Wednesday 31 December 2014

Not saying goodbye to 2014 yet!

When I wrote Monday's blog post, I planned to write again today with my 'highlights of 2014'. However, looking back on previous years I've always done so in January, and as a fan of tradition, I think I will stick to that!

It feels strange to be overly reflective about 2014 when we are still in 2014, so I'll wait for the first few days of January to really look back on the year that was. And to look forward to all the excitement 2015 will bring...

Apologies, but watch this space for the review!

For now, I wish you all a happy Hogmanay, and all the very best for 2015!

Monday 29 December 2014

My penultimate post of 2014...

...is really just to say I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, and are enjoying this bizarre time before Hogmanay.


Christmas Day was fantastic as usual, with food, family and festivities. It was a beautiful day, which made the annual one club golf challenge even more enjoyable.
 
 
 
 
Santa (aka the rents) was very good to me indeed, and granted my wish for a "proper" camera. I've been having fun over the past few days with my new DSLR, and look forward to making photography a bigger part of my life in 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
 

I plan to blog again before 2014 is over, with a few highlights from what has been a transitional year. Not nearly as many Munros as I'd hoped, but lots of other interesting things!

Wednesday 24 December 2014

Merry Christmas from the Anxious Ambler!

Just a quick note to wish you all (my lovely readers) a very Merry Christmas!

It's hard to believe we're coming to the end of 2014...what a year it has been. I will save my 2014 'the year that was' post for another time, but it has certainly been a year of change, of ups and downs, of growth and discovery.

On this wet and wild Christmas Eve in the Scottish Borders, I wish you the best for the festive season. I am looking forward to a family Christmas with the usual festivities - food, golf, board games and banter.

Wherever you are, whatever you do, make it a good one!!

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Keeping my spirits up

If I stop giving myself a hard time for a moment, I realise that it is the simple things that make me happy and lift my spirits.

For example, I felt a wee bit low on Monday morning, so I asked myself - what would make me happy right now? The answer came instantly - go to the beach!!

And so I took myself off to Gullane, East Lothian, and spent hours on the beach; walking, reading, sitting, thinking. It was bloody freezing. But also, it was a beautiful day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I reflected on the fact that at this exact time last year (Monday afternoon, the week before Christmas) I was stuck at a desk. I'd travelled to work in darkness, and I'd leave work and travel home in darkness. I probably didn't go outside for my lunch, meaning I didn't actually get any daylight that day. Or many days like that one. I was extremely unhappy, and looking for change. A whole year ago.

I only made that change a month ago, so it took me long enough, and it has been a turbulent time since in terms of my emotions. However, in that moment, on the beach, in the sunshine, on the 15th of December 2014, I realised that I've come a long way in a year. And that I'd much rather be on a beach in the freezing cold than stuck at a desk, miserable, getting no daylight whatsoever.

Of course, "chilling" on the beach doesn't pay the bills. I know that. But I'm working on a masterplan, fear not!
 
 
In the meantime, I am equally enjoying and struggling with this time. I am certainly learning things about myself.

I am following the clouds. Today I went out for my daily stroll (can be anywhere from two to ten miles) and without a plan, I took the direction that afforded the best clouds. I just love clouds. They lift my spirits - so why not follow them?
 
 
 
 
 

Monday 8 December 2014

A bright start...

Well, I'm a bit slow with this post given that the snow has arrived and the weather is due to get crazier this week!

However, December started in the best possible way - with cold, crisp days and bright blue skies.

Dad and I made the most of this lovely weather on the 2nd of December, with a Borders walk from Innerleithan to Walkerburn via Pirn Hill, and back to Innerleithan via the Tweed.

The walk started with a tough uphill climb out of Innerleithan, but thankfully once we were up, we were up! The views were extensive of the Tweed Valley, and it was simply a glorious day.

 
 


We passed an old former reservoir - now a bizarre concrete block amongst the scenery, and clearly a favourite place for locals to practice their graffiti. I recognised a few names from my school days!
 
 
 
 
 
 
I imagine when the heather is blooming in August, this view would also be quite spectacular!

Then it was downhill, out of the woods and through a field of horses (thankfully no cows). We strolled on from Walkerburn, and followed the banks of the Tweed all the way to Innerleithan.

 
 
 
Walkerburn
 
 

My pedometer read 9 miles, and it certainly felt like a good walk. The uphill section at the beginning proved a good challenge for the legs!

Innerleithan is well known for Caldwell's quality ice cream, and even though it was December, Dad and I couldn't resist a cone on such a sunny day!


On our return to Walkerburn to collect the second car, we stopped in at the Caberston Tea Room for a lovely bowl of soup and slice of cake.

I've always said that one of the best things about walking is the treats you can eat, during and after!

On the 2nd of December, everything combined - good food, weather and scenery - in perfect harmony.

What else will December bring?
Stopped on the drive home to take this photo!