Normality slowly resumes

Never have I left it so long to make a post and for that probably apologies are in order!

Our temporary lifestyle and Covid lockdowns mean of course that as a travel blog the content is almost non existant. This will change in due course no doubt and the heavily quoted "things will return to normal" phrase gets an airing here...we live and dream

So perhaps a brief resume of the past four months is in order to reset the blog and move on

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Our surroundings are blessed with the efforts of the late Ted's labours over the years in that the farm he ran was planted with all manner of seasonal flowers and bulbs

Snowdrops in their thousands surround us

My afternoon walks gradually move forward in to evening ones as the days lengthen and thankfully the worst of the weather is left behind

Late March sees some lovely sunny warm days and the ramp at the back of the dairy becomes our new sunspot

Most days we are out in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside grinding out the rehab for Nina

A magical day for us as we become two of so many lucky folk here in the UK to have our first vaccinations well ahead of most of the world's populous

Every morning the Brothers arrive and set to work about the farm and land. Jobs are a plenty and the bike is pressed in to action off road to deliver tea to thirsty 'drainage workers'

Mick, Phil and Dick

We owe so much to these guys for their collective hospitality

At last the little buggers arrive...

Our nearest neighbours

A word on Nina...

Nina's rehab progress is amazing and down to sheer painful effort on her part and six months full on physiotherapy in many forms at Oakwood Physiotherapy she is now much down the road from where she was last year

There is a long way to go however and a third operation is now likely but thankfully not imminent

After many hospital visits (and a false diagnosis which set her back) she now has learned that her bone loss issue is almost resolved and that at this stage she doesn't require further surgery to heal her femur

Tissue damage and lack of mobility combined with the obvious pain and constant discomfort remain but the Professor at QMC has a future plan which will be considered later in the year

A complex Op and a very painful rehab for her following the procedure but better flexion could be achieved ultimately

A long way off and for her to decide finally to proceed should the moons align medically wise

She has the love and support of so many good folk around her to get her through it

Simon and Mandy (not pictured lol) spend a few days with us on the farm once lockdown is lifted and their positivity and warmth is absorbed. Nina throws together a tapa style greeting and several beers courtesy of Simon are downed

Baz and Gina are but a stone's throw away and similarly we spent some happy times in their company

The time arrives at which Pat and Jane can no longer resist the charms of the Derbyshire Dales and they too arrive for a cracking few days of canasta playing, food consuming and forced beer drinking!

A cool day out but most welcomed with breakfast at Tideswell

A lovely shot of our first beer out having made the wise choice of visiting Thornbridge Brewery in Bakewell

Back at the ramp the Mr Cathcart is desperate to consume the beer takeaway in a conveniently sized container 😃

Hey it was lovely beer and I made sure he shared it equally!

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Up next post is a month's trip down to Suffolk to see Emilja & Richard so we look forward to that and hopefully some good weather to go exploring