Smile with Tired Eyes, Tired Minds

I don't think anyone could argue there to be many things greater in the world than a sunrise, viewed through sleepy eyes, tinted by the groggy happiness of being woken up by pink light pouring in through the window.
Now that its nearing summer, and the end of the school year, I'd like to think this will begin to happen more often, be that because I like to remain optimistic about the Scottish weather, or just because I could certainly do with that helping hand every morning to snap me out my slumber!
A sunrise (or set) is the most perfect excuse to wander round aimlessly with my camera, and recently after unexpectedly waking up early one day, I decided to pull on a hoodie and trainers with my pyjamas and do just that...

Seeing the sky in all its bright and pastel glory makes it so much easier to think positively the rest of the day, don't you think? Its as though those rosy shades seep into your brain, and suddenly you find the maybe that test, or awkward moment, or bad hair day isn't quite as bad as you initially thought! And who wouldn't want that kind of realisation?

I can only hope that whether the sun chooses to shine where you are or not, you can perhaps take a moment to enjoy the whole experience vicariously through my photos.

We Picnic in Pretty Places

Sometimes, it's so easy for me to get caught up in every day life, and forget that actually I live in quite a nice (for want of a better word) part of the world! But, just as quick as that fact can slip my busy mind, it also only takes one day, or one part of a day, to re-stumble across the pretty landscapes around me - for example, this Bank holiday, when we set off in search of a place to picnic.


Whilst it seems that everybody decides to embark on the great outdoors in some form or other when a bank holiday comes along - be that for a gentle stroll, an invigorating hike, or a long bike ride - personally we just wanted a bit of fresh air, a stretch of the legs, and a bit of a change of scenery.

Hopping in the car for a long drive is no problem to me, especially when we end up wandering round somewhere are attractive as we did, however it might have been even better had I not wisely brought my camera along without both it's battery (charging) and memory card (in computer) - I don't even know how I managed it! Thankfully I did manage to borrow scrounge another camera, and so, not to waste the opportunity, got clicking...

 Overall I had to say, quite simply, that I loved the whole place for it's beautiful houses, trees and cute little cafes! What more could you want from a town?

Aside from the throngs of other tourists with much the same idea as us, our wander along the river was fittingly peaceful, and even a panorama photo could hardly do it justice (plus, points for who can spot how I've creepily managed to duplicate Dad, oops!)

Of course walking around/ standing around when slightly lost, only calls for, what, a foot selfie? It sounds weird when said like that, but come on, you know fine well the ones I mean...

Impeccably styled as always (haw haw), I decided there was nothing better to wear on such a chilled excursion than a good pair of leggings, riding boots and a slobby jumper - we all have those days right?


Of course, the goal at the end of all our wanderings, the final destination, was the picnic, and oh boy, by the time we got there was my stomach growling in anticipation! We found a suitably humungous tree stump to perch our bums on, and dug in.

All washed down with a steaming hot flask of peppermint tea of course, as by then it was undoubtedly chilly!

With satisfied bellies and the beginnings of tiredness showing, we jumped in the car and head back home - even the view out the window was pleasantly scenic, as we passed by the 'Devil's Beef Tub'.

Impressive right? All in all a successful, thoroughly calm, stress-free day!
What did you get up to this Bank holiday? Is there something, like picnicking, that you like to do, maybe that makes you feel a bit like a kid again too?

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