Well, I was expecting a quiet couple of days (we have Hogmanay off work in Scotland as well as New Year), to go swimming at the beach at Kilbride bay on my own and then watch a lot of trash TV and, if the weather was good, sorting out the litter problem along my route to work. But, that road is 7 miles long and very hilly, and it would take me a long time to do it alone as I'd have to walk along and back. Not that I mind, but then I saw a facebook post from Sophie asking if anyone wanted to join in on a bit of path clearing in Tighnabruaich. I was slightly reluctant as I don't live there, so I took a chance and said if she ever wanted to join me litter-picking that road to let me know. She said great, how about New Year's day, so I said sure. I was hoping she had a car so we could leave one at the end and one at the start so we only had to walk one way, but sadly she didn't. Anyway, she walked and worked fast and we managed to cover two miles, collecting three bags of rubbish. I hadn't expected that much, and it just goes to show that what you can see from the car window is a fraction of how much is there, and that it really needed doing. Snow added a satisfying winter feel to the hour and half, and the road was quiet as everyone else must have been sleeping off their New Year hangovers. Good company, satisfying outcome and great to meet a like minded person. I hope we can get together for more tidying before too long.
After that I met my colleague, Sam, and her friend Brigid, for the New Year Loony Dook at Kames beach. About 50 people congregated for the dip in the sea at 1pm, along with another 30 or 40 watching. After a little game of Twister in Sam's campervan as we all got changed into our costumes we headed along the road to the tiny area of sand. On the dot everyone made a run for it, there was lots of squealing and splashing and a lot of people were in and out, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting and I would have stayed in for longer had it been just me. It was a great atmosphere and everyone had huge smiles. Then we returned to the warm campervan to dry and dress, followed by free, hot lentil soup in Kames hotel for all the dippers. I really enjoyed the warmth and companionship in the pub. Then another colleague, Clare, came in with her husband, super kiddies and gorgeous dog and we had a catch up with her too. Lovely.
I headed home and lit the fire, warmed up and then had a short visit from Heather and Dave. Watched some TV, snuggled up with the cats, and tried not to contemplate how the world is moving on without John. Things are happening that I wish he was here to enjoy and that I could share with him. There are things I see that he would have found funny and I really miss hearing him laugh and seeing the sparkle in his eyes, or perhaps a deer by the road that he would have considered special, or like the amazing aurora that happened on New Year's day - natures natural fireworks, which were magical but which I experienced on my own. It was wonderful and I found joy and elation in it, but returning into the empty house took the shine off it and the loneliness crowded back in.
And finally, on Hogmanay, I went to a barbecue on the beach at Kilfinan with Sam and Brigid. A small band of people, braving the cold to gather on the shore, donate something for cooking and eating round a communal bonfire. What a wonderful thing to do by the sea, watching the sun go down and enjoying the fresh air and the amazing homemade brownies that were shared round.
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