Me Time

This blog is inspired by a very good friend of mine, she will remain nameless but she'll know who she is.  Like many of us she is crazy busy and is definitely the sort of person about whom you could say "she'll do anything for anyone" but, also like many of us, the one person she rarely does anything for is herself.

We've all been there, racing around trying to do a million things at once then wondering why we feel so frazzled.  In an era where long hours and stressed out lives are worn like a badge of honour taking a day out to focus on yourself seems sinful; like somehow you're failing, or not trying hard enough.  "I've had a long day" you say. "Hah! You think *you've* had a long day - wait till you hear about mine!" comes the reply, and so the competition begins.

Well, today I had a "me" day and I don't even feel a little bit guilty, so there! I'm working in Edinburgh in the morning so instead of working all day on projects at home and arriving late this evening, I got an early train and enjoyed a flipping big yomp around the city (not everyone's idea of a fun day, but it was MY day & I loved it!).

I munched my favourite chocolates, made my squash extra strong and instead of reheating the pot of homemade chilli I brought with me I ate it cold, from the tub, whilst sat on Portobello beach - something that definitely would NOT have happened had my lovely husband been with me.

Working hard is fine, but so is taking time out to recharge your batteries. In fact it's essential - and particularly challenging for the self employed where the notion of a regular working week flew out the window some time ago.

In my non-writing life I deliver courses on time management and stress management and it's sad to see how many people are missing out on time with loved ones, or doing things they love, because of being tied to an office (or smartphone!) So, do yourself a favour, over the next 7 days take some time out to focus on you - even if it's just an hour - I promise the world won't end, and it may just do you some good.

Happy Old Year

Have you ever noticed how sometimes life seems to be a competition?  One thing which has struck me this year is how eager people seem to be to compare and compete on levels of misery - "I work longer hours than you do", "I had less sleep than you did", "I'm more stressed than you are" - and being happy and relaxed can feel like a bit of a crime, as if you're not doing something properly.

Someone once said to me that they "wish they had a stress free life" like we did - well I hate to shatter that illusion but although we don't work the regular 9-5pm we really are incredibly busy and there are plenty of times when we are very stressed - usually when another book deadline is approaching, and we have two of them in the next 12 weeks - eek!

On the upside there are many, many times when we're incredibly busy and not stressed at all - I love the fact that we get to work together and spend lots of time together exploring the outdoors - for me that's what life is all about.  I would absolutely hate a life where we both went off to different offices 5 days a week, enduing a long commute and only seeing each other at evenings and weekends when we'd most likely be tired and snappy - there's no job title or salary that can compensate for spending time with Steve and having fun.  (Of course I do drive him nuts on many occasions and he's probably quite pleased to see the back of me when I head off on one of my work trips to the far end of the country!)

So, here's my round up of this year's adventures - it's not a competition at all but if it were I absolutely and sincerely hope that you have had a 2017 that was happier and more fun than ours and that 2018 is lined up to be even better.  As Helen Keller said "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all"

January

Beautiful afternoon in the Langdale valley

Tarn Hows looking stunning

Slightly ethereal Grizedale Forest

February

Getting grubby in Leighton Moss

Getting the cover shot for 50 Gems of Cumbria

Work trip to Edinburgh

March

Discovered the finest picnic bench in Cumbria

First Delores trip of the year - Whitely Bay

Finding fabulous footpaths in Foxfield

April

Pretty buildings in Cambridge

Perfect day for one of our favourite walks - High Cup Nick

First visit of the year to Dunbar

May

Dune jumping at Sandscale

Plotting adventures on Scout Scar

Solo trip to New England Bay to get some writing done!

June

Fell in love with the Falkirk Wheel

First visit to Aaron

Celebrating my big 5-0 at my favourite distillery

July

Gorgeous evening swimming & BBQing at Easedale Tarn

Our first attempt at Kayaking - didn't all in!  Result!

(Steve pointed out the typo in the caption above, but I told him there was no F in fall... 😉 )

Another swim & BBQ - this time Grizedale

August

Surprise view looking predictably gorgeous

Breathtaking hike around Ennerdale

My favourite discovery - the village of Wreay

September

Day 1 of our Spirit Trail hike - before the rains set in...

Magnificent view...

