Ramshaw Rocks, Hen Cloud

This is our second visit of Ramshaw Rocks, the first visit we’d discovered the Moors Murders connection, so it felt a bit eerie, the weather went with it too, all damp and misty, heavy clouds.

These are rocks we easily found, and we passed them with giving our thoughts and energies for ones lost to these two. I never had realized they visited Leek, always thought it was more Yorkshire way.

This time though we did it all in reverse. And it was warm, blue skies and beautiful.

The dolmon stone that they used to crawl under, to get the devil off your back. (Mines staying as I ain’t getting wet!!)

Left hip is getting rather crunchy now, and painful throughout the time I’m out. So we mainly sit around, enjoy the scenery and eat scones and pork pies for lunch.

Any time away from news and social media is time well spent. For my own sanity, and happiness. Though each time we go out, I can’t help feel in speeding my way into another hip replacement, if only they were even doing them at the Hospital it’s all still on hold.

First Beach Visit 2020

As the whole lockdown from March has prevented unnecessary travel, and Wales hadn’t opened it’s borders to the English, we’ve not visited any beaches this year until now.

At long last there is enough relaxation in restrictions so we can pop to the nearest beach, which is Barmouth.

After parking the car (car park had plenty of spaces) we were pleased to find the public loos open. We decided the beach wasn’t really an option, as it was windy, a bit chilly.

We opted to explore, and found new things to discover instead. We’ve done some small walks before, but we had an eye on a bench to find, knowing it would give stunning views.

And what views we were blessed with.

The day was glorious, hot while walking, as you soon get a sweat on!! The blue skies and dramatic coastline was heavenly.

Really saw a different side to Barmouth this year, it was peaceful and visually amazing, the mountains and the sea, they are spoilt here.

Obviously we got the obligatory fish and chips, the queue was tiny. And even an ice cream (you can’t visit a beach without buying them) ate them too fast for photos though!

Enjoyed the beach as a walk rather than sunbathing on, wished the paddle board had got out, but the wind was too iffy.

Plenty of peace to be found, the gentle lapping waves, and sun setting, it’s as good as being aboard.

Was sad to see Old Man Barmouth all on his face though 😭

Hip Flexor Pain Again!!

Left hip woes…. It’s 80 weeks post hip replacement. And that is amazing!! However the Left is a whole other ball game!!

Hip flexor pain which is what I think I’m suffering from lately. It can be caused by a variety of problems from poor movement patterns (like my gait) to an actual hip flexor strain

Muscle Strain

Hip flexor strains most commonly occur due to a sudden contraction of the hip flexor muscles (particularly in a position of stretch). They often occur during sprinting or kicking activities (neither of these are applicable to me, but mine is when I’m stepping upwards). This is particularly so during explosive acceleration as I push up and press the leg down to step upwards on a steeper incline.

You will usually feel a sudden sharp pain ( it feels like a sudden instability and unable to take my weight ) pulling sensation in the front of the hip or groin at the time of injury. In minor strains, pain may be minimal allowing continued activity, (I think this is me, as I can continue in most movement afterwards, but I’m more guarded)

In more severe cases, patients may experience severe pain, muscle spasm, weakness and an inability to continue the activity. Patients with a severe hip flexor strain may also be unable to walk without limping, (this was me this week after a weird step and twist in the kitchen!) I think I turned to step away to fast and left the planted leg too long.

People with this condition usually experience pain when lifting the knee towards the chest (especially against resistance, I can’t do it with resistance at all.) or during activities such as running, kicking or going upstairs (my personal nemesis)

It is also common for people to still suffer pain or stiffness after these activities with rest. I thoroughly recommend ice and elevate, or even a hot water bottle works for me.

A hip flexor strain is an injury characterized by tearing of one or more of the hip flexor muscles and typically causes pain in the front of the hip or groin. (The groin for me every time!!)

The group of muscles at the front of the hip are called the hip flexors. The most commonly involved muscle in a hip flexor strain is the iliopsoas

The hip flexors are responsible for moving the knee towards the chest (i.e. bending the hip) during activity and are particularly active when walking, jogging or if kicking a ball.

