I’m back on board the Paddle Steamer Waverley with Waverley Excursions.
The red line is roughly the trip we’ll be taking.
Craig got me two sailing ticket for my birthday last year and this is the first one I’m using. I wanted to sail all week but I couldn’t find accommodation in some of the places she is docking for the night. I picked the best of the bunch and despite my low mood yesterday, I’m really looking forward to it.
Very early start with the alarm set for 4.55am!
I parked the Glasgow Science Centre at 6.30am and the Waverley sailed promptly at 7am.
I had wanted to be on a Waverley cruise for the whole week but I couldn’t get accommodation booked up north so had to settle for today’s trip which is the easiest to navigate from home.
Photobombed at the last second!
It’s much cooler this morning so I’m wrapped up. We’re expecting 18°C but in was so cold on my Ailsa Craig tour last year that I’m wrapped up well today. I am still fairly cold and regretting leaving the fur lined boots at home.
The Tall Ship
Heading under the Erskine Bridge.
Dumbarton RockThe recently launched Glen RosaThe Glen SannoxThe Norwegian DawnHurtigruten Expeditions From the back of the WaverleyThe famous funnels 🚢
Finally the sun is out. I’ve had a hot chocolate breaking my fast very early for warmth!!
Great Cumbrae to the right
Largs Ahoy!
A large ferry crossover behind the Waverley while we are docked in Largs.
Millport on Great Cumbrae.
The sun is out and while it’s hot the breeze keeps it cool. The sea is mostly calm.
They’re filming a documentary about the Waverley with David Hyman.the hope to release it this year as they’ve been filming it for years.
Sailing into Campbeltown at 12.30. I have taken two layers off. I’m still wearing 3!
Leaving Campbeltown.
Loved these cows on this tiny island. So very Scottish! 🏴
Davaar Island.
This is so similar to Ailsa Craig.
This next one is the view from the ladies toilet porthole!
This is Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse. I loved the birds in low flying formation.
They did this a lot.
The Coastguard flew out from the Mull of Kintyre and did a fly around the ship. That was really cool!
Heading towards the Sound of Islay. We were meant to sail into Port Ellen on Islay but there was a grain tanker in our berth. We had to divert to Colonsay. This shows Islay to the left and Jura to the right.
The south coast of Jura.
The Paps of Jura.
Looking back over Jura.
Stopping in Colonsay.
Colonsay looks lovely. I’ve never been here.
As I write this we are currently heading for Correyvreckan whirlpool and then into Oban.
I don’t get home until about midnight tonight so I’m going to put this out now and write about the rest tomorrow.
All I can say is, I have had the best day. I’ve been sailing since 7am and it’s now 18.30. No sadness, no low mood, just total wonder at the beauty of the trip!
The forecast says it’s been 21°C but it feels hotter than that!
What a beautiful day.
We’ve had a very productive day despite the heat. I randomly spent the morning clearing out all of my clothes, tidying the drawers and wardrobes. I did some washing and got it hung out to dry. It really helped my head which wasn’t the best when I woke up.
Last night was amazing but mentally a lot more tough than I could have imagined.
I went to The Realignment Project with 3 of the girls I’ve been running with…. Gillian, Lynsey and Rachel two doors down. It was held on Luss Beach on the banks of Loch Lomond….Which was looking particularly pretty last night, after a beautiful day.
Here I am sitting on my yoga mat waiting for it to start.
The Realignment Project is run by two guys, James and Kenny. They run “outdoor coaching focussed workshops, helping you to realign and find your f****** awesomeness!”
It started at 7.30pm. They have great banter!
James asked us to write down something that we thought was holding us back and think about how we could change that negative feeling. There’s a lot more to it than that but that’s the gist.
We then did some yoga and settled down with our blankets over us for 20 minutes of breath work.
The breath work terrified me for some reason. I’m fine just breathing away but being told to focus on my breath induces a mild panic.
James leads the breath work and tells us we are safe, we are just breathing and he talks as we breathe to the rhythm he has set.
My fingers are tingling, I feel slightly dizzy, again this is all normal.
I start to cry. The tears start pouring down the sides of my face onto my yoga mat. I’m trying to hold it back, biting my lip trying to focus, I can’t let anyone see. To be fair we are all lying on our backs, on the beach, looking up to the beech tree overhead.
His words are really searching and they are stirring up emotions inside of me. I am not 100% content at the moment and there are things that need to change. He’s empowering us to make that change, step out of our comfort zone and go for it. The old “life is too short” thing. At least that’s what I hear.
I’m trying so hard to hold back the tears as we all slowly sit up. I can’t look at anyone and focus on getting into my cold water socks and gloves. Gillian is next to me and she spots me first. She gives me a big hug and says it’s ok as lots of people get upset during the breath work.
We start to do some warm up exercise pre cold water dip.
I swallow the tears as we head to the water…. This was the bit I was scared of but now my focus is to not start sobbing in front of everyone. 🤦🏻♀️😬
The girls I am with, and two others we went with, hold hands and walk into the water. It feels amazing. This is why I am here. I want to be able to go into the sea without the whole wetsuit palaver.
He talks us through our steps and tells us to stop. We stand still…. He asks us to think about our proudest moment in life. Feel that feeling.