Wordsworth's House, Cockermouth

October

Back to Dunbar for a work assigment

Blackpool illuminations

Cycling fun around Thirlmere

November

Work trip to Liverpool

Exploring Grizedale by electric bike

Great Gable service of remembrance

December

Exploring the Lune Valley

Home made Christmas Wreath
(thanks to Crumble Cottages!)

Finding solitude after a busy Christmas

HAPPY 2018 from both of us!  

50 Favourite UK Views

I have recently celebrated my 50th birthday (eek!) so I thought I'd celebrate with my personal 50 favourite views in the UK - we're lucky enough to have our (t)rusty motorhome Delores (15 years old this year!) and have made the most of her touring all over mainland UK.

This blog is also prompted by that fact that I've spoken with a few people over the past couple of months who have said things along the lines of "we've explored lots of places in the world but have never explored Britain/ never been to Scotland/ not really done the staycation thing" so, if that's you, here's what you're missing out on.

1. Windermere - because I just love the colours in this picture.

2. Durness - The first of many Scottish photos - just look at the stunning beaches

3. Bamburgh Castle - we love a good castle and they don't come much better than this.

4. Craigievar Castle - although this one is pretty darned gorgeous too!

5. Knightshayes - t'other end of the country and utterly stunning!

6. Lands End - well, while we're down there...

7. Monsal Head (Derbyshire) - we spend a lot of time on the coast but not so much inland. Need to fix that.

8. Hampden Stadium Glasgow - an odd one I know but I was in the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and it was an incredible experience - this is the view from the pitch with all the athletes.

9.  Arundel Castle - yes I know it's another castle, but it's very pretty!

10. Blackpool Illuminations - because I LOVE them!

 

11. Sun setting behind Arran - glass of wine just out of shot...

12. Brecon Beacons - yes it may rain here, but it wouldn't be gloriously green if it didn't!

13. The view from Ingleborough - when we first moved here I decided I wanted to hike "that big flat topped mountain over there".  😀

14. Royal Pavilion, Brighton - because it is mad and magnificent all at the same time

15. Kielder Water - great cycling, great art, great views

16. Skara Brae - Orkney is a spectacular island and these remains are better preserved than I am!

17. Gigha - a different Scottish Island but more stunning beaches - and we went swimming!

18. Farne Islands - love the colours of the sea

19. Blea Tarn on a beautiful evening

20. Whitley Bay - turns out I was pronouncing it all wrong!

21. Cadair Idris - Snowdon is awesome, Cadair is awesome and quieter...

22. Fleet Pond, Hampshire - we used to live near here

23. Mull of Galloway Lighthouse - this whole area is utterly stunning

24. Manchester Town Hall - such a beautiful building

25. The statue in St Pancras - always loved this statue, and the station roof (odd I know!)

26. Bittern at Leighton Moss - took us years to spot it!

27. Rainbows - we wouldn't have them without rain!

28. Abbeystead Reservoir - how pretty is this?

29. Malham Cove - keeps my inner geologist very happy.

30. The Eden Project - beautiful outside and inside

31. Grasmere  - is there anything more perfect than Cumbria on a crisp autumn morning?

32. Ben Nevis - was cloudy when we went up & clear the day after. Sod's Law.

33. New England Bay - one of my favourite places in the world (apart from Cumbria!)

34. Minack Theatre - amazing place and fascinating history

35. Crinkle Crags & Bow Fell - one of the prettiest views there is

36. Seaton Lighthouse - did you know there's a gin distillery nearby too?  Hic.

37. Grey Mare's Tail waterfall - especially beautiful when the heather is out.

38. Whitby  - Steve took this & I love the odd perspective the miniature old boat gives.

39. Rockcliffe and the spectacular shell beach

40. Ice-bow on Kirkstone Pass - such a lucky spot!

41. Sycamore Gap - still remember it from Robin Hood.

42. Snowdon - well, a bit of it anyway, we were stood on the rest!

43. Corbridge Roman Town - my favourite kind of town centre - ancient and empty.

44. Falkirk Wheel - beautiful and practical, what more could you ask?

45. Rochester Castle - I was visiting a friend nearby and this was a lovely surprise

46. River Cam  - an oasis of calm just moments from the busy streets

 

47. King John's Castle Odiham - a properly hidden little gem

48. Sprinkling Tarn - love snowy winter hikes!

49. Crinan Canal - so pretty & so interesting.

50. Patterdale - this was from the start of an amazing walk. Stunning views, beautiful memories.