Another early rise, at least this won’t be a shock to the system on Monday when my alarm goes off for back to work and I was on my way back to the UK. I took a moment to get onto the plane as I basked in the early morning heat for one last time – who knows how long it will be until I see the sun like that again.
Whilst on the plane and coming into land, you could tell the weather outside wasn’t as nice as the weather you are used to. The plane was up and down and side to side as coming into land but non the less it got down in one piece.
Upon the arrival into Edinburgh I caught the bus to Waverley station and whilst it was dry decided to go up Calton Hill and earn my lunch at Howies.A quick lunch and a catch up with Debsie and it was finally time to head home. The adventure is over.
So my adventure has come to an end am I sad? Am I glad? Probably a mixture of the two. What have I learnt over the last few weeks, Europe is a bloody amazing place, rich in history, amazing food and drink, amazing people, top dollar weather. Why we are leaving the EU baffles me. In the time of leaving London 4 weeks ago, my passport has been checked a grand total of 2 times by passport control, landing in Croatia, and arriving back into Italy by boat, oh and entering back into the UK…free movement is a no brainer (anyway enough about the politics).
What else have I learnt, I actually can get on with my own company for a long period of time, ok I’ve lived on my own for over a year but it’s different when you have to spend all day everyday in your own company. I’ve also learnt that I miss my family and friends back home a heck of a lot and when dad/ mum said keep in touch, I wasn’t expecting the “Morning” text every day from both of them 🤣🤣🤦🏻♀️. I think I’ve spoken to them more this trip via text than I do when I’m at home.
I’ve learnt I can relax and should at times take the opportunity to relax – I’ve never read a book so much in all my life apart from maybe when Harry Potter was released or I was “revising” at uni, I usually only dip in and out when I get the “chance”.
Finally, my good friend, Mini Wood sent me this whilst I was away. It was written by Charlie Chaplin for his 70th birthday and it feels fitting to close my blog with it. Woods adventures aren’t over, this is just the start. Who is ready for the next chapter?
As I began to love myself
I found that anguish and emotional suffering
are only warning signs that I was living
against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is Authenticity.
As I began to love myself
I understood how much it can offend somebody
if I try to force my desires on this person,
even though I knew the time was not right
and the person was not ready for it,
and even though this person was me.
Today I call this Respect.
As I began to love myself
I stopped craving for a different life,
and I could see that everything
that surrounded me
was inviting me to grow.
Today I call this Maturity.
As I began to love myself
I understood that at any circumstance,
I am in the right place at the right time,
and everything happens at the exactly right moment.
So I could be calm.
Today I call this Self-Confidence.
As I began to love myself
I quit stealing my own time,
and I stopped designing huge projects
for the future.
Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness,
things I love to do and that make my heart cheer,
and I do them in my own way
and in my own rhythm.
Today I call this Simplicity.
As I began to love myself
I freed myself of anything
that is no good for my health –
food, people, things, situations,
and everything that drew me down
and away from myself.
At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is Love of Oneself.
As I began to love myself
I quit trying to always be right,
and ever since
I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is Modesty.
As I began to love myself
I refused to go on living in the past
and worrying about the future.
Now, I only live for the moment,
where everything is happening.
Today I live each day,
day by day,
and I call it Fulfillment.
As I began to love myself
I recognized
that my mind can disturb me
and it can make me sick.
But as I connected it to my heart,
my mind became a valuable ally.
Today I call this connection Wisdom of the Heart.
We no longer need to fear arguments,
confrontations or any kind of problems
with ourselves or others.
Even stars collide,
and out of their crashing, new worlds are born.
Today I know: This is Life!
Flying Solo 