Summer; don't go...

14.5 degrees celsius this morning in the VW.

Heated seats on, wipers taking away the early morning dew.  Harley shuffles in the seat next to me. He is cold.  Yet, still, my flip flops are the shoe of choice! No to boots, not yet.  
I'm either boots or flip flops.  No real in between. 

I love our seasons and how they change.  Yet I'm reluctant to move on from summer. 

This summer has been incredible. 

Why though?  It's been full of twists and turns in the health department but there is something about the way I am feeling which makes me grateful for life just now.
Finally the struggle is over. As I step into the reality of who I am and what I want to be.  

Almost as if I simply have to enjoy the writers life as my career as trying to hold together the 9-5 or the toil of dashing around here and there isn't going to be a possibility to even consider anymore. 
Watching a law of attraction video,  I noticed how the speaker was talking about us 'changing things when...' and yes that's true.  We so often wait until this or until that....so my back is against the wall and I chose gratitude.

Mum is keeping us on our toes as she keeps missing heartbeats.  This is something I have learned to stop worrying about.  But more on that over on the new blog.

My holidays have been incredible and I'm really stepping into my own skin. I never knew what that meant before. But I'm finally (for the first time in my life) comfortable with who I am and where I'm going.  Life feels good.  I'm comfortable with home life. Happy with work life.  The newest diagnosis of AS has allowed me to release the guilt of always being so fatigued as I know the reason why now.  

Travelling to Turkey was more than amazing and I plan to go back with mum in a couple of weeks time.  Prior to that we are in the trees for a wonderful time at Centre Parcs. I love it there! We also are off to a luxury lodge for a couple of nights on the coast.  All the while reviewing, photographing and writing about...what a dream job. 

Loving my online life. 

Our trip to Centre Parcs

You will love this, we had a great time within the trees! Did you see our recent videos of our trip to Centre Parcs in Woburn Forest?

We love all that Centre parts has to offer Just love it!

Would we recommend Woburn Forest? Absolutely.  

The swimming pool has enough whirls and swirls and activities to keep us amused for hours on end.  Walking through the tress is just refreshing and soul filling.  The accommodation quite second to none.

Our second visit here, I could gladly stay for a long time!

Much love

Louise xoxo

Overwhelmed at Centre Parcs

As my shihtzu snores with gusto on the bed next to the man I love, I can't help this overwhelming feeling of what we are experiencing on our latest trip away. 

Centre Parcs in Woburn Forest was granted permission to become this amazing place just 5 years ago and now in all it's finest glory of nature, stands proud as our hosts.  My hopes and expectations were high for this mini break.  Yet I'm overwhelmed.  This amazing place sure has the Wow factor.

January was when we were booked to come here and enjoy a cold winter break.  You see we decided as a family to celebrate the twins 16th Birthday here.  Deciding against a party, I chose here for all of us as a family.  Specifically due to the idea that Mum and Dad could stay in the hotel to get a bit of quiet time away from Harley (the snoring shih tzu) and all of us really.  Booking a lodge for me, Scott and the twins was an easy decision.  

Living with the huge regret as I broke my Dads heart on his last conscious day of his life when I told him, "Dad, I don't think you are going to be well enough to come to Centre Parcs with us."  He cried uncontrollably and I so wish I could turn back the clock and not say that.  This was on the Wednesday before we were due to travel on the Friday.  Little did I know that Friday would be the day we were handed the devastating news that my lovely father wouldn't survive once his life support was switched off.  
As Dad took his last night of induced coma sleep, we tried to celebrate the twins birthday.  It was near on impossible.  Smiling was hard.  This was supposed to be for all of us.  Dad had been the most amazing Grandfather stepping into the absent fathers shoes for all things Dads should do.  

The day after the twins birthday was the day Scott and I sung Dad to sleep while I cradled his head.  He died peacefully and beautifully.  I know he would want us to smile and laugh and scream on the water slides.  So as I type my throat is raw with the Living I must do for Dad as we eat another piece of belated birthday cake.

Tranquillity comes as standard at this place and I honestly could not have imagined how amazing this wonderful woodland really is.

More posts will follow of what we have done and where we have been.  For now, something told my fingers to type out what my broken heart must have been thinking.  

Also, today is the day my Mum got to hold one of her beloved Barn Owls (a christmas gift Scott and I bought for her and Dad).

Jasmine with a BIG owl!

Precious.