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

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

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

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

My train is 8.42 out of Glengarnock to Glasgow Central.

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

This is my journey from home up to Stirling.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back into the gardens.

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

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

Love this tunnel.

The front of the Grand Hall.

And this is inside.

With the Queen on her throne. 👸🏻 😂

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

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

The stain glass windows are stunning in the sunlight.

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

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

The flags 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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

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

Now I made them pose!

I love this of Mum wandering around the chapel.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy weekend to you all!

Stay safe everyone 🏰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👸🏻

Day 1428 a wee day trip to Loch Katrine!

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

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

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

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

It was a stunning drive.

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

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

Could that be any prettier?!?

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

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

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

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

It only worked out at just over 4 miles.

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

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

This moss was so vibrant.

I may have disturbed these geese….

Brenachoile Point has views all around the lock.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The loch is 13 miles long.

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

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

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

He’s super cute.

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

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

So a lovely wee day but I am exhausted now!

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

Hope you’re all having a great weekend.

Stay safe everyone 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

Day 1419 work, toenails 💅🏼and pub alcohol restocking!

Well there’s a title and a half eh?!?

I am SO tired today. I didn’t get to bed until at least 11.30pm last night…. On a school night too.

The Hookers on Tour (crochet hookers obvs!) went to see An Officer and a Gentleman in the King Theatre in Glasgow last night. It was SO good. We had great seats in the back row of the Grand Circle…. No one behind us and the grand circle is not too high up and it’s not too busy either. Just perfect…. I’m like Goldilocks wanting everything to be just so…. I’m not a fan of big crowds, or being up in the gods (upper circle) or driving into Glasgow and parking in tight spaces car parks…. So I got to go to the theatre without any of that!! Thanks to Evelyn for driving and taking the strain for us all. She booked the best seats.

The show was just amazing. The music is all big 80’s tunes, just my kind of thing! I couldn’t believe how amazing the hits were and they just kept coming.

In the meantime the village filming of Lockerbie TV drama, went on all evening.

Here are the extras lined up outside our house.

The pub was covered up to keep it dark for filming.

The window in our back garden was blacked out too.

We had stage light in unique living room shining out the window.

There were huge lights lighting up the street.

We had a Ford Sierra parked outside our house… hiding the fact that the lamp post has a fake base. It was plugged into our electricity!!

This was the lamp post when I came home, about three minutes before Craig switched it off for good.

I quite liked it.

No one was allowed to film the controlled explosion to simulate the plane crashing. It’s going to be so interesting to watch the first episode and see how it all comes together.

I got 6 hours sleep.

I took this through the pub window this morning. I loved these wee tables!

The White Horse one last time as I head to work.

It was a beautiful morning and the road was still closed.

If only it could stay like this.

All of our cars were parked in The Gateside Plant Centre.

It was super frosty….. beautiful patterns on the windscreen.

I had to go to Screwfix on the way to work.

The Tartan vans were all frosty too.

So it was a good day at work and it passed quickly and all of a sudden it’s my weekend again! Woo hoo!

I got my toes painted a lovely dark red on the way home, got my eyebrows done and then got back to the village. The road is back open and the pub is being put back together.

The pub now has no name as they wait for a sign writer.

The old sign was too badly damaged on removal.

I’ve been in to help Holly put the pub back to normal. Here it is all empty!

All of the pub stock was in our house so it’s now back in the right place!

It’s 7.45pm and I’m finally sitting down, I could just shut my eyes right now but I’ll give it another hour.

I’m so happy I got to go to the show last night, something really different and there’s a real buzz about the village after the TV crew have been here.

And it’s Thursday night! Woo hoo.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1415 Exmouth to Bournemouth for the night!

Such a lovely surprise, an overnight trip to Bournemouth. Despite the forecast it’s been another beautiful day!

Helen and Anna made pancakes for breakfast and we set off on our magical, mystery tour after 9am.

Here we are in Lyme Regis. our stop along the way.

As you can see the sun has been splitting the skies all weekend. It’s been cold but beautiful.

Looking down to Lyme Regis sandy beach. This is artificially filled with sand and the right hand side, the rest of the beach is stony.

Down at he little harbour looking back up to where we were. Loved the little red boats.

This lifeboat heading out with a bouquet of red roses. Maybe laying a memorial at sea. It was called the Spirit of Loch Fyne. How funny?!?

Loved this yellow fishing boat. 🚤

Seagull on the horizon.

We climbed these very wonky steps to get up on the cobb which is the harbour wall.

I got new trousers in a charity shop yesterday and new snow boats for Iceland in December…. They were reduced from £120 to £49 and they are fully lined with fur, exactly what I’ve been looking for.

