This time last year we headed up to Edinburgh for a few nights. It was a significant trip as it marked the first time we’d been away as a team of two and the first time we’d been away since the pandemic. The lockdown years were spent happily at home—we are both introverted homebodies, after all—but we were finally ready for more. Ready to break new ground together, stretch the edges of our comfort zones hand in hand. Ready to make new memories.
I took my younger two on a trip to Edinburgh by train quite a few years ago now, but this brought back lovely memories of that trip. They've never forgotten seeing pandas in Scotland!
Oh let’s hear it for the pandas of Scotland! Em is obsessed with pandas so we’ve already booked a visit. They’re heading back to China in the autumn. I’m so happy this resonated with your own memories, Emma. Holidays hold such a big place in kids’ memories, I think. So good on us for giving them Edinburgh ones! 🙌🏻💙🤍
Thank you so much, Kathryn! ❤️ I’m so glad I captured that time in words. I’ll never forget it. And am very much looking forward to reliving that feeling of freedom. Em is very excited too as I’ve promised pandas again! 🐼xx
Thank you Claire for allowing us to be there with you. What a wonderful reflection. And I resonate so deeply with that sense of freedom. I definitely felt it during our trip through Scandinavia last autumn. And the quiet yet powerful excitement to do it again this year is ever-present. Wishing you both a wonderfully freeing trip! 🚂❤️🌊
Thank you so much, Silvia! Oh that beautiful freedom. I’m so excited to feel that again. Me and her and no to-do list … except have fun! Scandinavia trip sounds wonderful and I can’t wait to see where your travels take you next 💛
So lovely to see your name pop up, Michelle! Utter joy. We had a wonderful time again, I guess I get to let go in a way I don’t at home. But that first time will stick in my memory ❤️
I've had so many special times with my two in Pizza Express, standard celebration fare! Love your description of it, 'the reassuring homogeneity' as yes, that's exactly what it's like. A bit like a Premier Inn! You know exactly what you're going to get and that's fine. Fiorentina anyone? 🤣🍕
So lovely to read this again and experience your joy. There needs to be more marking and remembering of joy. I suppose you can say for the pandemic, like hitting your head with a hammer, that it was wonderful when it stopped and you suddenly experienced things as if for the first time. Though staying at home most of the time was fine by me too!
Thanks Charlie! I loved revisiting it too and am grateful to last year me for putting that feeling into words. This year's trip carried all the same joy and freedom––a break from all the responsibilities of home feels so good, so welcome––but yes, that first time will always feel like it hit more deeply x
I think it’s probably that sense of freedom, lightness of spirit and pride in your achievements that made Edinburgh so special. Hope this weekend lives up to it xx
I think that one will stick out because it was the first, but getting away again later in the year felt the same. I think it’s the break from the responsibility of home. She’s an easy companion, so I get to relax and have fun. And eat a LOT of pizza that I haven’t cooked and don’t have to wash up after! 🥳🥳😂💙🤍xx
Thank you, Terry! Yes, the east coast main line is brilliant. Right through Durham, past the Angel of the North, across the Tyne and then right along the coast and over the beautiful Royal Border Bridge at Berwick upon Tweed! I’m excited already … can you tell?!
I took my younger two on a trip to Edinburgh by train quite a few years ago now, but this brought back lovely memories of that trip. They've never forgotten seeing pandas in Scotland!
Oh let’s hear it for the pandas of Scotland! Em is obsessed with pandas so we’ve already booked a visit. They’re heading back to China in the autumn. I’m so happy this resonated with your own memories, Emma. Holidays hold such a big place in kids’ memories, I think. So good on us for giving them Edinburgh ones! 🙌🏻💙🤍
So lovely to relive this special experience with you, Claire. Looking forward to seeing and hearing all about this year’s trip!
Thank you so much, Kathryn! ❤️ I’m so glad I captured that time in words. I’ll never forget it. And am very much looking forward to reliving that feeling of freedom. Em is very excited too as I’ve promised pandas again! 🐼xx
Thank you Claire for allowing us to be there with you. What a wonderful reflection. And I resonate so deeply with that sense of freedom. I definitely felt it during our trip through Scandinavia last autumn. And the quiet yet powerful excitement to do it again this year is ever-present. Wishing you both a wonderfully freeing trip! 🚂❤️🌊
Thank you so much, Silvia! Oh that beautiful freedom. I’m so excited to feel that again. Me and her and no to-do list … except have fun! Scandinavia trip sounds wonderful and I can’t wait to see where your travels take you next 💛
I am left with a beautiful image of the two of you in joy. Enjoy!
So lovely to see your name pop up, Michelle! Utter joy. We had a wonderful time again, I guess I get to let go in a way I don’t at home. But that first time will stick in my memory ❤️
I've had so many special times with my two in Pizza Express, standard celebration fare! Love your description of it, 'the reassuring homogeneity' as yes, that's exactly what it's like. A bit like a Premier Inn! You know exactly what you're going to get and that's fine. Fiorentina anyone? 🤣🍕
And thank you again for taking the time to read my whole back catalogue. I’m blown away! ❤️
An absolute pleasure 🌼
And guess where we stay when we go to Edinburgh ... yep that would be a Premier Inn 🤣 She LOVES the breakfast! 💜
I’ve stayed in so many of them .. used to travel around with Ryan taking him to tennis tournaments. He loved the breakfasts too 🤪
So lovely to read this again and experience your joy. There needs to be more marking and remembering of joy. I suppose you can say for the pandemic, like hitting your head with a hammer, that it was wonderful when it stopped and you suddenly experienced things as if for the first time. Though staying at home most of the time was fine by me too!
Thanks Charlie! I loved revisiting it too and am grateful to last year me for putting that feeling into words. This year's trip carried all the same joy and freedom––a break from all the responsibilities of home feels so good, so welcome––but yes, that first time will always feel like it hit more deeply x
I think it’s probably that sense of freedom, lightness of spirit and pride in your achievements that made Edinburgh so special. Hope this weekend lives up to it xx
I think that one will stick out because it was the first, but getting away again later in the year felt the same. I think it’s the break from the responsibility of home. She’s an easy companion, so I get to relax and have fun. And eat a LOT of pizza that I haven’t cooked and don’t have to wash up after! 🥳🥳😂💙🤍xx
Isn't that the east coast line? The views are breathtaking. Lovely post, Claire. I could almost feel the sea breeze
Thank you, Terry! Yes, the east coast main line is brilliant. Right through Durham, past the Angel of the North, across the Tyne and then right along the coast and over the beautiful Royal Border Bridge at Berwick upon Tweed! I’m excited already … can you tell?!
Yeah, it kinda shows 😂 Have a lovely time
😂 Thank you!