First Wild Camp

I’ve done a lot of exciting things, but I’ve never wild camped, I’ve loved basic campsites, but this is extra special, as you are alone.

So for an amazing adventure, nestled between the euros as you cant miss that! we did a hike and camp. And it was epic!! We went from the 1st – 2nd of July. A perfect way to see in my birthday month.

We were spoilt with views pretty much straight away, and though we set off at 4pm it was boiling hot. So I huffed and puffed my way through.

First time carrying a bigger rucksack and I will say the hips hated it at first, but I got used to it. Lots of ibuprofen gel helped too.

Met a friend, the most inquisitive sheep ever. Really I think she wanted our food. Even allowed her baby to get close too.

We saw fellow wild campers along the way, hoping as they were faster that we would still have a spot.

We got a lovely spot, granted it wasn’t near the plunge pool but neither of us had swimming gear.

The view we had was spectacular, and I know most wild camp up the top, but that won’t ever be me. It’s too difficult to walk that.

Before bed I managed to fall over the guyline, and break a tooth, as well as a swollen knee. Let’s hope it’s not too bad in the morning???

Midgies loved us all night, which made sitting out a challenge. Sadly our bug off was not enough for these hungry monsters. So to the tent for bed at midnight. I loved listening to the river all night, and the birds to wake us up. I was thrilled to hear owls.

We set off at a reasonable time in the morning, hoping to beat the heat. Off to visit the mermaid pool for breakfast with a view.

Mr Moon mapping out our way to the pool, I was grateful we hadn’t done this walk yesterday, as I wouldn’t of be able too.

Knee a lot better than I thought, though it aches and is tender to the touch.

Had our breakfast here, and what a glorious view. Porridge oats just add water, they were a taste sensation.

Next we were meant to carry on upwards and after trying, I really did try. I had to admit it was beyond my capabilities and we had to go back the way we came. Traditionally we do loops, but this was too difficult so we took the easy option to backtrack.

I’m so glad we did, it felt a lot easier this way and it was a weight lifted off my shoulders, knowing I’d done that trail before therefore knew I was capable of it.

Once back down to where we camped, we stopped for a coffee and foot dip in the plunge pool, that was heavenly on hot tired feet.

We saw lizards, a toad and a super green caterpillar. We waited for the caterpillar to get to safe ground so he wouldn’t be trodden on, it attracted a fellow walker to come and look, he said thanks for showing him. I would love that, we always go super slow and from this we see so much more wildlife that many dont see. That and I look at the floor when I walk, to keep my feet steady.

Back at the reservoir, and what a view. It was honestly hard to leave, even though my joints were crying out for home.

Now home to unpack both physically and mentally, and god I best seek the dentist again about this tooth!!

5 Week Countdown to Surgery

Well it’s been 2 weeks since I’ve heard I’ve got a date, and in that time we’ve been helping out family move house.

I’ve needed the dentist (quite important before hip surgeries) But this is before the infamous tooth breaking in the next blog post!!) So I will need to go again!!

We’ve been Wild Camping (see next blog post) And of course real life has a habit of filling each day, even if mundane.

But now it’s getting closer I think I need to start to get myself prepared, get the right sleepwear, knickers and phone charger wires etc.

First up I bought these from Chelsea Peers

I have some Pjs by them, and they are 100% organic and the softest things ever. So to lounge about the house I now have these. Saving them for my birthday (27th July) and post surgery.

Next week is pre op time, and I think I have to arrange for bloods a week before my date too. It’s all go go go.

As I will need compression stockings on too, I have bought the cutest knee high socks ever!!

Little cute Bull skulls on, a nod to my bone collecting ways.

And why not, a bit of bone humour. I have full skeleton leggings too from years ago.

And a nod to my gothic alternative ways I have Bats and Ghosts too. So my 6 weeks of wearing compression stockings will look cuter at least.

Starting Pre Op Exercises

I’m on a surgery countdown, so join me as I count down and prepare.

They say if you can start some Pre Op (Before Operation) exercises, it can greatly help with your recovery

Here I have a few that I’m doing, I mainly do in the bed or lying on the sofa.

Ankle Pumps x 10reps

Glute Sets (squeeze bum cheeks) x 10reps

Quad Sets (push knee into floor) x 10reps

Heel Slides x 10reps

Short Arc Quads (towel under knee and raise) x 10reps

Supine Hip Abduction x 10reps

Straight Leg Raise x 10reps

Take them slowly and carefully, so it’s a fully controlled movement, that engages all muscles. Yes it may be easy for some of you, but it’s about building muscle memory, which will greatly improve recovery. If you find them difficult as let’s face it some of us needing hip replacements can barely move, just do ones you can, and lower the reps to 1, build up to 3 over time. I aim to do these at least once a day, ideally I want to get to three times a day as I get nearer the surgery date.