Leap year = "Mi vuoi sposare?"...

Well it's been about two weeks since I've written on my blog and I must say I'm missing it so much. Since I got back from San Pedro I've been quite busy organising my future. I've got myself a winter job at a reputable local restaurant, working on the bar and also serving tables. I am struggling with the fast paced environment after spending the summer never having to worry what day or even what time it was. That was the best feeling in the world. But needs must, I need to save as much money as possible if I want to go travelling again. My dream is to try Italy, it's just going to take a little more planning, like learning to speak Italian! "Mi vuoi sposare?" (Well it will be a leap year!) I've also just found out my friend is going to be in Italy for the summer, she has rented a large beach apartment for three months.

So I'm now working as many hours as I can, which works well with Milo, as I only ever start at lunch time so he gets his big walk every morning. We've both enjoyed going to our old walking haunts, shame about all the rain though. I've Sorn the Beast and parked it up in my mums garden, where I spend most days hiding out with Milo and writing my book. It's still all a bit higildy pigildy but I'm loving reliving all my summer memories. I truly had the time of my life and feel so privileged to have experienced what I did. I sadly didn't get my happy ever after but Mr P will always have a special place in my heart. 

So many people say they admire what I did and that I am very brave. I don't think of myself as brave (maybe crazy!) I just had an idea and saw it through, I came upon many obstacles but that is all they were, obstacles. I moved them, ignored them, jumped over them or faced them head on and dealt with them. I think anyone could do what I did, I'm just grateful I got to do it with Milo :) ...

Milo and Me hibernate...

I've been back in the UK for a week now and I definitely have the winter blues. I can't believe what a downer I'm on after the Best Summer of my life. The dreary weather and dark nights certainly don't help lift my mood. So I've decided that Milo and Me are going to hibernate for the winter!

I won't be writing my blog while in hibernation as realistically nothing will happen! Unless of course something incredibably exciting does occur, then I will scream it from the rooftops and post a blog update :)

I've looked into travelling over the winter, in the Beast, and besides the fact that I can't even afford a tank of petrol, it isn't really feasible either. So my plan is to try and find some work locally and save as much money as I can to restart my travels in the early Spring time. Hopefully I can find work that allows me time to also write my book. There are so many adventures I didn't manage to fit into my blog, I've had an amazing week looking over all the photos I've collected. It brought back so many memories both happy and sad. The hardest thing about writing my book (besides the grammar!) is the ending. I haven't got one yet...

Thank you so very much to everyone who has followed our adventure from Milo and Me...

What to do now...

It was so lovely to catch up with old friends this weekend. Saturday morning I caught up with my old coffee buddies and I don't think we stopped for breath whilst chatting away. Saturday night I jumped into the beast to go and meet some old work buddies at a restaurant. Felt weird driving the beast as a vehicle and not as my home. Had a lovely catch up and it felt like we'd never been apart. Filled them in on some escapades I never got to put in my blog and caught up on their news. The evening was over far too quickly, I was tempted to invite them into the beast, in the car park, to carry on the evening!

This morning I met another good friend for coffee and got to catch up on some local gossip, always the best type! Then this afternoon I got a visit from my son, undoubtedly my favoutite catch up. His first comment was 'you're not very tanned', too hot to sunbathe son!

Every single person I've come into contact with since I got back has asked me the same question. The same question I ask myself every day. The same question I'm sure everyone is asking. "So what are you going to do now?" And the only answer is "I don't know yet!" Any suggestions greatly appreciated...

Feeling like a teenager...

Day three living with my mum. All my washing is done, all my meals are cooked, all my needs are catered for. I feel like I'm 15 not approaching 50! Could so easily get used to this. But although I love her to bits, grownups shouldn't live with their parents. And I'm sure she misses her space. Milo is being so well behaved, especially considering the amount of fireworks at the moment. He is so scared of them and just cowers in his bed until they stop. I took him to our old haunt Royden Park yesterday and I think I confused him by taking him in the Beast. When we got back to my mums he couldn't settle, I'm sure he felt we should be off travelling again.

I too feel we should be travelling again but feel like I've lost direction. My dream of true love happy ending is still in my heart, but my map is tatty! I've got my thinking cap on but it keeps slipping over my eyes! Maybe I've still got jet lag?

