Sunny Days and Rainy Days

For the time being, my only exercise (apart from going up and down the stairs) is walking. Each day I try to get out for a short walk, and now (I can say with great pleasure) I don't have to lie down afterwards.

Before my operation, my reluctant walks were tense and nervous activities, and very rare indeed. If I walked in open fields I hoped for hedges to dash behind, but often there were dog walkers about, limiting my choices. If I walked in town, I would sometimes have to knock on the door of a stranger and ask if I could use their loo – I've been known to get off a bus to do this, in the days before I stopped using buses. Very few people ever refused, but the kindness of those who allowed me their facilities only made me feel worse about myself and my affliction.

So whether my little walks are doing anything for my legs I can't say; but they are certainly doing something for my mind.

I live in the sticks, so my walks, however short, involve some uphill walking. And they involve inclement weather, because I have missed my Summer and I must make the most of whatever weather comes my way. But the freedom to walk without a nappy, the happiness I feel being free from the stress of possible unforeseen need, these things make up for any amount of adverse conditions. It's just fabulous to get out there.

Though I missed my Summer, there are lots of good things in my diary for the end of this year and the beginning of next. For now though, I just have my little walks. In the rain today, I said hello to the good times.

They're not around the corner, they are here.

Texel Tupps - maybe not too pretty, but anything I see when I manage to get out of my house seems beautiful to me!