir Walter Scott wrote his poem The Lady of the Lake about this area of Loch Katrine.

I made it back for 11am. Quick drink of water and changed into my winter coat.

As I booked on line the ticket inspector radioed to say he had the Avery Party….. cringe… Avery party of one….. 😬. We headed out in Rob Roy III…. As I listened to a guy telling his parents that the Rob Roy I and II had sunk…. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

The boat trip was full. There were about 30 of us on it. I think honestly, it wasn’t the best part of my trip. The diesel fumes at the back were pretty strong and honestly, it was just freezing out there. I had an Argentian couple sitting one in front of me, knees touching and one so close beside me on the other side, I guess it was just a bit uncomfortable and I did feel a bit SOLO traveller.

The winter cruise sails out into the loch for a half hour and back.

I was fascinated but the colour of the wake bit if you look closely enough, I think it’s the diesel fumes floating above it that create the effect.

The commentary was a little quiet but really good. I had no idea, or most likely, had forgotten, that Loch Katrine supplies much of Glasgow with fresh water. So all the water used in Irn Bru and Tennants Lager, to name a few, will come from Loch Katrine.

The Victorians needed a fresh water supply as much of Glasgow only had access to dirty water… there were some complaints this the newly piped-in Loch Katrine water had no taste and no texture!!! 🤢

The loch is 13 miles long.

The cruise is over in no time. It only cost £15 for the hours round trip. It took me an hour and 19 minutes to get there from home so it’s not far from Glasgow.

I’d taken some lunch with me so I rushed to the car to heat up and get my lunch after 20 hours of fasting… I’ve lost 3lbs this week!

I spotted this wee guy on the drive home!! He was kind enough to do all his scratching right opposite a lay-by!

He’s super cute.

The drive home was equally pretty… Dukes Pass is a very windy but stunning drive.

I pulled into St Mocha in Carbeth, a drive through coffee shop. I walked in though as I’ve been wanting to go there for a while. My kinda place. Very highly recommended!

So a lovely wee day but I am exhausted now!

Feet up making reels for FB. Go check them out on my page The Rambling Sloth. I really enjoy doing them.!

Hope you’re all having a great weekend.

Stay safe everyone 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

Day 1407 Dolphin Spotting with Clyde Charters 🐬🐬🐬🐬

Wow.

I have just had THE most amazing day! Honestly just out of this world.

This is what life is all about for me. I felt pretty rotten when I woke up this morning. I’d had a restless sleep from about 4.30am and I felt pretty grumpy when I got up and honestly, my head was raging and I was fairly tearful.

A perfect day to have something different to do and not just be stuck in the house.

I’d booked with Clyde Charters for a special dolphin spotting cruise they were running, leaving James Watt Dock Marina at 11.30 today.

I left in plenty time as my anxiety will always make me do…. Here my round trip today.

Just as well I left early as it wasn’t the easiest place to find straight away…. I parked in the marina and set off to find them.

I couldn’t see any obvious signs so I ended up looking them up on the sat nav and walked in that direction!

I spotted a guy near to the end of the walkway and asked him. He laughed as he said they’d had the same issue and he was actually standing in front of the sign that said “Clyde Charters Meeting Point”. I got chatting to them, as I do…. They were really lovely and wishing 5 minutes found out they were precious clients of Craig at the Scottish Dog Behaviourist

😳

How funny!!! Veronika sent Craig a photo of us together… he said it took him ages to figure out how he was seeing me in a photo from her…. It is a very small world!

They were so kind and kept me company on the trip. Everyone else was lovely too and as Craig says, I’ll chat to anyone… I was in my element. I love meeting new people.

Here’s our boat!

The Clyde Charters team were super friendly too and had a gorgeous 6 month old German Shepherd with them.

Puppy and dolphins?!?! Dream day.

We set off up the coast and didn’t even get as far as Gourock before we were joined by 4 dophins… including the baby “Clyde”.

