Zoom
zoom zoom. That’s the sound of the days whizzing by! I can’t believe
it’s nearly June! I think I say this in every blog post, but the time is
just going so fast, and we’re nearly halfway
through this year already.
May has brought lots of interesting moments and exciting times. I have ventured out of my comfort zone and tried a new skill (more below) and I have stayed well and truly in my comfort zone at times this month, with various worries, concerns and anxious moments! A wee bit of everything you could say.
There has certainly been plenty of walking (yay!) and although I’ve had a few potential blog posts lined up at various times this month, it turns out I am amalgamating them all into this one giant post.
May has brought lots of interesting moments and exciting times. I have ventured out of my comfort zone and tried a new skill (more below) and I have stayed well and truly in my comfort zone at times this month, with various worries, concerns and anxious moments! A wee bit of everything you could say.
There has certainly been plenty of walking (yay!) and although I’ve had a few potential blog posts lined up at various times this month, it turns out I am amalgamating them all into this one giant post.
But don’t worry, I won’t ramble on too much (pun intended), I will let the photos do the talking. Hopefully.
What a wonderful addition to our lives Tig is. Dave and I frequently find ourselves wandering around Stow with her at 9 or 10 at night, saying to each other “normally we’d have just been sitting on the sofa at this time”. I didn’t think I had any energy left after getting home from a working day, but it turns out if you force yourself out for a walk (a dog is handy in not giving you a choice here) you have a lot more energy that you think.
Although we don’t have a day off together at the moment, Dave and I love having Tig as company on our individual days off.
I’ve enjoyed many great walks with her over May’s weekends, mostly in the Borders, around the Melrose/Dryburgh area, up the Eildons, or just in and around Stow.
What a wonderful addition to our lives Tig is. Dave and I frequently find ourselves wandering around Stow with her at 9 or 10 at night, saying to each other “normally we’d have just been sitting on the sofa at this time”. I didn’t think I had any energy left after getting home from a working day, but it turns out if you force yourself out for a walk (a dog is handy in not giving you a choice here) you have a lot more energy that you think.
Although we don’t have a day off together at the moment, Dave and I love having Tig as company on our individual days off.
I’ve enjoyed many great walks with her over May’s weekends, mostly in the Borders, around the Melrose/Dryburgh area, up the Eildons, or just in and around Stow.
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| Alfie and Tig! |
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| Amazing Crichton Castle |
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| Pentlands |
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| Dalkeith House |
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| Eildon Mid Hill |
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| By the Tweed! |
In
the middle of the month, I enjoyed a fantastic hen weekend in
Coldingham (so still in the Borders but such a very different part!) on
the East Coast, for my sister-in-law-to-be. From start
to finish it was full of laughs, great company, lovely food, the
occasional beverage, and fun! We had the most amazing weather which was
just so fortuitous.
On the Saturday we ventured down to Coldingham Sands for a spot of surfing. In the group there were a couple of experienced surfers, some who’d tried it once or twice, and some – like me – who were trying it for the first time. After a comprehensive overview / training session on the beach with Lou and Steve from St Vedas Surf School, we headed for the water. And this is where I got The. Fear.
On the Saturday we ventured down to Coldingham Sands for a spot of surfing. In the group there were a couple of experienced surfers, some who’d tried it once or twice, and some – like me – who were trying it for the first time. After a comprehensive overview / training session on the beach with Lou and Steve from St Vedas Surf School, we headed for the water. And this is where I got The. Fear.
I just felt so overwhelmed by all the information we’d been given, and couldn’t take it all in. Add to that that the waves were huge and I as much as I love the sea, I do have a healthy fear/respect for it! I was thinking the worst, convinced that something terrible was about to happen. At times like this I would generally clam up (no pun intended) but I thought it was best to speak out. I really wanted to give surfing a go, but I was too scared!
Thankfully Steve was an absolute legend and stayed with me for much of the two hour session. It was almost a personal lesson which was so greatly appreciated. He helped me with every aspect, and kept encouraging me, even on the multiple occasions where I fell off before I even got on!
It was such hard work, with a big drag and the sand getting really churned up. It was a mammoth effort to wade out every time, and therefore thoroughly demoralising to not make it on to the board!
I
started getting really knackered, and headed out for a rest. It was
tempting to throw in the towel at this point – it was just too hard and
physically demanding. However I was determined,
absolutely determined, to stand up on that bloody board, even if it was
just once.
And once it was. I finally managed to stand up and surfed a wee bit! What a thrill! It was such little reward for the amount of effort put it, but I didn’t care, I was literally riding the waves, so excited that I’d managed it!
I’m not sure when I’ll go surfing again, although I do think I’d like to give it another go, but I was so chuffed with myself for getting over the fear and giving it a bash. Although I definitely couldn’t have done it without Steve’s help!
It took more than a week to recover from the hen weekend, as fun as it was I found it physically and emotionally exhausting! But great memories were made, and it is so excited to think my brother is getting married soon and I will be gaining an awesome sister!
And once it was. I finally managed to stand up and surfed a wee bit! What a thrill! It was such little reward for the amount of effort put it, but I didn’t care, I was literally riding the waves, so excited that I’d managed it!
I’m not sure when I’ll go surfing again, although I do think I’d like to give it another go, but I was so chuffed with myself for getting over the fear and giving it a bash. Although I definitely couldn’t have done it without Steve’s help!
It took more than a week to recover from the hen weekend, as fun as it was I found it physically and emotionally exhausting! But great memories were made, and it is so excited to think my brother is getting married soon and I will be gaining an awesome sister!
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| Coldingham Sands |
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| Sue and I on our way! |
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| My hero Steve! |
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| Look at the size of those waves!! |
