Secret beach

July 29, 2013July 29, 20133 Comments

It was a beautiful cloudless sky overlooking the sea and standing out on the cliffs was another of those moments when you realise how lucky you are.

I ran off the beaten track and found a secluded beach. Very very tempted to dive straight in but only had one kiddifree hour so continued along the dusty coastal path.

Got a bit carried away with the beauty of the views, turned around and the sheer climb back to the road was huge! The shingle was a nightmare too so it was a very slow jog back up in the midday sun. Huge climbs nearly always have a gift of an awesome view, and today was no exception.

Didn’t see another soul, the views and vista were incredible. I love the feeling when looking out to sea of being a tiny insignificant speck in the huge world we live in. We all get consumed in the minutiae of our own lives-running by the sea puts everything into clear perspective. Whatever worries are not worth it- the world keeps spinning and the waves keep rolling.

Adios Espana

Hot stuff

July 29, 2013Leave a comment

Not a glamorous outfit I have to admit BUT needs must!

I don’t know what it is about steamy hot summer hols but people relax and lose inhibitions they have back home. Stiffly dressed execs chill in shorts by the pool and become different people.

I would never wear this get up in UK but it was 33 degrees on this morning’s run! Revealing my midriff is not something I relish and to be honest I hate. But after threw kiddiewinks even if I worked out forever I’m never going to have a washboard hey ho.

Running in this made me realise how easy blokes have it when they simply don shorts and trainers! I felt so much cooler and feeling the breeze across my body really cooled me down. Sounds too obvious to state! Sod high tech uber expensive breathable tops – back to basics au naturale is the future!

Single mum in Spain Synopsis

July 29, 2013July 29, 2013Leave a comment

Holidaying solo in Spain with the kids has been fantastic. A huge sense of achievement rolls over me every night when they’re fast asleep in bed and I sit back and smile over all the fun and games we’ve had that day.

Not having another adult to rely on is actually easier because you don’t depend on anyone but yourself, so when we head out its up to me to remember everything from the lotion, the lilos, the water to the crisps and the goggles! Then if I leave something there’s no blame and we ‘roll with it’. Watching couples and kids out here it’s easy to see how we can cruise into quite a negative dynamic with parents stressing over the kids and the kids causing stress on the adults. Take one adult out of the dynamic and there’s no one to nag or stress with-all calm (apart from dive bombs in the pool!). I’ve learnt a lot being single and having to do it alone will make me more aware when back in a relationship.

My mum came out for a couple of days and it completely changed the whole dynamic. Somehow

I started our adventure with apprehension; knowing that I would manage but wondering how much fun it would be. We’ve had a ball. A few moans to be expected, but very short-lived and the kids have been amazing. We’ve had pool parties, had Hawaiian birthday bashes, mexican meals and made lots of friends. It’s been a real awakening into how perfect life can be with the right mindset-you can make it what you want.

Hot Helter Skelter

July 26, 2013Leave a comment

Back on my fave La Manga run this morning. Full bottle of Berocca and headed out to sea. It’s a stunning but tough descent with an even tougher climb, but the views seem to melt away any thoughts of tiredness. The gradient is so steep at times it felt like I was running on the spot!

It was about 30 degrees in the shade so it felt like I was running in a steam room! The harder the run, the more cleansed I feel. It would be a detox hol if it wasn’t for all the chips and Cava being consumed! Hey ho, that’s what holidays are for 🙂

Rough run

July 25, 2013July 25, 2013Leave a comment

Wow what a run this morning.

Heavy head from a glass too many Cavas at the cheesiest Abba tribute act last night. My three year old is now singing Voulez-vous at the top of her voice. An eclectic mix of music taste in my family Arctic Monkeys to Abba hmmmm.

Headed out with a Berocca in my running bottle – my hangover cure of choice – and only ran for 40 mins but felt great after! The clouds were low so some welcome shade made it cooler for a few (too few to be perfectly honest!) interval sprints. At my final sprint, I turned and got this great rooftop view!