Loved all the beach huts down here.

Love the wee peachy pink thatched cottage.

We jumped back in the car and headed along the coast and I still had no idea where we were going…. As we got closer it was either Poole or Bournemouth and I knew we talked about Bournemouth before… and here we are. It was a bit cloudy when we arrived. This is the pier.

And view from it.

That big dark cloud hung around for a half hour or so.

Then we set off on a big walk to the Sandbanks Ferry.

Here we are having a seat watching the Sandbanks Chain Ferry.

With this view when it’s over the other side. Absolutely stunning.

We got the bus back into town. It’s been the most amazing day. Just perfect!! I’m gonna have to pull the cat out the bag when Helen comes up to stay with me in August! No pressure!

We’ve just been out to a Greek Restaurant called The Real Green. The food was amazing…

The walk back to the hotel was lovely too. I’ve done 24,999 steps.

I’m gonna take a shower and collapse into bed. It’s 8.42pm.

Shattered but still buzzing from the experience!

Off on the bus to Swanage tomorrow!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1414 Exmouth to Sidmouth by Stagecoach bus!

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

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

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

This bus one was one of my contracts.

Stagecoach selfie!

So yeah… off to Sidmouth.

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

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

The ford was closed as it was too fast flowing.

We are the two shadows on the left 😂😂

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

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

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

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

All of this is what makes me tick.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1413 a lovely walk from Exmouth to Topsham for lunch

As suspected the flight was absolutely fine and all anxiety was gone by the time I landed.

It was such a clear night. This is us over Bristol.

I slept like a log! We got to bed about 11.30pm last night after Helen met me in Bristol and we drove back down to Exmouth.

Woke at 6.33am and back to sleep until 8.33am (what is it with the 33’s?!?!)…. When someone called me and woke me up… now who would do such a thing?!? Surely not Craig 😂😂😂

Anyway, it was worth it as it got me up and moving!

By the time we showered and had hot cross buns for breakfast if was after 11am before we got out.

This was the planned walk today from Exmouth to Topsham.

If you follow the black railway, that’s exactly what we did… I took this at the “you are here” sign.

The tide was in, in the estuary for the whole walk.

Here we are setting off.

We’ve done nearly 26k steps today!!

This bench was a memorial to Joanna O’Toole. Here’s the link to the FB Joanna O’Toole Foundation. She dedicated her life to saving animals around the world and died on Ethiopan Ailrines Flight ET302 on 10th March 2019. She was only 37 years old. So sad…. A beautiful bench modelled by Helen!

It was lovely weather with a few rain showers along the way. Much better than forecast.

TRAIN!!!

Lympstone Village is almost half way and is really beautiful with tiny streets. Don’t know how you would get your weekly shop to your front door!!!

We walked along the beach.

And saw this lovely boat. I love the colours.

Someone lives here!!!

Train AND rainbow.

Thatched roof, so very typically English.

The sea on the estuary is all churned up just now, full of sand.

We had a wee seat on a wee bench. I seem to be rocking a combe over 😂😘

The clouds came over just in time for lunch!

Topsham was lovely too. Lots of money in those houses too!! again… with the parking?!? I couldn’t live here 😂😂

But it was very beautiful!

Met this wee guy!

Then we went to The Café in Topsham and had avocado toast.

AND clotted cream scones.

We got the train back to Exmouth. I was too full to walk anywhere!

The tide is out in the estuary but the reflections are lovely. All of these are taken from the train window!

We then went to visit Helen’s eldest daughter and her grandson before he went to his first school disco. He was all dressed up as Spider-Man bless him, such a cutie.

We then went for another walk down the harbour.

The heaven’s opened after this so we headed back to the house.

We now have our feet up on the couch with Helen’s youngest daughter and we’re having a girls night in watching movies!

I’ll be asleep in an hour. 😂😂

Off to Sidmouth tomorrow.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1409 a lovely sunny Monday! ☀️☀️☀️

I’ve been so giddy today… giggly, excitable, saying the wrong words, tripping over stuff but mostly laughing…. I’m still on a dolphin high.

I slept well, though I had bad stomach cramp when I woke up.

The voice in my head started the anxiety spin…. it was so bad that I should phone in sick, I needed a day in bed. I made myself feel worse, creating drama around it… how would I manage the day when I felt like this, what if I cried… (like, no one would even be shocked by now but still that worried me 🤦🏻‍♀️😂)

I switched off the alarm, got out of bed and got on with my day and managed it just fine. I haven’t felt great. My head is thumping too but I’ve had a great day, despite how I’ve felt.

The snow moon was lovely this morning.

😂😂😂😂😂

It looked lovely, honest.

