85 Weeks Post #HipReplacement Hip Woes

19 Months and it’s still a journey, I won’t lie, I kinda knew it would be a longer journey that most people’s experiences, it was never going to be smooth either.

However that all said, it has been smoother sailing for this replacement hip, and this year so far has been magic for this hip.

Each step getting stronger, lasting longer in stamina, and honestly a joy to exercise.

I won’t gloss over it can still be painful at times, but my Tramadol is helping, as is a hot water bottle and rest. But these generally lift the pain quite quickly. I have the most pain inside the groin or under the Glute scar mainly. It does disperse fast with rest though.

The Left hip is a far more bitter story, it’s failing apart, it stings when I walk, it’s crunchy if I try and lift it, and it’s causing so many tears.

I’d got used to the muscle aches on the other side, knowing they go with rest. But this is gnawing white hot pain, that nothing touches it!!

Linda Bleck always helps me find the ways to explain it all to myself and to others.

Recently when walking, well twice now, I’ve felt sick, dizzy and locking sensation in the front of the hip. Like I can’t bend it, or once bent I can’t straighten it.

It is putting me off walking, which is madness really as that’s the only thing that’s keeping all anxiety and mental health in check, as well as working well on the opposite hip. So now I feel trapped, unsure of what to do or how to move forward.

Camping Trip #Whitby

Following an epic woodland Falling Foss walk the day before, we had hoped for a traditional beach day to sunbathe or paddle board. But the weather was freaky, inland at the site was glorious, but the coast was eerie, misty and dangerous.

What better than to visit a graveyard hunting for Dracula gravestones, his victims and one he hid in!!

The Fog was thick and very scary to drive in at times.

The Abbey could barely be seen, but no matter we were here for the Church yard instead.

And it couldn’t of looked more perfect if it had tried. Perhaps it looked like this when Bram Stoner wrote the novel?

Found one stone with the tell tale skull and cross bones, we had found it on a previous trip (Whitby Goth Weekend last October) but I knew there were 2 others to find.

Walked around each one to come across the others.

Finally we spotted the best one, also the hardest one to find.

And then the third one was found, looks like the first and was weirdly right next to it too. Never saw that last year.

Down the 199 steps there are benches, well I thought they were benches to rest on. Turns out they used to rest the bodies on them, as they carried them up to be buried!!

Mr Moon fits nicely. Bit eerie, and we probably looked like we were having a laugh but we were quiet somber too, never forgetting it has real loved ones buried here, so if you go please be respectful too.

This was our last full day, as only came from Tuesday to Friday. It was a whistle stop tour of Yorkshire and we know we left off many other things and places we are hoping to visit next time. Just never enough time or energy to do it all.

Another fry up tea, best thing about camping is not feeling guilty about the naughty food you eat. We wrapped up with blankets and hot chocolate and had more perseids shooting stars to watch. Yorkshire has the best skies to watch, so clear and vast.

Camping Trip #FallingFoss

As a previous post stated, we have gone camping for a quick getaway and to reconnect with the wild.

Think bare feet in grass, star gazing and back to basics. Pure heaven.

After a long HOT day setting up and visiting Scarborough at tea time, we settled for a few beers and shooting star (perseid meteor shower watching) that concluded our first day.

The next day we were up early, packed and ready for a beach, to paddle board. Camping inland we had the glorious sunshine, but once near the coast it was misty, and cold. So we abandoned that plan for Falling Foss instead.

If ever there was a magical, whimsical fairy woodland walk, this is it. Take the trail through the trees on a roughly 2-mile loop route that passes an idyllic woodland tea garden, we never went in as we had our sarnies packed already. But at the cafe you can see a 30-foot Falling Foss waterfall, which returns alongside babbling stream (May Beck). It’s a lovely shady walk for summer, it was exactly what we needed, here it was 31degrees yet at the coast it was cold,misty and 16degrees!! Here the water is shallow enough to paddle in, and a bridge to play pooh-sticks from. It was gorgeous in dappled sunshine, but I bet its spectacular in autumn when the woodland colours are at their best.

Picnic with incredible views and with the local squirrels as company. Loved them throwing nuts from the trees, cheeky devils.

