Finally got my paperwork exercises come through, and I’m honestly a little downhearted at how basic they are, it feels like I’m at square one at times.

But I do trust his opinion, and I can see why I’ve been out onto these. As surely good form basic ones done alternate days is better than doing none at all, because it keeps flaring up?! I think so..

First off we have the Mini Squat, so stand tall with hip feet width apart. Have support if needed (I will do) Squat down by sitting back, Return to the starting position. Note Keep Hips, Knees and Toes Aligned, Keep weight evenly on your whole foot, Chest up and trunk almost upright. Repeat 5 to 10 reps in 2 to 3 sets. Every other day.

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Standing Hip Extension with support. Transfer your weight slightly forward and using your buttock muscles lift your leg back. Return the leg to starting position. Repeat 5 to 10 reps in 2 to 3 sets. Every other day.

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Sitting Chair Leg Lift, Lift your leg up off the seat keeping the knee bent. Return to the starting position. (So no longer pushing down on it, a simpler version) Repeat 5 to 10 reps in 2 to 3 sets. Every other day.

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Modified Clam with Hips 90 degrees. Start by lying on your side with your hips and knees bent to 90 degrees. Take support with your hand on the floor in front of you. Press your hand against the floor and lift your upper side slightly. Keep your feet together and turn from your hip to lift the knee upwards. Keeping the pelvis still. In a controlled manner, lower the knee back down. Feel the muscles in the side of your buttocks working. Repeat 5 to 10 reps in 2 to 3 sets. Every other day.

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Lying on your Back, Knee to chest stretch. Bend the leg to be stretched towards your chest and hold onto the knee with both arms. Pull your knee towards your chin keeping your head on the floor. You should feel stretching on the back of your thighs and buttock. Hold for approx 20 seconds. Repeat on both sides X 5 reps. Every other day.

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After such a busy week with hospitals and lots of early mornings, we ditched the idea of a big walk, as it requires a lot of planning and driving. So sun shining we head out for just down the road from us.

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Straight away we spot the deers having some lunch, and feeling at ease. We drive slowly to admire them, and then off to park up and go for an amble.

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Lots of landscape changes being made for wildlife, and lots of bushcraft huts that the kids have made over the years.

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The river is crystal clear and the skies are blue, what a beautiful spring day, that shows us the Equinox is nearly here (Sunday 20th March) and tonight is a full moon. It’s been great to get out and clear the cobwebs away.

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We stop for donuts and cider and get catching to the local Robin. We met a lovely couple and got chatting, so nice to come across young couples that are full of beans for the place. It is a stunning place.

We finish off our day with a trip to the chippie, for a mixed meat kebab chips and salad. It’s so big we only buy 1 to share, yet have a plate full each which we never finish, so save it for the next day, so technically we get 4 meals out of 1 Kebab.

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Umph it’s been a long slog to get here, trying to put off steroid injections so they can be assessed in their natural state. It’s a shame the hand surgeon hasn’t got to see them, but forever hopeful it won’t be long.

So it’s back to the hospital today and get them assessed and checked, hopefully see if they can refer me to a rheumatologist as I still haven’t had bloods taken for many years. I’m hoping I’ll get to have new gloves and splints, but not sure if I’m dreaming, and they can’t do that.

I was given new exercises and told to ditch my old ones, now that the thumb on the right hand has collapsed in 2 joints. 

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In warm water squeeze slowly an oval sponge, hold for 5 real seconds, slowly open and repeat. Aim is to do 2 mins a day each hand. But will need to work towards it.

I also was given new splints as mine are no longer working. New compression gloves and an oval 8 ring too. I felt seen and heard for once. The second opinion I’m seeking was highly recommended by this therapist, to explore possible fusion, or implants.

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Didn’t and couldn’t get a rheumatologist referral so it’s something I need to chase via gps or micats. The delaying of steroid injections is encouraged as they are fastly collapsing the bones, and speeding up the deformity. Hard to delay as when you get some pain relief however short, is bliss.

All in all it felt great to be seen and assessed, to be helped rather than medically gaslit as usual.

I was advised on lots of gadgets and gizmos to help me be independent and safe around the home.

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I can’t believe it’s been 5 weeks since I was last here!! That’s crazy, time really does seem to be whizzing by, and other things seem to taking my attention more than the hip. Which is good in a way, as it means I’m naturally moving on from being acutely affected day to day.

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However it’s also bad as it means I’m not truly focusing on healing and improving this nagging psoas issue. But that’s the devil of having more than 1 health issue, going on in your life. Sometimes you have to choose to rest when you don’t want too, and to focus on other joints as they hurt worse. And that’s definitely been me lately.