They were with us for about 2 and a half hours and I can’t tell you how magical it was. So I’m just going to have to blast a few of the 963 photos I took today…. And that is no exaggeration!! If you’re on FB please go and have a look at my first “live”, big girl pants on for that. Craig is always telling me to get on camera… so I thought now’s as good a time as any! I’ve also shared a reel and there are more to come. 🙄😬😘

Oh one thing I would say is check out the scenery and not just the dolphins… there’s snow on the mountains, barely a ripple on the Clyde and the odd Ali Cat CalMac ferry passing!

As I said the scenery was stunning as well so I did take a few shots without dolphins too.

The docks had some stunning reflections.

What a truly magical day.

A real bucket list tick ✅

Memories for a lifetime. ✅

Wow.

Hope you’re all having a lovely Saturday. Will try not to talk about dolphins forever. Though can’t promise.

🐬🐬🐬🐬

Stay safe everyone 💙💙💙

Day 1393 a lovely wee trip to Luss with Gayle 🚙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

Another fantastic sleep… yesterday’s anxiety left me exhausted. We went to bed about 8.30pm and I slept right through until 6.30am.

I didn’t feel great this morning. I guess you could say today was a day of two halves but the opposite from yesterday.

I felt really tearful, I tried to hide it as no one wants to live with Negative Nelly. It just shows you that I have a lovely day ahead but I’m still not feeling great. My friend Tracey in Canada said something yesterday that has sat with me…. What are you trying to ignore? Is something not dealt with that you’re trying to preteen is fine?

Wow. Exactly that…..

I think of all the positives of today but still my stomach churns. I feel so out of sorts, should I cancel, should I go? I know I’m going to go but there’s an anxiety about it that’s irrational.

I head out with Bhruic and Calaidh, forget my phone because my head’s all over the place and bump into my neighbour Holly…. She makes the mistake of asking how I am… tears. Magic… she goes and gets her dog and comes with me. It’s freezing this morning and a bit misty but it’s lovely to have company on the walk.

No photos obviously….

I jump in the shower and head down for Gayle just after 10 and we drive up the side of Loch Lomond to Luss.

She knows I’m feeling rough but she doesn’t push me until I’m ready to chat. We catch up on the day to day.

We got to a lovely coffee shop that Claire first took me to, the Coach House in Luss. We had a lovely cheese and coleslaw roll…. I can’t decide what I want so I order the same as Gayle and it’s lovely.

I then had a Banoffee Coffee….. THE most delicious flavoured coffee ever AND a scone with cream and jam. Very decadent but so lovely. Gayle treated me to lunch which was so lovely of her (especially after I ate so much!!)

We went for a wander round the lovely gift shops and down to the pier.

Luss is the really beautiful heritage village that was featured on Take the High Road. It’s so pretty but hard to get a decent photo today with the resident’s car parking.

It’s lovely when everyone has flowers outside their houses in spring and summer.

This beautiful building is a gift shop.

And THIS is the view from the front door. Stunning.

Ben Lomond is in the mist above my head… it’s raining now.

You can almost see the snow covered Ben in this photo.

Out on the pier looking back onto the village.

This is another lovely street in the village.

We had a lovely wander round and it was really good to talk to Gayle and try to make sense of some of the intrusive thoughts in my head.

I definitely felt better for it. Some of our chat stopped the stomach churning so it really helped.

We drove back home and stopped on the banks of Loch Lomond near a huge puddle at Duck Bay Marina. I wanted to get some photos.

My friend Helen will be so proud of these reflections in a puddle. A mahoosive puddle. It always floods here.

Loch Lomond itself was pretty high water.

I was never going to cancel today but I’m so glad we went.

Back home and Craig arrived back just behind me. 3 mobile phone service has been down for a lot of the day so we couldn’t phone each other.

We popped into the pub to catch the end of the rugby and had a lovely catch up with some neighbours.

So yeah, I’ve had a lovely day. I feel really insular and quiet, I don’t know quite what to make of anything or where to put myself but I’m calm for now. Comfies on, football only has 3 minutes left to go (praise the Lord) and maybe then we’ll get a good movie on.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1366 rail trip from Oban through Glasgow to Glengarnock 🚉

And relax.

