I'm back, missed you all.

[Realfoodieclub]

I'm back from my holidays. Thank you so much to Poppypug and Ju-Ju for looking after things so well and allowing me to have a much needed break.

I did take my running stuff in the end and I'm glad I did, I only managed one run in the week but it was a very important one to me. The Saturday after I arrived was my 50th birthday and I got up early and went to the hotel treadmill and did a run. I decided running outside was not going to be for me as we were staying on the slope leading up from the beach that ended in the magnificent mount Etna who happily smoked her way all through my holiday. Outside the hotel were cobbled streets and all hills as far as the eye could see. Taormina is a small town which is mainly a street with shops and little side streets leading off it. Later in the day I braved the cold pool and did a long swim as well.

Both these things brought a smile to my face, being 50 is fine, I felt happy and privileged that I'm the fittest I have ever been and that I'm also the healthiest as well. I could say it takes a lot of hard work to make me as fit and healthy as I am but I honestly would be lying to myself, it's my hobby and my passion and I love being me when I'm fit and active, it brings me so much more than than just the reccomended exercise a day it's become the whole of me.

I loved my break and it has done me so much good to just chill out and relax,. I read four books in a week and did just gentle walks with lots of breaks, as MrRfc isn't too well at the moment it was great to spend time together just pottering and talking and eating. (Oh my, the food was fantastic).

I missed you all, it was great to get back home put on the kettle and have a little catch up with all the posts. I am ready to get back into my own routine starting from tomorrow, I did a little run yesterday but it Bucketed down as soon as I left the house. I will be organising my new challenge for myself, the last few years it was all about being fit @ 50 so now I have to work towards something new.

Wishing you all a happy healthy week

Rfc X.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Welcome back RFC and what a brilliant sounding time you had too! Happy belated birthday and you're looking fab there, not 50 at all!

Lovely post 🤗

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you, it was great.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

We all had a big fight and there was loads of spam. (No, seriously, poppypug and ju-ju- did a fine job and we missed you 'cos we missed you rather than because there were things left undone)

Good move not to attempt to run up Mount Etna but it all sounds glorious. Welcome home!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Hehe. Thank you. It's amazing the peacefulness beside such a powerful thing.

[McFitty Graduate]

What a fab holiday that sounds and the pictures are great. We did miss you though. You can't go away again 'til you're 60! 😆

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to McFitty]

Thank you. I will try and wait another 10 years before I take another break 😀.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Belated Happy Birthday RFC🎂🎊🎉

Glad that you had a lovely holiday, 😊sounds perfect.

Some people sneeked through and graduated while you where away but I think ju-ju and Pops managed to pat them on the back and pop a badge on them.😄

Good luck with your running plan now you are an old lady!!!😉

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you, hehe cheeky😀, I think I felt older at 40 than I do now.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Just pulling your leg. You look fantastic. Its great that you are feeling so much fitter and healthier than ever before due to running, what you said is inspirational RFC.😊

[lightweightkate Graduate]

Welcome back and glad you had a great break - another '66 baby sounded like you celebrated in a beautiful place 😀🎂

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to lightweightkate]

Thank you. I think 66 was a good vintage year 😀🍾.

[melly4012 Graduate]

Happy belated birthday!! Holiday looks lovely and sounds like you had a great time!!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to melly4012]

Thank you, Sicily is such a peaceful place,

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Glad you had a good time , although I find it hard to believe you really missed us!

Fab at 50 - what could be better!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thank you. It's strange for three years coming on this forum has been so much part of my every day life it felt really weird to not look.

[poppypug Graduate]

Welcome home Rfc, looks like you had a lovely Birthday holiday , lots of great food and relaxation .

A very Happy Belated Birthday to you !

You look great ! xxx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thank you, it was a great break.

[Irish-John Graduate]

Welcome back!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you.

[secan Graduate]

Welcome back!

I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation (although, being half Sicilian, your description of Taormina makes my heart bleeding 😜 😁 ).

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to secan]

Thank you. I just couldn't get over how peaceful Taormina was, I don't think I heard one raised voice in all the time I was there, just smiles and calm. We really want to go back and see more when MrRfc is feeling better I fact we said its one of the first things we want to do when he's well again.

[secan Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

The beauty of Sicily is that it has had so many cultural influences that you can find very different styles in different cities: Siracusa and Agrigento are full of Greek ruins, Palermo has an Arabic architecture, Noto - which was entirely destroyed by an earthquake in the 14th century - was rebuilt in baroque style...

When Mr RFC is feeling better and you decide to go back there, I can put together a suggested itinerary for you, if you want.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

Welcome back and 50 is great plus you're a glowing, healthy 50 which makes it all the better. Love Sicily, just jam-packed with history and as a historian, I cannot get enough of places like that. The food and the sunshine just round it off, great place for a holiday. Hope MrRFC is alright.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Thank you. It's a magical place, I don't think I can eat tomatoes here for a while Sicily has spoilt me 😀.🍅🍅🍅🍅

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

PP and JuJu were brilliant, but it's nice to have you home too, welcome back xx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Awww thank you.

[aliboo70]

Glad you had a great holiday RFC It sounds lovely and just what you needed! Happy belated birthday😊🎂🎁

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Thank you aliboo.

[Coddfish Graduate]

Welcome back, and glad you had a good break. After fit for fifty, strong for sixty?

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Coddfish]

Thank you. That sounds like a plan to me.

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Glad to hear you had such a good time - and a belated Happy Birthday!