On demonstrating my ability to hip hitch lying down, it was decided it’s too weak to progress to standing version. I showed my knee to chest, requiring to use my hands to fetch the leg. This is a massive set back, so we’ve discussed hydrotherapy while land physio is causing such pain. But there’s a heck of a wait for that yet. So in the meantime I’m to go back to hip hitching lying down, and knee to chest stretch on the bed.

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This stretch has been added as my opposite hip is having golf ball sensation issues.

I showed them how the Right hip that’s 3yrs old is also suffering, so I’ve been given the stretch above to try and help ease the pains off.

So it felt a little disappointing, but the plan is for him to devise me a full physio routine and he will post it to me, and do that for 4 weeks, then go back to see if any improvement has been made. And then do the checklist for hydro at that appointment.

Functionally I feel ok, but to do steps, stairs or lift the leg I am struggling a lot, so I will do exactly as I’m told and hope it helps.

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We managed to get a walk in before this hectic week staying in for hospital appointments, and what an epic walk it was!!

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The only non rainy day we snatched it while we could, so it’s 9 days after the previous walk, so hoping the Right hip behaves, but we made sure that it had no Stiles and not much elevation.

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We wandered off our track hunting out a stone, and we got more than we bargained for. Discussing adders and how we never see them, Mr Moon only nearly stood on one!!

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And then luckily we didn’t disturb him too much and proceeded to run into a herd of Deer. Thank goodness the wind was blowing towards us, so we managed to see them well.

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We sat and ate cheese and onion sandwiches, drank a beer and thoroughly loved seeing the views and people walking, we even caught a glimpse of a fighter jet, certainly heard it first!! This has to be one of the best walks ever!!

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Managed to see small waterfalls, I was sad I hadn’t brought my crystals to cleanse, but we didn’t expect water on this route. We ended the day with Mr Moon taking a photo for a couple, as he’s a good one like that.

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Even though the Hand Surgeon appointment was cancelled, I still have a full week of hospitals, and doctors. First we have Physiotherapy at Cannock Hospital, to check on progress and discuss anything else. Then it’s Smear test day on Wednesday and Thursday I’m back to Cannock Hospital for Occupational therapy.

Which will mean staying in this week and potently no big walk. So instead it’s a bone cleaning week. ie pop them into some biological washing powder for a good amount of time, before scrubbing with a wire brush.

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Our most recent finds, Sheep and Fox skull

On a local small walk we found some feathers as well, so need to clean them up ready for our Steampunk hat. They will look perfect.

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And we also picked up a lot of broken glass and ropes from either climbers or bivvy set ups, and took them away to bin, and fluff up the ground to make sure the tiny glad shards were buried. We’ve recently been collecting rubbish from walks when we can.

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We also found hints of secret local witches which makes my heart sing. Spotted some pentagrams over the water.

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I’ve had such issues and flares lately with my hands, and the only thing keeping me going, was knowing I was seeing Mr Craigen soon at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

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And as I was just on the final countdown and a few days away, I got the call that it’s been cancelled, and will be rescheduled soon but with Mr Brewster. Not sure why, or what’s caused the change in specialist either, I just hope it’s not too long a wait.

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Least I have an appointment with occupational therapist later this week, so I’m hoping for maybe new gloves or splints. Maybe this will help me cope while I wait for an new appointment.

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It’s very apt, as we’ve been entertaining ourselves with the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings lately.

Physio just isn’t feeling good or easy right now, but it’s not really a hip replacement issue. More it’s an overall Ehlers Danlos Syndrome issue, as it’s affecting my elbows, shoulders and hands. However the walk I shared previously felt great in the newest hip, but I weirdly overdid the older one??

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I’ve decided to avoid the knee to chest, while it’s so angry, swollen and irritated.

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But lying face down,over a pillow and bending leg and lift is a good flexor stretch. Don’t lift too high and round your back though. 10 reps

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If you rather you could keep leg straight, but it won’t activate the same muscles as much. 10 reps

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Instead of doing many squats, I’m practicing in holding a squat for 15 seconds and doing a few

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Hoping to add the lightest resistance band to my clams 5 reps

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Side leg raises I’m pretty strong in, so they are a feel good move 10 reps

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Probably the hardest move, so slow steady and 5 reps for now

Hopefully little but often will help, but my main focus is on walking and keeping form. I’m only noticing my leg length difference when I’m tired and the Trendelenburg gait comes out. I looked back at my original hip at this stage and whoa they are wildly different. Check it out Here

Look fantastic is a monthly subscription box, I buy myself. I have a years subscription which has been cancelled, but needs to fulfill the year first. It just won’t renew. I do this so I can catch up and use the products, rather than continuous hoarding.

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Art work by #EleanorIsobelleArt find her Here

An empowerment theme ready for #InternationalWomensDay it’s packed with things to make you feel good.