We’ve had a crazy day at Tartan HQ. It was super busy. Lots of people coming and going. No time to finish one thing before the next thing started… but it was all good.

I felt proud of the way I handled things that would have sent me into a tailspin normally. I felt happy and calm.

It has been an absolutely stunning day today. Pure blue sky and a huge ball of sunshine… and some warmth. We actually had the door to the portacabin open ALL afternoon. It was cold but it really felt like spring. It was lovely.

I’ve also had a couple of massive coincidences today which have made me smile. A chat with a couple about de-icer and they opened the door to their van and a 5l tub of de-icer fell out… we all laughed!

Looking for a particular spoon in the dishwasher in the dark… I put my hand in and lifted it straight out without even trying.

I love stuff like that. Makes me grin.

I stayed at work tonight to wash Bertie the Beetle for the first time. It looks like a new car!

It was a lovely sunset when I went to leave at 5.45.

So a good day. I have 3 sleeping pups at my feet with the 4th one hiding somewhere else and I will definitely be getting an early night. Story of my life eh?! 😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1408 a lovely Sunday still high on the dolphin buzz 🐬🐬🐬🐬

The dolphins are my top emoji. Figures.

I’m still buzzing from yesterday. My dolphin reel on FB has had 1.6k views which is a loads more than any other reel I have done.

It still only has 29 likes though but we can’t have everything 😂😂😂

I have literally just seen a FB post that said travel now, don’t put it off, don’t use money as the excuse as you will always find a way, life is short…..

I laughed as Craig walked in the living room and he asked what was funny….. I’m seeing this everywhere…. I thought I’d saved it…. It’s not there now. I can’t find it anywhere.

How strange.

So I’ve had a lovely day today.

I slept like a log and stayed in bed for a while. I spent an hour and a half clearing out photos on my phone. I went from 61.940 photos to 60,192 and videos from 1580 to 1509… I have a ways to go! 😂😂😂

I spent a bit of time on my Clever Fox self care journal. I’ve not been able to look at it while I felt low.

So back at it today and looking forward to reviewing my day.

I am so grateful that I got to see the dolphins yesterday. It was such a special trip.

It’s really lifted my mood and given me purpose again.

I’ve written a list of all the trips and events that I have booked or planned this year. Instead of thinking I have so few holidays to take,

I’ve added all of my Friday days off onto my holidays and in 2024 I have 73 days holiday. Now how amazing is that?!?!?

We had a trip out to B&Q today and I was treated to a vegan KFC 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 we just wanted a quick fix but I couldn’t order the chicken. The meal wasn’t the best but it also wasn’t the worst. You shouldn’t really expect a company that specialises in chicken to have mastered the art of veggie or vegan food. Not sure what’s going on there but I’m still not wanting meat.

We actually went out into the garden for a bit…. I swept the decking which was so badly needing done. I should have taken a before…

We sat out on the deck for a bit and I listened to the sound of the birds. It’s was so still and quiet and the birdsong was lovely.

I am calm.

It’s so lovely to be calm after the last few weeks of anxiety.

My trip yesterday was the perfect medicine.

I may just leave you with some dolphins… be rude not to. 😂

There are still another 900 off to go but yesterday’s were definitely the best.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1407 Dolphin Spotting with Clyde Charters 🐬🐬🐬🐬

Wow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

😳

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

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

Here’s our boat!

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

Puppy and dolphins?!?! Dream day.

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

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

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

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

The docks had some stunning reflections.

What a truly magical day.

A real bucket list tick ✅

Memories for a lifetime. ✅

Wow.

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

🐬🐬🐬🐬

Stay safe everyone 💙💙💙

Day 1406 a lovely Friday day off 🌧️ ❄️ ☀️

I’ve had a lovely wee day to myself.

The best sleep again…. It was just the best, from 10 through to 7am. Not a blink in the night.

I felt really refreshed and ready to start my dog walk Friday.

First up a dog jog with Bhru in the rain. Bless her wee face.

Next up Calaidh and Freya. It wasn’t pouring with rain this time. We walked mostly but we did jog for a bit.

They had a good run about in the field.

They love my new dry trainers.

I saw my first daffodil.

The Khaleesi’s turn.

Spooky trees through a Mali’s ears. ♥️

We saw this lovely rainbow.

It was only minutes before we were hammered with hailstones. Poor Khaleesi was petrified.

We got back home and dried off… we were drenched.

I got ready and headed up to Asda for a food shop. Not been to Asda in years. I got lots of veggies and vegan food. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I’m just not into meat just now at all.

I came home, put the shopping away and made two pots of lentil soup. One with bacon and one without. Check me.

I know fine well I will probably end up eating the one with meat too!

