It’s been another lovely day after yesterday’s clouds. We didn’t see the sun until about 3.30pm yesterday. When it came out, it was HOT!
Sorry for such a quick blog yesterday, I just ran out of day! I literally never stopped from 5.30am until about 10pm. I was so full of “birthday tea” when I went to bed, that I ended up waking at 4am. My mind started racing, the birds were twittering away and I couldn’t get back to sleep.
I got up and did everything backwards this morning!! I made my lunch, had a shower and then headed out for dog jog?!?! Go figure…. A run after my shower?! 😂 not my smartest move but hey… I’m tired.
Mid jog, I stopped to show you how tall the cow parsley is growing!! Absolutely nothing to do with taking a breather….. 🙊
They had a good run around in the field this morning too.
There’s also lots of these lovely yellow iris’ along the side of the field, so pretty. There’s a lot of them in the wild just now.
I loved this Hawthorne tinged pink!
I can’t tell you how guilty I feel when I head to work and leave these 3 wee faces. They’re used to Craig being here on and off through the day. They get under your feet as you leave, as if to the and trip you up!
Please don’t go mum!!
So the Scottish Dog Behaviourist is actually home tomorrow, finally! It feels like he’s been away for weeks! He’s had a great time, done loads of training and learned loads but think he’s ready to get back to our 3 amigos. He’ll certainly miss the 5 dogs he’s leaving in Spain too.
He’ll be home tomorrow morning just as I get to work, so our lovely friend Lindsay will pick him up and bring him home.
So I’m off to crochet tonight in the pub…. Alcohol free gin and tonic for me! We’ve not met up in ages so I’m looking forward to seeing everyone. It is just the other side of the fence from where I’m sitting just now so not too much of an effort. Guess I should actually take my crochet this week and get back into it, or that blanket will never finish itself!
I was out in the pub last night… on a school night! Our friends Lindsay and Euan walked out from Beith to meet me next door. We had a lovely wee catch up and FaceTimed Craig in Spain!!
I came home and played with the dogs for a bit and got some lovely random photos.
Always love the jumping shots!
This morning started off cloudy. I had an alarm set for 5.30am and was off out with the dogs but had to wear a long sleeved top. I felt pretty tired and grumpy if I’m honest. I get sluggish as I jogged. Not feeling it today.
We saw this big sheep!
Freya alway checking up to make sure I’m still there!
I’ve not been in the best mood today. I don’t quite know where to put myself. I think I’m just tired after being so busy at the weekend. I got through lots at work so that’s always good. The sun came out about 9ish and it’s been really hot today. We’ve had the door wide open all day and even the fan on.
I am LOVING this run of beautiful weather. All the things mulling round in my mind should be irrelevant when I look at that lovely blue sky and just breathe.
I just yawned my head off…. Early night needed I think!
That sun emoji is still right up there at the top. Even above my ♥️ emoji which I use a lot.
I’m sleeping really well these days… there no snoring in our house as he’s away and obviously I don’t snore at all so I’m out for the count! 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️😂
I felt a lot of anxiety when I woke this morning. It’s a beautiful day again and I have a sea swim planned at my favourite Portencross beach, today at 11am.
Now that sounds to me like the perfect day… and spoiler alert… it absolutely was… just the best…. But oh my god I make some amount of fuss in my head before I go!!!
There’s the dogs to be walked… and I like to do that before everyone is up… so I better get moving…
We went a different way today. They were so excited as they know they get off at the top of the hill so they pulled me all the way up. I stressed about that.
Then Freya needed a wee rest!
There are loads of buttercups up here.
Look how clear the sky is. You can see all the way over to the Isle of Arran.
A gate specifically for The Windsor Waffle my blogger friend. Just so she knows I’m still looking for gates 😂
Sooo many buttercups!!
I still had ages to get ready to head to the beach. I was stressed about remembering everything I needed to take (which was all safely stored in one place, I might add..) and of course I needed to be there an hour early so I could get parked. my driving and parking anxiety has been quite bad this weekend.
We’ve had a big event on in the Village Hall this weekend and I seem to be petrified of not getting parked when I come home. My whole weekend has been jigged around this event, which is, quite frankly, ridiculous!!
Anyway… I get there for about 10am and this is what greets me. Portencross is the best I have seen it this year.
The water is so still, so calm and peaceful. I could sit here for hours.
It’s just a shame a big group of age 60+ seem to have moved in to the picnic area and even at that time, have music blaring on a loud speaker. They are all chatting over it. Sitting under a large gazebo, none of them in the sun and they’ve brought an actual karaoke machine. I mean, really?!? Who does that. No care for anyone else sitting nearby them. Not sure why they hadn’t just stayed at home.
Down on the rocks and thankfully their tunes don’t travel.
I sat and watched this wee family of ducks float past! The wee one at the back was paddling like crazy to keep up. I was so lovely to watch.
I go swimming with Ellison from Tartan Campers and her sister Eileen who has been doing it for years so knows her stuff! We also met Chantal and Lesley today (they are really good swimmers so they were off for a good two kilometre swim).
Eileen is really good at taking photos but had left her phone pouch at home. I gave her mine. No point in me faffing with my phone and getting nothing! Also allowed me to relax and enjoy it without taking photos all the time.
We swam out the little stony beach at the side of Portencross Castle.
We literally walked in here and swam away!
Don’t be fooled into thinking I was swimming with a spaceman!! Ellison is wearing her snorkel mask which covers her full face and allows you to breath through your nose and mouth while snorkelling.
Eileen obviously took all of these photos. It just felt like such a special day. I’ve always wanted to swim there. I was petrified of jellyfish and saw none. I preferred not to look but once I borrowed Ellison’s snorkel I saw that it was amazing to swim under water.
