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Small steps

I’m trying to find things to do to keep me busy. I’m investigating joining St John Ambulance.

This weekend I’m marshalling at a charity walk.

I think that sums it up.

Sticks and stones

“Sticks & stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Well, that was a pile of crap (not carp, as I just wrote, though stinks just as bad!), wasn’t it? Not only do we get beaten up by others who talk us down, but we get eaten up by our own negative self-talk, and end up believing the lies, comparing ourselves to others and not living our lives to the full.

I bet you remember some of the shitty, nasty things people said. And some of the things people didn’t realise would hurt you, the labels they gave you.

“You can’t sing.” Uh, yes I can, but it’s taken me over 15 years to pluck up the courage to do so, so thanks.

“She’s the grumpy one.” she wasn’t, but life sucked and she didn’t know how to handle it at such a young age, but the label stuck, and now she IS the grumpy one, the depressed one.

Bruce Springsteen

I went to see Bruce Springsteen at the Emirates Stadium in London last night. Which is 5 minutes walk from my house. So I heard him twice! Once on Friday night, then saw him Saturday. He was awesome!

We had standing tickets. We got in the queue at 5 and were in just before 6 (doors opened 5.30, so that was good!) We found a place to perch next to the sound desk, about half-way back. OK view, but couldn’t really see their faces.

Until 20 minutes in we realised we’d found the perfect spot – because the tech guys at the sound desk were handing out magic wristbands to the enclosed bit at the front. The bit where all the people who’d been queuing all day for where!

Woo hoo! How exciting! I did get caught up in the excitement and found myself rushing with the crowd when Bruce headed over the the forward bit of stage our side. I have the stiff muscles and bruises to prove I was in that crowd! I did manage to get the tips of my fingers within 3 inches of him though!

Glasgow: days 4 and 5

Thursday was my birthday treat day. I was going on a sea plane with Loch Lomond Seaplanes. Originally booked in for a tour, I had a call on the Wednesday to say they were having to cancel the tour, but as I’d travelled up from London for this, they would fly me to Tobermory (on the island of Mull) and back again later the same day.

So I took the underground (apparently the locals call it the Clockwork Orange) out to the Science Centre where the plane takes off from the River Clyde. I got there, took one look at the plane… and headed for the toilet, which is what I do when I’m nervous! It was tiny! And after the Mackintosh Tower incident of vertigo, I wasn’t that sure about going up in some teeny tiny plane.

Glasgow Science Centre and seaplane, as seen from Glasgow Tower

By the time we were ready to board I was terrified. And told them so! However, the guys were great! I’m sure they must have nervous passengers all the time, and they let me sit up next to the pilot, so I had my own private tour guide there and back!

Co-pilot Jo ready for take-off!

Leaving Glasgow by seaplane

We had to set down at Loch Lomond for refuelling, which was great! I didn’t get the proper tour, but I think I had a far better experience!

View of Loch Lomond through propellors

Refuelling on Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond, looking back towards Glasgow

Once we’d got the fuel on board it was off again. Over the Highlands and on to Mull. We’d left a dreary dull Glasgow, but once we were over Loch Lomond, the sun came out, the grass was green and the skies and seas were bright, bright blue!

The pilot, Andy, was a fantastic tour guide. But I guess when you do this 3 or 4 times a day, you’re going to know what’s what and where’s where.

Wind farm

View of a castle from around 2,000 feet

Reflection of the plane in the water

View of islands from the air

And then we reached Tobermory. We landed, the passengers for the island went by boat over to the shore and the next lot of passengers came back by boat. So all I saw of Tobermory was the view from the jetty.

Coming into Tobermory harbour

And then, sadly, it was all over. Despite my earlier terror, I was so excited by the trip I wanted to go back again. But it was not to be.

Me with the pilot and safety boat driver

So, bolstered by my new-found courage, I took a trip up Glasgow Tower, at 127 metres high, the tallest free-standing building in Scotland and the only building in the world capable of rotating into a prevailing wind, with barely a shaky knee in sight! And they rotated the tower for me!

Reflection of Glasgow Tower on the River Clyde

And then it was off to bed and ready for my long trip home the next day. Which was long! I travelled first class (well it was my birthday), but found the seats difficult to sleep on – too much leg room! Some amazing views of the North East coastline as we travelled to Berwick-on-Tweed – I might have to check that out next!

And then back to London and reality. The hustle and bustle and thousands of grumpy people. Within seconds I was back into London transport mode, head down, fast walk, off you go. Nobody smiled, but then it wasn’t particularly sunny weather.

So that was it, my Glasgow trip all over and done with. But what a trip!