The sun came out and I spent a half hour outside with the dogs… it was warm in the sunshine.

I made little videos of them. I shouted one of them to come while the other 3 stood still. Calaidh was the only one that broke ranks when she shouldn’t have but only because it’s all about the ball for her. 🎾

Oh I also decided to book one of the Waverley cruises. I’d been looking at a 3 day cruise…

I wanted to do the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday but I can’t get accommodation in Kyle of Lochalsh AT all.

So that meant I could only do the Monday. So it’s all booked. Gonna be a VERY long day from 7am to 10.45pm… and that’s without the drive to and from the Glasgow Science Centre! That said… I’m soooo looking forward to it. I should start to list all the things I have planned this year to remind me of how many exciting things I am doing.

So it’s been a good day, I’ve enjoyed myself. I’m calm and relaxed and looking forward to my wee dolphin 🐬 trip tomorrow. The forecast is very cold but sunny.

Currently typing this with a Bhruic on my knee….

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1401 who’d a thunk it and a roundup of stats!

On day 1359 I put out my blog as usual… the next day I called it day 1400 and only a few people noticed… I had NO idea why I had just jumped 40 days. Thanks to clever Rachel two doors down for making me realise I wasn’t crazy… on the 24 hour clock 1400hours comes straight after 1359!! Duh…. 🙄 😂

I usually do a stats roundup on the significant days of the blog. There was way too much to talk about yesterday. I still can’t get my head around the fact that I have written this for almost every single one of these 1401 days… give or take.

It helps my head so much.

It challenges my head on the days I can’t talk about something that’s really bothering me.

But most of all, it’s a blessing to be able to think through my day and make sense of it.

I’m feeling so much calmer after Kinesiology last week. We have taken the sting out of the urgency for change. I am back in alignment for now.

I have a great life. I have a lovely husband and 4 lovely dogs. We have a lovely house and live in a lovely village and I have the luxury of only working 4 days a week. I used to dream of that kind of freedom.

I used to dream of the job I would have and now I have it.

There are days when all of that implodes on me and creates so much stress that I just want to run and hide.

I expect FAR too much of myself and yet I’m proud of that as that is what makes me, me.

I have done all of this with the help of counselling and Kinesiology and the support of everyone around me.

And most of all because I refuse to give into it.

1,871 days without alcohol
1,271 days without anti depressants although always consider them when it gets bad
467 on HRT, not really sure what this has done for me but hey, I’ll keep on.
413 fasting, my newest fad ( I say that and I recognise I’m pretty committed when I settle on something 😂)

So why have I learned in the last 100 days… hmmmm I’ve had some tough days but still nothing like I experienced before. I think there’s always the fear that I will head back down there. Maybe I’m really not a fan of winter.

I’m not missing the van at all, that surprises me but also helps me to know I made the right decision selling her. I’m super excited to explore again in 2024 and I’m so looking forward to some sunshine.

I will miss campsites randomly…. There’s a lovely camaraderie between campers. I will miss that, just not enough to keep running a van. Sure I can get a wee tent if I miss it too much. 😂

I’m feeling really good today. Positive about the future. Grateful for everything that I have and grateful to finally be calm and not want to head for the hills.

I want to explore the whole world and experience the cultures everywhere. I know that I will get to do this and will enjoy every minute of it… it just doesn’t have to happen tomorrow.

So back to today… a run with Calaidh this morning in my new trainers. DRY FEET!!! Yay. Calaidh approves.

When I got home we went to Mocha Jak’s for brunch.

I had the Honey, Pesto & Walnut Avocado Stack which is new! It was really lovely.

Back home and Craig watched the football while I had a wee rest and watched some episodes of Manifest on the iPad, lying on the bed.

I then took Freya out a walk. She’s chuffed with the trainers too.

I did some training with her, she’s a good girl.

It’s been a lovely sunny day. It started to rain when I walked Freya but it’s the first day I’ve been out with a sweatshirt and a bodywarmer and not felt frozen. ☀️

So yeah, 1.401 days…. Bring it on the rest.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1378 the day of 800* dog walks prone to exaggeration

It’s 5.15pm and I’m over 20k steps already…. Some days I can barely scrape 2k so that’s not bad going.

I had a great sleep and met Rachel two doors down at 8.20am for our weekly run. (Forgot to write about it last week but we have done it every week in January!)

We ran a bit further this week so I was really pleased. It’s “only” 2 miles but that’s 2 miles more than I did in the last 6 months!! how red do I look?!?

We had to take Craig’s car to the garage for its service and then I started walking the millions* of dogs we now own.

It was actually a lovely morning. Cold but dry and sunny.

First up Calaidh and Bhruic.

The burn’s quite full after all the rain.