I could have lay about in the water by the side of the castle all day!
It’s lovely to come out of the sea into the heat but you’re still exceptionally cold. The heat helps you to warm up a bit faster but you still have the shivers.
We sat and had a lovely lunch looking out to sea, I took a salad with me, I was ravenous by then!
Then to top it all off, Ellison and I took a wander back round to the castle and went inside. I’ve always wanted to do that! The views from the top are incredible.
This next picture shows the bit we swam in. It was amazing to see it from above.
Yet another day spent with people who are very good for my soul!
The whole reason I write this blog is to show people that I might look like I do lots of amazing things at times but I do feel a lot of anxiety around it. It doesn’t always come easily to me. It would have been so easy to stay home today and look what I would have missed.
Feel the fear and do it anyway!
Off to meet friends in the pub tonight about half 6… it’s been all go but a great weekend!
Lots of calls with Craig during the day today catching up on his dog training too! All good over there!
Wow you know you’re having good weather if the sun emoji is at the top of your emojis. Right next to the Scotland flag!
I’ve had the best wee day to myself so far!
To be fair it started at 2am with a bark…. To wake up to this.
The moon was so bright that the room was light…. We don’t have curtains so wear eye masks but once I was up it was just really beautiful. Made me a bit less angry at the dogs. I let them out and we all went back to bed… until 6.15am when another one barked… or quite possibly the same one so it was off out for this mornings dog jog.
I didn’t take a lot of photos this morning as it’s just as beautiful as every other day this week.
It was a lovely walk. Back home for a peppermint tea in the garden before I got showered to head out.
I walked to the little gift shop this morning. It was such a lovely day and the village hall has a big event on with about 20 visitors expected. The downside to roadside living is that you can come back and never get a parking space!
Also getting my steps up!
It already feels really warm but I have to have warm clothes for the shop as it’s always really cool.
I had the best morning. It was heaving!!! So busy but I still got lots of lovely chats with customers. Doing what I love the most. Chatting to people, making them smile and having some banter.
The morning passed so fast. I didn’t get a chance even for a coffee, let alone the lovely salad I’d taken with me. I of course had to walk home in 22°C heat which is very hot for us Scots… wearing jeans and trainers, carrying my sweatshirt and body warmer!!
It is just a scorcher of a day. It’s hot and I am…. Wait for it…. Outside in my garden in a bikini for the first time in a VERY VERY VERY long time.
I am lying like a coiled spring, waiting on someone to walk into the garden so I can wrap myself in a towel but I’m in a bikini and not horrifically horrified by what I see.
The dogs just want to be with me so I’ve moved next to some shade so they are not to hot but able to still be close to me. Our artificial grass gets very hot in this weather!!
This is the life.
Gayle and I are going to Largs for a chippy tea later and I’m so looking forward to it!
Here we are!!
We’ve come to The Fish Works in Largs!
It is stunning here and we are having such a lovely time! I’m off to enjoy it!
It’s 20°C and I’m writing this at 6.40pm in Scotland.
This is pretty much summer for us.
It’s so warm, the sky is blue and there’s not a cloud to be seen. Everything is in full bloom. It’s so green against the blue.
The puppers have been well looked after by Holly again today. When I got home they were wet, having been soaked with the hose this afternoon to cool down. They love that!
The day started with dog jog and run in a field. They ran in the field, I walked!!
They found a ball!
The field has just been cut and is so yellow looking, desperate for rain!
When we got back I sat out in the garden with a peppermint tea. That doesn’t break your fast and it’s so refreshing. Another photoshoot!
There’s loads of new stuff in the little gift shop again! Father’s Day is 18th June.
Had my usual “set the world to rights” chat with Gayle today too!! It’s always great to catch up.
I’ve been really good on the fasting this week. Don’t know if it’s because it’s sunny, or that Craig’s away, but I’ve been craving salad. I had a huge bowl for lunch and had more for dinner.
Literally a large plastic bowl… classy but honestly lovely. I’ve not craved carbohydrates or stodgy food at all. I feel the difference already.
Then took these really impromptu photos of the dogs and they are the best I’ve got in ages. There were mini sausages involved. 😂😂
Claire then waved a chocolate Cornetto at me over the fence so I went into her garden for that!! The perfect end to a lovely meal.
So that’s all from me! The Scottish Dog Behaviourist is getting on great in Spain. Click that link if your interested in any of his posts. The dogs he’s looking after are impeccably trained and he’s continuing the training while there owner is away. It’s amazing to see him out there doing all that. I’m incredibly proud of him!
How can it actually be June already? May seemed to pass in a blur, in fact life seems to pass in a blur these days!
My trying to live in the present moment isn’t slowing life down any.
I was up at 5.30am and straight out for dog jog.
It was a beautiful morning! Pure blue sky. T-shirt weather and very sleepy dogs.. not certain they were ready for dog jog at that time of the morning!
I’ve obviously looked through these photos again and feel the joy and peace I felt taking them!
This next one was taken in iPhone portrait mode.
And this next one just normal. Can’t decide which I like the best?
The singe track roads are just beautiful!
All the while jogging along!
I took a photo of me to send to Craig. Look at that face mid run. I am actually buzzing. Completely loving life to the max!
I used to smile like this all the time and I was hiding how sad I really felt, even from myself at times. Now when I smile, I really mean it and feel it.
These lovely poppies are I. Our garden. I can hear Craig shouting WEEDS in my ear 😂 I love them.
