Crazy Cat Lady Chapter 4 - The Aftermath

foxgloves

Agree! I quite often see adult tricycles around here. Or, maybe have a little go on a bike, esp if you used to ride one as a child. I am back in the saddle after more than 30 years. Maybe DS could teach you?
F x

crazy_cat_lady

I had forgotten just how much I love Scotland. It's a few years since I've been here and I was hanging onto a few negative associations with the ex. I'm pleased I've put those to rest. It's so nice here, and beautiful, and peaceful - even with the rain. I've managed a bit of walking (not as much as I would like though). We did attempt to hire a bike but I hated it and ds hated it even more so we ended up with him just on a bike on his own and me walking along behind. Suited us both very well. I had wanted to do the 10 miles round the island but by the time we got to the three mile mark it was clear that neither of us would get to 10 miles. So we turned round and went back and did the 6 instead.
Other than that - lots of sightseeing, bit of walking (usually on my own unfortunately), eating, sleeping, cuddling cats and remembering what I don't have to be a complete stresshead all of the time.

apple_muncher

Sounds so lovely, and just what you needed.

Very wise to turn back at the 3 mile point!

Baileys_Babe

Sounds like a lovely break CCL.

crazy_cat_lady

Hello

Well I have been a very busy bunny since I last posted on here. Busy in a good way (mostly) though so it's all good. Thought I would pop on and update you and and apologise for still not getting on and catching up on everyone else's diaries.
I am still stressed about the money, no doubt about that but I feel better since I've had a bit of a break from everyday life. More ready to tackle the next stuff life throws my way I suppose.

We had the rest of a lovely break in Scotland. I had a bit of an 'adventure' when I went out walking on my own though. I managed to get myself completely lost in the woods. Silly English girl, being used to following public footpaths and not the Scottish way of 'walk where you like as long as you take care of the place'. I was following my map when I got to a locked gate, then couldn't get back up the steep path I'd come down without some effort so decided I'd try and walk around the fencing. Well. I should have just attempted some proper climbing. I was crawling through undergrowth, climbing over and under stuff, getting to a point where I couldn't continue on, then getting lost trying to go back. Thankfully I managed to get my compass working on my phone with a map so headed for the coast thinking that at least if I made it to the beach I could just walk along the rocks back to the flat. Got to the coast and walked (climbed) along the rocks and then realised I couldn't get any further without going through a load of people's gardens. So back along the rocks and back into the woods, by which time it had started raining very heavily. So I must have looked a treat crawling through the foliage like a drowned rat. Finally managed to find my way out with only a few scratches and bruises but then had to walk the two miles back to the flat. I can laugh about it now but it was fairly traumatic at the time. DS rang me while I was walking back - worried because I'd been gone over 2 hours. I was soaked to the bone and absolutely filthy by the time I got back to the flat. Never been so pleased to get into a nice, hot shower as I was that evening. And I survived although I was very achy within a couple of hours. 

Also managed to meet up with Ally while we were there. It was lovely to get to meet up in real life - and she and her wife are absolutely lovely human beings. DS was very impressed because they drove us out to see some ships he'd been watching all week, and also he was given a lovely gift (as was I) and he learned a lot about bird spotting. It was a lovely few hours.

Tuesday was spent travelling back and doing more washing than I ever realised would be possible. Plus a bit of exam work. Although I'm still literally thousands of pounds of work short, I have had a reasonable amount to do this week. Two and a half days - so that's kept me busy. I'm already half way through my holidays and I haven't had a proper day of lying down and doing absolutely nothing. 

And then yesterday, dd's GCSE results. I am so proud of her - she did even better than I thought she would, and I was expecting that she would do well. Her lowest grades were 7's in maths and statistics, and that is still amazing (equivalent to a grade A for those that don't know). She was shocked but I'm really pleased that all of her hard work has paid off - she deserved to do as well as she did. Excellent effort. Her only problem now though is what to do for A levels. Some subjects that she had discounted, thinking that she wouldn't get the grades, are now back and available for her to choose from. She also had places offered at three colleges who are now fighting over her. She knows where she wants to go though - just not what she wants to do.

I'm actually quite tired. I need to go out for a walk in familiar territory with familiar footpaths etc - get my confidence back a little. Other than that I am looking forward to some R&R.

Tescodealqueen

Shouldn’t laugh but your description made me chuckle. Glad you got back ok and can laugh about it now. Congrats  to your DD she must be as chuffed as you are 

Honeysucklelou2

Love walks like that...my older children are reluctant to walk with me in case they end up on one of “ Mum’s marvellous treks!”.


A huge well done to your DD - fantastic, especially after all the disruption this Y11 cohort have experienced in the crucial Y10 & 11 years.

Hope you do get a day to rest, relax and do nothing!

trix-a-belle

Congratulations to DD!!!
tell her not to fret over what to choose too much, as long as she can show transferable skills, a broad base with courses she enjoys can take her most places (says me who dragged myself through graphics, maths & biology at A level, then onto an equine based BSc degree, did a few different jobs before ending up in the engineering field & am now an upholsterer)

I hope you now get some R&R, just reading your trek made me exhausted

crazy_cat_lady

Right. I've decided to draw a line under my past few months of stress and hiding from my misery.
Inspired by the diaries and support I get on here.
Fresh start = fresh diary. Please come and follow me on Chapter 5 you lovely lot
Crazy Cat Lady Chapter 5 - Trying to recover from the pandemic — MoneySavingExpert Forum