Bhru is checking it out.

Back home and swapped them for Freya. Did a bit of recall training with her.

She’s really good when she’s on her own with no distractions.

Wee sweetie… she’s still my baby!

The low winter sun makes everything look lovely. Only downside is my big shadow in the photo.

Back home and swapped for Khaleesi.

She had a lovely walk.

We caught this lovely rainbow as the rain was heading over, thankfully I missed the shower!

The cloud was low hanging with only a little bit of blue on the horizon as it came over.

Still no rest for the wicked 😂 when I got home I tidied the kitchen, put on a washing and filled the dishwasher.

I found one of my favourite socks…… this is it on my hand with the culprit… showing her what she has done!! Mum can you darn it?!?!? 😂 that’s me asking my mum, not Calaidh asking me…. Standing joke some of the socks we’ve asked mum to darn!!

When Craig came home from work we picked his car back up and headed to Mocha Jak’s for lunch. I had the avocado stack!

I then went down the little gift shop and spent about an hour chatting to Gayle. As you do. It’s looking soooo lovely just now.

Back home and into the pub and we’re both on alcohol free! Craig’s done so well with Dry January. He’s made it look so easy.

So home now…. I’ve been a bit antsy today. A lot of my day has felt like a chore and at times I’ve stopped myself and thought, be in the present moment and enjoy what you are doing right now. That’s really helped. I feel like I need “NOW” tattooed on my hand to remind me.

My knees have been great since last Friday. They’re ok ish today so will see how they are tonight after all those steps. They are not stopping me from doing anything which is the main thing!

So happy Friday night and enjoy your weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1358 kayaking in the Firth of Clyde from the Largs Pencil to Hunterston Pier and back! 🛶🛶

What an amazing day. Oh my word…. Just out of this world.

I am SHATTERED writing this but that could be because I had to sleep on the couch again last night due to my bad knee…. And the fact that Lindsay and I have kayaked 10.7K today from the Largs Pencil to Fairlie Pier, Fairlie, Hunterston Pier and beyond… then back.

It’s been a beautiful day, wall to wall sunshine and a real warmth to the sun, time spent with the best mentor and great chat!!

Now I’d like you to take the time to read this and remember that it’s only a few years since I sat in Gran’s chair and could barely manage to shower, clean my teeth or walk the dogs.

Here I am this morning in my dry suit! (This was gifted to me by a random lady we met in Castle Semple car park in Lochwinnoch, saving me about £300!)

We parked at Largs Marina and got the kayaks all ready to go. That’s the Largs Pencil in the distance, with the Largs ferry a tiny dot on the horizon!

The sun was so low we couldn’t see a thing to take this photo but apart from a lot of teeth, it work out fine! 😂

The sea was like a millpond.

I’ve missed this beautiful weather so much over the last few months.

It was actually quite warm in the sun.

Following Lindsay! She’s a great teacher and has all the safety equipment to keep me safe. This is my first time in the sea and the sea is not to be taken lightly.

We kayaked carefully, past the entrance to Largs Marina and carried on down to the Fairlie Pier.

And went right under it!

And out the other side!

We stopped for lunch on Fairlie Beach.

It was just beautiful.

Had to get the obligatory kayak photo in the water! That’s the isle of Great Cumbrae in the foreground to the right, Little Cumbrae to the left and Arran in the background.

Looking back to Fairlie as we leave.

We watched two tugs move this massive barge, full of large rocks, over to Great Cumbrae, to help build its flood defences.

Now heading to the Hunterston Pier.

Lindsay got some photos of me, just to prove I did it!

How beautiful is this?!?!? The view…. Not me 😂

We came back under both piers.

Honestly I have another million photos but these were some of the best.

I have had THE most amazing day. It’s not lost on me that for so long I thought life, as I knew it, was over.

My life is SO much better than it ever was. I have ALWAYS wanted to kayak out in the sea. We never knew Lindsay and Euan back then. Now we do, and they are so kind to lend us their equipment and help teach me.

Lindsay was so patient and safety conscious…. There’s not need to be scared. I was slighly anxious last night but absolutely buzzing ALL day today.

Life changes in ways you will never believe it possible.

It’s important to keep believing that.

If it’s bad for you just now, just be patient and try to be as grateful as you can, for all that you currently have.

Stay safe everyone 🛶♥️🛶

Day 1335 a beautiful misty morning of dog walks and the Christmas tree is up 🎄

I had a lovely wee evening to myself last night. Stayed wrapped up and kept topping up the fires in the dining room and sun room. By 9pm I’d taken my hat off…. Was feeling the heat!

