Safe Return Doubtful

I’m back in the van less than two weeks after the surgery. Recovery seems to be incredibly quick. Thanks, of course, to Scott and Leigh Ann for the apartment in the meanwhile.

Roja has been a bit confused. Various people have been taking him out for a walk, but he always waits at the door for me. I can take him now, but I’m wearing sandals still, it’s not yet possible to get socks, or laced shoes on, and I would be unable to pick up any of his huge shits.

I read more than 40 books in March, and watched quite a few films also. The weather has not been warm or sunny, which has helped, but being confined to quarters is a quiet existence.

I’ve done a lot of research for the upcoming course, and a couple of days ago booked the ferries for the first week. I am departing on Monday 22nd April, and will head down to my brother’s in Norfolk for a couple of days, before taking the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry on Wednesday morning, then the ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark to Kristiansand in Norway a few days later.

Two weeks out of surgery and I’m already beginning to move better than before it. Adventures await; cycling again, long mountain days, wilderness tent camping, running, swimming – in pools and in the wild.

I’ve found that it’s a good time to take stock, more relevant the new year. Going in to the ward I was heavier than I had thought, 92 kg as opposed to 88 kg, so that needs to go. I had symptoms of frozen shoulder on both sides before, and now nothing after. I really didn’t expect that.

I’ve the second hip to be done, and am going to try to fit that in for next winter. There has to be a six month gap, so that could work well. Six weeks after the operation the surgeon will call me, and I will discuss it with him at that stage.

In the downtime of the last few weeks I have managed to transfer my previous bikepacking courses to this website. It was quite time consuming, but looks much better here with everything in one place. Details are at the ‘archive’ page.