“The Church is not an automobile showroom – a place to put ourselves on display so that others can admire our spirituality, capacity, or prosperity. It is more like a service center, where vehicles in need of repair come for maintenance and rehabilitation ” Dieter F Utchtdorf
Every time I venture to a new place one of the first things I do is seek out the local church
It’s something I’ve always done … ever since I was a little kid with dirty finger nails and scuffed knees . It was my thing.
I was always in awe of their grandeur and beauty. I explored churches and marked toilets out of 10. Anything that scored under a 7 and my mum would steer clear. I guess I came in useful for somethings Continue reading →
It’s on days like today when [ I’m a little hungover] it’s cold and dark outside, I’ve got my candles lit and I’m snacking on mince pies. When I have a Christmas movie playing on repeat and I’m making present lists that my mind starts drifting towards holidays.
Planning and reminiscing.
Reminiscing and planning…
Thoughts of visiting and exploring far off places with the sun beating down on my back , sand between my toes and a cocktail to hand spring to mind. They excite and lift my spirits.
One place basking in glorious sunshine all year round and a place I’ve visited on a couple of occasions in the past is the wonderful island of Lanzarote.
Making up part of the Canary Islands, it is often said to resemble the surface of the moon [ not that I’ve even been to the moon! ] thanks to the fact it was once an active volcanic island. It is extremely scenic in places with beautiful views in each and every direction; a photographers dream.
Now I have to hold my hands up and admit that although it is breathtaking ; on my very first visit I was slightly unimpressed by the journey from the airport to our hotel . All I can say is please don’t be disheartened the resorts are beautiful !
Lanzarote holds such fond memories. I’ve just been looking through my photos and stumbled across some proper corkers.
Take this for one.
Meet Kevin !! Boy did we laugh …he goes on a lot of girls holidays with us. [ though it’s not always the same Kevin, we tend to puncture him a lot!]
This year for all sorts of reasons , but mainly because non of us can face it without mum. We are going to leave on a jet plane and spend Christmas abroad somewhere hot.
Mum was our Christmas .
She was ‘Mrs Christmas’.
She adored it. She always had the best, most tastefully dressed tree [always red and gold ], ensured the house was lit up like Blackpool, and her giddiness was infectious. Family was everything to mum and she ensured we always had the best time.
I tend to get my own way and have spent every single Christmas Day at Mum and Dads, bar one when I went to my ex-husbands house for Christmas lunch. I hated every single minute of it. Not because they did anything wrong, it just wasn’t the same without my mum around.
I’m positively dreading this year , the first year without her.
It’ll never be easy but I’m kinda guessing this year will be tough for us all. Firsts always are.
We [ dad, BF & brother] made a collective decision that this year we would take ourselves out of our usual surroundings and do something we’ve never done before. Hence a week abroad is on the cards. It’s new, there are no memories of mum there. [though I’m sure we will all be thinking about her.] It will still be absolutely gut wrenching her not being there with us …
I love Christmas but quite frankly this year I could take it or leave it.
So while I’d normally start looking for a warm, snug yet stylish outfit with an elasticated expanding waistband; this year that will be substituted for a new bikini, sandals and a good false tan. Continue reading →
“The deeper blue ocean, the paler blue sky. The call of the seagulls all soaring on high.
Weherever I travel , wherever I roam, one day I will live here, and call Cornwall home”
If you’ve been following my ‘stories‘ on Instagram you’ll have no doubt noted that I’ve been staying down in Cornwall for the past week with my dad, boyfriend and our dog Mollie. I’ve become a ‘Cornwall bore’ although I can assure you there is nothing boring about Cornwall at all.
We choose Cornwall for numerous reasons.
My dad’s brother lives in Coombe [ near St Austell] and due to sickness couldn’t get up to Sheffield for mums funeral. Dad was keen to see him …as you can imagine.
It was a special place for mum and dad. They’ve spent a few holidays there in the past, the last one being in October last year. Not even a year ago – life … it’s so unpredictable, so preciousness .
So dad mentioned that he wanted to go back, I think in a ‘weird’ way it brings him comfort. It holds precious memories.
Who were we to say no?
We stayed in the beautiful area of Carbis Bay just outside St Ives which is around a 6 hour drive [ traffic willing ] from Sheffield .Yes you could get to Spain quicker!
I never intended to blog about my time spent in Cornwall … but after being there a few days I’d basically fallen in love.
The aqua blue seas drew me in, the tropical plants that surrounded the house made me feel like I was abroad. I just grew to ignore the biting wind . It had a magical feel to it. The view I woke up to every morning was delicious. Beautiful sunrises with multi-coloured skies. I honestly sat in bed every morning and pinched myself.
Basically I decided it was too good not to share with you all.
It’s cold , damp and dark outside . We’ve been told to expect Thundersnow. I’m not exactly sure what that is but it sounds fun and very dramatic!
I’m sat drinking copious amounts of coffee while dreaming of far off shores. Imaging the sun beating down on my back (of course I’d be wearing spf 50) of lounging around pools and exploring new playgrounds.
I’ve been really lucky that within my 46 years I have visited some beautiful places. Its well documented that at 17 years old I spent 6 glorious weeks island hopping around Greece with my best friend. If you don’t know… where have you been?!
Just Karen and I with a back pack each . Not a hair dryer in sight. We sailed, worked, partied, slept rough and even met Judith Chalmers who was filming ‘Wish you were here’ It was maybe the most fun 6 weeks of my life.
Greece aside I thought I’d share with you my 3 favourite places that I have had the pleasure to visit to date followed by my dream destinations. We should all have a dream, something to aspire too …and what better way to while away a moody grim January afternoon ?
Lets escape if only in my memories for a little while… Continue reading →
Its around this time of year that people start to ask me to compile my Christmas list.
I’m by no means a saint (far from it) but I always tell them that I’m not bothered; to buy me whatever and to not spend a fortune?
When I was a kid I would spend hours upon hours dribbling over toys from Kays catalogue making lists galore. Lists on top of lists. Now a days its not so important.
I’ve found recently that Christmas has been about a lot more than just pressies. Of course its always nice to unwrap something special but it’s not the be all and end all. Continue reading →