We then all dunk under at the same time. Head under the water and back up. It feels amazing. The bottom lip is still wobbling away. I’m so bloody proud of myself for doing this but I hate that there always have to be tears. I am overwhelmed by emotion. I just need to have a bloody good cry.
I get a lovely hug from Lynsey and Rachel. I don’t want to bother anyone.
We “sit” with our shoulders under the water. I start to shiver uncontrollably. I start to breathe through it and the shakes pass. I look around and everyone is experiencing similar shivers.
I love being in the water. To be fair, it’s 11°C which is a lot warmer than any cold water I’ve been in recently.
We head out to the beach but I’m reluctant to leave and drag everyone back in. We need some photos of this!
There was no memo about wearing a black swimming costume 🩱 😂
I love that 3 of us are staring at the bottom…. 😂
Considering how emotional I actually feel at the moment…. Look at my eyes and that smile. That says it all.
The emotion doesn’t leave me. It wells up and I keep swallowing it.
We stopped at Starbucks on the way home for drive through hot chocolate. It was lovely!
I’m so grateful to the girls for asking me to go with them.
So yeah…. I felt really wiped out and drained when I woke up this morning. It was a lot to process but also the most wonderful thing to do.
I’m still feeling the effects of the cold too.
Back to today…. We pressure washed the main grass this afternoon.
Look at the difference!
The dogs ran out when we were finished and all 4 of them wee’d within a few seconds!!
Bhru is stalking Claire next door as she pressure washes too!
It’s lovely to sit in a “clean” garden. There’s still loads to do but a pressure wash makes it feel like a new garden.
It’s now 7pm and we have a fire started, planning to stay outside this evening. It’s not often we have a chance to do this.
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.
Oh my word. (Polite terminology for blog purposes….)
I actually want to scream with excitement!!!
What a wonderful night to be alive.
The Aurora Borealis slammed earth last night, I follow several FB pages and Aurora Hunters UK & Iceland said there were 5 enormous solar flares all sandwiched together and expected to be a direct hit on earth. He said direct hits are rare but to have 2 M class flares and 3 X class flares, together in one massive hit, is totally unheard of.
We may never see these stats again at least for the next 7 years.
That is the reason I was not going away this weekend.
I was meant to be at home.
I sat out on a seat in the back of the garden after it got dark. Letting my eyes adjust. There was nothing….. except Craig about to get into bed.
I’m in my Auntie Jac’s Christmas onesie and Ugg boots to keep warm. I do look ridiculous!
Some of the running girls can see the Aurora before I can…. It turns out I’m looking the wrong way. Despite being told to look North, this one was distinctly in the south easterly direction!
It started like this….
To the naked eye it looked like wispy clouds but through the phone camera you could see the start of the colours.
I took a lot of photos but the south easterly view from our garden is all trees covering the sky….. I bravely stepped out the front door in Auntie Jac’s Christmas onesie…. I lost count of the amount of cars that saw me. 🤦🏻♀️😂
Faintly at first, it was like a giant rainbow over our village.
At this time, the colours were only visible through the iPhone camera and not visible to the eye.
I’m up the lane over from our house. I should say… that is not our house but a very photogenic subject!
Our lovely village. the colours start to become visible.
It’s moving all the time. I tried to video it but the light is not the same.
It was just breathtaking. I managed to get Craig out of bed so he could see it. Just as well really as I still don’t like the dark much. 😂
The light was changing all the time.
There came a point where it started to fade ever so slightly and we were both shattered…. We decided to head home.
Also so I could show other passing motorists my onesie 🤦🏻♀️😂
It’s right over the house. Just beautiful.
So yeah… 12.30pm I got to bed and 5.30 I woke up… still so full of excitement from the night before. Run club was on at 6.45am and there were 7 of us this morning!
My throat was sore when I woke up so I found it pretty hard this morning… but I still ran my fastest 5k ever thanks to Claire for coming back for me at one point and Michelle for dragging me over the last 20 steps.
I was not buzzing and loving life by the end but I’m very proud of myself for doing it. We ran 5.47k at a 7.54 pace. By comparison the subsequent dog walks were about 15 km/ hr pace.
It is a beautiful hot day. It’s been 18-19°C here today. My blogger friend the Windsor waffle laughs at the Scottish definition of hot! 😂
Bhru and Calaidh first…. I’m coming for you mumma!!
Then Freya and Khaleesi. It was nice and shaded here.
Spotted my neighbour’s beautiful clematis this morning, so lovely against the blue sky.
Craig was working this morning, popped home then was heading out to meet friends in Glasgow.
So I dropped him at the train station and decided to treat myself to a Mocha Jaks strawberry milkshake!!
Sooooo good! I may have had a salad too but this was the best!
It’s the first time I have solo dined anywhere locally…. I did feel a bit odd… but I’m so glad I went as that was my treat for the day.
Mochas was also surprisingly quiet. They suited me… I sat outside.
Since I got home I’ve been lying out in the garden dozing on and off. I had a blanket over me.
When the sun when in, it got a wee bit cooler. When the sun comes out I deblanket if that’s even a word?!? I know it’s not.
