Upon discovering the #YorkGhostMerchants this year, I also found out they do a Ghost Hunt week at the half term where they hide ghosts and between 6 to 8pm you travel around the town to look for them, one ghost is allowed to be taken and kept!!

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Here’s mine, he’s called Yeti after the MTB bike brand.

Also with this ghost week we are allowed to visit Mansion House free for the basement, and 25% off for upper floors. York city itself also does lots of free things to explore and discover, so using the Quest App we are armed and ready to go Ghost Hunting.

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Checked in to Hawkhills first as we were delayed by bad sleep the night before.

After settling down, eating some dinner and fueling ourselves with delicious coffee, it was time to brave York city. Crutch and Shoe lift in place, and topped up with pain killers too. Excited but I have to realise I probably won’t get to find one, but have fun looking.

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We searched and hunted high and low, not a spook to be found. Rained so heavily and we were soaked, but I loved the atmosphere of loads of torches and people having fun.

I had wanted to visit the shop, but I am realistic with my body, and I knew there was no way I could stand and queue for hours. Sad but true. One day perhaps not when the schools are off and on an eventful week too. Next time shop I will visit.

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Morning and we are having to check out, but first let’s have some photos and breakfast. It’s an incredible place to stay.

Following our busted Ghost Hunt, we opted for some spooks easy to find. Gorgeous wire sculptures in the gardens to be found.

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Loved the weather being nice enough to wander around the gardens.

Found the Mansion House to view the special 1000 ghost residents. So beautiful

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Glass spooks glinting in the dim lights, I love them.

We finished off our crazy two days with some Roman wall walking, and loving the old buildings, little Snickets, and shop windows, especially nice once all the crowds had died down.

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Not all movies I confess, but worthy of being added that’s for sure!! A range of completely childish and suitable for tiny humans, to adult over 18 content.

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Midnight mass series, from the makers of Haunting of hill house. Not scary but a solid vampire series.

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Is it Halloween without Halloween town, 4 movies all thoroughly enjoyed every year.

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Bit more adult, found it on Netflix and I really loved it. Hope they make more.

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Time to dive back into this for series 2, loved the first series.

Is it really complete without Hocus Pocus? I think not.

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I wonder if I can find anymore for the actual day, evening?? The hunt begins

While it’s been lovely since the first morning after the Depo-Medrone injections, I wouldn’t say it’s 100% pain free just yet. But definitely a good 50% better in the right hand. And I would say at least 80% in left hand, so that’s a good result.

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So I’m still splinting this thumb, and middle finger of the right hand.

Camping was fun and certainly put hands to the test, I found myself using gel and gloves at night, but I managed without splints all weekend. Sadly I’m back to the one (see above)

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I can finally reach my little finger with the thumb, but it still stings a bit especially in the right hand. So a bit more nurturing of that yet is needed.

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Ain’t this the truth.

Hip wise OMG camping was HARD, even though seats and camp bed was 90 degree for hips, I think dampness and walking wore me out. Especially the Psoas area and my back, I’m sure the 1 crutch is making me lurch? Causing a lot of pain down my left side above the hip. I had a hot water bottle which did help a lot. And I massively increased painkillers as well, so glad I did.

Obviously this week I’ve done ZERO physio, as I opted for walking to be my physio. And I definitely need some rest now. I need to tell the physiotherapist how bad the back pain is getting, and how hard it is the lift the knee up on the operated leg. Knee lifts are impossible at the moment.

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This is the action I’m really struggling with.

It’s our last day and we have nothing planned, the aches are almost too much, so home is welcome (body wise) mind wise I’d love to stay.

So tent packed up in fast fashion while I sat on the sidelines, body just couldn’t bend and twist in the ways needed to help. Thankfully Mr Moon is totally understanding.

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We gently strolled the art murals around town. Stopping off for pasties, and sit downs for me.

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Glastonbury pasty is delicious from Burns.

Wakey wakey rise and shine, awoken to a fabulous starling murmer, it’s back to the Faery Fayre for the dark crystal fairy pin, and more jasmine goodies.

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Got a lovely set of mugs this time, ones I had been eyeing up for a while.

Afterwards it was time to stroll around the town, as it’s lovely to see all the eccentric folk, and feel free to be who you are around here. So many barefooted people this year, brave as the ground is freezing!!

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Such colourful shops, real eye candy.

I really wanted to visit the Tor, but being on crutches it’s not likely. So we compromised, drove as close as possible and just visited from the orchard. Close as I could push that hip.

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After putting all my energies into this, we then retreated back to the tent for recovery.

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Cosy home, all the better for the heater we bought too. Last night already!!

After a lot of debating we’ve decided to get away for a couple of nights, to have a spiritual time away, and visit a faery fayre too.

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Saturday morning early start. And staying until Monday morning. We have a lot to pack in, in such a few days. We’d like to visit the Chalice Well and White Spring temple for Spiritual guidance and peace.

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First up was the Faery Fayre, and it was lovely to see old friends and Jasmine Becket Griffith fans, along with all the fairies too.