Whenever the hip flexors contract or are put under stretch, tension is placed through the hip flexor muscle fibres. When this tension is excessive due to too much repetition or high force, the hip flexor muscle fibres may tear. I’m thinking my much loved walks are accelerating the decline of the left hip.

When this occurs, the condition is known as a hip flexor strain. Tears to the hip flexors can range from a small partial tear where there is minimal pain and minimal loss of function, to a complete rupture involving a sudden episode of severe pain and significant disability.

Physiotherapy for hip flexor pain

• anti-inflammatory advice
• ice or heat treatment
• progressive exercises to improve hip strength and flexibility

Feeling Grounded

I have always felt a connection to nature, the quiet and remote feeling you get walking through woods, and roaming hills, or even at quiet seaside.

The energies are different and you are just present right there in the moment. Music also can do this if you are not able to get outside.

My anxiety always springs up when I feel out of control, to prepare for this, for that. When I read the news, or spend too long on social media. None of these things are healthy. (Unless you are watching YouTube vids of fluffy doggos)

So if you can get out there, clear your mind body and soul of toxic negativity and just cleanse yourself. If you can walk barefoot, or if like me, we put our feet in cold streams.

79 Weeks Post #HipReplacement

#AffiliateLink for Tee at bottom of the post.

Its been 20 weeks since I saw a physiotherapist and I’ve took it upon myself to get leg as strong as possible.

And while I definitely feel successful with the replaced hip, I am now super critical and hyper aware of the left hips failings, limitations and pain.

As it’s been a global lock down, and we’ve been limited to what we would normally be doing, it’s opened up an opportunity to get out into our local countryside more.

Done some amazing walks, but each came with challenges, like sticky mud, slippy rocks, cement steps, steep ascents.

But nothing comes close to STILES!!

Literally a step into hell. The twist, the step and lurch over is pure nightmares coming true.

Or you have passing gates so thin your leg doesn’t fit!!

And here I learnt the perils of turning the foot 90 degrees inwards, DO NOT DO IT with a hip replacement!! I got stuck, the sensation is not one I want to repeat. Thankfully it didn’t dislocate, but man it was sore for days afterwards.

Although I have limits, I’m still pleased with the hips progress. Now I can imagine life with 2 replacements, it’s just all about timing now. Covid has ruined appointments for now.

https://www.bonfire.com/to-all-those-tragically-hip/

New brace, Happy days

It’s nearly my birthday and what I really really wanted was a brace,for that cursed left hand.

After asking fellow sufferers their valuable advice, I went for a solid one, to help rest the joint more. As my spica one from NHS allows me to dislocate it in the night while wearing brace.

It’s off Amazon and came the next day. I’m honestly impressed. Stiff and sturdy, but soft on the hand, easy to put on, and you can wear it left of right hands.

It fully rests the CMC and MCP joint of the thumb, it’s light weight, and so much nicer around the wrist areas, which I find bulky.

Let’s see if this improves pain. Micats update was meant to be 29th June, then delayed until 13th July but STILL denied any cortisone injections

July #LookFantastic Beauty Box

This month it seems they had 2 options, which I completely overlooked, so when I was digging for clues, I saw 1 version. And I ended up getting version 2 which I’d not seen any videos on.

So it ended up as a complete surprise unboxing.

We got 6 products, 2 are make up based in the Blush Brush and a Liquid Lipstick. The other 4 are more skincare, sleep based.

#Myvitamins Beauty Sleep is a relaxing blend of minerals and herbs designed to support your sleep and the health of your hair, skin, and nails.

It contains popular natural herbs, 5-HTP, lemon balm, and chamomile to promote better sleep.Unlike other sleep-aids, Beauty sleep also contains zinc to support the health of our hair, skin, and nails,and vitamin E to protect against aging.

You get 30 capsules so enough to try out for a month. RRP £12.49 for 60 capsules.

#Sleek Matte Me is a matte finish liquid lipstick that glides on in one smooth application, with no need for a second coat. The light as air texture provides you with comfortable wear for hours, that does not cake, flake or dry out, ensuring long lasting colour all day.

Colour bittersweet, a real nice wearable day lippy, I have 2 of the metallic ones which I enjoy so getting a matte one is perfect for the collection. Impressed. RRP £4.99 full size.

