Good morning Micheal and all GN's on a very still ,and lightening ,morning in North Yorkshire. Well we are slowly getting the cooler weather, as I am wearing a dressing gown at the moment, and quite glad of a little warmth for now. Bit of a struggle getting up as there are competing problems to deal with My back is very painful, and I usually have to carefully plan the best way of getting out of bed, giving priority to keeping stress from my back. Of course today, I have to balance that with my very swollen leg, especially the back of my knee, which at the moment is a bit alarming, as it is feeling very tight and painful, and that stage where you feel the skin is so tight , if you dont take care it might burst !! So very much hobbling rather gingerly about. Never mind, at least I have the medication and have already had 3 of the 8 tablets, so at least it should be stopping things getting worse. Goodness knows what it would be like if I hadnt got the medication. Today is going to be a very quiet domestic day, taking things steadily, and hoping for a bit of improvement, if I remember to put my leg up as much as possible etc. Definitely no scrubbing floors or trying to sort out low down cupboards!
Yesterday, my friend Heather asked if I fancied getting out , as we had said that we must get together and do something, and given the state of my leg and the stuff needing sorting out here, I was naturally pleased to say Yes! Actually I knew if I stayed at home, I would either do too much sorting out and make my leg worse or get even more stir crazy. I am more relaxed driving and my drivers seat is actually one of the most comfortable places , when my back is bad.
So sluttishly abandoning the mess, I picked her up and we went to Saltburn. Usually I make a sandwich or whatever, and of course have the picnic box in the car with all bits and pieces ready But there was no way I felt up to standing in the kitchen sorting that out, and in any case given the last few days I decided I deserved a treat and would have something out. This was the first of what I hope may become a sort of routine for the future. She can drive but at the moment has no car, and only drives an automatic. I am perfectly happy driving anywhere, and love to go up the dales and to quiet places away from the crowds, with my picnic etc., but the cost of fuel these days has meant that I have had to cut down my outings. The last time we had met in Cafe Nero, we had been speaking about making the best of what good daylight we had, once the weather was a bit cooler etc.
As you will know from reading my posts over time, I tend to think of plans carefully for the future and tend to sound a bit bossy stating my ways of going on trips. But it actually usually works out for the best if you want to set up a long term plan, and stops problems arising in the future. So we had talked through things, and agreed that if we planned to do some trips together then firstly the best thing was that as regards food, meals out etc, that we each bought or brought our own food, and didnt get into the " No I will pay for that" or "You paid last time" . As she has to cope with very bad migraines , even when she is better from that , she often has to be careful what she can eat. Also she tends to eat her main meal at lunchtime etc. So this way we dont have to think what the other person is having but suit ourselves.
Then I know what I can be like, and when I have had a bad patch, love to get out into the countryside or to the coast , when I am able to. So especially at this time of year , when you know the days are getting shorter and we will have rubbish weather soon enough, I might drop everything on a lovely autumn day and could go out two days on the trot. So I tell her that I am always interested if she has any places she wants to visit, and that just because I ring her suggesting three trips out at short notice, I am fine if she says no to all of them, or suggests somewhere she would prefer. No offence taken, and she shouldnt take fright , when I ring her with suggestions to choose between 5 different places , or plan 2 days on the trot. Then my rules are , that wherever we go, we choose a drop off place and time and when to meet up to return. If we both want to do the same thing fine, but we are free to do our own stuff and meet up. So all these ground rules sound very bossy , but actually they give freedom to give and take. I HATE it when you put yourself out to do something for someone, offering to take them to York say. In the summer I tend to keep away, only going for necessary reasons and using the P@R. So I am actually trying to do them a favour, and they thank me and off we go, only for them to want me to go into a wool shop with them choosing wool and patterns, instead of taking myself off to the Minster, or to the Art gallery. On the way home , they thank me, but then say how much they would have liked to go up Swaledale or to the coast!! So yesterday was a very good trial trip. I thought that when I was in quite a bit of pain and so forth , that if we didnt gel , I was likely to be on a short fuse, and that this would be a basic test to see if it might work. We agreed to share the cost of the fuel, and that was the whole of the plans really. I still havent been up to checking the battery in the buggy in the car, which was a shame as I could have used it. But actually with my back in the state it was it wouldnt have been too comfortable.