After winding paths, steep drop offs we gradually found our way down to the spectacular waterfall, it was busy with children laughing and having the time of their lives, so although we couldn’t paddle ourselves, it was a joy to see children having so much fun.

We made it, hard slog and was not the family friendly path I had thought it was. But it was worth the pain.

What a setting!! Considering we had left the Whitby coast looking like this

There was no contest, we chose the right activity to do. It seems our woodland walks are where our hearts and souls sing the most.

Hearty fry up for tea after all our walking, and ended with a perseid meteor shower watching, and hot chocolate. The simplest things are always the greatest things to do, the most fulfilling.

Getting away from it all

I’ll be honest, with each passing day and each new restriction or rule, I’ve felt the noose getting tighter and tighter around my neck.

Social media is far from social lately, it’s a cesspit of hatred and toxicity at times, and it’s always wise to remove yourself from such negativity, so your own vibrations don’t start to mirror them.

No longer is shopping or popping to town an option or fun, everyone is scared, masked and it feels alien. The only place that makes sense to me, is the countryside, nature, be it seaside, moors or forests. I feel free and sane here.

So bags packed we are off camping, a few days with no electric, no social media or news drilled into you 24/7 instead just nature, wildlife, and the two of us.

And relax… well as best you can while camping. Site is fully booked, and it’s Hot hot hot!!

Look Fantastic Beauty Box August 2020

This August there were 2 variations and I got this one, with make up in. The other was more skincare based. The beauty book is back too!! I swear this BOX is perfect for me this month, I’m camping and everything will be coming with me. Spot on @lookfantastic

#BellaPierre Cosmetic Mineral Blush in Amaretto worth £15.00 6Grams
Creamy and non-comedogenic which is recommended by both make up artists and dermatologists, this mineral blush gives a flush of colour while being a natural look. (I’ve not used blush for so long, the newer red shades have scared me off, so this looks more my cup of tea)

#Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum 10ml worth £15.33
Cult favourite and I always love recieving it. Claims it’s 62 times more effective than vitamin c, and proven to lighten dark spots in 4 weeks. (So let’s see shall we)

#Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara 4ml worth £10.00
I LOVE eyeko products so I was happy to see this, it’s handbag sized, or camping size for me. Curved wand to give precise long fluttery lashes for up to 12 hours. (Going to test this while camping next week)

#Ahava Sea Kissed Mineral Body Lotion 40ml worth £8.00
Deep hydrating body lotion, packed full of antioxidants to help feel revitalised and refreshed. Perfect for sensitive skin. (This is coming camping too!!)

#Mio Sun-drenched Body Wash 30ml worth £3.15
Burst of citrus scent this zesty hydrating body wash is the right size for a few nights away, yep taking this too!! With for extract and monks pepper for an instant soothing effect for mind and body. (This is a camping shower must have)

#PercyAndReed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder balm 30ml worth £8.00
A hair primer that can be used alone or with styling products to enhance the style. Makes hair more manageable as well as adding moisture shine and definition. (Need this after sea hair, it really dries my hair out)

So that’s it, I’m really impressed with this one.

Sneak peek item….

It’s #Elemis Pro-collagen Marine Cream 15ml worth 30ml really looking forward to that one!!

And then there are just two again!!

Before the Lockdown happened we took our youngest daughter out of her accommodation at campus, and brought her home. The uncertainty drove our decision.

But this month it’s time to return her to her own life, away from the family home.

Car packed to the rafters, we set off. And to soften the blow of being child free once more, we’ve booked a nice hotel, and meal out for the two of us.

This is our room, second time staying at #TheBullAndStirrup in Chester. I love it. Good size, feels luxury and yet the price tag says budget.

We opened our Rosè from our Wedding Anniversary (19yrs last month) and kicked back, relaxing after a long day.

We booked #OliveTree Brasserie and feasted on Greek food, very reminiscent of our Greek honeymoon.

Watermelon and Feta Salad for me

Meatballs for Mr Moon.

Then we both had the same main, Chicken kebab with sweet potato fries.

Absolutely full to the brim, we strolled back to the lovely room, and ended with a nice coffee.

Next day we had the town to explore, alas the weather wasn’t at its best. It was dry but windy and chilly at times.