I watched two really good movies….. I chose…. Wisely. 😂 quoting Indiana Jones 😂

I slept right through to Calaidh barking around 6,30 and managed to snooze until 8am.

We still have snow but it’s really misty today. I started dog walks before 9 and finished just before 12pm!! I’m sitting here wondering why I am absolutely shattered…. 😬😂😂 maybe that’s why!!!

I took Bhru out diets. Her walk was the best as the clouds cleared to give some dramatic sunshine, while the mist kept swirling around.

We went into Spiers Old School Grounds.

My favourite gate of all gates.

By the time I got out with Calaidh it had all misted over and showed no signs of clearing.

By this time Craig was home from his brothers so we headed up to the Gateside Plant Centre across the road, to get our Christmas tree.

I had to jump in the sled 🛷

We got a beautiful tree!!!

It’s almost too pretty to decorate.

As challenging as it is to get 3 dogs wearing scarves, in front of the Christmas tree…. Try 4!!!

Cala8dh shouldn’t be in the dark scarf and poor Khaleesi looks like she’s wearing a shawl!!! I may try this again sometime but for a first pass it will do.

Not happy about this scarf malarkey but loving the treats… s’pose it was worth it for that!

I feel absolutely shattered today. I had so much I wanted to do as it’s my only day in the house….. but I feel like an exhausted dead weight. I had a shower, got Christmas jammies on and went to bed for an hour and half and was out for the count. I’m still tired. I have lost all of my oomph. When I lie down my knee starts thumping like I’m forcing it to lie at the wrong angle…. I still fall asleep.

I always start to panic in December that I’m running out of time when I haven’t really thought about presents yet.

I guess that’s ok. I need to allow myself to rest. Not felt this way for a good wee while. Again… I guess that’s ok. This too shall pass.

Still no heating but I’ve definitely adjusted to the temperature. It’s cold but it’s bearable and layerable 😂😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1331 something satisfying about that number isn’t there?

Sometimes the day numbers really make me stop and think about how many blogs I have actually written! I’ve started going onto my website www.theramblingsloth.com and reading some of my old posts. It’s like they’ve been written by someone else. She makes me laugh sometimes 😂😂

Anyhoo….. there is precious little to say today other than I am very appreciative of life at the moment.

It’s been another freezing cold, beautiful sunny day. The drive to work was even more special today. I was earlier than I had been the last few days and yet the sky was more pretty.

Work was good and I had to be home for Kinesiology and I’ve “graduated” again…. I’ve decided that I don’t need to book a further session just now as I finally feel like my ducks are almost in a row.

This ♥️

I have always been a person who lived in the future…. While feeing sad and regretting my past.

My life isn’t perfect at the moment. Things still go wrong. I still overreact. I still plan for the worst case scenario sometimes.

I laugh as I leave work in the morning with the biggest bag. I have shoes to change into in case it rains and a big coat, hat and gloves in case it gets even colder. I mean there’s no such things as being caught out is there?!?! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

In the last week or so I have felt an overwhelming calm.

I am content.

I am happy.

I’m sure Percy the Devil will fart in my face once again for that comment…. 😂😂 Blackadder reference 😂😂 but hey, it’s true.

When I remebered I had kinesiology tonight, I couldn’t think of one thing to talk about. If I scraped the bottom of the barrel, it would be feeling anxious about walking 3 dogs at once, sometimes.

So I’m exhausted after my session tonight, it’s amazing what comes up when you think you have nothing.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without my Health Kinesiology sessions. It’s been my lifeline over the last 5 years. Thanks to the lovely Shelagh and Angela for their direction and guidance. ♥️

So yeah…. Excited to see what the future holds. It’s always there for me if I need it.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1330 a beautifully cold, sunny day!

I have to admit that I am wrapping Khaleessi up like a baby when she goes to bed at night…. I never thought I would be that person. I’m worried she gets cold 😳😬😂 here’s Bhru trying to get some of the action last night 😂

She was gonna sleep over but decided to go to her own bed at the last minute!

I had a VERY hot night. I went to bed with straight hair and woke up like I’d been dragged through a hedge backwards!

The sheets were soaking wet! It’s obviously a hormonal thing. The house wasn’t warm at all.

While I’ve been having a lovely time of it these last few weeks, my hormones have been really playing up. Is it socially acceptable to have hold the weight of your chest every time you get up from your desk?!? Asking for a friend obviously….. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 😂😂 honestly it’s been agony. I tried ibuprofen today and it didn’t touch it. It’s waking me up every time I move in bed… not for long just long enough to get comfy again. Hey ho… the trials of being peri-menopausal.

So for those of you who are squirming now… it’s just photos from here on in 😂

Scraping the heavy frost by the light of the moon this morning.