The best wee overnight break.

Currently sitting on the 12.11 from Oban to Glasgow Queen Street… only typing when we go through a high banked section of the track. I’m not missing a minute.

I had a lovely sleep in my wee single bed. My knee was agony and woke me at 11.22pm. I’d been asleep since 9ish… but after that it really settled and has been fine ever since.

You’ll be pleased to know I’ve done my exercises twice and they really help strengthen my leg. Why is it though when we have exercises to do it seems like such a chore?!? A real “ugh” moment….They are designed to help the pain. Get over it Julesie.

I couldn’t decide exactly what to do this morning and was keen to get the ferry over to Mull and straight back but I was waiting to see if the conditions were right.

Do I stay in the hotel until 10am checkout? Do I get the ferry and risk missing the 12.11? Do I plan for the 16.11? So many decisions.

I decide to head back up to McCaigs Folly (Tower) for first light so that I could see sunrise…. As you do.

Up at 7 showered, packed up and ready for the off. Back up that huge hill almost in the dark!

As you can see I stood there for ages! It was bitterly cold and one guy came up during a run, said hi, stretched, said goodbye and ran off…. I had the place to myself.

Ok so… next decision… the ferry. Headed down to the terminal to ask their advice….

It appears that this ferry… the departing one…. was my only hope of a sail to Mull at back before 12.

That’s my decision made then. I’ll no be doing that! 🙄😆 I must have got it completely wrong when I looked up the ferry times this week. To be fair it was pretty choppy and the Loch Frisa doesn’t look like there is too much outer deck so it may not have done what I was hoping it would do.

As I walked aimlessly through the harbour, I met Luana, the Brazilian girl I’d met yesterday. She was heading for the bus to Fort William but suggested Pulpit Hill. I remembered mum and dad had climbed it before.

Now I should say here that Tracey, my Canadian (insomniac 😆) friend, was fully involved in my morning again. She obviously never sleeps! She told me it was a 23 minute walk… so off I go.

It’s a hike but what a view… looking directly over to McCaig’s Folly that I just left!

Looking over to Kerrera, with Mull in the distance to the left and Lismore in the distance to the right.

Zoomed in on the harbour and train station. The train is in already.

Then I met a lovely local couple walking their blind spaniel… which basically means, she who has not spoken much this weekend, chewed their ear off with chat! It was lovely to make them laugh. In that 10 minutes of chat, we really connected.

They suggested Hinba Coffee Shop… so off down the hill I go.

At the same time Tracey has already recommended Hinba, as it gets the best reviews online 😂😂😂 Tracey has also come up with another walk to Oban Hydropathic Santorium ruins 😂😂 but I need a heat up.

It’s lovely!! I have a Guatemalan coffee and a slice of Tiffan cake.

I chill, warm and charge my phone. Then order a decaf gingerbread latte. Heaven.

I still have time to kill so wander around taking even more photos before my crazy kind gets me first in the queue for the twins so I can pick my seat on the left side, get a window and a charger. I know, I know…. But it pays off. I’m first on the train 🚆 😂

Tracey must finally be asleep!

I’m on the other side on the way down so I can catch everything I missed on the way up! It’s also freezing… all the way!!

These next photos are all out the window of the train!

First glimpses of Loch Lomond.

Inveruglas power station.

Tarbert and Loch Lomond.

Think this river is in Dumbarton.

I have honestly had the best time.

I’m shattered but so grateful that Craig doesn’t mind me doing this. He had to work yesterday and he’s had some quality doggo time. I know I’ll go back to bed full of dog hair.

I get to do all the crazy things I want to do, I don’t have to worry about anyone else, I can just do my thing.

It’s 3.10pm and I’m still on the train, about 20 minutes out from Glasgow Queen Street station. I should be home for 5 at the latest.

What a lovely weekend.

This…my Sundays always used to be this… gut-wrenching stress…. Not any more ♥️

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1365 rail trip to Oban!! 🚆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I could sit about all weekend.

