On the move!

 It has been such a difficult decision, giving me a heavy heart but we have decided to move. My mum will be 85 tomorrow and I feel that I need to return to the NE of England to be close to her whilst I still have her. I'm not expecting her to pop her clogs anytime soon, but life is too short and she's getting on. I don't want to wait until she needs me or, worse, gone to heaven. The time is now. 

The actual decision was made very quickly. I had been down to visit mum and on the drive home I just knew. Luckily, Mark has agreed and the kids (both of them) want to come too. Within no time I had contacted the Estate Agent and put plans in motion. The surveyor came last week and yesterday we had the photographer. I told you I can be very spontaneous lol. I'm excited but also realise the house might take a while to sell, these things can be tricky! We love our house, our dream house and we've been living in it for 18 years. I've lived in the NE of Scotland for half of my life and has become home but my mum and other family are more important. I also have very close friends in Newcastle who I can't wait to be closer to. I've known them for a million years and I miss them. 

I tried to tell as many people face to face but if I missed you, and you're surprised, I apologise. Don't worry I shall be up very frequently to see family and friends here. I'm used to the 5 hour drive after 30 years. And I'll obviously miss you all when I'm gone. 

The last few weeks we've been cleaning and tidying and sorting. And, oh my goodness, there is so much more to do. Mark is determined to be ruthless, but I'm not great at letting things go. I may not have used that punch bowl in a decade but I just might need it in 2031! Don't make me bin it! I love it, it's hidden in the cupboard but I really love it. Honestly! 

I shall keep you posted on the progress. If my house doesn't sell I'll not keep it on the market forever. At some point I'll throw in the gauntlet, living in limbo does not appeal. Please keep your fingers crossed for us. It's now or never! 

Once you feel you're avoided by someone, never disturb them again.

Trust me

Home from an amazing holiday in Lisbon. I never got used to the hills, especially the ones going up. And there was definitely more uphills than downhills! The weather was hot and sunny, the food was delicious, people were friendly and there was loads to see and do. Highly recommend! 

So when walking the hills in Lisboa I noticed this woman wearing some beautiful shoes. They were flat like ballet pumps, with a strap like Mary Janes (and I need a strap) and looked super comfortable and sensible, but because they were made of velvet also looked stylish and smart, and universal! I told Jane about them and low and behold that evening we came across a shop selling nothing but these shoes! They came in so many colours I was like a kid in a candy shop! And whilst all flat and very similar they were all different too. I just couldn't resist, even though they weren't inexpensive lol. But of course, typically like me, I didn't buy the sensible grey I bought the bright pink with a big velvet bow as the strap! They are so comfy and I just adore them - but not quite as universal as planned. But hey, life is too short not to wear gorgeous velvet, pink shoes! 

Silly me I only took one bag of butter mintoes for my dry mouth which didn't last more than a couple of days. I got some boiled sweets from the supermarket which helped a little but weren't great. Sister Jane suggested I just sip water but alas water had no effect at all. Water is good for hydration but is like sand with a dry mouth. I did however discover that ice lollies were fantastic. Not only cooled me in the hot weather but was so soothing for my mouth. I'll be stocking up my freezer tomorrow! Calypso's here I come. 

Can you believe I actually have no plans for travelling next month? Not sure what went wrong. But I have a feeling there will be plenty to occupy me in the house instead. No decorating but lots of sorting and decluttering. Shoes being top of the list, followed by toiletries (again). I always have too many lotions and potions! Another plan for October is going sober. Drank a lot in Portugal. I'm blaming my brother in law! Gin, wine, beer, cocktails! It was great.

I always get to where I am going, by walking away from where I have been. 

Lisboa

Nobody told me that Lisbon was hilly. Been here since Tuesday and I've walked up (and down) a thousand hills. And the paths are cobbled, and not a flat cobbled, a wavy cobbled. An accident waiting to happen! Oh, yes, and Jane twisted her ankle yesterday. So glad it wasn't me. I'm moaning enough with the hills, not to add in a sore ankle. 

