A Day Out With The Girls & Date Night

College is now finished for the summer and it really feels strange, especially to have some time to myself without feeling guilty about not writing an essay. However.. This week I had lots of me time to re-evaluate my goals and obligations for the forthcoming year. I really have a problem switching my brain off, so too much time to myself isn't always the best thing. After much obsessive thinking (ever wish you could escape your own head?) a day out with two of my favorite girls was in order. 

Jade and I met at the train station at 1.00 then headed into town so I could buy myself some black pumps from Primark. Why can you never go into Primark and not leave with a suitcase? (A few fluorescent T-shirts in every  to throw on whenever) I miss Zara. (Student budget sucks!) We headed for lunch time catch up refreshments at City Walls and sat on the roof terrace while waiting for Gillian.

After City Walls we met with Gil about 3.00 and headed to Nicky Tams, a small pub in the center of town for some lunch. I was in the mood for a salad and they didn't have any on the menu so I had decided I would wait until the next place of call. Thankfully some kind lady had overheard my disappointment and offered me a custom made salad. It was amazing - I had chicken, bacon and a finely diced large portion of salad.

We sat in and talked for a couple of hours before heading separate ways to meet the other halves. Wednesday being our date night anyhow, Graeme and I already had plans for the evening. I tottered back to the flat to meet him and then we went to Outback for our first drink. We stuck to light drinks to begin with and for most of the evening. Filling Station was our next port of of call with it being just  across the road. 

The Filling Station used to be one of my favorite places as a child, the unique decor and charming staff were always nice. I knew there was a reason I hadn't been lately - the place is still attractive and characteristic with lovely staff. The food on the other hand is dry and dingy, nothing special which would maybe be acceptable for a lower price tag. I miss the buffet table from back in 2000.  

I didn't actually order anything I was stuffed from lunch, however, I definitely influenced Graemes decision (entirely). He had the haggis balls for starter, a chicken and bacon stack with chips and onion rings for main and a side of his favorite loaded potato skins - sour cream and bacon. 

     

           

     None of it was impressive, ok for the price. From here we headed to Morrisons where G could conveniently watch football at the same time as have deep, meaningful life conversations with me (I kid). We had fun, I love date night.

A Run In The Car

During the week my grandpa and I had vowed we would all do something productive this Sunday and make the most of the day. I was out the night before on a staff night out so morning plans did unfortunately turn into afternoon time plans (half 3) Woops! Anyway, we hopped into the car and came to the conclusion that because the weather wasn't anything spectacular we'd just take Robbie with us and see where we ended up.

                               

We headed for Killin, Graeme and I both being hungover had a much needed nap on the way there. When we arrived we went a walk along the rocky pools next to the water. 

Robbie met some other dogs on his adventures then we got back in the car and drove to another lovely village for some more scenery - this time we drove to Kenmore to see the Loch.

Kenmore was very pretty, I loved the houses and views. No sooner had we stepped out of the car we noticed a beautiful Bengal cat far off in the distance. I was surprised as I had never seen one before. Then another appeared, and another, in total we found about 6 curious Bengals that were more than happy to receive some attention.

I have a new obsession, maybe one day. 20 minutes and many strokes later we moved on. We continued and found some doggies and pretty boats/homes etc.

Leaving the house at half 3 and leaving Kenmore at 6 we were getting a little peckish, we got back in the car and decided we would stop somewhere on the way back to Gargunnock. My grandpa suggested a little pub on the other side of Perth after we'd be getting off the M9. It was called the Harvester and it seemed nice for dinner. 

The menu had a deal which included unlimited drinks, unlimited salad bar, a main meal and ice-cream sundae for dessert. Graeme and I knew that was what we would go for, my grandpa was happy with just a main and juice. 

    

                                                             Salad to start 

        My grandpa had fish and chips and Graeme and I had a chicken burger with bacon, cheese and         fries/mash...

I had the toffee Sunday and shared it with my grandpa, G had the chocolate one, then we set off back home too Gargunnock for the night. 

A Day Out With Daniella

 Today myself and Daniella made the time for a much needed catch up. Growing up with the girls and us all having our own responsibilities has been difficult for us to be involved in each others lives as much as we would like. For me the main thing is, no matter how long a gap between visits, nothing changes...                                              

                                               

This week in Stirling has been a heat wave, so I wanted to make the most of the weather. We decided we would grab a picnic and head for the University to feed the ducks. I am a massive sucker for Marks and Spencers food so it was the first stop in town. We both grabbed a variety of snacks/fruit, then went to the bus stop. We would have walked, but we thought Emellie might get a little restless. I realized after I had left the house that I hadn't picked up my memory stick, much to my annoyance. So I had to make do with my phone instead...

                  

We were both quite hungry when we eventually got to the Uni at 2.30 as we hadn't eaten anything that day yet. We picked our spot in the sun and sat down for some lunch. We had some cookies (milk chocolate and white chocolate), cocktail sausages, fresh fruit, a peri chicken wrap, a chicken fajita wrap some cold chicken breasts and some crisps with sour cream dip. 

After filling our tummies the sun was getting a bit too much for me, I think I can handle heat well when I know I have somewhere to escape to, however when there isn't any shade nearby I feel quite claustrophobic. We went for a stroll around the pond and found some beautiful signets with their protective parents, some hungry ducks, one of which looked like it had a broken wing. I always want to animalnap any unfortunate, hurt creatures, I think I should own a nature reserve.

 

           

 

            After a scenic walk round the pond we headed for the bus, by this point I was starting to feel quite ill, I don't know if it was because of the heat, sun or food but I knew I needed a cold place to lie down. Daniella and Emellie went back home at around 5.00pm and I went straight for a nap, I felt better afterwards and ready for work the following morning. My mum also popped round that evening and we sat out in the garden and chatted for a couple of hours while Graeme watched the world cup. 

