So hot

Goodness me it's been warm the last few days. And as Brits do, we've complained lol. 

We had a great time at Ragdale Hall. I've been many times but this time was very different. Because of the weather we spent more time outside. They have an outside pool with sunbeds (only open during the summer months) and I was here a lot. I'd also say that alcohol was more prevalent this visit - my companions are obviously a bad influence lol. I loved the pilates and I'm determined to continue with this. The outside pool is lovely and cold. It felt like we were on holiday abroad! Food was excellent as usual, though I had to complain the last night at dinner. Our empty dinner plates left in front of us for almost an hour. We were chatting so it was ok for a bit, then it was unacceptable. They gave us a complimentary bottle of prosecco so all is forgiven. We drank it playing croquet in the garden. It was 10.30pm and we were playing in our swimsuits - and we were still roasting! 

It was decided that my friend Karen would drive to Ragdale, mainly because she gets travel sick (even as a passenger) and I'm a named driver on her insurance should it be repaired. Sunday was a warm day, and the forecast for Wednesday (travel home day) was for it to be very hot. Packing the bags into the car I asked Karen if she has air conditioning (her car is older so not a given) but she did. Off we went, but the air coming out the vents was warm. Karen said it takes a while. Another few miles and the air was cooler not cold, let's say tepid. Karen said that's as cold as it gets. Karen, you don't have air conditioning. Yes I do, she says pointing to the A/C button! No you don't, it's not working. I asked when it was last topped up? What do you mean topped up? Ha ha we had a 3 hour journey with all the windows open. I hate windows open in a moving car especially on the motorway but needs must. I was sweating! But we got there in one piece and had a laugh. When it came to coming home the driver got the car from the carpark for us. He actually burnt his hands on the steering wheel. He gave Karen the keys and warned her not to drive until the car had cooled down. He'd tried with no success to get the AC going! Nope, he never managed. So a very hot journey home. The air blowing in the windows was barely cooler than the car! Hey, it made memories if nothing else, and that's all that matters. (And something funny to write in my blog).

See you next week and be good!

Results are hidden inside the workouts you almost skipped.

Selling houses

My Jamaican Xmas decoration - it's my tradition to buy a Christmas item in every country I visit.

It really is no wonder I'm a little stressed. I'm trying to sell my house - which is up there on the stress barometer with divorce and bereavement. My daughter is selling her flat, my son is evicting his tenant so he can sell his flat, we are evicted one tenant so I can move into the house and we are waiting (patiently) for our other tenant to move out so we can sell that flat. And my Mil is selling her house and due to move next Friday! That's a lot in anyone's books. 

It also looks like I won't be able to work from home so once I move I'll be unemployed. 

But this is no woe is me - Ellie and I drove down to Newcastle yesterday as we are heading to Ragdale Hall spa for a few days with my niece and one of my Karens! I'm super excited. It's what I need after a stressful holiday in Jamaica with Mark. Ha ha, I'm so funny! 

Ooh but talking of funny and Jamaica - our transfer back to the airport last week. The driver gave a little greeting etc at the start of the journey, then sat down to drive and off we went. We were just outside the airport when he suddenly stood up to give a little farewell speech, but the coach was still moving! I nearly had a heart attack, obviously! Except I then realised that there was actually another member of staff on the bus. It was him that stood up not the driver! Phew, drama over. Mark thought it was hilarious and named it a typical 'Gillyism'. So I thought I'd share. I'm getting worse for these weird things, and I'm blaming old age. 

Have a great week. I will. I'll share details next week. Thank you for reading, I hope I've made you smile.

Even miracles take a little time. 

No dive

So just when I thought my chest was healthy enough to dive, I woke during the night and saw peripheral silver streaks reminding me I have Detached vitreous membrane in my left eye. Hum? How would that be with the pressure of being 40m under water? A quick Google sure told me - do not dive! Bugger it. Devastated. And this could be permanent. Bugger, bugger it! 

You're getting this week's blog early because we fly home tonight. 11pm and don't land until 2pm UK time. And I'll be a bit busy getting through immigration and on to Terminal 5 to fly back to Aberdeen. We've had an amazing time and was just what I needed. I barely thought about all the craziness at home just now. But that's what holidays are for - rest and recuperation.

The other evening Mark was wearing a new shirt. A shirt with a hidden pocket. He had the usual breast pocket but there was a zip next to the button seam with a secret, secure space. I've got a secret pocket he said with glee. I pointed to the breast pocket. Yes, he answered sarcastically, my secret pocket is the obvious one that everyone can see! Ah, how cool, once pointed out to me. I had to guess it's contents, so I started with something daring - a condom? What the hell for? was Marks reply lol. Good point. Then I thought maybe a photo of me, next to his heart? Ha ha no! An emergency fiver? Or even just the room key card? No! He had Rennies! Bloody Rennies! Well, that just about sums us up really. Middle aged couple carrying heartburn remedies on holiday. Lol.

Well on that note I shall bid you farewell. Speak again next week, from sunny Scotland.

I own my happiness.

Delay

This mountain of clothes dumped on my bedroom floor is all summer stuff. Some waiting to be packed for our holiday but the rest came out of two suitcases in the loft. They had been swapped with my winter clothes (now up in the loft) and were waiting to be hung in my wardrobe. I had just sorted everything when I found another suitcase full of summer clothes. I can't believe I'm admitting this here, especially as Mark reads it, but I obviously have far too many clothes. I did reluctantly put some aside which are just too big for me, I was sad because there were some favourites, but I'll try to sell them on Vinted, and some got binned. If anyone fancies on ironing the rest you'll find them in my wardrobe. Hanging but creased! Thank you in advance lol.

We flew from Aberdeen to Heathrow last Sunday. It started when a man sat down on the steps that lead up to the airplane door. He was quickly moved on. He was sat in our row, just the other side of the aisle. He went to sleep, but alas without his seat belt on. The cabin staff (female) tried to wake him, he was completely unresponsive. Then he opened his eyes and just said he wanted to sleep. She asked if he had been drinking. He said no, but he wasn't really engaging with her. She told him he had to put his seat belt on. He kind of did but was acting very strange. She went to speak to the captain who decided to take the plane back to it's parking spot. He went back to sleep. Again, she tried to wake him. A doctor was on board and asked if she could help. She called him by name, shook him, pinched him and he was completely unresponsive. They thought he was ill. The medics were called (fire brigade) accompanied by the police (standard practice apparently). They checked him over. Deemed him not ill but certainly not right. The male bobby asked had he been drinking and I'm certain he said yes. He was definitely more forthcoming with the men, as he'd virtually ignored the female steward and doctor! They decided he needed to leave the plane. He wasn't happy and just said all he wanted was to sleep. He was escorted off (to cheers from other passengers) and then he two people with him (his brother and mother) left too. We were and hour late. When we got to Heathrow Terminal 5 we got the train to Terminal 2 & 3 then needed to change to get to terminal 4 for the hotel (we've done this many times) but that train had finished. Staff were useless with information. Seemed there was a bus but the info at the bus stop said it didn't start until 5am. We got a taxi. From terminal 3 to Terminal 4 and it cost us £32!! We got to bed at 1am. Great fun, not. Luckily, our flight to Jamaica wasn't until about 5pm the next day. Of course this meant that we didn't get to bed until midnight on Monday (which was 6am UK time). Bloody knackered. Never had such a tiresome and exhausting travel to the Caribbean before. All recovered now and having a great holiday. 

Weather has been awesome, food is really good and having a lovely time. Have a good week everyone. I shall be here sunbathing and eating! 

Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.