The word 'Autumn' spelled out in twigs surrounded by leaves and berries

Twelve of the Best Autumn Activities for Families

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Family, Kids, Lifestyle, Parenting, Uncategorized, , , , 2 Comments on Twelve of the Best Autumn Activities for Families

Anne of Green Gables once said: I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. I’m with you, Anne, I am. Autumn has to be one of my favourite of all the seasons (I know, I always say that – I’m fickle). But crunchy leaves, abundant colour, the seasonal harvest – what’s not to…

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Picture of Autumn leaf on mossy stone

The Fear Unspoken

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Health & Lifestyle, Podcasts, Uncategorized, , , , , Leave a Comment on The Fear Unspoken

Last week, I happened to read something online about the death of broadcaster Rachael Bland, who died at the age of 40 after a two-year battle with breast cancer. But I’ll be truthful – I hadn’t actually heard of the Radio Five Live presenter until I read about her death. Why her particular story stuck out to me…

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Picture from above of feet and flower display

Second Drafts, Motivation and the Pomodoro Technique (Or How to Get Your Writing Mojo Back)

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Uncategorized, Writing and Blogging, , , , , , 2 Comments on Second Drafts, Motivation and the Pomodoro Technique (Or How to Get Your Writing Mojo Back)

Recently I’ve been trying to get back into the habit of writing and to be honest I’ve been struggling. After finishing the last school year on a high after completing the first draft of my novel, I’ve returned to the new year feeling, frankly, a bit flat. The origin of this dip in motivation is…

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Boys walking home from school with sea in background, Caithness

Back to School, Sleep Talk and Holiday Plans – Little Loves

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Uncategorized4 Comments on Back to School, Sleep Talk and Holiday Plans – Little Loves

The school holidays are at an end here in the north of Scotland and we are quickly hurtling towards Autumn. There’s been a definite chill in the air these last few days and the long evenings are suddenly drawing in. As much as I love Autumn, there’s a lot to be said for the motivational…

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Drangonfly in Amber book and coffee

Reading Lately – August 2018

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Books, Reading Lately, Reviews, Uncategorized, , , Leave a Comment on Reading Lately – August 2018

After a fantastic month of reading in July, August has been a little bit patchy. I’ve had a few false starts with books I haven’t really gelled with and have found myself dotting around between the three books I have actually managed to complete. Dips in attention span aside, I think one of the reasons…

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Scene from Castlehill Heritage Garden, Caithness

Caithness Gems – Castlehill Heritage Centre, Mary Ann’s Cottage, and Puppuccinos

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Caithness, Uncategorized, , , , 4 Comments on Caithness Gems – Castlehill Heritage Centre, Mary Ann’s Cottage, and Puppuccinos

Before the school holidays finally disappeared this week, we spent a couple of days touring around the county visiting places we had never been to. Spending more time in Caithness over the summer has opened my eyes to just how many attractions we have available at home. If you read my blog regularly, you’ll know that we had a couple of…

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Picture of bunting on wall at Lyth Arts Centre

Fifty Days of Summer

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Family, Parenting, Uncategorized, , , , , 9 Comments on Fifty Days of Summer

All good things must come to an end as the saying goes… And so it is that our seven weeks of school holidays have finally disappeared. Who knew that fifty days could pass so quickly? (I can multiply, by the way – we just got a cheeky extra day 😉 ). 2018 has definitely been…

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Photo of family in front of Dunbeath Castle

Sea Views, Roses and Highland Cathedral: A Day to Remember at Dunbeath Castle Gardens

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Caithness, Uncategorized, , , , , , 7 Comments on Sea Views, Roses and Highland Cathedral: A Day to Remember at Dunbeath Castle Gardens

Last weekend we visited Dunbeath Castle Gardens for their annual summer open day. Staying at home more than normal over the holidays has encouraged us to check out some of the attractions on offer on our own doorstep (or at least within a 30 minute radius of our house 😉 ). And what attractions they are – Caithness has…

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Picture of boy getting face painted as a tiger

Pretty Bunting, Drama, and the Tiger Who Went to Tea at Lyth Arts Centre

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Caithness, Collaborative Posts, Reviews, Uncategorized, 5 Comments on Pretty Bunting, Drama, and the Tiger Who Went to Tea at Lyth Arts Centre

This weekend, Lyth Arts Centre here in Caithness held their very first family arts festival, and for two days, Scotland’s most northerly arts centre hosted a jam-packed programme of family fun. From an interactive outdoor performance to face painting, crafts and puppet theatre in a caravan, the event promised something for everyone. So when Charlotte from the…

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Picture of cup of coffee on outdoor table

A Little Revamp, Goals and How I Get Anything Done in the School Holidays

By: welliesontheschoolrun
Uncategorized, Writing and Blogging, , 4 Comments on A Little Revamp, Goals and How I Get Anything Done in the School Holidays

Over the last week or so I’ve been making a few changes to my website. If you’ve visited over the last couple of days hopefully you’ve noticed that it’s all looking a bit shiny and new!  After two years, I thought it was time to up my blogging game and go for something that looked a bit more…

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