I got home and did some energy toning exercises in the garden for kinesiology (the things I have to do to keep my mental health in check) and THEN went to Tesco in Irvine for a healthy food shop to pop in the fridge in the van!! Even Tesco looked lovely in the sunshine.
Then I went to get diesel…. All before work at 8am!! Machine.
The too bright too early part is two fold. The weather turned cloudy and has been cooler and cloudy for a lot of the day. Ellison and I still sat out at lunch for a blether. It’s the first day this year that I’ve worn sandals. Not the best choice but hey…..
My mood also deteriorated through the day.
I have so many rules, processes and procedures that I have to follow to keep myself on the straight and narrow. I am not very tolerant of anything that doesn’t go the way I believe it should go. That needs nipped in the bud. A couple of things this afternoon didn’t seem to be that bad at the time but the combination of them hit me from left field and there were tears again.
I only have swear words to express my thoughts on this 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🥴
XXX why do I have to be that person?!?
I cannot cope with feeling out of control. It’s super dramatic and none of it is that big a deal. It’s never personal but I always take it between the eyes.
So luckily I had Kinesiology tonight and we worked on dealing with stress of tears in public, learning tolerance and cutting chords with beliefs that no longer serve me. I know how weird all that might sound but trust me it works. I feel much calmer already. I’m sad that I’ve lost the spring in my step from this morning but I know I will get that back after a good nights sleep.
All I ask is for true peace to be able to deal with everyday life. It will not always be easy and it will not always go my way and that needs to be ok too.
Up at 5.45am to take the Scottish Dog Behaviourist to Glasgow Airport.
It was a cool and cloudy start to the day. I set off in my shorts…. Found a random place to throw him out of the van at the airport as the costs to drop off are ridiculous. 😂 I headed straight to work and was still there 10 minutes before 8am. Felt like I’d been driving for days!
Busy morning and the sun came out around 11ish. Until then I was wrapped up in my big fleece!
So at lunch time Ellison sets up the seats outside and I start tracking Craig’s flight. I’ve checked in on it a few times through the morning and can see him starting to descend. It’s quite addictive… ok if you like that sort of thing!
I see him get as low as 737ft and 187 knots
I wonder out loud what happens to a plane that disappears from radar on this app, when all of a sudden it starts to climb and very fast.
The plane takes off again and heads out to size gaining in height and speed. It disappears off my screen as it’s moving so fast again…. A tiny part of me assumes the worst until I realise it’s still in the sky…. Visible when I zoom back out again!
I start to feel a bit squeamish and can’t eat my lunch. I go put in in the fridge.
It climbs back to 5,479 and stays there while doing a full loop back to get it back on track.
It’s fascinating to see how it just picks up exactly the same approach…. What else would you expect but you don’t think of that.
I watch him come back down to 100ft and the height goes haywire, he rises, he falls, he rises again, it gets stuck for a while at 87ft and it takes far to long to look like he has actually landed. There is a chance the height measurement could be 87ft off the ground but my head tells my otherwise.
I’m shaking, I have pins and needles all over, I feel sick and even have dry retch behind a van.
By the time he texts I am so relieved… he says there was a plane on the runway. 😱 he’s neither up nor down but lands to a million WhatsApp’s from me! In my ridiculous panic I did have a wry smile that he would switch his phone on in the plane and it would ting ting ting ting ting for ages! Oops….
So I’ve learned today that I might love my husband a bit more than I even realised…. I’ve told him that already. 😂😂
He took these lovely shots for me during his aborted landing!
An obvious sign be wasn’t that bothered!
So I’ve been sat in the garden with the 3 pup amigos since I finished work. Holly next door is looking after them during the day while I’m at work. So lovely of her. We couldn’t do this without her.
Crochet was cancelled tonight so Claire has just been in to the garden for a chat. I could SO get used to this weather!!! It’s much hotter today than it was even yesterday. Way more to come tomorrow.
Craig is settling in well in his Spanish home for the next week. He’s introduced me to his 5 new dogs and training starts tomorrow. I’m so proud of everything he’s achieved to get to where he is this year. Follow updates from him on Scottish Dog Behaviourist.
So I’m hoping for way less drama from tomorrow!!
This might just be the summer that we’ve all been waiting for. We need to enjoy it when we can in Scotland as it could all be over in a heartbeat!
I didn’t have a great sleep last night as someone was snoring SO loudly…. Strangely that same someone said that I was snoring too and that can’t possibly be right. My blog… I don’t snore. There must have been something on the air last night if we were both at it.
Our bedroom is hot in this heat!
I woke up at 6.10am from a groggy sleep and felt really grumpy…. Then remembered it was going to be a beautiful day today and my mood changed instantly.
Just shows you how easy it is to do and how we should try to do that even when the sun isn’t shining.
I came out into the garden first thing again and did some exercises.
I took some photos…. Of course I did.
I love the early morning glow of the sun.
So tonight is my last night with the Scottish Dog Behaviourist for 8 nights!!! That’s EIGHT whole NIGHTS….
Craig’s got an excellent opportunity to go and look after, and do some light training with, Jo Rosie Haffendon’s (of the School of Canine Science) dogs, from tomorrow while she’s over in the UK doing some filming work.
The bonus for him is that it’s in Spain!!
You might find me under a pile of work and dogs holding the fort. Gutted I can’t be there too. I’m the sun worshipper and he’s the one that likes the shade!
It’s a great opportunity for some advertising for his new business as Jo-Rosie has 39K followers on FB!
I’m very lucky that I’ve been given some sunshine here too. It really has been a long time coming for us this year.
I spoke to several suppliers down south today who said it was cloudy and cold. That doesn’t happen every often. I was in my shorts today.