I'm meeting up with some old friends this weekend and am so excited to see them. I can't believe I've been gone over five months, it feels like five days and also five years. So much has happened for Milo and Me this year I still have to pinch myself that it was real. Most of it has been so positive and good  it makes me feel blessed. Some sadness has occurred and my heart breaks for that...

Looking only ahead...

I left San Pedro 9am Monday and arrived at my mums 9pm Tuesday. It took four aeroplanes, four trains, one car and a golf buggy to get me there. It got to the point where I was confused as to why the train was taking so long to lift off the ground. My favourite airport was Atlanta, so clean and modern with every facility available.

On one flight with KLM, I was seated between two little old ladies, one rather hard of hearing Dutch  lady and one very chatty South African lady.  Quite difficult trying to sleep through that conversation being sat in the middle. The deaf lady also thought I was Dutch and spoke to me throughout the flight in Dutch, though it didn't matter much anyway as she couldn't hear anything I was saying!

Euston train station was rather interesting. I've never seen so many good looking men in suits in one place. Viewing heaven. Certainly passed away the time for me.

So now I'm at my mums house and back with my Milo :) He was pretty casual on my return, like I thought, probably thinking I'd just been to the shops. But it's so good to be back with my little partner in crime :)

So what's next? Still haven't got the answer to that one. Would love to find a quiet hideaway and just finish writing my book. But, as I haven't got a penny to my name at the moment I'll need to rethink that one. I have looked into doing house sitting around the UK, but unfortunately you don't get paid for doing it. Would absolutely love to travel around Italy in the Beast with Milo but would have to save up big time for that dream. So I'm still at the drawing board just now, weighing up my options and looking only ahead...

Leaving San Pedro...

I arrived in San Pedro feeling rather damaged, fragile and broken. I'm leaving today and though I can't say I'm completely repaired I've had plenty of time to reflect. I've learnt a lot about me. My limits and boundaries. My coping mechanisms. My outlook and perception of life and the people around me. Just boils down to the fact that some days are good some days are bad, some people are nice some not so nice. So I just keep going, one day at a time, and just God Damm appreciate and enjoy what is put in front of me!

Can't say I'm looking forward to the journey back to UK. Going to take about two days but heyho you never know who I may meet on the way.  And when I get back, after the biggest hug with Milo, I will begin to plan the next adventure...

A very lonely bride...

And there I was. Stood at the altar. Hair blowing in the gentle breeze. A bride waiting. And waiting. And waiting! No bloomin groom to be seen haha! Well at least I got to stand at an altar 'like' a bride.

In all my time here my neighbours have changed constantly. First there was a polite quiet American boy. Then a loud and fun American boy. Then a group of six very loud Mexican men. Now a young couple with a small baby. Who next I wonder? Maybe a tall dark handsome stranger...

The second batch of army boys arrived on Friday and happily there were some closer to my age bracket. Such is I took up their invitation to 'hit' the town last night. We walked the whole length of the town looking for a decent restaurant, and then walked the whole length of the town again back to the first one they had seen. It was like dress shopping with a girl! We then headed to some kind of beach night club where everyone was in Halloween fancy dress. Or maybe they weren't.

I met a man with a dog in his bag. I met two very muscular teenage mutant ninja turtles. And I watched a man on the dance floor dancing with a small baby (definitely a pulling tool, he had a crowd of girls around him cooing). I also impressed myself by matching the boys beer for beer, although I am suffering for it today. The army boys were really good fun and kept the banter going all night. And they made sure I got home safe and sound.

Off to the beach now, see if I can find me a groom...

An interesting marriage proposal...

The first bunch of soldiers left yesterday afternoon. Their departure time was 2.30pm and they arrived at the beach bar at about 10ish and ordered drinks until 2.29pm. They must have all spent their entire wages over the two days but all seemed to have a ball and didn't want to leave. Their banter was limitless and they kept me quite entertained at the bar. They were such a good laugh, I was sad to see them go. The next bunch arrive tomorrow...

Yesterday I was proposed to by a 22 year old married father of three. I was rather touched by this proposal! And compared to my previous day's offer of 'you wanna bedtime story lady?' I feel I've gone up in the world.