I’ve done another 3 washing loads. All the dog blankets are washed now. My machine has been going all weekend 😂
There’s a good Aurora forecast for tonight but it might be cloudy here so we’ll have to wait and see. They’re predicting 10.30pm through to 2.30am. Remember to look at the sky through your phone camera. Look all round tonight as it might not necessarily be north.
Ahhhh some real heat…. I say that and it’s been at 17-18°C here today and for Scotland that’s a pretty good day.
I’ve been in shorts and vest top all day apart from the dog walks. I’ve been very lucky not to be working.
I had another great, progesterone-induced sleep but woke with a sore throat and the start of a chesty cough. I’ve been so lethargic all day.
It’s definitely been the first day of the year that you could be out in the garden all day without feeling cold… yet I’ve not appreciated it for what it was. Instead I’ve been tired and a bit grumpy.
It was 8am before I started the dog walks this morning. Bhru and Freya first!
The grass has sprouted this week!
Love the colours of the farm.
Look how muddy Bhru got digging for a stone in the burn.
I am not throwing that stone!
This tree has lots of new leaves, there must be a beech hedge growing up the trunk too.
Then back home…. Chattering to Craig only to realise he was on a work call….. 😬😂 I sat outside in the garden for a bit before I took Calaidh and Khaleesi out.
Everything is so green.
Dry stane dyke.
I kept Khaleesi on lead so she didn’t run about too much. It was a slightly longer walk for her.
I got chatting to a lovely lady with a Malinois-cross. She was asking all about Khaleesi. We got chatting through a whole range of subjects! I lovely having random chats with someone I’ve never met. It’s good to connect with people.
My favourite gate!
The rhododendrons are out in full force.
A herd of coos…
A very random shot but I thought I’d try something different!
Calaidh’s laughing at me!
So back home and I sat out in the sun with my sunscreen on…. I was so tired I just sat with my eyes shut for a while. It felt nice.
I had no idea what to do with myself and started getting annoyed.
I guess my issue is that I want to be away and doing something this weekend, but I can’t.
My head actually has temper tantrums because I want to be doing something different. I’m not very good at relaxing and doing nothing.
When I’m in the house I’m surrounded by things that need cleaned and things that need repaired. I don’t want to be stuck inside doing housework on a warm day. I just want to head out and explore.
The thing is we can’t always get to do what we want to do all of the time and I don’t know how to make peace with that…. Instead I fight it and look for places that I could go. Rather than enjoying the moment, I’m searching for ways to make it better.
I decided to bring a camping table out and clear through my jewellery box.
Honestly that was not my best move. It seemed to open up a whole catalogue of negative thoughts as the jewellery reminded me of different times in my life and where had all that time gone?! I’ve 6 watches sitting doing nothing… what a waste of money. I saw the negative in it all….
I didn’t achieve much by doing it, I threw out a small handful of broken things but that was all. I couldn’t bring myself to part with most of it. As expensive as it all was at the time, it’s virtually worthless now. I looked up selling some of it but it seems like you get very little back.
I gave that job up after a few hours and started cleaning out the camping stuff from last weekend. I put the tent up and cleaned the floor. I put some things away in the shed.
Once I started doing something with purpose I felt much better.
I’ve done 6 loads of washing today and it’s almost all dry. I put most of it away.
Finally I was at peace. About time too!
The aurora might be really strong tonight around midnight if anyone’s interested . I read that it might be seen as far south as Spain!
I can’t believe I’ve been such a grump on such a lovely day.
Poor Craig won’t be home from work until about 8. He’s still recovering from his flu. He’ll be wiped out working that late on a Friday.
I’m off for a shower ready to make his dinner with a smile on my face 😬😂
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!
I’m sitting outside in the sunshine writing this… I need to go and walk the dogs.
I was up really early this morning to head to the supermarket before work so Craig had food in for today. He said he didn’t need anything last night but when I got home he literally had nothing…. He’s been under a duvet all day again. Still feeling rotten and still lashing in sweat. Wee soul.
It’s a lovely sunny evening. It wasn’t even warm enough to sit out at lunchtime today but it’s so calm and sunny now.
I have the sick boy duvet airing on the line at the moment.
The birds are twittering away… I could sit here for hours listening to them…. That’s obviously… mainly because I have to walk the dogs!!
I made another Planthood meal for dinner tonight but it was my least favourite.
Everything was fried so it seemed really heavy… not the usual fresh nutrition. Mine looked ok…
Just didn’t taste the best and that’s probably because I saw how much oil went into making it!
I will feel so much better when I just get off my backside and go walk el doggos.
I did it… I’m not gonna lie, as beautiful as it was, I felt I grudged every step. I’m so tired!
It was worth it for some beautiful photos.
Look at the colours!
There’s a warmth in the sun but I’m only in any shirt and it might not be that warm!
I took some photos of some dandelions… my friend Linda calls these wishes and I sent her a photo tonight. The new iPhone captured them really well.
These are weeds to some but so pretty to others.
I love that I can see beauty in so many places these days, things would have walked past before.
This isn’t the best photo but it shows the ferns starting to unfurl.
Follow the sunshine.
Zoomed in for this one.
