I’ve been feeling down/ flat ALL this week and I’ve had enough. Not sure what’s going on, though I suspect it’s still travel related . I’ve been working on scrapbooking my photos and I just want to go back in the UK on holiday with my family. This is definitely the hardest I’ve had adjusting after a trip – but I guess it’s also the longest trip we’ve ever had. Last week I thought I was back on track but it wasn’t too be.

The worst part about feeling this way is that I’ve

- not been eating well

- not been exercising

- not wanted to do anything or go anywhere

- not been motivated to blog

- been feeling like a big failure

All of which, does NOT help me get over this funk I’m in. Today I’m supposed to go to my book group and I don’t want to – but I’m planning to make myself go. I know I’ll have a good time once I’m there.

I’m hoping the weather will warm up soon (it’s been cold) as I’m sure that would help my mood. In the meantime I need to get myself excited about things that are coming up – like our Halloween party, being able to plant our vegetable garden, getting back in the swimming pool, etc.

If anyone has any great tips for getting past this sort of feeling please share.

Todays “baby” cow photos were taken at John O’Groats in Scotland. And I’m pretty sure cows never have a down day….. except maybe in Winter when it’s cold and they’re shut inside

I couldn’t help myself. She was lying right beside me when I was painting Amy’s toe nails.

You’ll be relieved to know I didn’t paint Bailey’s toes .

On Saturday afternoon we had a little afternoon tea party for the pups. Rosie turned 4 last Tuesday and Bailey turned 2 on Thursday.

We were joined by Mum and Dad… who came with edible presents.

Of course there was a birthday cake – lemon syrup made by Amy.

The dogs polished off their portion in no time flat.

We all enjoyed the party, esp. the guests of honor. After eating and playing with their new toys, they were all tuckered out. I swear Bailey is one of the strangest dogs in the world .

well the city bush anyway. This morning I was feeling well enough to get out for a walk, but instead of braving the cold before the sun was up I decided to wait until after I dropped Amy off in town (for another excursion). The pups and I embarked on a walk that I haven’t done in around 15 years!!. We started off near the beach and headed off. After about 10mins on the cycle path you head off on the boardwalk..

which eventually gives way to a bush track..

Following along we come to some beautiful views…

You can see the buildings in Wollongong in behind the trees.

Towards to escarpment. Hey, we just walked across that bridge..

Onwards…letting the dogs find the trail…let’s hope those rain clouds stay out to sea…

Ducking under some low branches…hope the dogs know where they are going…

Um…no they didn’t…turn around and go back…looking back towards Wollongong again… that big building is the Novotel where we got married (many, many years ago)…

Onward we trek…back the way we came…eventually taking a wider path…

Then finally the end is in sight…

Oh, no, now we have to turn around and go ALL the way back….

One hour and 10 minutes later and the car is in sight. I’m not sure who more pleased to see it – me or the dogs…

It was seriously a lot of fun (and a great workout). Can’t believe I have NEVER bought the girls here. The poor dogs were so tired. Bailey even feel asleep in the car on the way home .

Having “another” bad afternoon with the girls so too stressed to write a post. Instead here’s a photo of three things that made me happy today – learning the crochet granny squares and my two loyal buddies.

Tomorrow I’m hoping to start a series of travel posts – which have been a VERY long time coming – I think Ailsa‘s been asking me for over a year !

Yesterday the dogs discovered a little sparrow that had somehow gotten into the house and was trapped in the computer room. There is a glass door that opens into the loungeroom and he must have been up again the glass. When Amy opened the door she thought a mouse ran out but it was just a little sparrow. At first I thought it was half dead – either from being trapped or from fright with two big dogs chasing it. But after further examination I put it into a box with some water and budgie seed to try and recover.

It’s foot looked broken but a few hours later seemed okay. We put him in the spare bird cage overnight.

His wing appeared to not be working properly so this morning I took him into our birds vet (they do work for WIRES). They were going to have the vet check him out but it’s looking like he’ll make a full recovering and be released. It was nice getting to play a part in saving his life.

My dogs know that whenever I use the kitchenaid mixer there will be a bowl to be lick. Today Rosie had the first go and ended with with quite a bit of it on her head.

Then it was Bailey’s turn.

while Rosie watched, hoping he’d leave her some more…

Sorry Rosie, that bowl got licked clean!

I just loved these guys….