Craig’s made a lovely smashed burger for dinner for us tonight and we’re sitting in the garden enjoying the sun.
Ahhh what a beautiful day! I’m sure us Scot’s would be a much happier race if we had sunshine all the time!
The legs are out again as I sit in the garden writing this, but I can assure you the top is very much “oan”…. See description above!
I’ve been awake since 4.30am not sure why really, maybe just not that tired.
Clean bed was amazing last night, I even had a shower and washed my hair to get the full effect of clean person and clean bed!!
I got up at 6.15 and sat outside for a bit.
There was a warmth to the sun already. I’ve said before but i love that time before many people are up and you feel like you have the world to yourself.
I did 20 push ups and 20 tricep dips… that was my start at trying to tone back up again. Things are wobbling a lot more than they did when we were at the Fit Body Farm 3 times a week!!!
The traffic was busier than I expected today. It seems there were more Scots working this bank holiday than the last.
I’ve actually had a really good day. I wasn’t too hot or told cold in the office, just right. (Sounds like Goldilocks and the 3 bears 😂)
A few things went wrong first thing, which I overreacted to and then settled back down to resolve. Ellison and I sat out for lunch and rolled our T-shirt sleeves up for maximum tanning 😂
I even appreciated the mini weed garden next to where we sat.
I love a weed!!
I’d made a lovely salad for lunch with loads of things from the fridge that were just about to turn, but hadn’t yet.
I really enjoyed it. I didn’t pig out on unhealthy food which feels good.
It was one of those rare working days where I actually just lived in the present moment. Check me.
It’s funny but since I got the anti depressants from the doctor, I have never felt as bad as I did before she prescribed them. I’ve never felt the need to take them yet. Maybe the placebo effect as I know they are there? I don’t know. It’s maybe as simple as the better weather. I don’t really care what it is. I’ll take this level of calm any day.
Craig just sent me this photo as he was working in Largs today and it’s so beautiful. He did say it was heaving though.
A salt and chilli chicken crown is in the oven, I’ve a salad to make up and then dinner will be ready.
It’s now 7pm and it’s still hot. Long may this continue. ☀️☀️☀️
To be fair, it’s been a beautiful day inside too. Finally we have a day of shorts and vest top…. Out in the garden. You’ve kept us waiting for this, 2023!
I slept really well all night, again. Could not wake up this morning at all. Have been looking forward to some good weather and getting the bedding washed, dried and back on the bed, so,I finally got moving.
The day started with dog jog and very tangled leads 🤦🏻♀️😂
Nothing is more beautiful than the colours on a sunny day. That sky…. 💙🏴
These next two are just the cow parsley at the side of the road! It’s taking over the world!
The buttercups are out in full force too.
The cows are totally checking us out!
So back home and it was straight into doggy bath time…. It’s been a while and when you have 3 dogs, grooming can add up.
Freya was first and I forgot to take photos of her…. I am totally soaked after her!
Then Calaidh who was surprisingly dirty… she hides it well in that black coat of hers.
She who wants to bit the shower spray any chance she gets, is surprisingly traumatised by being washed! Then Bhru… she looks like she’s smiling but I think she thought she could get out the bath via the taps… she’d planned an escape 😂
Here they all are out in the garden, drying very quickly, all fluffy and clean. Note the bedding on the line as well…. It’s definitely washing day in our house!!
All that and 2 loads done and I t’s not even 9.30am!!
Next step was the rockery. Now I think it looks lovely and wild but it is FULL of weeds and someone I live with, is not a fan of a weed…..
I’ve done really well but it’s nowhere near where it needs to be. I hit a wall around 12.30!
So really for the rest of the day I’ve been sitting on a sun lounger and having spurts of weeding energy.
I did open my eyes to this…. At one point!
That’s what happens when you put yourself at their level… 😂
Another spurt…. Before.
…and after!
We’ve had a lovely dinner tonight…. Cooked over the fire!
Spiced venison hotpot. It was amazing!!
Craig did very well for his first South African potjie…. Or as close as we can get to it! The “rules” say it’s not to be stirred but we stirred ours….. ours I have a cheek… I stirred Craig’s 🤦🏻♀️😂. There’s lots of seasoning in it that we bought from Amazon. The meat is browned with the onions and them the veg layered on top. He made enough for 6 people. Guess what’s we’re having for the next few days?!?
So all in all, we’ve had a really lovely day. We’ve done lots but also rested lots too.
It got a wee bit chilly an hour or so ago so I gave in and put a T-shirt on… of course now the sun is back out.
The sign of a good day off is when it feel likes it’s been longer than one day and it’s still only 5.15pm!
After a lovely day yesterday, it’s much cooler today. Lots of people came in to The little gift shop, looking very summery, while I stood in jeans and a jumper and my big body warmer!
Once again I slept like a log all night. Usually during the weeks I’m off the progesterone, I don’t sleep as well but I’m not complaining.
I came home today and cleaned out Abbie the Campervan. I have to say it was a very half assed attempt. 🥴
I knew I wanted to do something but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what! Once I was in mid clearout, I realised that I didn’t really want to be doing that. But it’s done. Just needs washed and hoovered out now. F
I cleared out all the cupboards, brought things in for washing and scrubbed at the fridge. If I leave the door open, there a light on all the time but if I shut it, then it goes mouldy. Hmmm must ask about that this week. 🤨
I was going to go away this weekend. But I’m just too tired after a busy week last week. Also it’s bank holiday weekend so I figure everywhere will be busy!
So not much else to say today. Just sitting with my feet up, while Craig makes dinner. It’s very good of him as I’d have been inclined to get takeaway tonight as I am allowing myself to rest. (I had typed that I felt so lazy…… 😂)
It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, doesn’t have to be Scotland! 🏴
So there were lots of new deliveries in the shop today. I’m always excited to see what’s new in.