So thankful I’m not having to scrape the van anymore!

Team scraping Claire’s car!

It was another stunning drive to work.

Then all of a sudden I spotted this red sky.

Later on the sun came up and it was a beautiful day.

I had another lovely Tupperware tub salad for lunch today…. Rocket, Bavarian ham, Mexicana cheese, cracked black pepper cheese, tomato, celery, spring onions, pumpkin seeds and olive oil!

Unfortunately I then ate 4 of boss man’s chocolate digestives, in quick succession!

When I left tonight the sky was lovely again.

And the moon was just out of this world. NONE of these photos actually do it justice. I hope you’ve all been able to see it for yourself. It was a massive orange ball in the sky tonight. I stopped by the river in Drybridge on the way home from work.

This is the view of the sunset opposite where I stood.

I stopped again closer to home. 🌕

I could live life without wind and rain… very easily. This is lovely weather. Sunny cold and crisp during the day. Just perfect.

A lovely end to the day.

Have a lovely evening.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1327 a lovely sunny Saturday with another trip to Largs !

What a beautiful day!

It was such a heavy frost this morning…. -4°C when I left for the little gift shop. It was so cold but a beautiful, clear sky day.

I actually had a lie in until 8am. Can’t remember the last time I managed that. Turns out Craig was up with Calaidh at 2.30am….

I heard nothing!

She was barking and he shouted at her a couple of times to go back to bed , WHILE LYING RIGHT BESIDE ME….. nothing. That amazes me.

This was the view out the window when I woke up. Ignore the scabby sky dish!

Khaleesi enjoyed her first hard frost…. Think she’s jumping up thinking jeezo this is baltic!!

The little gift shop was really busy and I came back up the road for a bowl of soup in front of the wood burning stove… all sounds super cosy as lovely doesn’t it! 😂 there’s 4 excited dogs bounding around in the midst of all that!

When Craig came home from work, we headed back to Largs for fish and chips The Fish Works in Largs. Yes I had just eaten but I wasn’t missing this for anything.

When Craig asks me what I want to do… I ALWAYS suggest this… but he drives every day with work so doesn’t want to go back out. I’m so chuffed he wanted to go today and we had a lovely fish and chips!!

Largs is so different from yesterday…. So still and calm.

There are no photos of the restaurant, or their food…. We ate outside and you have to be very careful with the seagulls!!

The fish and chips really are exceptional. I had lemon sole and Craig had battered king prawns 🍤 (who knew there was a prawn emoji?!?)

It’s not like a standard chippy and nothing is greasy. I can’t recommend it enough!

We went for a wee walk after the food. So I could take some photos… obviously!

I should say it’s only 3.30pm!

It was just beautiful!

Speaking of beautiful…. The Aurora is just kicking off in the UK tonight…. How much do I actually want to see it though, I can’t bring myself to get wrapped back up and get out there. I want it to come to my back garden to save me the bother! Still way too much light pollution for that….

On the way back from Largs I got my trusty Co-pilot to take photos of the moon as it was massive and so low in the sky.

I commented that it looked like we were on Tattooine. (Star Wars!)

He was awfy proud of me!! Star Wars wife!

You can just about see it above the trees on this photo. I’d have obviously got a better shot than this but I take that I can get 😂😂😂😘

We went into the pub for a couple when we got home. I had 0% Whitley Neil raspberry “gin”. Very nice.

This was the moon when I walked the 10 steps back to the house. You can see the frost on the roof too.

Have a lovely Saturday evening!

I’m kayaking with Lindsay in the morning and I am beyond excited. I have ALWAYS wanted to learn to kayak. 🛶 I’m hoping this will open up a whole new world on the water.

Stay safe everyone 🛶🌅🛶

Day 1319 my 51st birthday 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😬🙄😂😘

How did that last year pass so quickly?

How can I be 51 already?

I have to say I’m feeling all the love today.

It’s 4pm and I have had the loveliest day so far.

There have been tears.

Shocker.

I’ve had a lot of anxiety about my birthday… wanting it to be different and yet not knowing what I wanted to do. After weeks of discussion Craig finally came up with perfect day…. As he does often, to snap me out of my anxious thoughts.

Awake at 5.50…. Not the plan.

Presents by 8am.

I’ve been overwhelmed with the lovely gifts I’ve received.

Also the lovely cards and words that I have from people.

We headed down to The Little Coffee Caravan….. I have not been there in so long. They remembered me, we had such a good chat and Donna asked me if I’d lost weight!! Amazing customer service. We bought filled rolls and cake to take canoeing 🛶 this morning.

We went to Castle Semple Loch in Lochwinnoch this time. What an amazing morning.

