When the right choice breaks your heart...

Another adventure beckons me. Another chapter in this wonderous midlife crisis of mine. Another opportunity with my name on it.  I'm going back to Portugal. Last week was a mini wake up call for me of how short and precious life actually is.  There is no promised tomorrow, no return of yesterday, only the moment we live in. So, on that note while I 'can' I 'will'.

I will go to Portugal and finish writing book two whilst helping to care for Gran. Gran is the perfect writing buddy; she is an excellent listener, she never interrupts and she can keep a secret. Ali, my wonderful friend, will encourage my writing and no doubt fuel my imagination. Foz do Arelho is one of Portugals hidden gems and I am extremely lucky to be returning. Ali rents out rooms in her vast home all year round which will I'm sure will provide me with some interesting entertainment to blog about.

There is a 'but' though. A big, huge, massive 'but'! I can't take Milo... The thought of not being with him breaks my heart. We have spent the last 3 years side by side and done everything together. He is my constant, my best friend, my everything. But I can't put Milo through the trauma of flying again, the heat of Portugal and the stress of cohabiting with other dogs. Milo has settled into a calm and comfortable life here with my sister Pip, who adores him nearly as much as me. Milo, I know, will be fine. Me? Only time will tell...

A peek at where I'll be...
https://www.casabrancaguesthouse.com

Just Me...

Always at my feet...

Always by my side...

Always in my heart... 

Let sleeping dogs lie - Milo's favourite place... 

Life. It's all about the Middle bit...

Life. All that we know for sure is our "hello" and our "goodbye". The middle bit is anyone's guess. My middle bit, so far, has been really rather good. I like my middle bit, I'm not ready for it to stop yet. Which is why I was really rather sad, scared and angry last week. Long story short: Last Sunday I was coughing up a fair amount of blood and having been a long term smoker I was rushed through the A & E service pretty promptly (hats off to the NHS). After various tests I was declared fit to travel by my GP so set off in the Beast with Milo on Monday.

We stopped off in the Lake District on Monday night and due to my weirdly, wonderful satnav we saw some amazing scenery heading towards Dumfries on Tuesday. Either I don't read my satnav correctly or its having a laugh with me. Both my wing mirrors merrily brushed along the hedges on
the tiny, winding lanes and first gear was all we managed up the steep hills. What happened to the M6 I'll never know!

Anyway, we arrived at my dear friend Pauls house in Kippford and settled down to an evening of good food, wine and banter. That is until late in the evening when I received a message from my GP to contact him. Something was wrong with my X-ray?! As it was so late I was unable to contact him. Needless to say I never slept a wink that night. I went through every possible scenario in my head and even ran through my 'dead letters' to my loved ones. Paul was super company and said all the 'right' words. The next day I was told to return for further X-rays. It was a long drive home.

Within 24 hours of my second X-rays I was told they were Clear. Happy is an understatement! Having felt like I'd lost control of all that I knew, here I was, back to where I was. My Middle bit. I have a doctors appointment this week, just for a chat, but I feel good. Nothing like a wake up call to appreciate your middle bit...

I Love My Life...

TV appearances & Book tours, all in a day's work...

I'm off on a mini adventure tomorrow, with Milo, in the Beast. We intend to head towards Dumfries and visit our good friend Paul (a character in my book no less!). The Beast is desperately in need of a good run and having been spruced up a bit he is now fit to travel (RAC on standby). Pip has made me some fab posters for my windows, promoting my book 'Milo, Me and the Beast' which will be quite apt as we three hit the road!  A bit like a mini book tour of self promotion. I've had more super reviews on Amazon and couldn't be happier with the feedback I've received so far. (Still need more though!).

The weather forecast looks promising for the week and I've stocked up on essential provisions: coffee, chocolate and crisps. Hopefully I will find a lovely quiet spot and get some more writing done on book two ~ The Middle...

I'm in need of a rest after last week.  Unfortunately, I'm unable to say too much about it, but going by my photos I look like the new Pat Butcher wannabe for Eastenders haha! TV scheduling is a nightmare I have recently discovered, but all will be revealed in time... (Could be a long time!)

The Beast promoting himself...

Wave if you see us...

Pat Butcher wannabe...

My own private dressing room...

Should have taken my rollers out... 

I am a Happy Homeless Person...

I can't believe it's coming up to three years since I threw away my old life and began my new one. And my word what an adventure I've had! I think I will now call myself a 'happy homeless person'. I have no home, no furniture, no career, no routine and no commitments. And I've never been happier. I don't know what I'm doing from one day to the next, other than walk Milo. I make plans and I change plans, I look forwards, backwards and sideways, I take one day at a time. I may not have found my happy ever after but I'm having a damn good time looking. I've lost friends and found new ones, I've visited places I'd never heard of and created memories to hold forever. I'm so lucky and appreciate it every day.

Last week I was in Portugal and tomorrow I will be in London. Today I am here. Here is always the best place, it exists because it's where you are and I reckon we are always where we are meant to be. So, who knows where I will be in another three years other than 'here'! Haha just read that back... It actually makes sense in my head...

Not quite living on a park bench yet...

When Milo thought he was coming to Portugal with me...

Don't tell Milo...

Real friends count... 

Milo and Me chilling 'here'...