Ice

We did a walk this morning at nearby Wicken. As the paths were muddy, we did a walk around the village. Although there was no sign of frost here, there were frozen puddles in Wicken, which is about 3 miles away "as the crow flies".

Village Walk

This morning, we did a walk around the village. We saw a little egret (the first I've seen in the village) and a buzzard. Until the 1980s little egrets were rare in the UK. The churchyard trees looked very bare and wintery.

The 2 horse chestnut trees were planted to commemorate the 1815 Battle of Waterloo. I have no idea when they were planted, but they are very old. Both our children and grandchildren have enjoyed collecting conkers from these. No doubt village children have been doing this for generations. There is something humbling about this. Dust to dust....

Walk in the cold

At this time of year we go for a walk at nearby Landwade to see the daffodils, snowdrops and aconites. This year, everything is early. It was a cold and dry day with a strong east wind. The temperature was 3 degrees C, though it felt much colder. We went with our "London" grandchildren.

Simple pleasures

Over the Christmas period we have seen all our family and all our grandchildren. This is a picture of our "London" grandchildren walking up the lane to the windmill that is next to our house. I am ahead of them.  Our house is to the right, just out of the shot. You can just see the hedge bordering the front garden  on the right hand of the picture. The windmill has recently been restored. It is nearly 200 years old.

The first spacewalk - a near disaster

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_9035/index.html .

So the truth can now be revealed that the first ever space walk by the Russians in 1965 so very nearly ended in tragedy. At the time we all knew nothing about it because of the propaganda war between the USSR and the USA over space exploration. Now the 80 year old, who was the first human to walk in space, reveals all.

Twice daily local walks

Every day, twice a day, I do a walk "around the block". Using my smart phone this measured 366m (just under 400yards) each time. The idea is to help me with my stroke recovery and to help improve my balance. I've used no walking aids now for months. The giddiness may be slowly improving, but progress is very very slow indeed. People who see me say how well I look!

Post brain bleed walk today

Today we walked to a friends' house, a 2.62km round trip. This equals my longest walk to date (since the stroke) but this was without holding on to anyone and without any walking aids. Walking is getting better.  I still feel giddy when walking, but even this must be improving oh so slowly.

Distance was measured using the GPS app (My Tracks) on my Android Samsung S4 mini smartphone. The GPS seems to work impressively well when out in a top shirt pocket.

Small steps

The "My tracks" GPS app on my Samsung S4 mini phone is remarkably accurate. Today we walked to Budgens and back, and this is the track of the walk. Small steps - 1.27km in total.  A year ago,  this would have been a trivial little stroll. I have been further, but am grateful I can manage this.  

Walking as such does  not exhaust me: it is that I feel giddy that really tires me out.

I do want to be fully fit again soon.

Evening stroll

Every morning and every evening, usually, I do a walk "around the block" of around 400m, without any walking aids and alone.  This is to help me with core strength and to improve my balance. My physio sessions in Newmarket gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays also help with stamina and balance.

When I first did this walk, months ago, I used a walking frame and my wife used to come with me in case I fell. Since I have been home from hospital (January) I have not fallen once.

So, my walking must be much better than it was. Trouble is I find it hard to remember how I was back then.

The walk is around our Close and back past Burwell Windmill. These days, my wife says I look "normal" when walking, with no "old man" stoop. I long for the day when I do this walk and feel properly fit again.

A long solo walk (no stick) , and even a brief run!

Today I ventured out on my longest solo walk: to the local Budgens shop and the chemists. In days gone by, these would have been very easy, but nowadays the walk is a challenge involving crossing roads 6 times.  At one point, crossing the road by the bank I had to RUN across the road as a car came quickly around the corner!  I am pleased to report I made it there and back safely with the shopping from Budgens and medicines from the chemists.

On the way I bumped into our old neighbour (Hilary) and the lady who used to run the post office. It was SO nice to do normal things. Inside I still fell giddy and sick, but everyone says how well I look. If I can sort out my stomach I think I shall feel so much better.

Morning walk

Most mornings at breakfast time and most evenings I take a short (400m) walk "around the block" to help with my walking and balance.

This is me "over the garden wall" this morning in lovely sunshine. Windmill in the background. A couple of boiled eggs awaited me.

I have a couple of Weetabix and banana before the walk. At the moment, I am trying to gain weight. I lost a lot of weight when in hospital for my brain bleed and am trying to put some (not all) back on.