Jac’s Journey

It was always going to be a rollercoaster.

Imagine the joy seeing your family for the first time in a year. Imagine the amazement watching your niece feeding herself, walking and talking, when she was just 7 months old last time you held her. Imagine the joy rediscovering your own city, a city you love, through travelled eyes.

I had imagined it while I was travelling, but hadn’t anticipated how quickly I would slip into the groove. Even at Heathrow, waiting on my flight to Glasgow, everything was astonishingly familiar; seemed recent. Within minutes of my welcome hug at Glasgow Airport, it felt like I’d only been gone a couple of months. Lugging my backpack out of the airport, for the last time this trip, I was welcomed by a light rain shower; the only welcome I was expecting from my beloved Glasgow.

For a few days, I basked in the warmth of my family, then began making arrangements to catch up with friends; beginning my brief sojourn as a lady who lunches.

Spending time with loved ones around Glasgow has brought such pleasure. Continuing in the tourist vein, I revelled in the displays at the People’s Palace, particularly the photographic exhibition from 1955. I followed the ghost of my student days around Glasgow University and West End lanes, taking a trip through the Mackintosh house and Hunterian Museum, chuckling at Glasgow humour in A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Oran Mor. I drove across the squinty bridge, compared the Armadillo to Sydney Opera House, ate a floppy sandwich on a bench in George Square, admired the new Silverburn shopping centre and inevitably, sat in traffic on the M8. I basked in intermittent sunshine in beer gardens, ate in favourite restaurants, chatted for hours over coffee. I took off into the countryside, introducing my New Zealand hiking boots to Scottish mud. I felt hairs stand on the back of my neck and head-to-toe goosebumps as I joined 60,000 Celtic fans singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ on European night.

I need to come home from a round the world trip more often.

Most of the time, I feel exhilarated by the possibilities ahead of me. I have no idea where I’m going to be living and working in just a few months’ time and that is exciting. I know what I want my life to be like, but don’t know how close I’m going to get. My life turns a corner shortly and I can’t see around the bend.

That’s exciting. But it’s also a little scary. Sometimes the uncertainty overwhelms me, making me freeze and stumble and think about it all too much. Sometimes this train of thought makes me feel distant from the people I love. I can’t quite communicate the immensity of the experience I’ve had, the growth I’ve experienced, the challenges I’ve overcome, the confidence I’ve gained. I struggle to explain the tumult of emotions, from joy to sadness, that have accompanied my return home. I try to explain the array of options I’m looking at and how I plan to make choices, the tingling excitement and stomach-churning trepidation as I try to second-guess which opportunities I can turn to reality. I try to manage my natural inclination to get things moving quickly, every cell straining to get on with it; try to allow a slower, more organic process of coming home, one that allows me to adjust.

I think of my trip; trains in China, jeeps in Tibet, jeepneys in the Philippines, those wonderful Laos buses, Tuk Tuks in Thailand, motos in Cambodia, the Battambang Norry, the Champasak car ferry; it feels like a world away.

I think this is called reverse culture shock.

The coming weeks and months hold surprises for me; new opportunities, choices to make, different ways to learn and grow, to have fun, to be sad, to make happiness. The next stage of Jac’s Journey.

In the meantime, I’m a lady who lunches. Give me a call!

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At the last minute, I decided to make a quick getaway. A Scottish Island in February – I packed for cold, wet weather!

I booked into the Auchrannie, a lovely hotel and spa on the Isle of Arran. Renowned for it’s food (both the hotel and the island) I thought a hotel with a pool and gym to work off some calories would probably be a good idea! Plus I needed some comfort for the soul! This is a treat, you know!

Crossing on the ferry from Ardrossan was fabulous. Warm cup of tea in hand, I watched the Ayrshire coast drift into the distance then strolled around to watch Arran approaching. The sun came out half way across and the reflections bounced off the waves bringing a huge smile to my face. Just beautiful. Brodick approached to the strains of Con Te Partiro. I love the way my iPod can provide the perfect soundtrack no matter the beauty. A few passing words with other passengers made for a lovely trip. All the cobwebs blown away. The perfect way to set me up for this relaxing, reflective break in Arran.

Arriving into the hotel, I noticed the weather forecast for the next two days was…SUNNY! I thank the universe for sending me good weather! So lucky!

Explored around Lamlash and Brodick that afternoon (spending too much money in Arran Aromatics and the Arran Cheese Shop!), then had a nap, went to the gym, then to dinner.

Dinner was delicious! A roasted vegetable and smoked cheese strudel, followed by monfish with chorizo and saffron dressing. An Arran cheeseboard finished it off beautifully. (Loved the Arran cheese with Mustard through it and the Arran Mist cheese – highly recommended!)

I enjoyed the evening so much. I was obviously eating alone and am very comfortable with this as long as I have a good book. I picked up a vibe from the young couple a few tables away that they couldn’t understand how someone could eat on their own. I felt brilliant at this. It’s always much more fun sharing a meal with a good bunch of people, but I am not remotely phased by eating on my own. Imagine I couldn’t do this – think of the things I’d never do…from a short break in Arran at the drop of a hat, to travelling the world!

The next day dawned bright and sunny. I had a lovely breakfast and then set off exploring. Arran Brewery was the first stop where I whiled away 30 minutes talking about Arran, the brewing industry and the pub trade with one of the owners. Tasted Arran Blonde (their best seller) and the new Arran Milestone (both so nice I bought 3 bottles of each!) Next stop Brodick Castle, which was closed, but had a wander round the well-kept grounds with views to Goat Fell and Brodick.