I am still struggling to find where I fit into this tropical island. I'm not a young backpacker, I'm not into any water sports, I'm not half of a honeymoon couple and I'm not a laid back retired local. I really am the odd one out here! My days are lazy and long and give me plenty of time to think (probably too much thinking). My evenings are quiet and lonely, I'm not too good at the club scene and have declined the kind offers from some lovely people to take me into town. So I've spent most evenings trying to write my book. It's all a bit jumbled up at the moment kind of like a jigsaw that I will eventually piece together. But I am really enjoying writing it, and reliving some amazing memories...

Even the army can't save me...

I've now lost count of how many mosquito bites I have. That rather expensive bug repellant I was convinced to buy has had little effect. And my antihistamines are pretty useless. I'm now wearing an ankle band that makes me look like a criminal wearing a tag. Those little buggers are determined to get me! Besides the Mosquitos the wildlife here is quite friendly, I've met a few wandering around!

The army boys have now arrived and they too have been bitten to pieces so even the army can't save me! They arrived last night but sadly their average age is about 22. They are a lovely bunch and are full of banter and it has been so nice to have some local dialect conversation. I felt I was beginning to pick up a strange American accent and using words like 'awesome'.

It's funny how I've met such a diverse amount of people here on a daily basis and yet I feel so alone. Everybody seems to be here either with someone or for a reason, usually scuba diving. I wish I could have brought Milo, every day I feel like I've lost a limb or something.

My biggest fear at the moment is what am I going back to.  I can't stay here forever. I feel homesick but I don't actually have a home. I would really like to keep travelling in my motorhome with Milo as I do still believe my happy ending is out there somewhere...

Moth...

Barbecues and trampolines...

Found myself a lovely little breakfast place today on the beach, and they even open at 7am. So I behaved like the typical British holiday maker and ordered an English breakfast. It certainly hit the spot and the coffee wasn't bad either. I stayed at The Amber Beach Bar a little later than intended last night so the breakfast was thoroughly deserved.

The local people here hang their washing out in such abundance and ever so neatley that on more than one occasion I have nearly walked into their homes thinking it was a boutique!

Next I headed down to the trampoline at the end of the pier at Caribbean Villas. I waited until the small children got off and then made my rather unladylike clamber onto the trampoline. Yeay I felt like a five year old! I didn't actually last very long but was impressed with myself that I had done it. This was followed by a good few hours lying by the pool with my new book. Then came the barbecue. I had pork chops, potato salad and corn bread all rather tasty and all backdropped by DJ Debbie with some pretty good tunes. I was drinking light beer but this has now been switched to rum and coke by Mr L, I just hope I don't end up back on the trampoline...

Apple flavoured bananas...

Life is so laid back here in San Pedro. I wake up, I find coffee, I head to the beach, I read, I drink, I eat and I sleep. And that's about pretty much all I can manage in this heat. It took me a few days to acclimatise to the humidity and actually catch a breath. From travelling from Scotland where every breath was so sharp and fresh the difference is immense. Good point here is I don't need moisturiser, my skin is so soft with the humidity.

Last night was karaoke night at Pedros. I did not inflict my fellow guests to the torture of my voice. There was a mixture of some rather good performances and some not so good. I had a few beers and met some local ladies, actually of an age with me. A good night was had.

This morning I went to a local store/shack to buy some fruit. I asked for bananas and was sold Apple banana. Really was a banana looking fruit which actually had an apple taste, so nice.

I didn't actually get on the trampoline today. I did wander down the pier to attempt it but there were some big boys playing on it and they looked a little boisterous. I will attempt tomorrow. Tomorrow is the Sunday barbecue at Caribbean Villas Hotel, a weekly event which is apparently very popular. I do love a good bbq.

I spoke to my son today on face time. I've asked him to send me some pictures of Milo. I miss him so much it hurts. I doubt he has even has noticed I've gone, probably thinking I'm taking ages at the shops.

Having so much time to think of late I am wondering how I even ended up here. My life has changed so much and so quickly, half of it hasn't sunk in. In less than six months I've gone from a well paid job to unemployed. A three bed semi to a motorhome to a country estate to a hotel. From single to fairytale relationship to single. From Merseyside to Scotland to San Pedro. What next I wonder...

Three men one knife, one dagger, one metal bar...

