Age

If it wasn't for my satnav I think I'd hand my licence back!

I felt old this morning. It was my wine group book club meeting last night, and I did feel a little jaded this morning, but I also managed to pull a muscle in my shoulder yesterday. I have a slight cold too. So it was pop a heat cushion thingy into the microwave, hastily eat breakfast so that my stomach is lined before I can start to pop pills, drink lots of black coffee to get me going and wonder if Day Nurse and Ibuprofen are really all that bad if taken combined. Eat boiled eggs whilst longing for apple cake, groan when shoulder pillow falls off and knocks over boiled eggs - which I am only eating due to gluten intolerance. Decide to take the risk and take all the meds I want.

I feel much better now. Off to shift furniture with my son later, and probably pull another muscle. It seems to be a pretty regular occurrence nowadays.

Age started for me today at 8.00 a.m. when I put my bra over my vest to stop it rubbing, just like my dear old Mum used to do.

I tried to run to catch the ferry. I ended up doing as fast a walk as possible. Missed the ferry and walked back to DD's house (approx 1 mile). Next day I was as stiff as a crutch, and it hurt to sit down. I used to run all over the place, what happened? I suppose being 62 doesn't help.

I woke up this morning and my left knee hurt like mad. I have no idea why, maybe because it was raining? I am hoping that someone somewhere will invent a massaging robot to wake me in the future. I had to rub it for ages before I could get out of bed. So by the time I am 62 I shall definitely be the one hobbling along behind you.

I thought I would be late to a frind's house the other night, so walked as fast as I could up the hill, getting there very hot and flushed. I said I had run because I thought I was late, as she opened all the windows for me, and she looked at me and said 'Run? You?' But it wasn't that long ago that I would have been capable of doing so. Looking back, I think the menopause has a lot to answer for. Everything seemed to dessicate at around that time.

That fast walk is why you are so sore this morning. You were pushing your joints more than they liked.

So agree about the menopause. I could almost feel all my useful hormones leaving home. Like rats deserting a sinking ship.

A lot of motivation left with them.

Yes, that's it exactly. I wish I could take HRT, my friend had to have her womb removed and she is now so lively, with lovely skin, that I am really jealous. She looks years younger and says she feels wonderful and aches have disappeared!

We have just had a very busy week or two - drove to Dundee with stops in Berwick and Shropshire for family parties and reunions. Then a long weekend reunion with lots of good friends, socialising, eating and drinking too much, and visiting places.

In Berwick I managed to get round Bamburgh castle, then paid the price! The new knee says "Lovely exercise!" And the crumbling hip says "What on earth are you doing? Stop!"

So, on to Glamis, where I gave in and watched the DVD (did do the exhibition) Then Discovery point in Dundee, which was great, but of course going below decks was impossible.

Finally dropped in to see Galen and was so grateful for the footstool - and the company, of course!

Then home and I am resting - it takes so much longer to recover these days, I find, but it could just be the joints...couldn't it? Got to get reconstructed for the USA and South Africa next year.

Glad you enjoyed your jaunt Ariadne.
Your post brought two things to mind.

First - my DGCs just love exploring the Discovery. The history means little to them (age 4 and 5) but the nooks and crannies on board fascinate them and they're just beginning to grasp the concept of distance - including the 'top and bottom' of the world.

Second - you've made me wonder how long I'll be able to clamber around below decks as my hip is just beginning to remind me to slow down!

Last month I visited Glamis for the outdoor evening production of Romeo and Juliet. What a wonderful backdrop the castle makes! It was a favourite trip for classes of 11 year-olds who were so desperate to spot the ghost!

For me, the biggest sign of getting older, is not the decline in my energy but the increase in length of my recovery rate.

For the last three days I have been rushing around doing heavy gardening, like digging up the potatoes, shifting the winter's logs into the wood shed as well as two visits to my local town doing various bits of shopping that have had me hoofing around town at speed for several hours. I was feeling quite pleased with myself, still able to rush around like this and feel chirpy, even though I am 70+.

Then I woke up this morning, or rather half woke this morning, crawled out of bed, decided to forego my morning walk and planned gardening and stick to more sedentary pursuits. I feel shattered. Should have seen it coming because that is what happens now.

Jane me too, aching left knee.

I felt a twinge in that knee a week ago and then forgot about it until this morning. Getting older can be a pain literally.

My right knee, NanKate perhaps we could tie ourselves together and enter the three-legged race

What a sight we would look Rose but I am up for a giggle. I warn you I may smell of eucalyptus from the knee ointment.

Lovely!

ps I never was much good at athletic type sports. Will we be able to get up if we fall over?
They could bring us a nice glass of as we lie there.

My DH has the right idea about the botty burping.
We went out for a drink and sat at the bar on those tall stools which seem to need a rope and pulley these days. As he clambered inelegantly up the damn thing (he's only 5'8"), a loud trumpet rent the air.
He looked at me silently and reproachfully for a few seconds and I could feel my face getting pinker and pinker (I never blush normally).
What a gentleman.

Rose s*d the race let's just have the and a bag of crisps.

NanKate can I have a big bar of choccy instead of crisps please? And the

Yes Roses as long as it is not Toblerone, as it has taken me 67 years to wean myself off the gorgeous choc I can taste it now.

Rose not Roses!

Can't talk about Toblerone or any chocolate any more. yum yum no, got to fit into those jeans .....

Gone are the days of over indulgence.

Moderation in all things.

We will be joining a nunnery next Rose

Going on holiday soon, NanKate got to look svelte in my swimsuit

(well, not quite so elephantine anyway, a desperate last-ditch attempt to fit into my large sarong).

You must be going somewhere pretty exotic Rose as you are taking your sarong. Maybe the Pitcairn Islands ?

Well, not quite! But I hope there will be some

ps it covers up a multitude of sins whether in Pitcairn or Paignton.