I could have had a lie in.

I could do the hoovering.

I could get out in the garden…

Or I could rail trip!!

I only decided this yesterday though I’d been thinking about it all week.

The alarm went off at 5.40am but I was awake a fair bit before that.

My train is at 7.10am from Glengarnock to Glasgow Central, walk from Glasgow Central to Queens Street then train to Oban.

Why?!?

I’m determined not to be bored like I was in the Christmas holidays. I want to get out and about and I have always wanted to travel to Oban by train just to see where the line goes.

It’s dark when we leave the house, Craig drops me at Glengarnock train station. 🚉

My friend Tracey in Canada 🇨🇦 is with me the whole way 😂 albeit in FB messenger. She is as excited as I am!!

The first train is only a half hour and then I have to walk across Glasgow. It’s almost sunrise.

The colours are lovely against the sky and the wet on the ground.

Tracey is online, in Vancouver, trying to look up what platform my train is going from!! It was lovely to have someone following my every move from such a difference. It made me even more excited!!

I break all the rules and head through for the train before the platform is announced. 😂😂 The Trainline app has already told me it’s platform 2 and there’s a queue forming.

Which side of the train to sit on?!? Oh my god they are putting seat tickets on the seats, folk have booked seats, who knew, why didn’t I do that?!? 😂

I get on the train and pick the left hand side of the carriage. I get a table, an electric socket and a window seat! Absolutely no need for the extra thinking a minute ago.

What you do forget on your solo relaxation trip is that there are lots of other people involved in your journey. I should have brought my headphones!

This is a breathtaking train journey. I’m already so very glad that I got the train. None of my photos will do it justice. I can highly recommend it.

This is the sunrise over the Clyde. Remember all of these are taken from a moving train so not the best.

The train leaves Glasgow and out through Dalmuir, Dumbarton. Helensburgh, Garelochhead and out towards Arrochar.

This is the Cobbler which rises above Arrochar.

This was the bit of the journey I was least familiar with.

The main road to Oban takes you up the side of Loch Lomond and the train goes up the side of the loch further west.

It was beautiful to see that countryside from so high up. The railway on the side of the hill.

Looking down into Arrochar.

Spotted in Ardlui… a train with a Heilan’ coo!!

The train is formed of 4 carriages. The front two split off in Crianlarich and head to Oban. The back 2 will head up to Fort William and onto Mallaig arriving 13.28. Must do that one day too.

This is Kilchurn cancel on the backs of Loch Awe.

Passing over the railway bridge beside Kilchurn.

The railway then runs right along the banks of Loch Awe. It’s really beautiful and especially on such a sunny day.

It’s done exactly what I wanted it to do, it’s let me see Scotland from a different angle. Places that I’ve driven through for years look very different from the track half way up the mountain!

I got into Oban and 11.25 and this is my hotel.

It’s only £39.60 for a single room and yes, you get what you pay for. Sadly it’s a bit run down but the room is clean and it has a wee single bed!

The skyline shows McCaig’s Tower or McCaig’s Folly as it’s known…. I head up there later. I had a good wander round all the shops, got checked in early and got a sea view room at no extra cost… then walked out to Dunollie. Love this bench!

Sat here for a while and spoke to Craigie.

Headed along back into Oban and up the very steep hill to the Tower.

Caledonian McBrayne’s Lord of the Isles is heading into dock.

I spend a good hour in and around the tower.

Once the group of tourists leave… it’s just me and silence…. And this….

I took a selfie and unbeknown to me I would get chatting to the girl who just walked in and we went shopping together with another girl she’d just met. The joys of solo travel, you hook up with like minded people. She’s staying in the Youth Hostel for £20 a night.

We put the world to rights! She headed off to the cinema while I went to pick up Fish and Chips to take back to the hotel. Heading back now.

The sky is amazing.

I’ve had a lovely day. I love it when the silence is deafening in my head. I’ve been singing random songs to myself all day.

Oban is my happy place. I’m loving the wee mini adventure.

Craig will be enjoying watching all the football news without me nagging!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️