Walked around the walls, soaking in the history and vibes it all gives off is my favourite way to spend the day.

Town quiet by Chesters standards, but there’s enough so you don’t feel daft being a tourist.

Crazy weird coffin in the wall, the history is wild here and well worth a visit. So many churches, yet nods to the Romans and Vikings too.

The Ice Giant and Fire Giant Norse God’s are present here.

And beautiful Roman mosaic and Roman baths to walk around. We cut our second day a little shorter than planned. Due to being absolutely shattered. Nice little whirl wind visit, and it was good to get out and about again. Now time to recover and get ready for camping…..

Birthday treats, and Padley Gorge

It rained all day on my birthday, and we had no one round on the day, but I was spoilt by everyone for sure, here’s a snippet of the goodies.

From chocolate, powerbank, and camping cups, to pecksniff candle and spray and Jeffree star palette, to leaping hares and bath bombs, I was spoilt rotten.

We had wanted to go for a walk, but we delayed it for a few days and boy oh boy it was worth it.

Inside Bolehill quarry all was quiet, and soft. Eerie but otherworldly. I felt like I was in middle earth. Watched by sprites and fairies.

Some paths felt hidden but most were clear to see, and follow. Of course I saw cows ( they scare me)

Some off the beaten tracks are NOT family friendly, so stick to the well trodden, and more manicured paths.

Yay a stream, and waterfalls too. We have to sink our toes in if we find a safe place to do it. Feel the water element (stream), the air element (breezes), earth element (forest) and certainly fire elements (sunny and warm) today. A real spiritual connection here, so I will have to return.

It was FREEZING but I love doing it.

Lots of gorgeous places to stop and refresh ourselves and drink in the atmosphere. For a popular family friendly place, it wasn’t as busy as I expected, but we did find a few friends along the way. Another family having a grand adventure!!

Scenery is stunning, and once out of the gorge the skies and air are instantly warmer. We saw the big estate but it’s all closed for now. I like to look up at the windows and imagine a ghost quietly looking back.

On the last leg we stop off to make our scones, it’s a bit of a tradition at this point.

Now home, all I can think of is going back again. A beautiful place for Lammas to be celebrated, but at least I’ve been and felt the energies there.

Lammas Sabbat 2020

It’s already Lammas, 1st August and this year there’s no specific celebration, as I’m gearing up to see 1 daughter for the day, then 2 days later take 1 daughter to move back to Uni.

It’s been a funny ole year with Coronavirus, it’s spoiled everyone’s plans globally and played heavy on people’s mental health.

Instead we are hoping to go out and spend a night in a hotel and celebrate as a couple, over good food and wine, and hope for the brightest of blessings.

What is Lammas?

Lammas day – or ‘loaf mass’ – is traditionally when people celebrate the first wheat harvest in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and is the noted as the first harvest festival (but much earlier than THE harvest festival which is in September) of the season.

Grains that are harvested at Lammas time include, wheat, barley, oats, rye as well as the plants meadowsweet, mint, sunflower and Calendula.

The festival’s roots date back to Anglo Saxon times when the festival was referred to as the ‘feast of first fruits’. It also marks the end of the hay harvesting season.

Lammas Day is usually around the beginning of August and coincides with when tenant farmers would have presented the first crop harvest to their landlord.

Ways to celebrate

If you are lazy or as busy as me, This year I’ll be picking my black berries and wild strawberries, and combining them with my rhubarb. Perfect to store away for winter months.

Decorate the altar or your hearth with Sunflowers. Bring in that last kiss of summer before you acknowledge autumn is coming. Or if flowers aren’t your thing, gather feathers, pine cones and nice pebbles from country walks.

Visit the woods and rivers if you can, feel the Earth and Water elements, it’s what we’ve been doing all Lockdown. It’s done wonders for mental health. Seen as all our Witch events are cancelled this year.

If you can bake bread now is the perfect time to do so, but alas it’s not my skill, but instead I will drink lots of beer and that’s my mini nod to John barleycorn.

As it’s the First harvest out of 3, it’s worth starting to plan the colder months, find the books you will want to read, brush up on what skills and visit places while you can, if you can.

Brightest Blessings Witches