Last night was ladies night at Pedros. So I showered and dressed and wandered down. Not only was I the only lady I was also the only customer. Apparently these type of nights don't start until around 11pm, I had arrived at 8pm. I am obviously far too old for this kind of night life! 11 pm nowadays is way past my bedtime. So I headed back to my room but disaster... I couldn't open my door. A pole had fallen down and jammed against the sliding door. I stood there for what seemed like an age trying to figure out how I could resolve this without looking like a fool.  Sadly I just looked like a fool and acquired the assistance of three young men, one of whom had a large metal bar, the other a kitchen knife and the third just pulled a large dagger from his pocket. One held the torch one pulled the door ajar and the third (kitchen knife man) slid the knife through the gap and dislodged the pole. My three heroes :) After all that excitement I was ready for bed and slept through the remainder of ladies night.

Today I spent another day in paradise and headed down to Caribbean Villas Hotel to chill on the beach. As soon as I got there I decided I had to try the newly installed water slide, the only one on the island falling straight into the Caribbean Sea. I followed the instructions diligently, hands behind my head, legs crossed and lie down. Unfortunately I was not instructed to keep my mouth closed. I slid all the way down screaming like a baby and consequently swallowed about a gallon of sea water!

So now I am just chilling at the beach bar getting acquainted with the locals and mum if you're reading this I am not doing jäger bombs...

Tod the rasta man...

Met Tod whilst walking on the beach last night. A rasta man who told me about the 'spirit of the flesh'... He then offered me 'the herbal drugs'... He had with him a dog named Claire. I told him all about Milo...

My Yorkshire puds were not a great success. I had no weighing scales, no cake tins and the whisk packed in part way through whisking. They were described by one person as 'meaty'. Arsenal did win though.

Today the sun shone bright and hot. I spent most of the day on the beach reading my book. I ate angel pasta pesto chicken and drank light beer. I watched a boy surfing with a parachute, really quite impressive.

Today my air conditioning was repaired after it packed in last night. When I returned to my room it was like being greeted by a huge hug, I am so happy. My neighbour Mr B also knocked on my door with a gift of water melon. Life is good...

Thunder storms and traffic violations...

This weather is crazy. I was so freaked in the thunder storm the other night I was screaming out loud. The building shook with the thunder and the Lightning was right above me. The tin roof did not help my fear. The rain was so torrential I packed a small bag ready for my evacuation! Anyway I lived through it and awoke to a dry muggy day.

I took myself into the town in a golf cart to hunt down a decent coffee shop and found the perfect one on a busy street corner. I was in my element watching the world go by sipping a decent latte. I stopped in a shop and got myself some new flip flops, then I drove around a bit in the crazy bustling streets and pulled up near the beach. I had a little wander along the storm damaged beach and stopped in a bar for a cold beer and food. I did struggle trying to remember where I had parked the golf cart, there are hundreds of them here and all look the same. I did eventually find mine, it was the one with a 'traffic violation fine' attached to the steering wheel! Mr L kindly took care of it for me.

Last night was to be the bingo night, but everyone got wrapped up in the sport on the TV (baseball I think!) so bingo didn't happen.  After too much beer and jäger bombs I hit the sack for an early night.
Today we are having a big lunch hosted by Mr L in honor of his much loved Arsenal football game. We are having roast hams and potatoes and I have been volunteered to make the Yorkshire puds! (I pray they rise to the occasion).

Mr L has informed me that over the next week or so hundreds of army personnel are coming to stay. Now that could be interesting...

Lunch view...

Do I look like I need marijuana...

Well I finally got the sleep I was craving last night, a whole 12 hours horizontal on crisp white sheets. Although I discovered the road behind my accommodation is actually the airport runway! Luckily not too busy and actually quite interesting.

I've managed to face time all my family and all are well.  Milo seems to have settled in well with his nana and she even took him to the park this morning. I still woke up this morning wondering where he was :(

This morning I was given some keys to a golf buggy and instructed to head into town and get myself some breakfast. Never mind find the town I couldn't find the golf buggy. I decided to walk in as even though the rain was still falling I could see some unflooded areas on the road.  I walked to the nearest bar and ordered coffee and fries.  My coffee was so needed and so delicious (apparently a Turkish blend) I ordered another. At this point I was on first name terms with the staff and was also offered marijuana..! Not quite what I had in mind for breakfast.

