Time out, kids and Arran

1) I’m thankful for reaching the end of a very eventful couple of weeks 🙂 .

2) Several days of busyness followed by a flying visit with Mum to Euro-Disney. The kids enjoyed France, but proceeded to succumb to the virus that has been going round the school afterwards.

3) We batten down the hatches and spend several days in the warmth of the house.

4) Listening to Aidan and Megan singing together in French. I’m glad their school gives them French lessons!

5) The kids are well enough to return to school, just in time – another day and our weekend away would have been in jeopardy.

6) K and I escape to the lovely Isle of Arran. Our room is beautiful, with a stunning view over Lamlash Bay and the Holy Isle.

7) The Glenashdale Falls – unexpectedly impressive, hidden away above Whiting Bay in the south of Arran.

8) Our hotel provides delicious meals – breakfast and dinner, both days.

9) They reserved “our” table in front of the crackling, log fire 🙂 .

10) We climbed a Corbett – Goat Fell, just 40m shy of being a Munro. Above 450m, we were in the clouds, we couldn’t see where we were going. But we arrive at the top and meet the first people we’d seen the whole time.

11) Walking down again, we pass the group of hikers we met at the summit, and who had left at least ten minutes before we did. I feel a real sense of achievement!

12) The luxury of the free-standing porcelain bath in our bathroom – bliss, after our day on the mountain.

13) The next day, the sky is clear, and we see Goat Fell for the first time!

14) Driving round Arran, we glimpse Stranraer, Ireland, Campbeltown and Carradale. Half an hour later, the clouds had descended. I was glad that we were there in time!

15) It was good to be back into normal routine again.

16) K and I celebrated 10 years of marriage yesterday :-). It’s been the best ten years – and I’m looking forward to the next!

17) We have some friends round and drink champagne and eat cake.

18) Fairy lights make me feel festive.

19) After a busy, intense day, I stand shivering at the school gate with two friends. In a moment of weakness, I blurt out “I have such a bad headache” – my friends respond with instantaneous warmth and sympathy. I immediately feel much better :-).

20) I’m very glad to have finally blogged again.