Goodbye 2016...

2016 has been good to MiloandMe. In the beginning I was working as a waitress (in a cocktail bar ~*~ haha) on the Wirral and living in the Beast in mums back garden. Then we headed off to Ireland in the Beast on a fantastic adventure. We met some wonderful people and stayed in some stunning locations. Everyone was so friendly and kind to us, we were truly blessed. Picking up hitchhikers, responding to social media messages and just engaging in conversation with random strangers opens up a whole new world if you let it. Obviously common sense and gut instinct play a part. And having Milo bark like a fog horn keeps me safe. Sadly Ireland ended all too soon but was quickly followed by the opportunity to travel to Portugal. The journey there and back was a bit stressful for both Milo and me, but we had the best time there. We quite possibly lived in the most beautiful part of Portugal, Foz do Arelho, and became part of the most loving family. And now here we are back at mums on the Wirral about to enter 2017 and embark on our next adventure. Heading to France in the Beast for pastures new.

My regrets for 2016 :

I didn't take my Motorhome with me to Portugal. Missed that Beast so much.
I didn't kiss anyone. Mr Hunky giving me the kiss of life when I passed out drunk doesn't count.
Losing my UK IP address, so I never got to see our TV appearances.
Not doing more writing, lost my mojo for a bit.
Spending my 50th birthday alone, note to self big celebration for 60th!
Running a pretty rubbish budget, far too skint now.
Not getting married. Compensated by attending the best ever wedding in Portugal.

Goals for 2017 :

Embrace the Beast
Kiss a lot!
Get tech savvy
Write, write and write some more
Party like its 1999
Win the lottery
Get married...

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog, thank you for all the wonderful messages and words of support. Thank you for being my 'invisible friends'. MiloandMe wish each and everyone of you a Happy New Year...

An early photo from 2016...

A favourite photo from Ireland...

A favourite photo from Portugal... 

My last photo of 2016. If you want to get a head get a hat... 

MiloandMe on UK soil...

Gosh I can't believe my adventure in Portugal has come to an end. The last six months have gone by so quickly and yet I feel like I've been here forever. I've been made to feel so welcome and have made some lifelong friends. Ali is the craziest lady I've ever met but I wouldn't have her any other way.  Gran has had to put up with all my moans and groans and is also holding some of my deepest secrets. Max, I'm sure, will miss Milo even though he behaved like a boring big brother. Ali's children are a credit to her and have made me feel like part of the family. And then there's the beach... MiloandMe have been so fortunate that, on a daily basis, we were able to walk along the lagoon toward the Atlantic Ocean here in Foz do Arelho.

Hmm, the above passage was written yesterday and my intention was to post it on my last night in Portugal. Unfortunately Ali and Mr Hunky decided to celebrate my leaving with copious amounts of alcohol and my day ended with my head in a bucket and Mr Hunky not quite holding my hair back. So I awoke at 4am this morning with a banging head and a smell of vomit in my hair. I frantically finished my packing and headed to the airport with Ali. The whole process of getting both Milo and me checked in and boarded was stress hell. But I'm happy to say we both arrived safe and well in the UK. My son picked us up at the airport and I must say he gets more and more handsome with age. As Ali would say 'my creation' lol. So now I've just had a lovely family meal, a big bubbly bath and am curled up on the couch in my pj's. Milo has passed out on the floor by my bed, no doubt wondering what on earth will happen next...

Home for Christmas...

One week today and MiloandMe will be home for Christmas. Although when I say 'home' it's not quite home. But being with family it will certainly feel like home. Even if only for a few weeks. Then to fire up the Beast and drive off to France. People have been asking me how France came about? Truth is I put an ad of MiloandMe  on gumtree and got some quite good responses. I think I've become a nomad of late, not quite sure where I belong, but certainly enjoying finding out.

I'm dreading the flight home. Flying out to Portugal Milo didn't have a clue what was going on and just went with the flow. But I fear our return journey will rekindle a memory for him and he's not going to be happy. At least he's going to receive a wonderful welcome home. For some reason my mum informs me 'we're not doing presents this year' Er no! Christmas with no presents! What's that all about? Even the smallest gift is fun to give and receive. So mum, get routing in that unwanted gift drawer you have and wrap me up something useless haha!

I'm totally looking forward to Christmas Day this year. All that yummy food, alcohol, daft board games, silly chat, new pyjamas and the obligatory photo of the dinner table. Oh and then the clearing up, the belly ache, the hangover and the 'that's it for another year'...

The only Christmassy photos I can find of Milo and me...

MiloandMe off to France...

And for our next adventure...drum roll...France! MiloandMe have been offered the opportunity to live in northern France. We are driving over in the Beast in January and will be located in a rural area surrounded by countryside. I must say I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends, enjoying Christmas and going to live in France but I am mostly looking forward to getting back in the Beast. I've missed my Motorhome so much and I think that's down to it being all that I have left. I'm so glad I didn't sell it, I reckon it's going to give me a big hug feeling when we are reunited!

I still have to pinch myself when I reflect on what's happened to me in less than two years. I never could have imagined all these adventures could happen to an old girl like me! I feel like I've lived my life back to front. It's normally young adults who go off travelling, taking up casual work and living for the moment. Hitting fifty has been life changing for me. I've been extremely fortunate I know, and yet I also know I can credit myself for making it happen. There have been so many days when I think 'what the heck am I doing?' (most days tbf!) and then I tell myself this ain't a dress rehearsal, go with the flow whilst you can.

So off I go, again! Portugal has been amazing, I've felt like part of the family at the big beach house and will miss everyone dearly. But now it's time to concentrate on my writing and get that book out of me! And who knows...meet my French Prince Charming...

BTW... http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/interview-with-ardal-ohanlon
MiloandMe appearing in episode 1 Wednesday 14th December at 9pm More 4, when I met Willie the matchmaker in Ireland. I can't watch it in Portugal, fingers crossed I don't look like a complete idiot!

Going to miss this beach...

Think Milo will miss it more...

Going to miss these wee faces...

Can't wait for this...