I could write war and peace about my day but actually I want to go and get ready for dinner as we’re heading back out to Gro Coffee for dinner… I’ll have been there twice in one week but I do love it.

So I’ll just dump a whole lot of shots.

Thanks to everyone for everything. When you fee your life hangs by a thread of emotions at times, precious sentiment and moments mean the world.

Oh and thanks to Lindsay and Euan for lending us the canoe again!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1313 Remembrance Day 2023 🌺

I went to visit Beith’s remembrance memorial this morning. I took my breath away.

A lovely lady in Beith made all of these. I can’t tell you how lovely it is to spend some time among them and I probably thought more of Remembrance Day than I ever have. It made everything seem so much more real.

I think this one is my favourite out of them all.

Sadly one of them is no longer there. Either stolen by people or I prefer to think, foxes.

It’s a super frosty and cold morning but as the sun rises, it’s calm and there’s a warmth in the sun. It’s a very poignant tribute.

Beith Auld Kirk as a beautiful building in its own right.

I had already been out with the 3 OG puppers as soon as it got light this morning.

It’s still quite icy at this time of the morning, I don’t know if you can see it in the photo. The sky was stunning and full of promise for a sunny day.

I went to the little gift shop today to help Gayle plan for some of the Christmas events she’s doing this year. She’s changed the shop since last week!

It just smells so lovely.

By the time I got home it was about 1.30 and I’d planned loads of housework.

The sun is so lovely I felt like I should do something outside and yet i don’t want to shut the dogs back in again…. So I’m outside and lit my very own fire pit… I’m sitting here by myself… if you are ever by yourself with 4 dog….. and I’m enjoying the sunshine with the extra heat of a wee bonfire. It’s just bliss.

It was a wee bit smokey to start with but only because the stuff in the bottom is still wet…. Note from Craig for future reference.

Oh I must see if I can link the Scottish Dog Behaviourist YouTube page as he’s posted a video of Khaleesi on a lovely walk the other day. It’s so cute. He’s so good at creating video content. I could watch this for days… here goes. Khaleesi at Loch Shore.

Fingers crossed that works!

I’m just sitting here listening to old tunes on Spotify, adding wood to the fire as we go.

Had a lovely chat with my mother in law there and now Craig’s home!

Happy Saturday night y’all.

Stay safe everyone 🔥🔥🔥

Day 1312 a lovely day trip to Edinburgh Castle with Mum & Dad 🏰

A super frosty, foggy early start this morning, catching the train to Edinburgh to meet Mum and Dad for the day.

It’s 8.51pm and I’m already north of Glasgow on the train. The freezing fog still hasn’t lifted. It’s like pea soup. 😂

I’m half an hour early I think, but I booked my ticket through Trainline. Last time I travelled to Edinburgh it was £41. This time it was £25.90 because I booked in advance. I also upgraded to allow me to take any train today. I think that was an extra £3 or so. It was well worth it… hence the being half an hour early.

And just like that the sun burns through the fog just outside Falkirk. If you zoom in you can see a bank of fog in the distance. It’s going to be a beautiful day… didn’t bring sunglasses either. 😎

You can see the heavy frost in the foreground of this photo.

Crossing the viaduct.

I have arrived!

I went for a wander as I was a half hour early. It’s the most beautiful day now.

I met Mum and Dad up the top of Cockburn Street.

We decided to head straight up to the castle.

It’s so nice to see it without the Edinburgh Tattoo scaffolding on the Esplanade.

Edinburgh is so much quieter than the last time mum and I were here during the Festival.

I say that and there were a LOT of people I the Castle during the middle of the day.

Looking down to the east end of Princes Street and the Wallace Monument.

The one o’clock gun!

St Margaret’s Chapel.

Mons Meg.

When we were wee this was kept inside. It’s obviously been preserved enough to bring it back outside.

We stood up here to watch Edinburgh’s 1o’clock gun go off. Even when you know it’s coming, you still get a fright.

This is fired every day except Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day, to let ships in the Firth of Forth know what time it is.

Here is Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags… the crags aren’t particularly visible due to the sun but if you zoom in you might see them.

I’m sorry but does this gold roof not remind you of something?!? 💩

You can see they are setting up for the Christmas Markets down in Princes Street Gardens. Think it opens next weekend.

I have so many more photos but I think I might break WordPress. 😂

I love this shot of us leaving the castle… the longest legs in the shadows!

We were SO lucky with the weather. It’s been very cold but a beautiful day. It’s so lovely to make these memories together, rather than sitting around inside a house.

I even got a nice shot in Edinburgh Waverley.

It’s dark now and I’m just north of Glasgow again where the blog started.

Thanks to mum and dad for such a lovely day.

Happy weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️🏰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