Making The Most Of A Bad Hangover

So the Saturday after the wedding ceremony, Graeme, my friend Andrew & I woke up a little worse for ware. I really hate wasting beautiful days with hangovers and was determined to make the most of the sun rather than feel sorry for ourselves on the couch. First thing was first and food was the priority, Andrew and I called Nando's and headed for our takeaway lunch! I had the double wrap medium, peri chips and creamy mash. Food either makes or breaks you I find with a hangover, in this instance it nearly broke me and all I wanted to do was nap... When Andrew left for home back to Bo'ness I managed to pull Graeme's arm to come out and adventure with me. We decided to visit my grandpa and set off out in the Gargunnock direction to the village for a stroll (hike) before our visit

   

I had heard of a waterfall up in the hills of Gargunnock, so though it might be fun to have a go at finding it, we parked at the Gargunnock shop, grabbed some juice, water And ice cream for our travels (all essential of course) typed our desired destination into Google and found a little map that wasn't the easiest to follow, but thought we would give it a go anyhow. 

            

Walking up past the pretty houses we headed further into the village, past the church and a cute little estate then took a right on to grassy looking paths that were getting steeper and steeper and steeper. It was such a hot day. We wern't sure if we where on the right track but just went with it anyhow... 

         
              

Growing  up in the countryside I love seeing nature, it's so lovely. We were on the right track and nearly at the top of the hill until we took a left instead of right - giving us a lot of extra hill walk - then we noticed we could hear the waterfall, but not actually see it. This was frustrating as we had walked for like an hour and a half and couldn't even see the thing we came for. We tried again but gave up ralizing the day was slipping away and my grandpa was still waiting on our visit. All in all it was still a beautiful walk and anything beats sitting indoors.

             
              

Returning to the car, walking through the village the smell of BBQ's was overwhelming and it wasn't long before I was on the phone to my grandpa to inform him that "I think we should have a BBQ, check your freezer and I'll get any supplies". Wine and rolls were on the to buy list, and we were set.

               

Graeme and my Grandpa cleaned the BBQ etc while I cracked on with the preparation for the food, our first BBQ of the summer. I always find spontaneous last minute plans more successful than anything planned weeks In advance and we had a beautiful evening drinking wine and eating burgers chatting out in the sun. It's moments like this that make me so grateful to have a small but close knit family and boyfriend. (Soppy, I know!) Pity I was working the next day at 6am but hey ho. I'm glad I convinced myself and Graeme to get out and about and from now on this is the kind of activity I will  have as my plan of action on Sundays - hungover or not.

             

             

             

June Week Two

 

My life has been so boring lately as all I've been doing is college work, but this should be the last week that I am stressed.... I say that, but as soon as I finish college I will be working full time the majority of the summer. Everyone needs cash and an education though so I can't complain, that's life. Right-now all I want to do is run the biggest of bubble baths, grab magazines, my ipad, my phone, anything that smells amazing, a face mask, music and just live there for like two hours. Then shower... It's a long but relaxing cycle, also known as procrastinating. Anyway, I find myself doing this most nights of the week, especially when it's raining. It doesn't help that I love my new bathroom, so any excuse to spend time there.

                                              

                                 

I also find that one night of the week is important to dedicate to your other half - also known as the cringey term "date-night". It's just important to bond and make time for each other in a cutesy romantic way. You might think when you live together it's like "but you see each other all of the time?" There's a difference between living together and spending quality time together. Especially when I'm spending most of my time with the laptop/comp doing essays (this suits Graeme perfectly while he sits on Fifa or watches football). I feel date night is important after a couple of years so your not getting too comfortable, obviously having fun as much as possible is the key to keeping a relationship fresh but one night where you put your phones away, have good conversation, go for drinks, go out for dinner, to the cinema or even just a big walk. Anyway... on this occasaion we had a cute indoor night and got takeaway Indian and watched a movie cuddled up. 

Since I've moved out I've really had to watch my spending urges, people that know me well will know I can happily go weeks without (well, maybe a week) buying clothes, accessories, gadgets, anything material. However when I head into town bored i'm like a kid in a candy store and it's just not practical. When I first met Graeme I would blow a whole months wage on the most pointless stuff, then struggle. I'm afraid, but also relieved to admit he has calmed me down and made me realize that a savings account is much more of an investment for the future. I will never stop shopping for random bits and pieces full stop. I will just be more savvy and head too the sales department, hunt for discount codes or just do a primark haul. 

       

This week was no different and I managed to escape Graeme's glare and purchase myself a couple of bits and bobs.  I love green tea and these twinings flavored ones are amazing, they make green tea taste like a naughty treat. Although I have accustomed to the unsweetened green tea flavor now too. 

   

         
  Primark is the place I go to to waste money guilt free. I say waste, I do love the things I buy, but I know in a couple of weeks or wears that it will no longer be the correct shape and I probably won't even consider wearing it again. The few wears you do get out of  the items do seem worth it to me and you can get a lot more for your money in this one shop than in others. I start working full time again as of next week, so I know I shall be a bit naughty and I can stop avoiding Topshop and Zara so much. (Just to make sure I'm not bankrupt)...      

                           
     
I hate hot drinks, I prefer all of my drinks cold, and my food for that matter (or at least warm). Maybe its because I have sensitive teeth, I personally think you can taste the flavors of anything better when it's not piping hot. So for tea I always use about five tea bags and add hot water to a plastic container, then add the rest cold with some ice then put it in the fridge and drink it like water later. I'm not sure  if it is as good for you when you leave it for an hour or so, I still just enjoy the flavor. Like chilled pineapple flavored water.