Wednesday we bought a 24 hour Lisboa card. We maxed it as best we could. First was the 25 April suspension bridge. But, obviously, the lift was out of order and I had to climb hundreds of steps to the top! I managed without complaining but it did me in! We had lunch at a disused factory converted into restaurants and shops - really nice. Then we did the crown jewels, then ancient arts museum and lastly the castle. Jewels were amazing and the museum was interesting but the castle was awesome! But, sure enough, it was up hill, right at the top! My goodness I slept well. Luckily, it was a cloudy day (though still very warm). Richard's watch told us we had walked over 18kms! (He didn't get the whole day recorded), 24000 steps and 70 flights of stairs! Wow. 3 years ago I wouldn't have managed.

Yesterday we used the last of the Lisboa card getting the tram to Belem tower. It was closed for maintenance! D'oh! But we had our first Pastel de nata (custard tart but better) and it was lush! Jane even found gluten free ones. A slightly more relaxed day. I wanted to go to the Chinese pavilion which is a bar I'd read about in a novel. It was much better than I anticipated. Loads and loads of artifacts and great cocktails. 

Today is Jane's birthday. Happy birthday Jane. We are getting the train to the beach for a truly relaxing day. More sight seeing planned for Saturday. Have a great weekend, whatever your plans.

A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles. 

Au contraire

 

This little fella was busy having breakfast at the edge of the field where Bella and I were walking. He wasn't at all bothered about me getting so close to take this picture! (It's a mouse, just in case you can't tell)

I'm often being accused of being contrary, though obviously I would disagree. Although it has recently come to my attention that I have two character traits that I believe clash.

I noticed that I'm not particularly adventurous. I can become a little nervous in a strange environment. For example, on holiday. I'm not one for wandering aimlessly. Where as Mark is happy to see what we might find I just worry about what we might find. And if it's a country that doesn't have English as it's first language I'm doubly fretful. If we are driving I'm worried we'll get lost. Public transport gives me hives - how do we buy a ticket, buy the correct ticket, get on the right bus/train/tram, get off at the right stop? Mark has the attitude that everything will be fine (so far he's been right. I'm not currently lost in Paris wandering around for the last 10 years lol). He's very much 'what's the worst that can happen?' and I'm like 'well, we might have to ask a Frenchman how to get to a, b or c and we can't speak French!'. Even I think I'm irrational but I can't help it. We're going to Lisbon next week with my sister and brother in law. When it's the four of us I barely worry a jot and I'm 1 of 4, and follow the majority (i.e., the other 3) but when it's just Mark and I I'm 1 of 2 therefore 50% of the responsibility is mine. I trust Mark and generally, try, to just follow his lead but I also drive him crazy with my constant questions and doubts. I will try to curb my nerves next week, I promise. 

Now the other character trait that I think jars with the above is that I'm impulsive! I don't necessarily think too hard about things. Getting my hair cut for one. I had mulled it around in my head a while but the actual decision was made driving to the hairdresser's and once it's made it's made! When I shop I just see something I like and buy it. Humming and hah-ing is a bad sign. I decide to go on holiday somewhere, 10 minutes later it's booked. When we had our kitchen fitted we just went to the shop and picked the units and the colours and the worktops and the handles, bish, bash, bosh! None of this thinking for weeks. My mate Karen is visiting and she is the absolute opposite of impulsive. It takes her ten minutes to decide what cake she wants at the coffee shop. Her new kitchen was fitted a few weeks ago (after months of deciding) and she still hasn't settled on what tile or splashback or flooring to have. Me and Ellie picked her wallpaper but she'll change her mind a million times before anything actually goes on the wall. I shall wait and see if it's the one Ellie and I voted for. 

Anyway, I've talked too long. Next week I'll be writing from Portugal, I'll let you know how my adventures develop there. Have a great week!

If you change the way you look at things the things you look at change.