I noticed these two planes in the sky, behind the power lines. They look like they are heading towards each other.
Then all of a sudden one of the banks quickly to the right.
I’m sure they were nowhere near each other really but it was fascinating to watch.
Calaidh looking pretty in the green field.
I love the way the light is shining at the end of the tunnel.
Passed these guys on the way home. They came over to say hi!
So I’m home, I’ve filled the dishwasher, put away clean washing and hung a wet washing up.
I can’t believe it’s the 1st May already. This year is flying by.
Ellison and I sat out at lunchtime, grinning like Cheshire cats and saying ….”wow”…. Every time the sun shone through the clouds. 😂☀️
Love this from Severe Weather Updates 😂😂
I felt instantly better the minute I woke up today. My head is clearer, the cotton wool is gone.
I feel calm and less irritable than yesterday.
It’s still been there but I’ve been way better at seeing the brighter side of it.
We have a choice in how we react.
I woke up with the alarm this morning so no chance for a run. Today that’s completely ok as I felt so grateful that I slept a bit longer.
Work was busy. I cleared two big jobs that have been at the back of my mind for a few weeks, another one to be tackled tomorrow. It felt really good.
The sun shone for most of the day. The forecast was for rain!
I came home and made another Planthood dinner.
This was how mine looked!
It was sooooo good. I know say that a lot but I really mean it. Mine never look the same but hey…. I’m sure they taste just how they should.
I have kinesiology tonight so I’m looking forward to that. I love exploring how my mind works and finding ways to understand it. I’m planning to do some work on my fears arising during my solo travel. I hope to remove some of the stress from that.
The best part about not drinking is the time you get at the weekends, before anyone else is up… the roads are quiet, the beach is empty, the sea is calm, well not always obviously, but it was today.
Elly had messaged me on Thursday to ask if I was free to do a sea dip with her this morning. One thing led to another and it ended up being for sunrise (which is no mean feat at this time of year!) and in wetsuits, one of which Elly had to buy quickly! I don’t think I could go in without a wetsuit. I find the cold completely breathtaking in a wetsuit. Hats off to anyone who does that length of time without one!!
I woke at 2.30am to find my period had started.
Oh joy… that explains yesterday afternoon’s lethargy!
Elly was picking me up at 5.30am. I slept on and off between 2.30 and the alarm at 5.
The beach was empty.
There was only one other car parked with no people to be seen at all…. Turns out it was 2 girls from the Fit Body Farm, out for a run, as we saw them when they came back!
Ready to go in selfie. We couldn’t have picked a better day or time. The water was perfect.
I’ve always been told when you’re new to it, you should ideally go at high tide, when then wind is less than 5mph and coming from the east. That way you don’t get carried away from shore. you know how I like to follow a “rule” 😂
The conditions were just perfect.
The sun was just starting to rise.
Morning!!!
I love the colours in this next simple photo. The pinks and lilacs opposite the sunrise or sunset are always lovely.
It feels like we are really far out but that’s only because it’s so shallow.
I’ve found a hole in my wetsuit… I got an extra cold dip this morning!
Love these ripples in the water.
And again!
We stayed in roughly 20 minutes which is more than enough for me in this temperature. We both started to get cold at the same time.
I’m so chuffed with the photos this phone takes. The colours are so real.
The ripples seem real.
It’s forecast to be cloudy today.
We headed up and got dressed as quickly as we could. Hands and toes are always the coldest parts. It’s important to get them warm as quickly as possible. We went for a walk along the beach to warm up once we were dry. My dry robe looks like a dress!! It is a bit big now 😂
I’ve just noticed the heart shaped stone at our feet. The sun is rising fast but it’s still not even 7am.
I just had the best time. I’ve missed sea “swimming”.
For so long it’s seemed like too much hassle. Isn’t that ridiculous? When something you love seems like too much hassle.
I‘m so grateful to Elly for asking me to go today and bringing the sparkle for wild swimming back!
We were home for the back of 7 and it felt like lunchtime!!
I went for a warm shower and then Craig and I sat in the back garden, in the sun, for a coffee.
Look at Queen Khaleesi lying in the middle of the flower bed!
She’s loving the sunshine. It’s still nowhere near as warm as it looks!
We then headed back to Braehead so I could upgrade my Fitbit to an Apple Watch.
I only went for the SE because it’s the base model and is half the price of the Apple Ultra. It does everything I need it to do. It means I don’t need to carry my phone all the time. I say that and then imagine not being able to take a photo!!! Wonder how long it will be before the watch takes photos?!? ⌚️😂🤦🏻♀️📸
So back home and straight out to pick Gayle up for a wee lunch out. We were heading to Luss for lunch, but at the last minute turned in to Bowling to head to the gift shop called Paton Parcels.
Would you believe we drove straight into the Glasgow Kilt Walk!! There were people everywhere…. Our worst nightmare!!!
We had a sandwich with tea and cake in the Paton’s coffee shop. The radio was blaring, we could hardly hear to talk. It really wound up my anxiety for some reason…. Maybe it was that and the millions of people.
The Bowling Harbour was really pretty. The reflections were lovely.
The water didn’t move at all.