For the first time in ages, I treated myself to a wee bracelet. I think I’ve done pretty well working there and not buying anything!
Surprisingly, contrary to popular belief, I am still able to chat plenty, it would appear and had a great catch up with Gayle. Who’d a thunk it?!?!? 🤷🏻♀️😂
So I’ve just had dinner and I’m sitting outside with a 0% Birra Moretti.
The sun is hot but the breeze is cold. The forecast for next week is amazing!! Us Scots should get enforced holidays when the temperature gets over 20°C as it happens so rarely.
I forgot to take a photo of the lovely roses Craig picked up last week.
They look lovely on the new dining room table…. New to us that is.
Hope you all enjoy some decent weather this weekend.
Ok so it’s only been 14°C today maybe a high of 15 but for us Scots, that’s T-shirt weather all the way.
There’s not been a cloud in the sky all day and Ellison and I sat out at lunchtime again. Great to get a catch up on our wee outdoor lunches!
I was super busy today and the day passed really quickly. I haven’t caught back yet but hopefully it will be quiet on Bank Holiday Monday to let me catch up some more.
There were a few hiccups at work that I found out about while I was off. It’s hard to ignore them and I do feel bad if I haven’t ordered a part or missed some paperwork… I need to learn not to beat myself up. The part I spent at least two hours fretting over yesterday, turned out to be just enough after all…. Total waste of time spent feeling bad. I know that but it’s hard not to.
Anyway, I had the best sleep again. I remember nothing of last night but 25k steps will do that to you. I’ve managed a mere 6,880 today so far.
I know if Helen was still here, I’d be dragging her out on some adventure to enjoy the sun but, because I’m on my own I feel really tired and ready for an early night.
Helen being here has allowed me to break so many of my rules. Imagine still being out at the beach at 9.30pm last night and not actually worrying about it?!?! I would have been if I’d have been on my own. I’d have been much more aware of the time.
It was lovely just to throw rules out the window…. And yes, I hear myself, I set them all and yet are happy when they are broken so I just need to go on breaking them by myself!
I know you know I had a great time these last few days but I really did. It was like a breath of fresh air instead of having to entertain a visitor. It was really lovely to see her after all this time and I hope to go and visit her in Devon soon! Oooooh clotted cream scones with jam. Yum, just had that thought.
Anyway so I have had a lovely series of mini adventures so far in May. That’s me back to earth for a while until we have a week off at the end of June.
I also have so many things still to talk about! I haven’t forgotten my recap of the return journey from Jokülsárlón to Reykjavik but that will have to wait until a low news day!
Let’s get back to our visit to the 19th Century mansion that we visited yesterday, Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute.
It’s a really imposing gothic style mansion and has a breathtaking interior. While one wing houses a white marble Roman Catholic Chapel…
It’s very cool in there as the marble is freezing!
….the rest of the house is designed around the signs of the zodiac, which seems a total contradiction to me.
Each stained glass window is a sign of the zodiac, with the 3 windows on each side also coloured to represent the 4 seasons of the year.
Spring SummerAutumnWinter
The ceilings are all so ornate. There are 37 rooms in total and we only really saw a handful of them.
Not gonna lie but o lost track of all of the history…. Not even going to try and recount all of that.
It really is well worth a visit and the grounds are so beautiful.
I think I said yesterday, it’s £16.50 to get in but honestly nothing is stopping you wandering around the grounds alone. That usually costs £7.50.
It’s a really quirky visit.
The ferry trip back was just beautiful too. You cannot beat a blue sky.
I slept like a log last night. No wonder as we just didn’t stop yesterday and we’ve had way more of the same today.
It’s 8.30 and we are still not home yet so I will make this quick. We have had another amazing day and have been on the go since 7.30am!! We left the house at 8.30 and headed to Weymss Bay for the 10.05 ferry. A little bit of parking panic but otherwise all good!
We decided to walk all the way to Mount Stuart on Bute. It’s a stunning gothic style design inside. I’ll talk way more about it tomorrow.
It is a very, very, very long walk!! Not to be recommended, it took us about an hour and half… I’ve done 24,394 steps so far!!
And finally the sun came out. Woo hoo!
We had a wander around Rothesay after a bus trip back. yes bus trip woo hoo!
I bought a replacement Highland Cow for Helens grandson!!
Back in Weymss Bay station. It’s still so Victorian.
Then we headed down through Largs for a chippy tea.
And finally to my special place in Portencross where we are sitting now.
There are loads more photos to follow on another day!
I should just end by saying that I’ve had the best few days with Helen. She’s been sent to me to remind me to giggle and laugh way more (yes Craig I know, as you always say to me!!) She’s shown me that it’s easy to spend that much time with someone else. We’ve just settled into a giggly, comfortable life these last few days. It’s been a really, really special time. 💜
Everyone should spend time with a Helen! will miss her though will be found sitting in silence for a while… 😂😘
I’m not going to get a chance to tell you about the second half of the trip tonight as I have got the Crochet Hookers at 6.30pm.
It’s a while since we’ve all been together and in that time sadly one has lost their dad, one lost their mother in law, one’s been in Spain and I’ve been in Iceland so I’m sure we have a lot to catch up on!
Another great sleep last night that saw me dead to the world. I woke at 5am when the Scottish Dog Behaviourist set his alarm (and didn’t get up!!!) 🙄 and couldn’t get back to sleep for thinking about work stuff.
I was STARVING yesterday.