Next up is the #SoEco Blush Brush it’s absolutely divine, so soft and 100% vegan. Molded handle which helps my arthritis hands. Impressive.

• Made with Bamboo, Recyclable Aluminium & Synthetic Bristles
• Cruelty-Free & Vegan Friendly
• 1 Tree Planted for Every 100 Products Sold

When it comes to blush, this brush is designed to deliver the perfect amount of colour onto the apple of your cheek, designed for all types of blush formula, this vegan friendly brush is ideal for creating that smooth finish, whilst also adding a dash of colour and definition. RRP 7.50

#Madara Deep Moisture Cream up to 24h intensive hydration with soothing Northern Plantain and Sea-buckthorn extracts, boosts moisture instantly and throughout the day. Leaves skin look suppler and firmer. We have 25ml to try

For dry and very dry skin. RRP £28.00 for 50ml

#ThisWorks Morning Expert Hyaluronic Serum

Recharge skin’s luminosity with the Hyaluronic Serum from this works’ Morning Expert range. Enriched with powerful blend of wheat-based 2% Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C, the youth-boosting serum kicks morning skin concerns (like dullness, dehydration and fatigue) to the curb through brightening action and a slow-release moisture boost for all-day hydration. Zapping slackening skin with its firming and tightening benefits, the vegan-friendly serum leaves skin taut, plump and radiant. Vegan too. I have 10ml to try. RRP £37.00 for 30ml

#Monuspa Rose and Lemon Enriched Body Cream
luxuriously rich body cream that promises to nourish and hydrate the skin, for a pampering, spa experience from the comfort of your own home. A zesty blend of fresh Orange, Lemon, Geranium and Rose Essential Oils will awaken the senses and indulge the body to soothe and rejuvenate skin. Added Marine Collagen will smooth and firm the skin, leaving it feeling tightened and toned whilst a blend of Cocoa Butter, Chamomile and Liquorice will soften and calm. Vitamins A, B5 and E will also hydrate and balance moisture levels, ensuring dryness is a thing of the past and comfort is restored to leave the body feeling nourished and protected. Suitable for all skin types. Excited for this!! We got a hugely generous 100ml RRP £21.00 on sale or 180ml size. Usually £30.00

Once again no booklet, and they say it comes via email but I didn’t find it last month. So no sneak peek for next month yet. As it’s my Birthday month, I’m pretty impressed with this month, looking forward to restful sleep and awesome skin. Fingers crossed.

Blood on the Island by Stewart Giles #BlogBookTour

Clearly becomming a new favourite author alongside Nora Roberts and Patricia Cornwell. It’s Stewart Giles with a new series.

#ADGIFTED all thoughts and opinions are my own, gifted the book for a review.

Intrigued as I’ve read many by Stewart Giles, either a series or horror. But here comes a NEW DETECTIVE, for me to dig my teeth into.

Blood on the Island.

From # 1 bestselling author: Stewart Giles, comes a new detective series set on the idyllic island of Guernsey.

What deadly secrets does the peaceful island of Guernsey hold?

Detective Inspector Liam O’Reilly has recently transferred to the island of Guernsey from the Special Detective Unit in Dublin and in this first installment we see him hitting the ground running.

He has barely set foot on the island when the body of a man is washed up on the shore. There is no indication of where the man came from – his hands and teeth have been removed and he has a crude tattoo of a dragon on his back.

When another similarly mutilated body is found, O’Reilly and his new team realise they’re on the hunt for a deranged killer.

O’Reilly is getting closer to the truth when the case is suddenly taken away from him. The Guernsey Border Agency, headed up by the arrogant DCI Franklin Urban has their own ideas as to who is behind these brutal murders and argue that the jurisdiction is now theirs.

O’Reilly left Dublin behind but his past soon catches up with him in the form of a Belfast thug employed by a man O’Reilly owes money to. When O’Reilly’s daughter is threatened by these people, he persuades her to join him on the island so he can keep an eye on her. Soon he’s faced with a choice – he can either do what these people tell him and risk everything he has, or he can defy them and spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder.