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Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial oil 5ml it’s usually 30ml full size RRP £39 A lightweight treatment oil, and this blend of essential oils, not only smell incredible but also have conditioning plant extracts that work to promote skin’s strength, elasticity and lustre. And as I’m stepping into Perimenopause I’m more into this type of skincare. Brilliance Facial Oil absorbs almost instantly – rushing to the rescue of complexions in crisis – hydrating, soothing and brightening with no greasy residue. Starring palma rose, orange, mint, vanilla, geranium, chamomile, lemon, rose and lavender – to replenish precious moisture while balancing sebum production – alongside omega 3-rich grapeseed, apricot, almond, olive and sunflower oils to restructure the skin and enhance its ‘stretch’ and resilience, this is ideal for all skin types – particularly those susceptible to dry or dehydrated patches.

Not listed in the book is also a Luvia Prime Vegan Candy detail shader brush, 308 it’s soft and bristles packed perfectly for getting into a cut crease.

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We have Espa Refining Skin Polish 15ml so a travel size here, as usually 55ml RRP £38 when bought.A deep cleansing, but super-fine exfoliator that will leave skin feeling refined and smooth, almost like air brushed skin. Spherical Diatomaceous Earth exfoliates will help to clear those pores, gently lift impurities and balance out uneven tones, while nourishing Rose Damascena and Shea Butter soften skin revealing a smooth and radiant complexion.

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We also got not listed in the book like the Make up brush, a Waterproof mascara by Revolution which is RRP £8 and we got a full sized one. And after my weekend I had testing it, it did not budge all night. Huge win.

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For your hair we have Sacha Juan, a product brand I’ve never seen before. 125ml RRP £23 Aims to replenish your tresses with the Sachajuan Volume Styling Cream. It is a fast-absorbing cream using Ocean Silk Technology to drench your locks in moisture, minimising the look of split ends and flyaways. I need help with flyaways for sure.
Algae-derived proteins minimise the illusion of dryness, summoning an enviable gloss.

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Lastly we have Starskin Dreamkiss Bio-Cellulose lip mask we get 1, but if you bought RRP £9 you’d get 2 masks. If you are dreaming of soft kissable lips, dream no more, this is designed especially for the soft delicate lip area. It’s been ormulated with a naturally fermented, but vitamin-rich Coconut Juice, added bonus that the ‘Dreamkiss’ lip mask closely follows the contours of the lips with a skin-tight fit, delivering innovative skincare serum to be absorbed into the skin. Mixed with a blend of Sea Fern, Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid to instantly work to visibly plump lips, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in a more youthful look.

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Spotting a rare dry day and with temperature reasonable, we grabbed our coffees, rucksacks and headed out.

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Only the best cups from mysticumluna Here

A new trail for both of us, no idea really what it’s like except we know it has no stiles, so that’s the win for us.

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The village Harrington is so pretty, definitely will be returning for a visit to their pubs and local shops.

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We start in fields, a tad muddy and waterlogged in places. But nothing to drastic.

We think the route is mainly flat so that will be better for my back and hip issues. It’s a glorious day and it’s 10°c so I’m enjoying not needing too many layers on.

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Into a woodland area but the path is reasonable and not too skatey underfoot. Loving walking by the River Dove.

We stop so many times to marvel at the weirs controlling the raging river, watching some glass still areas, and white roam rapid areas. Watching the wildlife live around and on it and use the river in their lives, is very calming and much needed.

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Out into a valley area, we climb a small ascent to view a cave.

I personally couldn’t climb into the cave as it was a steep climb into in, but Mr Moon did the honours and explored for me. I however dug into our cheese and onion sandwiches, as walking is a hungry business!!

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We start the leave this part of the dale and join onto a new one. So far the paths have been good to us.

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We had to do some serious stepping stones, I’m not that nimble. Nearly had to take our boots off to wade through it at one point!

This part of the valley was a lot harder, stepping from stone to stone, some would move, some totally submerged, hoping our boots stay dry.

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We found another cave, and it was watery and stepping stones inside a totally dark tunnel, so I stayed out in the sunshine.

Mr Moon explored tip toe carefully through the watery bottom, hugging the walls while he filmed the cave. It went on for ages, so he followed it until the end. He thoroughly loved being in there.

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As the sun loses its heat, and blue skies are going darker with time, we head off to the end of the route, slight uphill but nothing too bad, and end on some road back to the village

We end our epic adventure feeling totally worn out, nursing sore backs and aching hip as well. I ended up with the 3yr old hip replacement feeling like a golf ball when I sat down, I know it will go eventually but for now it’s immensely painful. But my mind feels like today was a good healing day!!