I’ve been fasting since 20th December and I’ve done it every day, even on holiday. I am very rarely hungry. The odd grumble but yesterday was hunger on a ravenous level. I had to cave at 14 hours (which is still excellent!) but I could quite easily have eaten my own leg!!! Nothing filled me up… and trust me, I ate loads. I ate anything and everything I could find.
I had a huge bag of crisps all to myself as just one of the snacks. I finally stemmed the craving hunger about 7pm. Don’t know what that was all about.
Thankfully I’m back to normal today.
So nothing much else to report. I still haven’t taken the meds the doctor prescribed. I don’t feel I need them. I’m definitely happier on holiday than I am in the day to day routine of working but hey, I’m sure I’m not the only one…. The main thing is I’m not crying at work which is always a bonus. 🤦🏻♀️😆
The sun was quite warm today. Definitely not hot but it was lovey not to be freezing. Ellison and I sat out at lunch again too!
This next one made me laugh a little bit too hard!!
Dinner is just about ready. Salt and pepper chicken crown with potatoes and broccoli . Proper food! We’ve done good this week eating fresh food for a change. (Except yesterday when my body said it wasn’t enough!!)
Could not wake up this morning at all. My plan was to go a dog jog but honestly, bed wouldn’t let me go!! Work was busy. Sat outside with Ellison at lunch and was home for just after 4.30…. Blog in one para again!!
So last Thursday we decided to book a 14 hour bus trip with Bus Iceland 🇮🇸. We had a hire car, with Craig as the only driver, but just felt that kind of drive was far too much in one day. Despite the extra cost, it felt right to let the driver take the strain and for us to sit back and enjoy the trip.
Now this trip was not for the faint hearted. At 14.5 hours, it was a very long day. It also converted into a whopping £386 for us both to go….. but it was honestly worth every single penny and we would highly recommend it.
We did have a fair palaver booking it through Get Your Guide. They had been recommended to us as the booking platform but what works perfectly for someone, I guess doesn’t work for all. We couldn’t get the Get Your Guide app to allow collection from our hotel. Calling them took over an hour to get finally booked. My recommendation would be to book directly through Bus Iceland but that’s with hindsight.
We were collected just after 7am from our hotel. I think everyone in Reykjavik is told 7am so you just have to wait your turn. From that point on, everything was just perfect.
Here’s the overview of the trip.
Probably the equivalent of us having a day out in Yorkshire… which you just wouldn’t do in a day!!
We left a dry Reykjavik and headed straight into a super misty Reykjanesfólkvangur volcanic range.
Remember the majority of these photos are taking from a moving bus!
There are several stops along the way. We are all reminded to “use the bathroom” at every stop. They are usually about 1 hour 15 to 2 hours apart at most. Each rest stop is like a very well stocked service station with everything you could wish to buy. It has freshly cooked food, coffee, cakes, you name it. Not like ours with fast food joints.
Our lovely guide, Mia, is French but can pronounce the Icelandic names like a local. Without her commentary we would never learned half of what we did…. Well any of it really.
We drive though Selfoss which is one of the only land locked cities on Iceland. This bridge over the river was only built about 1891 I think. Before then you took your ice in your hands crossing in such a fat flow… not the best pic!
We pass right under Eyjafjallajökull which is the volcano that brought world flights to a standstill during its eruption in 2010.
She tells us about farmers who move back home, with trepidation, a year after the eruption, to find their crops had doubled in size due to the ash.
We drove on to Vik which is at the foot of the Katla Volcanic range. No one wants a permanent house here as Katla has 10 active craters and when Katla blows, Vik will be right in the firing line. I do wonder how house insurance works there!
The big issue is that the volcanic eruption will melt the huge glacier cap and Vik will be right in the flood plain. It was a sobering thought.
Icewear is a huge Icelandic brand with all things very expensive and outdoorsy. This massive store is based in Vik.
All of a sudden the mist clears and the sun comes out.
There are lots of glacial rivers. Many are heavily silted and some are quite crystal clear.
Then we near closer to the glaciers and you can see them in the distance from the bus. We must pass about 10 along the way until we get to the Glacier Lagoon.
We are headed to Vatnajökul National Park.
Its breathtaking. I’ve only ever been close to a glacier once before in New Zealand in 2005.
We head to Diamond Beach first. It’s a purely blank Sandy beach, from all the volcanic activity but the Glacier breaks off into a lagoon which was only formed in 1930 and has continued to grow with the amount of melting ice. These icebergs break off and flow down into the sea.
The strong artic tides push the ice back up onto the beach and the small pieces look like diamonds.
Here we are looking back up into Jökulsárlón.
I cannot put into words how awesome this place is. That’s a hugely underrated word. It literally is out of this world.
An amphibious boat tour was included in the trip. There are speedboats following each boat trip. Constantly on the lookout for falling ice and making sure no one falls overboard. It’s really quite dramatic.
We were here for a total of 1.5 hours before making the return trip back to Reykjavik, with different stops.
So I think this is maybe more photos than WordPress can cope with so I’m going to stop this one here and continue another day.
I slept really well last night. My evening spent curled up on the couch in a Christmas onesie and a blanket did the trick.
I got up for the loo at 1.30 (which is much more of an effort now that we are upstairs 🙄😆) and woke Craig too but managed to fall back asleep until just before 6am.
I felt a lot better this morning. No headache and no sluggishness which was good.
It was meant to be frosty this morning but it’s not so I’m really grateful not to have to scrape the van!
I even went outside with the dogs and took photos of the forest flame. It’s so beautiful!
It was nice to catch it in the sunrise light.
Those colours are just stunning!
I gradually felt worse as the day went on and had a lovely half hour lunch in Abbie the camper van at 1pm.
