FEELING REFLECTIVE

Today I read through my blogs for the first time. Strange reading back, somethings seem so irrelevant now. The bad weather I seem to mention alot in my blogs but in all honesty, it wasn’t overly bad, it could have been worse. The hard weather days that stick in mind was the drive from Wick to John O Groats. It was by far the worst for us. It was driving into the back which was going to cause us huge problems but we found a solution. It’s now a big part of our memory from this adventure. Aswell as the collapsing tent in the horrendous winds whilst at Ullapool and the horrible cold dreich weather we got for the day across the bealach na ba pass. These memory’s make me smile despite them seeming terrible, it was an experience and we talk about these moments as much as we do the good ones. The weather being nice did help though definitely. It impacted our mood and that of those we passed. On the nice sunny days the atmosphere seemed more positive and holiday like. From the sunset evenings to the sunny morning drives we had, aswell as the dining in the sun at Oban. These experienced were all helped by the nicer weather.

Now I have had time to reflect and what I personally loved the most had nothing to do with the weather, places or roads. It was all to do with the people. People are what made this trip extra special. Of course we had some lovely drives and some that I long for again. The villages particularly on the south west coast were beautiful but still doesn’t beat the people. Each stand out moment from the trip involved the coming together of strangers. So many lessons learnt and personal growth made.

The care home in Montrose has got to be a lifetime lesson. Just because your old doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun. What an absolutely privilege to make a difference to these elderly people. Something we are now looking into possibly doing locally with some care homes.

The evening at ACDC glamping, singing with complete strangers as we watched the sunset. This was a once in a life time experience for me. Of course with friends I have sat around a fire singing but this, this was sooo different. It was living. In that moment I was thankful. Thankful to be alive, thankful to be able to experience this and be surrounded by amazing strangers and just felt so deeply in love with my family and life itself. I will cherish that moment for the rest of my life. Music does bring people together from all walks of life, that I learnt that day.

The day the Nc500 page seemed to be a focus of finding us….yes us, the 2 tuktuks. It was being spoken about and by God did we know it. Waves, beeps, donations just complete smiles from 99% of people we passed. Applauded in some cases. The few days on the north west coast were amazing, but it was the passing travellers that gave us the biggest feel good feelings ever. We felt special, we were by far not the only ones doing special things for charity but the feel good scale was off the radar. Again this was thanks to the positivity shown by everyone we passed. These few days stick in our head because of the kindness and love we were shown.

Meeting up with Bobby’s friend Mick. He shared stories of his travels around the world on his motorbike. Having never met him before it gave me an insight into his life experiences. To me he was a stranger, I hadn’t met him before that day but we all shared a drink around the fire pit. Singing ( on a smaller scale to ACDC glamping) and playing the ukulele. Something special about campfires and singing.

Wigtown, Whithorn, again the lovely villages we visited on the South West Coast. The people were so warming and friendly. Relaxed atmosphere and homely little places. It was here another stand out moment. Being invited into the local church by the minister, straight of the street. We aren’t religious but how can you turn down such kindness. Sitting in the church given tea and biscuits chatting to strangers has nothing to do with religion anyway. It was savouring the moment to meet new people. Something I will never hesitate to do again.

Expect the unexpected, and everything happens for a reason. Some quotes that fitted in to one of the best memories we had. Tired heads, moods on the down due to poor camping facilities, left us searching for a home for the night. Stumbling across Bruce’s Cave caravan Park was like a thanks from God ( if we were religious) for visiting the church back in Whithorn haha. That night the kindness was that in abundance it was like putting on a fresh battery pack. It boosted our energy, our focus and made us forget we had even been tired. The roof rake bracket had snapped and it could have tipped us over the edge, instead we took it in our stride. Whizzing around the campsite on the tuktuks, I felt alive again. The friendly people on the site kept saying we had made there night, when infact they have no idea the impact there kindness had on us. The effort the people went to to make us feel welcome I will forever be greatful for. Just remember folks there could be something good lurking around every corner of life.

Last but not least my fondest memories were with my own amazing family. At the age of 15-17 the kids were never going to love every minute of this. It was long long days sitting in the back of the tuktuks. I thought they must have been bored and fed up alot of the time but this was not the case. I recall sitting at Drumroamin campsite down by Sorbie. It’s here, when we all got chatting in the wee games room that I realised they had made there own special memories. Mostly, of mine and Bobbys driving mistakes, or habits but it was special. I smiled from ear to ear that day. My birthday night was extra special for me. I forgot I was doing a challenge and that’s because Bobby always makes that effort to make me feel special. The sit down meal was one of my favourite meals ever as I could just savour it. We had set the tent up already so there was no rush. I was just living in the moment, no care or worries just in my family bubble. That evening brought us even closer when we walked along the harbour pier watching the sunset. Never felt so relaxed and close to my family like that in a while. Life can be so consuming back home that we rarely get that time together. Lastly, I got to share every moment with my best friend and love of my life. Every amazing moment we made sure we both could see it or feel it. We worked amazing as a team and helped lift each other on days it was a bit tougher. To beable to share this adventure with someone so like minded is a privelage and special. I’m thankful everyday for Bobby and his ever child like mind. Without this I would never have got to witness one single bit of this adventure. So next time some one suggest something crazy to you….its not crazy, its living…do it!!!

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