A Brace Is Needed

Hello Friends

Today, with winds in excess of 40mph, and an injured wrist, and Welsh Water to deal with, I just could not manage my walk.  With the weather taking a downward turn, contingency plans are being made.

The wind blew hard all last evening and through the night.  Much banging and clattering was heard, and it was confirmed this morning with the way pots and other garden bits and bobs were strewn across the patio. This is what I've been worried about. When it is blowing like that, it is simply dangerous for me to step outside the door as my balance is awful and I cannot risk falling.

Last year, I injured my left wrist which took months and months to heal.  When I began walking, I anticipated sore legs and painful feet, but no, these haven't happened, but what I did not see coming was this:

I noticed a few days ago that pushing the rollator was aggravating it. Funny how I anticipated sore legs and feet but did not anticipate the effect it's having on my neck and shoulders! I should have realised, the rollator weighs about 20lbs, so it's added weight to push along, or hold back with brakes firmly held when going down a slope.  Strain was inevitable. Hopefully the brace will strengthen my wrist and keep it in order!

Then there was the whole issue with Welsh Water.  It's a very long story, I won't bore you with finer details, suffice to say it was not a good, stress-free start to the day to discover them parked on the road right across the bottom of my drive {and only access} digging up the pavement!  Two other houses have access over my drive, so three of us had access blocked, and I discovered my water turned off and not a word of warning to be prepared!  Fortunately, I'd had my shower and filled the kettle before they started, but other things had to wait.  

The size of the repair does not give a fair representation of the size of the blocked area of pavement when covered with tools and workmen, not to mention the van parked on the road.

Then I looked at the forecast for the coming days and it does not bode well. 

Tomorrow {Thursday} we might have thunderstorms.

Friday doesn't look too bad, but thereafter the days are an odd assortment of varying types of rain from drizzle to heavy.  I will have to plan carefully and try to dodge in and out between showers.  I no longer sport the range of useful waterproof trousers, gaiters, boots and jackets I once almost lived in.

I am making contingency plans, just in cases, so that I won't drop my fitness levels I've regained.  Hopefully I won't need them, but as I say, just in cases!

The fundraising coordinator for Wales has been in touch.  Some people are having difficulty getting my link to work so she is sending me a personalised QR code which should resolve the problems.  I will send it on to those who have told me they had problems donating.  Thank you all so very much!

Diolch o Galon!

Until next time 

💙🌷💙

After The Rain and the Wind

Hello Friends!

Just a quick pop in otherwise this will be out of date and there'll be no point in sharing.  Hope you are all doing well and keeping safe with Hands, Face,  Space as lockdown is slowly eased?

The bad weather came, and came with vengeance!  The winds blew gustily for over a day, up to 70mph in the midst of it all. And it rained, at times, torrentially.

After so long without very strong winds, by juxtaposition, it seemed so much more brutal than it actually was.  After all, for most of April it's been dry and fairly wind free, an alien concept for where I live. When you are used to living in a wind tunnel, high winds are something you get used to.  April was cold but a welcome change from endless windy and wet days we generally see.  Most of us never dreamed we'd actually be praying for rain in April, or the start of May as it turned out.  We certainly caught up over the weekend!

Then, as the winds slowly eased up, I was hoping to get out to the garden, but as the sun started to shine and the clouds started to leave, suddenly the sky went dark and the heavens opened with a hail storm barrelling in out of nowhere.  A sting in the tail!

I rushed to my phone and hit record, something I've decided I'm going to get used to having since I got a Smartphone three years ago.  It's about time I learned to use the features.  So, here's what happened.

Not very pretty, and I'm glad I didn't have laundry out, nor was I out walking!  I saw my neighbours give up trying to bring their laundry in. Can you believe that it only lasted a few minutes?  As soon as it was over, the sky was blue again!

Also, I finally plucked up the courage to pop into a shop!  Well, not exactly pop, it takes me days to mentally prepare, with all the planning and self talk that I can do this.  I arrived right as they opened, and I did breathing exercises so I averted the panic attack I felt starting, donned my mask, and over the threshold I stepped. There were signs advising how many could be inside at any one time, with "one out, one in" in place; a lovely, large hand sanitising station; the floor clearly marked with tape for social distancing; and clear plexiglass screens at the counter and till point.  The staff all wore masks, were incredibly helpful, and I was the only person in store!  

When I came out, this was the glorious view down the Cross Square towards the Cathedral in the valley below.

How fresh and clean it all looks after the weekend weather washed away the dust!  And, not busy at all! Who knows, maybe I'll go shopping again soon?  I have another shop I love, and miss heaps, in the village, a super deli where I can buy some treats to eat and drink.  In the meantime, you will find me in the garden.

Until next time

Stay Safe, Stay Well.