It’s always hard to leave the van as it feels like I’m on holiday every although I’m just sitting outside work! It’s super toasty inside with the sun streaming in the windows. Still not warm enough to sit outside though.
I’m still feeling lightheaded and dizzy with sore head and sore eyes.
I’ve realised though that most of us at work have similar symptoms though so it’s not just me and might be a thing….
I’ve cancelled crochet for tonight and will coorie up again. As snug as a bug in a rug… as Gran would say!
Don’t panic though. I still have my appetite. 🙄😆
I am actually sitting out in the back garden writing this. My eyes only half open 🤦🏻♀️😆 and I got big cuddles from Freya!
The Scottish Dog Behaviourist says I can sleep in the spare room. 😆 I told him he can 😂
I need to find a better describing word than Wow. It seems so underrated when I use it so often. But wow….. what an amazing day so far and it’s only 2pm.
I slept really well. The warmth, the cathartic sound of the diesel heater or the progesterone induced sleep did the trick. The diesel heater was on all night and it was a bit warm at one point, but I did wake up to ice on the inside of the windows, despite that.
I looked for Aurora at 2.30am but decided I was far too chicken to go out on my own in the pitch black. Not sure why I’m scared of the dark?!? Will need an Aurora buddy to go Northern lights tracking!
At 6.30am the sky was turning a pinky blue shade. The sun didn’t actually come up over the Pap of Glencoe for a while after that. The light was stunning as it hit some of the mountains.
I had taken my running gear and was desperate to go for an early morning dog jog sans dog! I mean, who even am I these days?!? Do I need to rebrand The Rambling Sloth as The Jogging Photographer?!?! 😂 doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it?!?
I have no idea how I am going to sort through the gazillion photos I have taken today.
I ran from the Invercoe campsite down to Glencoe and then back up to the Glencoe Lochan again. Running felt good.
This mornings mood was all about reflection. Not a ripple in the sea or the Lochan. Everything was a reflection.
I am in my element. I am blown away but the beauty I see. I even giggle to myself, have a look around to see if anyone else is there… and go hug a tree!!!!
😆😆😆
I ran right around the Lochan and back down to the campsite.
There were even a couple of wildlife shots!
Heron
I was out for about an hour and a half. It was bitterly cold. Even the seaweed was frosty but it was so exhilarating.
I feel an excitement bubbling through my veins…..all the time….. I have found something that makes me truly happy. A husband who is happy to let me go away, if he doesn’t want to and a real passion for writing and taking photos of beautiful nature. I could not have picked a better few days to come away. I have been so full of joy for two days, it’s so lovely.
This is the view from the van. Honestly it’s out of this world.
I had a shower… forgot deodorant but that doesn’t seem to have been as issue for me today. It’s so beautiful but FREEZING!!
I made myself a decaf coffee and headed down to the water.
I sat on a rock and watched the word stand still for a while. My bum got very numb on the cold rock but the sun is warm.
I got Abbie all packed up and put everything away in its place before heading down to Oban.
I can’t explain my connection to Oban, this little coastal town by the sea. Craig thinks that I picked up dads love of a CalMac ferry here and that’s why I love it so much.
It’s such a transient town. So many people are headed out to the islands. There are lots of English accents here today. Think there’s a coach tour in. I love nothing more than siting watching the ferries coming into port and heading out again.
Isle of MullLoch FrisaLord of the Isles affectionately known as LOTICoriusk
I can see 3 as I sit on a bench by the sea, writing this.
Ok they’re dots on the horizon but I know they are there 😆
As soon as I got to Oban I headed to the Oban Chocolate Company. I was going to say you can visit Oban without going there… of course you can… but it’s a very decadent treat! I broke my 17.5 hour fast with a delicious rich oat milk hot chocolate with a little pot luck of choccie goodies to go with it.
I then had a wander round the harbour and a couple of shops before sitting down at the water to write. And breathe in the sea air.
It’s 2.30pm and I really need to make a move to head home. Craig’s had a lovely day in the sun too. Think it’s maybe warmer at home than it is here.
I feel like I have had the best form of reset. I’ve been SO lucky with the weather and I’m so pleased that I came this far. I might not get away in the van until the end of June now.
Right.
Moving.
Back to the van.
Of course I had to stop on the way. It was the most beautiful drive down. I stopped at Inveruglas as there are stunning views of Loch and Ben Lomond.
Finally home at 5.30pm and cooking rump steaks for dinner.
Just want to end with last nights sunset. It was breathtaking. I stood outside for an hour or so watching it.
And finally the view from my bed.
I am so grateful to bursting for these last few days.
We slept through the Fit Body Farm this morning. Think we’re both exhausted after such a busy weekend.
I didn’t have much voice this morning when I woke up after shouting over the noise at the party and singing at the top of my lungs and way to much talking…. But do not fear because it came back, Craigie hasn’t had the luxury of a silent day. 😬😆
We took Abbie the Campervan back to the garage at 9am and walked back home from Glengarnock.
It’s a lovely morning but bitter. Hat and gloves for this first time.
I have Freya, I’ve just hidden her 😂 it’s more a photo of Craigie’s ass 😂 and me wearing his hat. 😂
This next one would have been amazing except for the power lines.
Gloves were off by the time we got home but it was a cold walk.
I got vouchers for Gro Coffee in Irvine from my Auntie Marion. Strike while the iron is hot, we have spent them already!
We had a lovely wee lunch. Look how pretty the food was.
It was super tasty too! I also had my custom coconut milk latte and Craig had posh diet coke!
