Phew, that took some typing...

OK, here it is at last. You,ll need a cup of tea, couple of choccie biccies and a comfy chair, cos its a long one.....just for a change...!!!!!

So there I was last Friday feeling sorry for myself, when I thought , bugger this for a game of soldiers, I need a break. Two hours later it was sorted, so 8.30am Mon morning found me on a plane back to the lovely Sharm el Sheik. This was the 7th time in Egypt, but this time was a little different as I went all on my own. Yes you heard me I went all on my own, lol. I have said before how anti social I am on holiday, as I just need to unwind and do my own thing. Mark knew me like the back of his hand and just left me to it, bless him. But when I,ve been with others I have always felt awkward and not really enjoyed myself. The fella I went with last year was so bad that I rang Mark and asked him to come and get me before I pushed him off the hotel roof. Now before you all think its just me being an arse, I feel I need to point out that this was a long standing friend, as in FRIEND and nothing else, or so I thought. Unfortunately when we arrived I found he had only gone and booked the honeymoon suite and spent most of the week trying to convince me he was the one for me. I can laugh now but it wasn't funny at the time. So I thought the easiest thing to do was go on my own.

And what an ace time I had. I had booked a hotel that I had already been to, because I felt happier knowing my way around. The first day was a little strange and I felt quite sad at times and wondered if I had done the right thing. But I soon realised I was enjoying myself so much, pleasing no-one but myself. I could get up when I liked, eat when I liked, do what I liked. It was heaven. With my IPod permanently in and a flashing sign above my head that said, bugger off and don't talk to me, I was in my element. I would recommend it to anyone, seriously. You just need to be a little double jointed to get the sun cream up your back, but apart from that you are laughing.

Here's my daily routine. First of all nice cup of tea ( of course ) at 6.30 am and shower.

Here's the view from my balcony. How cool is that...??

Now I hate sitting around a pool, I have to be on a beach, its the law. This hotel has lots of little beaches and this one was my fave. How far away are those beds..?? Love it. I am always on the beach by 7am, and usually all on my own, amazingly. I just feel if the sun's out, then Dy's out...

Here's the view in front of me, oh yes one of my fave places the massage tent. As well as my usual massages, I treated myself to a full Egyptian, which is sauna, jacuzzi, coconut and coffee scrub and finally an hour long massage. Ooh I had to crawl back to my room after that one..

And here's the view the other way. How gorgeous..???

I spent my mornings Art Journaling, much to the amusement of everyone. Oh yes Art Journaling on the beach. I was in my element.

I didn't take much in the way of supplies, just my absolute essentials.

10 Adirondack dabbers

8 watercolour pencils

paint brushes

4 Distress pads

1 black Archival pad

small selection of Tim's stamps

old book pages

black pen

white pen

new Moleskin journal ( surprise treat at the airport )

Magazine images

Lisas altered art images

and crappy babywipes

Ooh wouldn't Ranger be proud of me..??? Hope He who must be obeyed is impressed with the way the products stood up to the 40 degrees of temperature everyday..

Here's a journal page in progress.

I used to wander up for breakfast about 9.30 am. always omelette and sausage, lol.

Then it was back to the sun lounger, and of course my trusty IPod.

Feet up and a quick read. I always read really fast and got through 9 novels this time. My fave was given to me by Bezzie Su. Well she lent me it really but she ain't getting it back lmao.

Its called The Shack , and is by WM Paul Young. The story is based around the abduction of mack,s youngest daughter Missy. Evidence that she may have been murdered is found in a deserted old shack in the middle of now where. After four years of terrible grieving and self blaming Mack receives a note, supposedly from God, inviting him back to the shack for a weekend. Against his better judgement he makes the journey, and the weekend completely changes his thoughts, his outlook and , indeed, his whole life.

To quote from the book cover

" In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant, The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him"

I loved this book and kept rereading parts again and again. Hence shes not getting it back, ha ha. I have a strong faith anyway, but it can falter at times especially with the horrendous year I have just had, and this book just strengthens it even more.

You know me and quotes, well here's my favourite two from the book.

" You can kiss your family and friends goodbye and put miles between you, but at the same time you Carry them with you, in your heart, your mind and your stomach, because you do not just live in a world, but a world lives in you." Frederick Buechner, Telling the Truth

"Growth means change and change involves risk,

Stepping from the known to the unknown."

I have journalled both of the above and will show you in the next few days.

So then it was back to more journaling as you can see

This is the life...!!!

The locals were all fascinated by the" crazy" , smiley English lady who painted all day, lmao. Everyday they would come and look in my journal and practise reading their English. They were all so sweet. Quite a few asked me to do a page for them, and so That's how I spent most evenings, on commissions, lol.

Unfortunately I didn't photo them all, but here's the ones I did.

This was for Abraham, who was in charge of the boathouse. He got my phone working properly and supplied me with drinks and time checks. I decided I would make him into a little guru sitting atop a magic mushroom. He loved it and much to my embarrassment he fixed it into his brochure and showed everyone on the beach...!!!

This next one was for Salvatore , who became a good friend and insisted on making me Egyptian tea twice a day and regaling me with his stories. The first time he made me tea he neglected to tell me that it was made with leaves. I drank it round down and ended up coughing, spluttering and spitting leaves all around his shop, lol. So I made him into a suited business man, with a Liptons hat and holding an English tea bag. I also stuck some quotes on tags for him.

This is him in the flesh in his perfume shop. It was full of the most amazing oils and the most beautiful glass perfume bottles. Salvatore and Ali were absolutely fabulous, so friendly and welcoming to everyone. At night all nationalities would d gather in there and drink tea. It was like the local meeting place .

The last picture here was done for Salvatores cousin Ali, who was so funny, always laughing and singing and doing a little dance. He wanted me to make him look really macho for the girls, so I did the opposite, for a laugh.

I found this image in a magazine and cut it out.

I painted a background, stuck the image on and added Ali's head.

I them drew some clothes onto a piece of paper.

and painted them in.

I cut them out and added them to the collage.

Doesn't look very macho does he, ha ha

But at least I gave him big builders boots..!!!!


Believe it or not, he really loved it, and both pictures are on display, pride of place in their shop.
Here he is when he finally stopped laughing.

So my whole week was spent, reading, Art Journaling, massaging, drinking tea, and socialising. Absolute heaven. Cant wait for the next time. And if that's whetted your appetite so that next time I go, you want to come with me, well the answers NO...!!!!!! lmao

So I will show you pages from my journal over the coming weeks, but here's two with a Queen theme.

And heres one from the lovely Michelle, aka Ink fairy. This is her first attempt at anything like this and I think she has done a cracking job.

I am keeping the challenge open until next Tuesday evening, for all you late stragglers out there. So thats one more week to send me any images and then they will be judged and prizes dished out... yayy...!!!

Heres a sneak ay my Moleskin Journal.

So, if you are all still awake, that's it for tonight...! Yes I am finally done, in more ways than one..!!!

Enjoy xx