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We got our favourite Jasmine bags, and art and special light crystal pin.

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Looked at the chalk art dotted around the pavements.

We visited the Chalice Well gardens and loved having some quiet reflection there, weather was kind too. Some gorgeous areas to sit and meditate. We had such a wonderful friendly visitor too. You know what they say, when Robins appear loved ones are near, and I definitely felt that.

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Chalice well was a huge highlight of the day, we had wanted to visit the white spring too, but unfortunately it’s closed.

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Come tea time it was time to pitch up the tent, as we were exhausted. But what an epic day. Pain levels were high but I expected that, and upped the dose of painkillers.

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A corner has been turned at last, and sleep is getting better. Which means I can now turn onto the opposite side and sleep, and I can do a few hours on my front too. Huge improvement.

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Forever asking the same questions.

Been adding some stretches to help the hip flexors as they are my weakest point.

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I love this one, the support of the chair makes all the difference.

Holding onto a chair and standing on my areobic step, I’m getting better at single leg squats. But I have to hold on for dear life!!

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I’m starting at 5 reps X 3 very alternate day. As they are hard work.

Having days off when I feel achy and sore is paying off, as I find I can do better quality ones in better form, when they’ve rested properly, and I’m starting from a un-swollen place. It’s the mind that plays tricks always telling you you’re not doing enough, but I trust that I am, and that rest is important too.

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Now that the restrictions that I never had, is over. The physiotherapist has also added the knee to chest stretch, and I love this one too. To just breathe into it, feel everything relax is perfect.

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Just bring it as close as you can to the chest, don’t force it. Relax and breathe.

Now for a workout over the weekend with a difference, let’s see if I can hike a bit. Fingers crossed, sticks and crutches at the ready.

Let me tell you the ache when I got home and the numbing stuff had worn off, was awful. I ended up taking 3 tramadol and 6 paracetamol that day on top of 1 etoricoxib too.

Splints helped massively, but the hands felt swollen, so didn’t fit that well. So I opted for compression gloves to help squeeze the swelling down and then splints to help hold thumb in place. I wore them overnight. Spent most of the night out of my duvet due to night sweats that the injection gives me.

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What side effects do you get? I usually get increased pain, sweats and missing periods.

Woke up feeling fine though, bit if a restless night with bring too hot then too cold. Occasionally I caught my thumb wrong but nothing too bad. So took gloves and splints off for a breather. Holding cups and scrolling on phone is hard with thumbs, but I’m getting there. The dull awful ache has gone, now it’s much duller and seems to be activity that activates it rather than me doing nothing.

I have noticed that it’s flared up some extra lower back pain and my operated hip is a bit angry too. So it’s all rest rest rest, and pain killers.

For the last 2 months I’ve been counting down the days for this, and it’s finally here. Even though I want it, I still get terrified of them,Steroid injections in both hands, hurt like hell, but hopefully worth it. Got about 4-5 months out of the last injection.

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I have the injections for the painful CMC joint, but in truth the MP joint is also affected with pain too.

Often have awful and I mean awful side effects, but I take these over the pain and limited movements I’ve got. Holding cups and pens and doing zips up are so so painful.

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Been practicing my hand physio exercises as best as I can too.

So nerves kicking in, sweaty palms the lot, but I’ve braved it. It’s injection 4 for left hand (smallest joint space, most painful hand) goes first. The pace of the depo-medrone is slower in this hand to help me adjust to the pain.

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Left hand done through back of hand almost.

Next up its right hand, it’s the 5th injection in this one, and though more arthritic and bone clangy, it’s an easier less painful injection once in. But does hurt more going on through thumb pad.

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Thumb pad stings more going in, as thicker skin.

Home now to rest them, wearing splints to protect them too. Now to find ice or hot water bottles to help relieve the aching pains. Because my god they truly ache and are full feeling, super tender.

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Splints on, aching already.

On the run up to Samhain or more commonly called Halloween, it’s time to bust out all the spooky spoopy films.

Disney + is excellent for my daft feel good films, firm favourite is Zombies 1 and 2,and Girl verses Monster. They just cheer me up no end.

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Singing and dancing and schooling us all on differences and how we can just stop the divide and love each other.

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Monsters and a family with secrets, I’m sold. Excellent afternoon movie.

For animation this year I’ve watched the Addams family films both 1 and 2, I really loved them, and I didn’t think I would. Loved little extra details like the nooses as Wednesdays plaits.

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I know it’s aimed for children, what can I say I’m childish.

To be more adult we watched The night house, a twist in this tale that 8 never saw coming, so different to the usual horror plot. Highly recommended.

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Slow burn, but definitely creepy horror.

Then for something completely daft but thoroughly enjoyed. Werewolves within. So bonkers, ace humour and gore. Glad I found it.

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Totally found this by accident, so glad I did.

Loving the selection of films available, and eager to find more. And of course some series with a spooky vibe too. Do you have any favourites?? Obviously Hocus Pocus will be watched nearer to the actual day.