Monday 24 July 2023
After a very hectic few days, I finally make it to my friend's idyllic holiday cottage to relax and wind down...
Hectic? Well yes, before I can even think about my own journey, this morning, at an unsociable 3:30 am to be exact, I deliver ex-hub and all three of our offspring to Manchester airport. The day before, was enlivened by the drama of train cancellations. Prom-dress daughter, en route from Edinburgh, booked tickets on three trains which were subsequently scrapped, before managing to leap onto an Intercity that got her as far as York. But that is not Manchester! And so, whilst I had asked ex-hub to factor such train tribulations into his travel plans but he didn't, I set out in the rain and gathering gloom of Sunday evening to complete 3 hour round trip to collect her. So you'll understand that I am a little weary.
Still ... breathe... I am now here. It is a beautiful spot and we have a wonderful week of pleasing ourselves and switching off from work, family and ... everything.
I enjoy day after day of luxurious lie-ins. We walk for miles through the lush green countryside, blessed by forecast-defying, fine weather. It is stunning to look at and feels revitalising to be in.
We eat... really well and far too much. We drink a lot of wine. We do a spot of late night star gazing and we share a lot of laughter. I am even allowed to indulge my jigsaw obsession.
My friend finds this highly amusing but I hold firm. Alongside the benefits of fresh air, good food and plenty of humour, the humble jigsaw is a terrific way to de-stress. To quote 'Gibson's games', on the many benefits of puzzling,
"Completing a jigsaw has a similar affect to meditation as it generates a sense of calmness and peace. Because our minds are focused, we find ourselves concentrating on the puzzle alone, which empties our brains of the stresses and anxieties we face every day"
And something tells me that some inner strength and reserves of sleep will be needed as the week draws to a close and we pack our bags for home once more. I'm collecting ex-hub and our three children from Ringway around midnight on Saturday. Then on Sunday morning, I need to get Prom-dress daughter back to Edinburgh for an 11:30 am shift, so back to the reality of being a mum with a bang! Thank the Lord for at least one week's break...
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