We did not have a cake. Check us. We still have a house full of cake and regardless of what you might think when you might want cake… you CAN actually have toooooo much cake 🎂 😂
Forgot to share a really cool card I got from Kate and Jamie who live in the village. I love it!
So I’ve actually handled all this turning 50 malarkey, quite well. Age is just a number but this doesn’t feel as easy as 40 did.
I have had the best time despite wishing we were in the Maldives for a fortnight. We’ve seen so many lovely people and I’ve made some very special memories of my 50th.
The HRT is going fine despite losing a patch and having to plaster one down. Craig is the key to a plaster sticking. Any I’ve applied end up falling off.
I’m off the progesterone just now as it’s 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off, but I have to go back on it on Wednesday night.
I’m a bit nervous as it made me feel so low a few weeks back, but I need to take it.
“If oestrogen is the feed you use to grow a lawn, progesterone is the lawn mower that keeps the grass in check”. So my eloquent Doctor put it.
I’ve spoken to so many people this weekend about menopause. There are 34+ symptoms that are now attributed to peri-menopause or menopause.
All of these can be helped by replacing the hormones that we lose at this time of life.
It’s no less natural than taking insulin when you are diabetic or even for humans to drive in a car. It doesn’t matter what age you are. There are benefits from taking HRT that will help on later life. If you’re not sure, read up on it. You might be surprised.
In a stark reminder of my new age bracket, I’ve just received my bowel cancer screening kit. Craig’s lucky I won’t get him to help with this. 😆😂
It’s not even 3pm and I have my feet up, I’m listening to my birthday playlist on Spotify as I write this. I never got much chance to listen on Saturday.
I may have a nap.
Yet the garage phone just as I settled down…. Abbie is still wobbling despite having the passenger side drive shaft fitted. They need her overnight. They’ll drive her up on the ramp tomorrow….. the saga continues.
We are just watching the last ever episode of The Walking Dead. The end of a blood thirsty, zombie era. Who’d have thunk the blog would ever say those words?!?
I actually cried…. Way more than I should have. I’m just tired 🥱 😂
I didn’t put out a blog yesterday…. and the world didn’t stop turning.
I had less than nothing to say. I honestly couldn’t even do the… wake up, went to work blog again. It bores me writing it let alone you guys having to read it.
So…. I’ve said this before but I’m going to make a pact with myself. If I have nothing to say then I’m not going to write a blog that day as this needs to be tool that helps my mental health and doesn’t add to the list of things that need doing. If there’s no blog in a day, I’m all good, just my day has been uneventful.
I should say I’ve been good this week. I’ve not been anxious at all really and it’s good I have nothing to have to work through.
Today I have loads to say as it’s 13.16pm and I’ve already done 23,245 steps!!
The weather has been crazy for May in Scotland. Its very wet, cold and windy. I’ve taken some pics on the way to and home from the Farm to show the crazy clouds. There was a lovely rainbow during the class too.
The Fit Body Farm was a killer this morning. We’ve been doing a fairly new thing called DecaFit these last few Fridays. There is a whole lot of running and it’s really just not my thang. 🥴
This morning we worked out 5 stations for 3 mins with a 500m run in between each station. I think I only managed the 500m twice and the rest were closer to 350/400m. It’s non stop without and break…. though hitting the station targets before the 3mins is up does give you a minute of a breather.
So, not my favourite day at the Farm but I still did almost all of it and I know the running will come the more I work at it.
It was sunny when we finished but still windy and cold.
Loved this freshly cut field
I went straight into the shower when I got home as I couldn’t get a heat!
I had to have Abbie the Camper van at the garage for her MOT this morning, so I drove down to Glengarnock with Calaidh and Freya so I could walk back up.
Rainbow and a fascinating tree! Hurry up mumma it’s gonna rain! Whatcha watching?! Strange cloudsI thought this bus stop looked a bit arty?!? Fun in the fieldThrough the woods This is where all the daffies used to grow A strange contraption blowing from this tree… either Chinese lanterns or poly bags?!
Back home and crawled into bed for a wee half hour…. then back out this time with Bhruic.
Craig was working in Ayr so I thought I’d go with him and walk her down on the beach. He dropped us in Prestwick as I’d never been down to that beach as far as I could remember.
It was wild!!! Sooooo windy and the sea was whipping up and splashing over the sea wall. I have so many photos.
I’m not sure they do it justice, it was really wild.
Then in the middle of it all, I spotted this.
Arty beach stones
The sun comes out but it doesn’t heat up much….. though it does look a lot prettier!
Full of seaweed! Mumma do you think Dad will hurry up so we don’t actually freeze to death?!?
I was fine for the first hour but after that I was just walking round in circles, praying Craig would hurry up. We sat on a bench for a bit but I think that just made me colder!
Come on…. Let’s move again…. We’ve been sitting too long!!
He phoned to say he was 6 minutes away! 😘😘😘 of course then the sun came out and the sea calmed down a fair bit.
It was soooo good to see him driving towards us…. I got the heated seats on and defrosted.
Back home to hang washing and made a lovely sharing snack late lunch/early dinner.
Pinched this idea from Claire
We had it with Nozeco (alcohol free sparkling).
It was really lovely and now…. I could sleep for Scotland.
It’s 16.18 and I’m now up at 24,951 steps and still waiting to hear if Abbie passed her MOT!!
She did not pass…..She failed for all brake disks, a top engine mount and a white indicator light….. a mere £374. 🫣
Anyway, all fixed now. I just put £133 of diesel in her the other day…. That better do her for now. She’s had enough!
Anyway it’s been a good day. I’m feet up on the couch now. Planning only steps to the bathroom 😆
The Rambling Sloth 🦥 