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Here’s somewhere I haven’t been for a while… high on the moors.

OK, so it wasn’t Edale. I had a bit of a problem with my old (not so) faithful motor so I kept things local over the weekend and went back to Dovestones Reservoir.

Nevertheless, it was good to give the legs and lungs a proper workout again, not to mention the back.

I’m pleased to say that all was well. I’ve lost quite a bit of fitness, no doubt, but my strength has returned. It was all rather wonderful and almost prompted one of those zipadee-dooh-dah moments.

I managed to hold back.

Next time I will take the walking poles and might even risk the pack.

And today I had some more good news. I’ve been ‘discharged’ from regular weekly sessions with my physio and now will be having the occasional check up (assuming there are no other problems).

This is a significant milestone and I am delighted.

Although I’ve held back on detail here, it has been a pretty ropey three months or so and my back condition has been one of many woes.

Let’s hope my luck is on the turn… good health, after all, is the most important thing.

Thanks to those who have sent good wishes in the comments section while I’ve been working through all this… they have been much appreciated.

Best,

NW

Back under canvas

I've just returned from a few days under canvas near Kirkby Lonsdale.

This is a lovely part of the world, near the boundaries of Cumbria, Lancashire and North Yorkshire (ish).

It had even greater appeal for this trip in that it's not a wannabe 'outdoors-capital' destination like Keswick or Fort Bill. I realise that such accolades are good for the morale of the tourism industry, but I grow weary of the phony nomenclature.

Besides, I was in no condition for Grade 2 scrambling... more Grade zero ambling.

In this rural enclave, waxed cotton and wellies rule over Goretex and trail shoes... although the wellies on show were 200 quid Le Chameaus as some of the local blue-bloods have a bob or two.

As you can see from the 'still life' photograph, evenings were spent candlelit and fuelled by plenty of Shiraz (not to mention Japanese and Islay malts).

But I did manage to stretch my legs, albeit tentatively.

Progress with my sciatica has been patchy, but here gentle walks brought plenty of reward. These excursions were crowned by the Waterfalls Walk out of pretty Ingleton. This is a managed trail and you pay to walk it. Although a little uncomfortable with this notion, the route's ascents and descents were testing and I felt pretty good.

The real sensory gems of this walk, though, were the woodlands carpeted with bluebells and the pungent garlic aroma emanating from the thick beds of Ramsons.



My good form persisted for the rest of the week and now I am enjoying my third really good day on the bounce.

I hate to tempt fate, but perhaps an end is in sight. A trip to Edale at the weekend, maybe...

Bit sad tonight...

... I should be en route to Cornwall with bike loaded for my LeJOG.

Instead, I'm in the office and will be travelling back up North tonight. It will be a journey marred by sadness.

I know there's always next year, but after all that time and effort it's still gutting.

Still, I am on leave for the next couple of weeks, and I will be heading to the hills for a week or so in the big tent, even if it is just to look.

And there's always the Test Match tomorrow...

I should have kept the Space Hopper

The last few weeks have been robbed of adequate distraction. Consequently, I have found diversion in other things, not least the giant Swiss Ball which now forms part of my daily exercise regime.

Regular readers will know that my height can present challenges in the selection of outdoor gear, and the same is true of exercise equipment.

My ball had to be specially ordered, is made of a thicker material to support my weight etc. etc.

My programme has started by bouncing on the ball, Space Hopper-style, with a straight back. In common with all physio exercises, the more you focus on your movement, the more beneficial the exercise.

Bouncing, therefore, requires concentration but you can feel the lower abdominal and 'core' muscles working. I've now graduated to 'supine arm raises' and the 'floor bridge' and there's plenty more where that came from.

The good news is that all this work is having a profound effect on my recovery and, I think, my future health if I keep the core workout going.

I'm also developing muscular lumps in my stomach which I didn't think existed... time for some bouncing.

Walking tall... nearly

I went for a walk today... not far, just around Dovestones.

The significance of this lunchtime stroll was two-fold: the weather was superb and I could put one foot in front of the other without searing pain shooting down my right leg.

It felt fantastic and I walked (almost limp free) with the fanfare from Rocky trumpeting in my ears!