Well a very successful trip. We got the passenger seat made comfortable for her, put macs jumpers etc etc on the back seat ready for whatever weather greeted us at the coast ad set off. I know my way there very well and we went off quite happily, but wondered what was going on, when there was a lot more traffic, and a couple of roads closed and diversions on a roundabout, but suddenly noticed that it was Racing at Redcar. I quickly went off on one of my little country roads to avoid the traffic and we were getting on towards Saltburn, but had been delayed by the traffic, so I suggested we have coffee in Cafe Nero in Guisborough. I know it well and can park very close to the cafe, and by this time Saltburn would have been very full . So we duly went there, and I was able to sink into a comfortable chair with arms that I could use to get up with. It was the first trying out of the plan, and worked very well, as we chose what we wanted etc, and then we went on to Saltburn , by which time it was lunch time. The car parks were full and many people about, but we were lucky in that there was a disabled parking space in The Ship, and again we were able to find a good table and had quite different meals as I only wanted a hot beef ciabatta, as I have plenty of things to cook in the evening at the moment. So it all went well and we then came away and miracle of miracle, there was a space in the car park down near the pier that I have never, in over 20 years , ever managed to find a space in!
A good omen for the future. I had my good binoculars with me, and we were happy to sit and chat, watch all the surfing and families etc etc., and finished off by going mad and getting a double icecream cornet.
Well that doesnt sound very amazing I am sure, but it was exactly the right thing for me at this time. I was able to let some of the tension of the last few days go. Even though my leg was looking actually worse, I knew I was getting it sorted, and felt vindicated in my cause of action, with the doctors. Touch wood , I hope never to have to do it again, but if I do they will be more likely to believe I know what I am doing!!
So mentally it was a very good day, giving me a bit of hope for an improved future, whilst physically a bit scary, as my leg seemed to look more swollen and that horrid shiny red colouring not improving yet. Today, is going to be my usual sunday hopefully and will enjoy listening to Desert Island Discs, and Private Passions, whilst very slowly getting some order into the chaos , and keeping my leg up as much as possble.
Well it is still quite cool, but the sun is getting higher and I have just seen a pigeon wandering around on the grass looking for I dont know what, and the squirrel running along the top of the fence and leapt in into the tree, so definitely coffee time. I hope you have a good time watching all the cycling Mike, you have had quite a few good events on lately havent you? GrandMattie thanks for your good wishes and I hope your back is better today, and you have a gentle day. Wish I lived a bit nearer you, as I would love to meet you in person and admire your lovely things you make, but who knows, in the future I might get down your way. What a good job we have our GN club to come to. I was recently asked about whether I had discussed some play and something from the radio with other people , and of course I am often the same and constantly say "No I havent discussed whatever with anyone. I am sure they think I am something of a hermit, but it is much more that physical things mean that I am having to stay at home, and will post on GN my opinions etc. In any case I definitely dont follow the trend to take pictures of what I had for breakfast every day. and really am still old fashioned where I dont automatically think to take a photo of things. I enjoy and admire all the lovely pictures you put online, and feel that this winter I need to see if there is a little course, to learn how to make the most of my ability to put photos online etc. Definitely there is one very good idea , to take pictures of any rashes or whatever , so that when you see the doctor, even if it has now faded , you can show what it was like. I dont think of those kinds of things automatically, but that is what I shall try to remember to do , if this flares up again, and can bring it with me to the surgery. Once I have done that , in future , I shall be able to say, do you remember what it was like etc etc and that is why I NEED to see someone TODAY! Well time for much needed coffee and put my leg up for a little while. Then I will come back and see all the posts. I started this about 6am so no doubt by now there are many more posts. Just keeping fingers crossed that the flipping posts dont disappear again. I agree with others that at the moment, lots of posts are disappearing to the fury and chagrin after all your efforts ..
Ha ha, I wish I had had my camera at the ready. I think the squirrel or a bird must be in in the canopy of the tree, as a tabby cat came and sat beneath the tree, staring very intently and now has really taken a run at it and shot up the tree after whatever it is. It has disappeared from sight and so I am going to watch to see if it gets down safely. Oh how I wish I could take a flying leap up a tree. Remembering my tomboy years when I loved climbing trees. Ah have just seen it moving stealthily along one of the bigger branches. Doesnt seem to have caught anything.
Well I am wishing everyone a peaceful and calming sunday. Those with the stressful week of exam results and their consequences over, a chance to sit back and relax, and to hope that all our loved ones are safe and well.
