I was too excited yesterday to do any writing. Yesterday was the day, you see, that with the help of an accomplice I was sprung from 'jail'!
Don't get me wrong, I have a beautiful home that I love very much however I am going a tad stir crazy not having been out in the Big Wide World for the past 4 weeks. I did, of course, have the 2 trips to the hospital in Week 2 however I was in so much pain I remember little about those car journeys to be honest.
I am feeling so much better this week and given my mobility is easier and I feel more confident hobbling around I thought I was ready for a trip out. I was ready for a jailbreak!
Of course, this could not be a solitary affair so my friend said she would come and pick me up and we'd go for coffee and cake in the nearby market town. I cannot begin to tell you how much I was looking forward to this little outing. I am not one to count the time away, I never have been. However Thursday this week was a long time coming!
Pouring with rain, icy cold, snowing up on the moor, grey and downright miserable. This was the weather. My mood however was bright and sunny, I can tell you. I spent the morning mentally deciding what cake I would have.
When it came to it I decided on a savoury ham and cheese toastie and the large, thick, gooey, delectable slice of Bakewell Tart that I had been salivating about in the morning came home with me for tea.
Every moment of my jailbreak was absolutely wonderful. Seeing the landscape where I live that I know so well. Watching the weather. The warmth of the fires in the tea shop. Hearing the chatter of other people. Sounds from the kitchen. Conversation with my friend. My food. Everything. And to my accomplice ... you know who you are ...thank you!!!!!
This morning I needed to be up and about early as the as engineer was scheduled for an early call to service the boiler and at just gone 9 a friend was visiting for coffee.
By 7.30am I was out in the garden feeding the birdies - they are very hungry now the weather has turned so cold and snow is falling up on the moor. There are new neighbours in the fields behind the house - inquisitive sheep. I like it when there are animals there. Usually it is heavy horses or Devon Ruby cattle. First time for sheep.
It is such a simple task putting food out for the birds however it isn't in my wedge shoe and with a crutch on uneven terrain, on slippery leaves and grass - it takes some doing. I take it slowly and safely. I get such a sense of achievement when a task that normally takes just a minute or two is completed in about 10.
It was such a beautiful start to the day. Clear and blue and bright and crisp. The moon was simply stunning. It is lovely doing things slowly because you have the time to take in more of the world around you.
I am not finding this confinement easy but one thing I am very thankful for is the renewed appreciation of so many things it is giving me. And that includes time.