Up the coast to Corrie, famous for seal-watching. Driving along the road with one eye on the road and the other on the sea, I suddenly spotted a seal shape!! How exciting! Quickly parked the car and jumped out, camera at the ready, only to realise that it was a stone seal some joker had stuck on top of a rock. Bet it’s someone who lives overlooking the sea and wants to amuse themselves counting tourists who fall for it and snap the stone seal. One more to him, then!

From Corrie, the road cuts cross country, through the Northern hills towards Lochranza. I stopped in at the distillery and had a lovely chat with the bloke in the shop. Tried some of the Arran malt. I don’t really like whisky, but this was lovely. Whisky that doesn’t burn my throat! Whisky that leaves a warm glowing feeling at the back of my throat and spreads it’s glow down my neck. This is great hot toddy stuff! You guessed it. I bought a bottle!

Having tasted two different beers and one whisky dram before lunch, I was acutely aware there was no more alcohol going down the hatch (don’t worry mum, the samples were tiny and I didn’t finish the whisky)! Thank heavens for my hearty breakfast at the Auchrannie!

On to Lochranza Castle where a short cut across the grass led to some very soggy trainers, feet, socks and jeans! I was in it up to my ankles and peeing myself laughing. That’ll teach me to sample whisky and beer before lunch and think I can take short cuts!

From Lochranza round the north western coast for some stunning scenery…

Made some new friends…

And continued down until Kinloch Hotel at Blackwaterfoot for lunch. From there, back to the King’s Cave car park for the walk round to the caves. Legend has it that the King’s Cave is where Robert the Bruce lay in hiding, and where he watched the spider try again and again to weave it’s web. Apparently this inspired him to rise up for a 7th time against the English. Probably not the actual cave, but hey, nice story!

Some stunning scenery around the cave in the late afternoon…

Honestly! This really is Arran in February!!!

Sitting outside the King’s cave watching the sun go down was just lovely. I sat there feeling chilled and totally in the moment for about half an hour. Really had to wrench myself away with the prospect of walking back to my car in the dark! Then proceeded to wander down the coast. I saw a signpost pointing back to the car park and followed it. Or so I thought…

Ended up strolling the full length of Drumadoon and coming out at the Shiskine golf course – about 3 miles from my car! Bu88er! A couple of ladies had been out walking on the golf course with a little girl and offered me a lift back to my car. They were so lovely, and the little girl chatted to me all the way back. This has been my experience all the way through here – the locals are just lovely. Must be the low stress of island living! I want some of that!

No need for the gym tonight after my forced march along the coast for 4 miles! After a bath and a nap, another lovely meal (scallops followed by venison), glass of wine and cheeseboard was inevitable.

Next morning, checked out after another great breakfast and headed south. Art galleries, organic food and vegetables nursery, fine food shops, all lovely, but nothing to match the view when rounding the point to Kildonan…

Pladda (with the lighthouse) and Ailsa Craig rose up in the distance and took my breath away!

Even better close up…with me trying to beat the timer…

And yes, for the second time, this really IS Arran in February!!!! I had to keep reminding myself!

Whiled away the afternoon on Kildonan beach, in the Kildonan Hotel and then up to the Drift Inn at Lamlash before catching the ferry home.

A wonderful break. So chilled. Just loved it. So beautiful. The perfect getaway – with the perfect weather!!

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Well, it’s been a crazy few months. Work has been so busy and there have been times when it’s really got me down. A huge change programme on the go has meant more than the occasional evening in front of the laptop and the odd sacrificed weekend! It was particularly bad when Erin first arrived and her innocent question ‘Do you work 24/7?’ was a wake-up call to some of the bad habits I’d fallen into.

So when my well earned break turned up and Mairi suggested we get away somewhere, the first place to come to mind was wonderful Stobo.

A delightful Victorian castle near Peebles, this is the place where you can chill out to the max. The dress code is a bathrobe and the essential accessory a great book. Beauty therapists on hand to massage backs, necks and shoulders and lots of other people to talk to – or ignore – as the mood takes you. Terrific food and even a cheeky wee glass of wine… Heaven!

As we only booked last week, there weren’t too many rooms left – so unfortunately we had to upgrade to a higher spec room than the usual basic room that I go for. An extra tenner got us a ground floor castle room with ceilings so high you could fit in my whole house! A canopy in the bathroom and big squashy sofa in the bedroom provided us with a lovely place to lay our heads.

We chilled. We swam, sauna’d, spa’d and steam room’d. I was ever so proud of myself when I came over all energetic and went along to a ‘Body Balance’ class. Hadn’t tried this before – bit of tai chi, bit of pilates and bit of yoga. Not a patch on a good yoga class but it was enjoyable.

Time for food; we joined three sisters and two friends at the communal tables for dinner. Tentative politeness quickly developed into friendly banter and much sharing of wine. We ended up spending the evening with these girls and a great time was had by all – especially Mairi, who fell asleep in the chair! Made us both laugh that the two girls from Fife kept saying they always meet girls from Glasgow at Stobo and end up getting drunk. We had so not planned to drink copious amounts of wine. We think the two maddies from Fife are the common denominator – leading us Glasgow girls astray and then blaming us!!

Today, the hangover was treated by a back massage and Indian Head Massage. Both lovely. The Indian Head Massage girl commented on my seriously stressed out shoulders and I decided to book an appointment for another massage later this week. Bruce does a mean Indonesian/Thai massage so need to call him tomorrow!

And now, having spent the last 2 days doing nothing but chilling out, I find myself exhausted! Time for an early night!

See ya

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