We walked down to the side of the Clyde and it was fairly calm too. There’s an old jetty out in the water, it was picturesque.
Looking back up to the Erskine bridge that we just drove over. if you zoom in to this shot, those two vertical posts are in the foreground and not part of the bridge. How random.
It was really cold so we didn’t hang around long.
We had a wander around the canal.
More reflections.
My friend helen will be so proud… she’s the queen of reflections!
It’s hard to believe there are thousands of kilt walkers milling around here… you can see some of them on this bridge!
I’ve been home since 3 and it’s still only 5pm. This is the longest day! I love getting up early.
There is a fair bit of anxiety today. I do wonder if it’s caffeine instead of decaf coffee maybe, by mistake…. That’s what it feels like, nothing more, just a jitteryness… I made that word up. 😂
I’ve had a great weekend but really desperate for some heat to that sunshine. ☀️☀️
We’re still being blasted by the arctic air so it was frosty overnight again but it’s a beautiful morning. ☀️☀️☀️
I’m sitting outside on a bench in the garden, pretending it’s warmer than it actually is… it’s 11.08am and I’ve already run 3 miles with Run Club, walked Bhru and Freya and then had a big field walk with Calaidh.
I’m contemplating how to top that 😂😂 actually I’m so tired after all that I may just sit here all day with my suntan lotion on!
It’s been pure blue skies with white fluffy clouds and I am determined to live my best life for June who sadly passed away yesterday. I want to make every moment count, even if it is just sitting around relaxing. As long as I’m present in the moment then that’s all that matters.
It’s 7am.
I cannot get over the colour of the sky… 💙
I must take more photos of the trees now than I do of the dogs 😂
Love the early morning sun creating these long shadows… 4 members of run club in action!
Spiers school grounds looking lovely in the early morning sun!
Old Geilsland House.
This morning’s run club, Lynsey, Elly, Rachel two doors down and my bright red face!!
More trees.
All done! I’m definitely the reddest!!!
I love how much we are all smiling.
Back home and straight back out with Bhruic and Freya. Never met a soul…. Just how I like it!
More shadows!
Then back for a half hour with Craig before Calaidh and I headed out with Rachel and Nacho, Jim and Muck!
We walked right up to the top of the old golf course. Views right over to Lochwinnoch and Castle Simple Loch.
The gorse is as yellow as the sky is blue.
Looking over to Beith Parish Church.
The final shadow pic of the day… it’s not even 10am. There could be more….. Jim couldn’t resist! Rachel looks scarily tall!
And yes I actually did put this stick above my head to make it look like antlers… 🤦🏻♀️😂
All the dogs had a blast.
I have to admit after all of that I have had the laziest of days.
I’ve done housework, pottered, hung washing out to dry but I’ve been shattered. I spent a large part of the afternoon on the couch under Craig’s crochet blanket dozing on and off. I’m so tired.
To be fair I have done 22k steps today and most of them all before 10am!!
I am very calm and it feels really good.
On our After Dry January FB group we’ve done tributes for June today. A lovely lady Sally posted this and this says it all.
I’m heading over to Edinburgh to meet my Mum and Auntie Marion. We have afternoon tea booked at The Willow Tea Rooms today.
I have always wanted to go to the Willow Tea Rooms…. There’s always been one in Glasgow but the one in Edinburgh seems to be new. Well it is to me anyway. They are designed around the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. I’ll hopefully have a bit more info once I’ve been.
Wide awake at 6am and out for a run with Rachel two doors down, at 7am.
Here she comes from her two doors down!
It’s a beautiful morning but bitterly cold for this time of year!
Here’s my favourite gate… it’s been a while 😂
We went into Spiers Old School grounds and the lighting was lovely.
I found the run quite hard this morning, more my legs than the breathing.
We did it! About 2.5 miles this morning. I am very red!!
So back home and had to queue for the shower…. 😂 Craig had a really early job today.
What to wear on a day that’s freezing cold in the shade and warm in the sun?!?!
Here I am at Glengarnock in the sun!
Walking through Glasgow Central. This looks black and white but it’s taken in colour.
So I cross Glasgow to Queen Street, sit down on the train and read that my lovely FB friend passed away this morning as a result of her fight with cancer. I’m on a crowded train. I know it’s coming but it takes my breath away. Her lovely daughter messaged to tell me. So very kind of her.
I manage to hold it together for the whole trip.
Just to recap, I have never met this lady. I’m a joint admin on a FB group called After Dry January, where we share our sober journeys. I “met” June over 5 years ago and she has been an amazing support. She saw something in me that I couldn’t see anymore. She sent me gifts, cards and lots of positivity. I wasn’t the only one she supported. I hear stories from the other members, she did similar things for so many of us.
What a very special woman. I hope she can rest well knowing how much she was loved and what an impact she made on our lives.
I did a post for her a few week’s back, on our group, so people could express their gratitude while she was still with us, rather than waiting until she was gone. She got to hear what she meant to everyone.
We all need to be more June. ♥️
The sun is still shining as we pull into Edinburgh Waverley station. 🚉
I hop off the train and Mum can tell straight away that something is wrong. I finally let a few tears flow.
We grab a quick coffee in Cafe Nero and then head up to Princes Street.