Meanwhile, as DCI Urban and the Border Agency believe they’re getting closer to the truth, O’Reilly has his own theories and as these suspicions are proved correct he comes face to face with one of the most depraved killers he’s ever come across.

BOOKS BY STEWART GILES

DS JASON SMITH SERIES
Book 0.5-Phobia
Book 1-Smith
Book 2-Boomerang
Book 3-Ladybird
Book 4-Occam’s Razor
Book 5-Harlequin
Book 6-Selene
Book 7-Horsemen
Book 8-Unworthy
Book 9 – Venom
Book 10 – Severed
Book 11 – Demons
Book 12 – Deadeye

DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES
Book 1-The Beekeeper
Book 2-The Perfect Murder
Book 3-The Backpacker
Trotterdown a box set of DC Harriet Taylor books 1-3

DS JASON SMITH &DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES
Book 1 – The Enigma
Book 2 – Dropzone
Book 3 – The Raven Girl (coming soon)

PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS
Miranda
Mistress
Medusa (coming soon)

STANDALONE HORROR
The Divide

DI O’REILLY MYSTERIES
Blood on the Island

Stewart Giles – Author Bio

After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live.
In 2014 Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later.
3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC Harriet Taylor: Cornwall series.
The Beekeeper was published and soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well.
I continued to self-publish the Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing results. I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor series which was published in July 2018.
After The Backpacker I had an idea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brings together the broody, enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor.
Miranda is something totally different. A stand-alone psychological thriller, it is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before. This was followed by the sequel Mistress in 2019.
The Detective Jason Smith series continues to grow and there are now 13 books including the introduction: Phobia. Book 12: Deadeye will be published in February 2020.
Website: http://www.stewartgiles.com
Twitter: @stewartgiles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewart.giles.33

My Review

I found this hugely engaging, new characters, new style plots, new locations, it’s fresh exciting and dramatic.

I love having familiar faces and characters, but it’s so good to get a chance to meet new ones.

Learn new back stories, add more depth and try new clues around this mystery.

Realistic flaws in the characters make them believable and relatable, which just makes reading all the more enjoyable. Real page turner.

Lud’s Church, Peak District

What is Lud’s Church? Well it’s NOT a real church, instead it’s a deep, moss-covered chasm full of history, myths and dark green wherever you look. Its colder and damp as soon as you walk into it, stepping down its stone steps deep into the cleft is to escape into another world… I imagined Merlin and Legends of old here.

Near the Roaches which is where we are walking and exploring. Is located in Leek and through Staffordshire’s Back Forest, is Lud’s Church. An 18 metre deep chasm created in the Roaches’ gritstone caused by a giant landslip, ( we did wonder if it elemental causing the tunnel) which over the ages has been covered from top to bottom in vibrant moss and lycan too The green is vibrant emerald. This makes the entire chasm outstanding to walk through, the dampness, the deep green colour has suddenly replaced the bright and expansive landscape of the Roaches, and it almost seems unbelievable. It doesn’t take long to explore the chasm, as it is only 100 metres long, but you could spend forever studying every nook and cranny- each as unique as each other. I however did not explore too much as it’s not that accessible for people like me.

Coming for the Solstice, as our Spiritual walk (as Stonehenge and Avebury are out this year) Lud’s Church was our alternative, as it’s not only interesting from a nature viewpoint, it’s also know for it’s history as in the Fifteenth Century it was used as a secret place for worship for people who would have otherwise been prosecuted. Sounds like my kind of place for sure!!

The people using this deep chasm as a church were the Lollards,(love that) followers of the early church reformer and so-called ‘heretic’, John Wycliffe.

Other than Luds Church’s religious history, there are also some myths that come with the area. It’s a fascinating place to research. Apparently one of them is that Robin Hood and Friar Tuck are reputed to have stayed in the cleft whilst hiding from the authorities. Easy to imagine, lots of nooks and crannies to hide in.

Going further back into the depths of Lud Church’s history is a myth that the chasm was created by the devil’s finger nail as he scraped back parts of the earth. Interesting, but I don’t think that happened.

And these steps, will be forever known as my victory steps. But for now, lots and lots of of recovery needed.