johncoxon

Polls that breed more polls that talk about the first polls are:

talodi

While working away all last week, I really didn't feel like spending my weekend at home staring at my four walls, not knowing how to make myself happy.  On a whim I decided to find a campsite somewhere, grab my tent and pitch it up.  Just me and the dog.

After Ant recommended Beverley, I looked for a site in that area, and ended up on a nice little place by Hornsea.  I've never really spent much time round that part of Yorkshire, and it's somewhere that's always appealed. 

Friday, I finished work at half 2, bought supplies, went home grabbed my gear and the dog, and hit the road.  I arrived at the site about 6ish and immediately knew I'd made the right decision.  I spent Friday night eating supernoodles, and sipping wine by candlelight.  It was so calm, peaceful and tranquil.  Not words I've associated with myself for a long time.

I've been quite scared of spending time on my own for a while now, and I'm totally over that.  I accept I'm still not 100% comfortable with being home alone, but I understand why, and I know I can get past it.  When you're home alone, and you're used to having someone there, the sense of loneliness is amplified.  Taking myself away to somewhere where I don't expect to see anyone I know, or associate with difficult times, you feel free again.  Free to remember who you are, and remember why you like yourself so much.  It's so important to like yourself.

So Friday night was a real important lesson, and one I truly got and appreciated.

Saturday morning I woke super early and by half 7 I was on the road with the dog again.  We drove to Beverley, and spent some time exploring the market place while it was all still being set up.  It was warm, but not too hot, and not too busy for the ginger shunner dog either.  After placing him in a ventilated and shaded car, I left him to sleep for a couple of hours while I explored the rest of the town.  I bought a new dress,some perfume, a couple of other little nick nacks, and just generally chilled.

After checking the dog was still sound asleep I drove back to Hornsea and stopped at the Mere for a while.  Henry and I had great fun with the geese who were hissing at us, and I hissed back at them.  When it started to get a little cooler we headed to the seafront for chips and a wander along the front.

Back at the site in the evening, it was time to chill out with a can of cider, and dinner al fresco.  I'd bought some pork chops earlier at the butchers, and grilled one of those, served with tiger bread and cheese coleslaw.  Simple, but yummy! 

I was really tired out by the warm sunshine and the early start and found myself asleep far too early.  Sunday morning arrived WAY too early, but after an extremely lovely lie around I got myself on the road to Hull around lunchtime. 

On another whim (get me being all spontaneous!), I texted my old friend Shaun (I can say he's old cos he's already 33 and I'm not), and asked for recommendations of things to do, figuring if he was free we could meet up, and if not he could suggest something cool in the area I must see.  As it happens he was having lunch with his family and his dad and I was invited along.  I'm really glad I said yes.  It kind of blew me away how welcoming all the family were, most who had never met me, and the other two haven't seen me in what we reckon to be 17/18 years!  I must apologise for getting all the girls' names confused, but I was VERY tired!

After dinner, and a quick stop to pick up Henry from their house I returned to the tent.  I did nothing last night other than pack up some of the stuff to save time this morning, and chill out with my book and Henry cuddles.

There's not one part of this weekend I regret, every single moment was absolutely wonderful, and in the main unplanned.  Could this be the start of a new spontaneous attitude?  Probably not, but at least I've proven that sometimes, just sometimes I CAN just go where the wind sends me and devil be blowed.

What I don't understand however, is the comments I've had off people today at work.  Mum, bless her, told me it was a brilliant idea and fully supported me when I told her on Friday.  But mostly people have said, "How brave you are".  What absolute rubbish.  I fail to see what is brave about sleeping in a tent for a weekend, and spending time in your own company.

Some people obviously need to learn to be comfortable with themselves, and should try it just once.

Photos of the weekend to follow!