Just catching up here; I can’t believe I have neglected my blog for so long. Apologies. Every time I sit down at my computer, I get distracted.
What’s distracting you?
All kinds of things!
Sometimes it is self inflicted, other times I log in and there’s an email needing attention, or a tab is open on my browser of something I was reading. Occasionally I even feel as if I have returned to work, with all of the hassle that used to bring!
Surely I’m not going down Procrastination Road, am I? That would be terrible and yet it is easy to see it could happen.
More agreeably it might be my shiny new camera and the figuring out of how to use it (more to follow) which is distracting me.
And then there is my determination to get my body into health and delay the doom and gloom suggested by my Doctor (again, more to follow on this).
So, what’s been going on?
The delights of our family take quite a lot of time and involve driving many, many miles. Of course part of the attraction is Grace, our new granddaughter, who is now three months old.
We seem to be driving about 20,000 miles a year nowadays – this is far more than when I was working! Our cars are getting on a bit, a bit like their owners. Both seem to be sneaking through their MOT tests without too many things amiss. This, it has to be said, is down to three things:
- our friend Iain who is such a willing mechanic. He collects the cars from our house and drives them home. This gives him a good chance to listen to the car and judge how it feels on the road.
- on his advice, I always use good fuel – we have a BP garage in our village, so that’s handy
- I try to drive sympathetically. No skidding wheels on fast starts. Just boring smooth, gentle acceleration and slowing down – as boring as the grey paint and bland looks.
Shiny new camera
In an anti-procrastination move, I have treated myself to a new camera kit. I asked myself “why do I keep limping along with stuff that just doesn’t feel right?”. My previous camera was very good, on paper, and it was in many ways a fine camera. It was a Nikon D700 and weighed a ton, especially with the chunky lens. Besides, my eldest daughter sold it to me and it was about 15 years old.
So I decided to treat myself to a Nikon Z5. This is the cheapest full frame mirrorless camera that Nikon do. It’s about the same price and spec as the competition and I don’t suppose it is any better or worse than the mainstream rivals.
I got it from Wex and they gave me a decent price as I was buying a few bits and pieces there. I also got a 24-70mm lens and a flash, plus memory cards etc. So nice being able to talk to a human being and get advice and information; so difficult when buying online!
I haven’t used the camera much so far, partly through lending it to my eldest daughter for a while. I am happy to report that we both quite like it.
So now I’m all set to go, to press ahead with my Toddington People book project. Already my mind is racing ahead to the next project; I have wondered about documenting ‘men in sheds’ as I think that could be quite interesting, to show the range of crafts which take place in sheds of all kinds.
Health and the creeping creakiness
When I was young, I could never imagine what being old was like. I used to see old people walking stiffly, creeping about with walking sticks and tiny shuffled steps. I simply could not imagine being like that, always thinking “why don’t you simply walk properly and with a bit more energy?”
Back then I could do anything without fear. On my bike I whizz down a hill at 40mph without any fear. I would lean over the handlebars to be as streamlined as possible and squint to avoid insects splattering in my eyes. I knew if I fell off, I would bounce along the road and the worst would be grazed skin and the bike might have a few scratches.
Back then I could eat anything and never put on any weight. I could easily ride my bike for a 100 miles a day, day after day. I never needed to take any tablets and my body was working just fine and I kind of took it for granted.
Roll forward 40 years or so. I’m creaking, feel a bit stiff, my foot still hurts. Eighty tablets a week to treat various kidney related issues, plus UTIs never seem far away with all the unpleasantness, antibiotics and feelings of grottiness. Griottiness, is that a real word, or one I’ve just made up? I dunno but hopefully it conveys the general feeling of being unwell.
On the bright side is my attitude. I simply love life and find it to be rewarding. I might be retired but I need a purpose in life. I can still run 5k non stop in about 32 minutes, so that’s not too bad. I try to go to the gym a couple of times each week.
With running I long to recreate the highs I’ve had before – the joys of running 10 miles so easily and knowing how the miles just drift by. Settling into a run and just being aware of everything coming together so nicely – lungs, heart, circulation, balance, footfall and fine control. And then there is the mental aspect – the joy of working things through in my mind, solving problems and looking at things differently. Best of all is the Runner’s High – all those endorphins buzzing around and making me feel so good, confident and on top of the world.
Being such an optimist, I like to think this days are coming again. My main obstacle has been my painful foot. Sure I’ve had physio therapy, which helped to a degree but it has not solved the problem. I have had an MRI scan which has revealed the likely problem which could be solved by localised steroid injections. However, I do know that my foot muscles have become a little lazy and, somehow, I need to build those up again.
So there’s the issue. And there’s the solution: steady, consistent exercise with a bit of determination thrown in, plus a little extra help from an injection. Fingers and toes crossed please!