Looking over Princes Street Gardens to Edinburgh CastleSir Walter Scott’s MonumentObligatory selfie! Edinburgh Castle
The Willow Tea Rooms are on Princes Street directly opposite Edinburgh Castle. It’s only been open for 2 months but has been a in Glasgow for over 60 years.
I love that it says “ people might be able to enter and enjoy without relying on the inebriating effects of alcohol for entertainment” she sounds like my kinda gal!!
(You can get alcohol there now for those who are interested!!)
Hide the Primark bag!!!
It was quite quiet when we went in at 1pm but it filled up very quickly.
Mum took this arty shot.
My view.
The lovely art on the walls.
What a stunning view from the tea room, out to Edinburgh Castle.
Mum and Auntie Marion.
Keek! I actually ordered the vegan sandwiches. They were so good. Avocado with tomato, humous with chargrilled peppers and cucumber.
We also got a scone with cream and jam… not vegan obviously and a cake of our choice and we all went with the strawberry tart.
The teapots and cups are all willow design.
Here I am listening intently to Mum!
It was really lovely and cost us £22 each with the 5% service charge added in. Mum very kindly bought mine as a treat! She’s a keeper!!
It as still beautiful when we got out and a weeeeee bit warmer. The blossom is out in full force.
I felt like a tourist in my home city. I ooohed and aaahhhed over buildings like this in Rome yet fly past them here in Edinburgh, on my doorstep. This is the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art.
Even walking into Waverley station looks really pretty in the bright sunlight.
I feel like I am seeing everything through rose tinted glasses today. The new iPhone photos are so vibrant.
Here’s my current view from the train!
It’s cloudy now I’ve got to Glasgow… all 17 stops later 😂😂
So I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I also hope we see some more sunshine. I also hope that it is warmer 😂😂 I don’t want much.
I have a feeling that yesterday’s Rigatoni with mushroom and lentils had something to do with it but let’s say no more.
In true Julie fashion, I’m all or nothing…..
I started the day with a 3 mile run, at 7am, with Lynsey. No one else from our run club WhatsApp group was available so it was just the two of us. Last night I was determined to run today. I had enough of sitting around like a sloth. 🦥
Check the heart rate….. woomph, right up there.
Lynsey is a runner so I’m so pleased I didn’t hold her back too much. I only stopped to walk twice when I felt a wee bit sick!
It felt really good. We saw no one.
I came home and sat in the garden and thought I might be sick…. But I wasn’t.
Look at the colour of my face while I take Bhruic and Freya up the hill…. It’s still beetroot!
This wee kitten was hiding from us…. Zoom in!
Back down the hill and the sun was starting to warm up…. Nothing like Rome temperatures… but Craig and I sat out in the garden and had coffee. It was really lovely. We sat for a while.
Craig groomed Bhru, who is most likely the culprit of the moulting hair in the house!!
I have never seen anything like it!!! He got loads off her. We did some videos for Scottish Dog Behaviourist as it was so crazy!
Khaleesi had physio at 11.30 so I went with them and took Calaidh.
We walked while they were in physio.
I’ve never been up here before, we had a great view over Burnhouse.
How pretty is this old gate?!
We headed back into Beith and took the two Khal/Cals to Mocha Jacks for lunch.
I had Honey, Avocado and Pesto stack! Again!
Craig had my fried egg.
We then came back and sat in the sun all afternoon. It’s been so lovely.
I am so grateful to feel better again.
I’ve done loads of Rome posts and reels on FB and I am trying to put some on Insta too. My reels used to post from insta directly onto my FB page but not anymore….
We have Elly’s 40th birthday party from 6pm tonight… I’m so glad my 2 days of illness have left me……. with a big spot on my chin just in time.
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. 😂
Ok so the Star Wars observant among you will soooooo know it typed Palpatine Hill to start with….. I am my husband’s wife 🤦🏻♀️😂
Another amazing day and my last full day in Rome. I will sleep for a fortnight when this is over.
Today I had booked with Crown Tours for the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The tour lasted 3 hours but they left us in the Colosseum to wander for the rest of the day if we wanted.
It was such contrast to yesterday but only because it was all in ruins…. This ancient area of Rome was as beautiful in its day, if not more so than the Vatican.
I’m not even going to remotely try and regale you with the history of the area. A tour is an explosion of information, while trying to get sunglasses on and glasses safely put in the bag, then glasses on and sunglasses put safely in the bag… while trying to listen and take photos…. you get the gist.
When you travel alone there is no one to hold anything. You just have to try to manage everything as best you can… while ensuring pickpockets don’t see you as fair game.
Palatine Hill is seen as the birthplace of the City of Rome around 1000 BC. It’s where all the upper class lived and all the imperial palaces were built. It had stunning views.
Everything was marble and decorated, even the servant quarters although not to the same extent and the imperial rooms.
The Roman Forum is in the low lying area between the hills and this is where everyone gathered for open air meetings from around 500 BC.
Before the Roman Forum and Colosseum were built, the whole area used to be marshland it was drained around 620BC due to constant flooding. That drainage system is still in use today.
The Roman Forum housed some of the most majestic temples and monuments.
