DISCOVERING PRESTONPANS MURALS

Do you have a list of places you would like to visit one day?  Because I'm sure I'm not alone in this!

And it is good to tick them off.
Add new ones.
And discover places that would have been on the list. Had you'd known about them.

One such place was Prestonpans in East Lothian.

After spending an afternoon with my a blog friend Helena we decided to find a nearby campsite and to start our journey along the coast next day. Normally we look for somewhere interesting or picturesque but it was just overnight, so we simply chose a convenient spot. And what a surprise!!  First, we discovered that right next to the campsite was an open air museum. We were able to wander round and my camera was very busy. But more about that another time, because what we also learnt that this was an area of historical interest. And that down the road at Prestonpans there were murals painted on buildings to commemorate this.  So next morning we stopped off briefly to discover more. Here are some of my photos:

We didn't have long to explore so wasn't able to see all the murals.
Today I discovered this link and wish I'd seen this before our visit. But then it is exciting to discover new places and to be surprised. If ever we are back in the area we will stop again. For longer this time.

And if you want to find out more yourself do check out the link. I will share more about the open air museum another time because that was another surprise! Meanwhile thanks for popping by. I'll be back tomorrow with another post for my 30 Day Blogging Challenge. Hope to see you here.

REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL

I have a large collection of draft posts. Ones that I have started and not finished, because:

• Something else grabbed my attention or excitement 
• They were planned in advance and are no longer relevant 
• They wait, their time to post is not yet right
• OR! Perhaps they just got overlooked!

And that's what happened today.  Because as I was scrolling down my list I had a sudden heart sink. I found a draft that truly should have been posted. 

Let me explain:

One lady at our WI would win the raffle nearly every time she entered.  But not me.  I support good causes and buy the occasional lottery ticket without high expectation of winning, but there is always hope! Perhaps I should change my attitude. They say a positive attitude helps. But I digress.... 

Sometimes I enter competitions too. Again, my chances of winning have proved to be slim in the past, but there was one day in June last year, when everything changed.

So why did my heart sink when I found this draft, instead of doing back flips with excitement?

Because my friend Julie offered a prize in collaboration with Chamby & Cor.

And I was the lucky winner!! 

And I never publically said thank you!! 
 
Okay, it is not a prison-able offence, but generosity and kindness should be acknowledged, and I like to treat others as I would like to be treated.  SO! Somewhat late, but nonetheless a huge thank you to Julie and to Chamby and Cor! My gifts have been lovingly used and appreciated, and I had difficulty in choosing from such a huge range of washi tapes. So it's worth checking out their website. And while you are at it, take a look at Julie's shop too.  That's where you can buy the hinged hoop and lots of other lovely things!  

But there is more!!  

On the very same day I heard from a friend.

She had joined the National Trust and as part of her membership she was given a ticket to pass on to a friend.  It allowed free entry to NT properties for a one-week period, and she gave it to me! 

I wrote about my visit here and was very grateful because we had a wonderful day out.  One of those days that stands out in memory.  One of those days I made into a book:

But there is still more!!

Because another friend sent an email to say she was offering me the gift of a free online course. She had signed up and could invite a friend to join her. Can you imagine?! 

All three were received on the same day! 

I was blown away!! 

So, I have reasons to be grateful.

Reasons to appreciate friendship and the act of giving/sharing.

And of course, I like to pay things forward and to say thank you. 
Even if it is later than planned. 


Thank you for popping by. I'll be back tomorrow with another post as part of my 30 Days Blogging Challenge. And I'd love to know if any of this resonates with you. Please tell me I am not alone in my long list of draft posts and having ones you planned but have not written!