I went cross country skiing for the first time properly. It was pretty fun, I have to say. Although, I kept wishing I was downhill skiing, as when you're totally inexperienced in the back country it's kind of a slog. That and my shoulder totally gave out and we couldn't finish the trail. I was so upset about it I was crying out there in that beautiful forest. There's some funny photos with make up on my face because of that. What a dummy.

I was just so frustrated by the fact that I'm finally fit and able to do these outdoorsy things I love so much but then I've injured my shoulder in such a terrible way that I still can't actually do it. Ugh. Well, it hurts so much today, so I definitely know I couldn't have gone any further. I just really wish it wasn't taking so long to heal.

As you can see, though, the forest was really beautiful. The thing with cross country skiing (at least for me as I'm a beginner) is it's sort of impossible to look around and take in your surroundings as my eyes had to be on the snow and my skis the whole time.

Hopefully I can take a walk soon in the forest and enjoy it for what it is. It's difficult because it's so cold!

I'm really enjoying being far away from city life, as always. It's so nice to just escape to this peaceful world in the north. Everything is so silent outside, except for the ravens. They make the funniest sounds; I even heard some new ones for the first time this year. Kind of like a rubber band pinging. So strange.

Even though I've been up here since Friday I still haven't really had too much time to relax properly yet. I haven't picked up my book or my drawing tools because I keep finding excuses and other things to do (plus I brought work with me as always). There's also always a lot of socializing that seems to happen when I'm visiting up here!

It's a small town but everyone is pretty close and the holidays bring all sorts of events and parties so of course there's lots to do. Last night we went to the Fine Malt Society's holiday party that's run by this great British couple. (The husband is from Scotland and the wife from England). It felt a little like being back home in a strange way. Lots of traditional scottish food and of course Whisky. It definitely made me miss Scotland a lot.

I keep fretting that there's no time to do all the stuff I want so I just can't seem to relax even this far away from home. I think there's something wrong with me. The only time I've seemed to be able to relax properly in the past few years was when I visited AnnaLee in Edinburgh in June and when I was travelling with Phoenix in October. I guess I really need my friends around to ground me. Such a strange thought as I've always been such a loner. But I suppose I'm so lucky to have such important people in my life.

Well, I'll leave this entry here before I ramble on and on. I have managed to bake a couple of times so far since I got here. That's always good for my soul!

Here's some funny photos of me skiing. And after I cried in the snow ^_^







I do love my new winter gear. It's the warmest I've ever been at -25C