The Colosseum was obviously where all the blood sports took place…. Animal against animal, animal against criminal, criminal against criminal and obviously the gladiators, some of whom became as famous as current footballers would do. Some 450,000 people were killed in the Colosseum in its day…. That’s a sobering thought as you stand inside it. that was all stopped by the Christians in the 6th Century.
The Forum was abandoned in the 7th century for the river area. A huge earthquake in the 9th century toppled many of the buildings and by the Middle Ages it had all been built over. Hence the ruins.
In true Julie fashion I got there early as this was by far the biggest distance I had to travel this weekend.
So many people told me that everything was within walking distance…. But it’s not when you don’t book the correct hotel and you have 45 minutes worth of train journey to get there.
I boarded the train at Balduina and had to take 6 stops to Roma Ortiense.
I chose to wear my short shorts this morning. Until now I’ve been blending in with the Italians wearing long trousers, they also have long tops and jackets with scarves. That’s a generalisation but there are a lot of them dressed for Scottish winter!
Today I stuck out like a sore thumb and I had the only visible legs on the first train!!!
I had to change at Ortiense onto the Metro and it was a good 6 minute walk with my legs on show through Italian suburbia. I only relaxed when I saw other tourists, once I got to the Colosseum. It shouldn’t matter what we wear and I tried to tell myself that the whole way there!
I got to the Colosseum for 8.30am and my tour was at 10. This gave me time to get some photos. The queues were already massive!
I found a nice wee cafe on Via Poliveria (reminded me of my friend Alice as it’s nearly her surname!!) and had a decaf espresso…. Yup I know…. 😂😂…. And a lovely pistachio filled croissant. It was so good.
Our tour started at the Roman Forum.
This old church was only opened in October having been closed for 50 years… they have managed to clean some of the art on the walls.
You can see Jesus in this one.
We are starting to climb up Palatine Hill now.
Looking down to the Colosseum.
I honestly have so many photos I don’t know where to start. I also don’t know that they all load up properly when I publish the blog. I’ll do a minimum for now.
That green door is the one of oldest doors in Rome… believed to date back to 300 BC.
We headed down into the Colosseum.
This was also incredibly busy. Thousands of people wandering around…. Just to give you some perspective.
My tour was the Arena Tour so you get right out into the main arena.
I finally left the Colosseum about 2.30pm… and was ravenous. I tied to go to a recommended restaurant but it was queued out… so I just pick a random roadside eatery and had some garlic bread and another veggie pizza….
I’ve already warned Craig that the garlic from the garlic bread will still be there when I get home tomorrow!!! It was soooo strong.
I didn’t have any plans for the afternoon so just wandered aimlessly, with a metro station always in mind.
I found some really lovely buildings and fountains.
I’m sitting on a comfy seat in the hotel gardens writing this…. As the pool is not open yet…. But I’ll head up soon and that will be me for the night. Pick up is at 9am tomorrow so I’ll get a lie in!!
I’ll be bombarding you with videos and photos when I get back. I’ve been so lucky with the weather. Not a cloud in the sky.
Our clocks went back last night. This made me laugh!
I have to say I’ve been neither up nor down about it. It hasn’t bothered me as much as it used to do when I hated my job. I’m looking forward to the very light evening!
Sunshine has been a long time coming. We are finally outside in the garden for the very first time this year. Out of the breeze it feels hot. It’s only 12°C but hey that’s pretty good for us!
Khaleesi is loving the sunshine! About time too, she says.
It’s so lovely to feel the warmth of the sun on your skin after so long. The last time I sat out in the sun was the start of October in Turkey with Gayle. I still remember the last embers of the sun, knowing it would be a while before we felt it again. I was pre-sad to leave!!
Yesterday was lovely but wrap up lovely. Today is sun-trap Sunday in the back garden. I say that as it clouds over, the wind picks up and it goes cool. Did I speak too soon?!?!
I’ve not stopped all day. I’ve weeded and picked up branches and leaves, I’ve swept the decking, I’ve washed all of the dog blankets and now must rinse the washing machine before anything else goes through it. It’s HAIRY!!
It’s a proper spring day. The birds have been chirping all day. There was one in particular this morning, that chirped the introduction to the Game of Thrones theme tune. I’ve been singing that all day! 😂
Since I said it was hot it’s been cloudy and cool but I’m still sitting outside.
I feel so at peace in the fresh air. Sundays aren’t always my best day and yet this one has been calm.
I took Calaidh for a walk up the hill and got her to pose next to some daffodils. She’s a good girl…
She’s so pretty!
She’s really thinking let’s get this over with!! We got up to the field at the top of the hill and I freaked as there were two deer 🦌 in the middle of it. I called her and got her on lead but we were up wind of them so she couldn’t smell them thankfully! they didn’t seem that bothered about her either.
She did chase this poor farm cat up a tree on the way home though! Poor wee thing was hanging on for deal like until I got Calaidh on the lead.
I only got a photo as I’m ready for anything when I’m out walking 😂😂😂
So that was the weekend. It’s 5.35pm and I’m sitting outside again. The breeze has picked up and is blowing stuff all over the decking I just swept!
It feels good to have done all that today.
Hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend and for those of you who get Bank Holiday Monday, enjoy your lie in. I will be mostly trying to appreciate the empty roads in the morning!
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.
It’s my day off today and I have zero plans for the next 3 days… nada, diddly squat, nowt.
That usually just opens up before me like a big hole in the ground but despite saying I’ve been freaking out, I’m actually looking forward to the relaxation. It’s been a busy few weeks.
We had a lovely meal last night at The Ship in Irvine. Our table was booked for 6pm coz that’s how we roll these days. It’s a lovely place.
Craig had Cullen Skink for starter and I had garlic mushrooms. Both were lovely.
Craig had fish and chips and I had vegetable pie…. In keeping with my random not eating meat thing.. it was really good.
Pinch my sundae and I’ll punch you. Not quite sure how I captured this random shot but it’s a good one… the dessert is mine.
This is a Tunnocks Ice Cream Sundae.
Tunnocks are a famous Scottish biscuit/cake brand and I have to say it tasted like a Tunnocks Teacake and a snowball all rolled into one!
It’s 1.30pm and I’ve been for a run with Rachel, walked Bhru by myself and walked Khaleesi and Freya with Claire… had a cuppa, tidied the house, hoovered, cleaned, put away washing, marvelled at the sunshine, put two new washings on and had a shower. Then I sat down in the silence and have almost fallen asleep.
The silence is lovely. I’ve only 3 dogs and they are fast asleep.
Showcasing my crochet here. 😂
Rachel and I headed out at 7.30am. It’s a beautiful morning. Here we are running!!
It’s such a lovely morning.
It’s all about the puddle reflections this morning. It must have rained heavily overnight.
There is a tiny reflection in this puddle!
This huge puddle shows how much it’s rained.
Love seeing the sun like this.
Bhru enjoying some one on one!
I headed back home and picked up Claire, Khaleesi & Freya!
We went into Spiers old school grounds and this huge tree has fallen over. As we walked towards it, it looked like a new, muddy pond… then I realised the tree was down and the water is the root bed filling up after the rain.
Freya having a wee chat with Khaleesi.
Freya getting cuddles from her Auntie Claire.
More reflections on the way back.
Claire came in for a cuppa and got kisses from Khaleesi!
So the weather went from warm in the lovely sunshine to torrential rain pretty quickly.
My in-laws came down this afternoon with our nephew this afternoon… to deliver Easter eggs!! We had a lovely catch up.
We also had a guy come out to fix our French doors at the back of the house. For over an hour we had 4 adults and a teenager AND 5 dogs all in one room…. So the guy had free rein to come in and out the house.!
So yeah that’s my Friday. Been a good day.
Hope you all have a great weekend. No Easter break for me as we work Monday but I’m looking forward to the next 2 days to chill.
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!
What’s started as a really slow day, has flown in.
I was up at 7 and out with Bhruic and Freya first thing…. It was SO cold I could hardly feel my fingers or speak properly. I was meant to be running with Rachel but I told her no way 😂😂😂 it was far too cold.
Just after I took these pictures it started to rain and it didn’t stop for ages.
I came back and had coffee with Craig but then saw my neighbour Holly passing, either her dog so I jumped out with Khaleesi and Calaidh. We got soaked!! It’s milder by now but still pouring. We had a great catch up though. It always makes the walk go so much faster.
By the time both dog walks were over, it was only 9.30am and the day loomed before me like a looming thing….. what to do?!?
I changed the bed… clean bed tonight, yay! Dusted and polished the bedroom furniture and hoovered the rest of the house, apart from the dining room and kitchen. I’d been fasting for nearly 19 hours when I realised, so I stopped to eat. By this time it was 11.30am.
I knew mum and dad were popping over to my brothers this afternoon. I also knew that the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier was in the Firth of Forth… I thought under the Forth Rail Bridge, so fancied getting some photos of it. so I decided to head over there at the last minute.
Just before I left Mum called to say the ship was further up the Firth opposite Hopetoun House now, so not quite the same photo opportunity!!
I got over to SQ at 2.18pm…. Having no concept it would take me an hour and 20 minutes from here… not like I haven’t done that journey so many times before! 🤦🏻♀️😂
We jumped in my brother’s car and he took us up to Hopetoun House where I got my photo opportunity!
Not quite as good as I hoped but at least I’ve seen it.
She’s in this photo…. Honest!
A zoom in….
On the other hand there was an excellent view of the 3 Forth Bridges! Albeit quite far away!
Mum caught me in some photos…
This old house is right next to the coast… completely ruined now.
On the drive back up to the house we drove under all 3 bridges… all these next pics taken from the car. My brother was driving.
The new Queensferry Crossing.
The old Forth Road Bridge, only open to buses now.
The iconic Forth Rail Bridge.
We went back for coffee and hot cross buns and had a good chat before I headed home again. Was barely there for 2 hours… it was all so last minute!
I had a lovely drive home so I’m really glad I went out for the afternoon and did something different.
I popped into the pub for an alcohol free pink gin, to see Craig who’d just come home from work and gone in for a pint.
I made some pasta for dinner rather than getting a takeaway. We both really enjoyed it. It’s too easy to order in at the weekend but that adds up.
The Rambling Sloth 🦥 