I managed to find my way back just before the next torrential downpour. The road I managed to walk down is now an actual river and I am stranded in my third floor room! It is so warm and clammy and the rain is like a warm power shower. I feel so sorry for all the businesses trying to constantly pump out all the water. Looks like I am stuck inside for a while so may just catch some more shut eye...

Not the place I was offered marijuana...

My back door view...

Jet lag and jager bombs...

I am completely jet lagged. I don't know what day it is or what time. I have taken five flights from Manchester to Heathrow to Detroit to Atlanta to Belize to San Pedro and here I am. I haven't slept for days and now am knocking back beer and jäger  bombs at a beach bar in a storm with new friends.  How long it will be before I sleep I don't know.  I have managed to shower at least. I was so stinky I didn't even want to sit next to myself on the flights!

The flights were varied and a mixture of pure comfort and terror.  The best was from Heathrow to Detroit. Eight hours with full inflight service, free food, drinks and movies. But unfortunately followed by 11 hours sitting around in Detroit airport. I think I was possibly the only person in that airport but managed to make myself a little bed and tried to sleep. I kept waking up and for a split second kept wondering were Milo was :(

When I eventually reached Belize, smelly, tired, confused and hot I thought I had reached my destination. But no, I then had to jump a light aircraft to San Pedro. Hairy scary flying through the storm with the other five passengers. One of whom is now sitting with us at the beach bar.  I was met at San Pedro airport by my Mr L, he picked me up in a beach buggy and was bare foot. We took the short journey to my new short term home through the floods. I then paddled through to my room and took a much needed hot shower.

I apologise if this blog is disjointed, I'm sure once I get my backside out of this bar and eventually get horizontal I will be back on track, though any more of these jäger  bombs and I am likely to be horizontal on the bar...

Travelling through the USA....!

What a crazy, happy, sad and emotional 24 hours I've just had.  On Wednesday night I received a ticket to travel to Belize, going via Detroit and Atlanta and am on route now.  I will arrive in San Pedro, Belize at some point tomorrow :)))) Milo and Me left Scotland at about 2am on Thursday morning and drove all the way to my mums, Milo was quite bemused travelling in the dark.  We arrived on the Wirral at about 8am where I had about 24 hours to turn my life upside down once again to get to Heathrow for today.

Sadly yesterday morning my beautiful sister Pip became seriously unwell and given her medical history my mum and I took her to A&E.  It appears she had some sort of seizure and has no recollection of the past 24hours (fun was had winding her up tho!). I was reluctant to travel today but my whole family, Pip included, encouraged me to keep travelling.  So here I am, sitting in Heathrow airport, having flown down from Manchester very early this morning (thanks mum!) waiting to board my flight to Detroit.

Milo is having a Nana holiday and will be spoilt rotten no doubt. Or I may come back to an extremely well behaved dog! Last night at about midnight I practically just threw what summer clothes I could find into my case, and tried to arrange all the necessary documents.  Hopefully I've remembered all I need, if not tough!

Saying goodbye to Milo this morning was the saddest moment.  We've been together 24/7 all summer. I do know he will be well looked after though.

So expect some crazy blogs over the next few weeks and no doubt some even crazier photos. I intend to have fun fun fun and who knows who I might meet...

On the off chance does anybody reading this live in Detroit?! Got 11 hours to fill...

When one door closes...

You know that saying - when one door closes another one opens - I just drove down the road in the beast and my passenger door flew open scattering the contents off the seat all over the road! I went to push on the hazard warning light button and it came off in my hand! Luckily still attached to the wire so able to flick on.  I then had to embarisingly so, walk back down the road and collect my belongings. A foot further on and my door would have hit a road sign so always the positive.  And the hazard warning button looks rather cute hanging on the wire.

So I've hit the road again, literally.  My friendly stranger was the perfect host but I felt the need to move on.  I don't quite know where I'm going so am writing an early blog today in case I have no internet tonight.  Once again I am blessed with some beautiful scenery on my route.

Last night all those sheep I saw being brought down from the hill by the shepherds were placed in the field under my bedroom window.  What a racket they make! I never knew sheep made so many different baa noises. They seemed a little bemused by Milos appearance this morning.  I like to think the photo looks like Milo has herded them all together!

Once again I've received some wonderful messages, one in particular especially so...