Sizzle in the sun

July 24, 2013July 24, 2013Leave a comment

Why can I still not be responsible in the sun?! My kids are milky white with factor 50 slapped on every hour but I have an uncontrollable tendency to fry!

Yes, I’m naturally dark, but yes I also burn and today was the day (day 5 of hol) when I sizzled in the sun 😦

I think I have a burn bravado pseudo personality! And I know a lot of us have this streak-but in the evening we soon retreat to reality with the after sun and glorious nighttime glow!

Today it was the back – my excuse is I couldn’t reach it but really I got engrossed in a book 🙂

So tonight’s outfit was a black full length maxi from Next to hide a multitude of tanning sins! Hidden support was a bonus as the morning run and an overdose in sun made for a huge appetite! Gold and twisted thread hansa necklace and Victoria Beckham sunglasses

Racing through life

July 24, 2013July 25, 2013Leave a comment

Running is my sanctuary. Thinking of nothing and everything as I race through life, every run leaves me with clarity, self belief and wisdom that I didn’t have before I set off. I feel at one with the countryside I’m running through and I relax into life. That sounds such a cliche but it’s true.

Now if I miss a run, I can feel agitated and stressed. My very own natural Prozac and a source of energy I wish I’d tapped into when I was younger, but then the luxury of being alone on the roads would have been lost on me before kids I think.

This morning, one of my favourite runs when I’m in La Manga a great workout as there’s a helter skelter style road down to Playa La Cala-a tiny cove overlooking the big wide blue. Such an amazing vista! You feel alive looking out to sea.

God damn bargain

July 23, 2013Leave a comment

Love mixing high street with bits of bling and I couldn’t resist this holiday bargain of the century from H&M! Striped bandeau dress £7.99 yes £7.99! Teamed it beach hair, gold vintage jewellery and Michael Kors clutch.

Great night with live music whilst kiddies played around a beautiful fountain in the square. Who cares what Peter Pan is up to!

Why’s daddy not here on holiday?

July 23, 2013July 26, 2013Leave a comment

The witch in me would love to answer honestly, but I know that would be an evil and irresponsible response!

Whilst I’m playing beach ball, sharks in the pool and grandmas footsteps with my brilliant brood, he’s living up to his Peter Pan persona in Dubai with his latest squeeze.

Not what the kids want or need to know.

But when do I tell them the truth and how much? They are simply too young to understand and ‘divorce’ doesn’t even register in their world or vocabulary.

We separated three years ago when my youngest was just 8 months old and the eldest was 4 years. They have grown up with parted parents as their normality. They see him during the week at bedtime and his house every other weekend. But the time has come when my eldest is asking why I can’t go with them and dad to Italy and why he’s not here in Spain.

The main impetus to start sowing the divorce seed is that the latest squeeze is being introduced to the kids after the hols. Major change in dynamics – as the kids haven’t acknowledged that mum and dad don’t love each other and aren’t living together. Strange but true.

I have no venom, just want them to understand and be happy. But also in the back of my head I want them to know at some stage that what he did was very wrong – I would be devastated if my boys followed in their father’s philandering footsteps. I know it’s his job to tell them the truth-but will he really? My assumption is he’ll don his rose-tinted Ray bans 😉

Spanish sequins

July 22, 2013July 24, 2013Leave a comment

Headed out sans kids! Met some friends in La Manga Club and their parents kindly offered to babysit 🙂 headed to new restaurant and bar Ampersand. A cool mix of al fresco dining with club that caters for all with a downstairs music lounge, massage, tattoo and fashion boutique. Feeling very grown up without the kids! Drank fizz followed by a stunning rabbit (a first!) paella. A real treat.

Opted for sequinned Pacha River Island play suit with jewelled flip flops and Stella McCartney handbag

circusmum

the trials and tricks of a single career mum

Month: July 2013