Tier 4 – Exercise From Home
I rose to a beautiful snowy morning on this New Year’s Eve, our first day in Tier 4 Coronavirus restrictions.
This seems as good a place as any to start a walk and avoid hazardous driving conditions and take exercise whilst remaining near home. So, I quickly drew up plans for this 9.5 mile walk through the Ladybrook Valley, Bramhall Park, the Mersey Valley, and Abney Hall Park.
Hungry Goldfinches and Lady Brook
As I rounded the end of our street a large “charm” of goldfinches swooped into the silver birch trees on the corner of Oak Tree Primary School.
I continued along Buckingham Road, and then right down Sandringham Road to cross the playing field and then Lady Brook by the recently completed new footbridge.
I headed to the right uphill, in picture postcard scenery!
Sledging At Seven Arches Fields
On reaching Ladybridge Road, I turned right down to the imperious Seven Arches Viaduct.
Heading under the viaduct, the fields beyond were alive with family fun. I’d started out at 9.15, but plenty had been out well before me!
On Towards Bramhall Park
Having walked along here just yesterday, I was aware it could be muddy, but hoped it may still be frozen at this early hour. I was not in luck!
Disaster!
In seeking to avoid the muddy path I stepped on, and slipped off a rock. In trying to save my fakll into the mud I overbalanced completely, ended up on my back and twisted my knee to a sharp snapping sound.
I rose with a rather muddy coat and a twinging leg, but thought I could press on and see how it went.
Bramhall Park
On reaching the park, I was beginning to think that pressing on may be unwise, but not before a few pictures of the scene were captured.
So after passing the Hall, I sadly took the decision to head for home. As I did so, the pain began to increase and on reaching Cheadle Hulme village it was pretty sore.
Returning Home
Instead of 9.5 planned miles, I completed 3.6 miles, 2 miles of which were after my fall.
One One One
I was in quite a bit of pain so rang 111. Once I battled through the “Don’t ring us for Covid” barrage of options, I was connected to an operator in about 10 minutes. I had the option of a trip to A&E or a triage telephone appointment. I chose the latter, and was called within 30 seconds of the 111 call ending.
After being talked through a self examination, the conclusion was that this was almost certainly a soft tissue tendon or ligament injury, so painkillers, ice, and rest was prescribed, but seek further advice if not significantly improving in a week. Very impressed with the service I received!
But, sadly, my next blog post could be some way off, folks.
And Finally…..
Something with an appropriate title, and I like this 2019 track from Sleater-Kinney, “Can I Go On?”
Oh noooo!! So sorry to read this, Graham 🙁 🙁
What an awful way to end the year, and so close to home.
And on what used to be my favourite daily summer walk with Mitzi 😉
I’m determined to follow some of your previous walks when I have the chance, when I get organised and when I’m allowed!
Rest and ice-up and let’s hope it improves quickly x
And I’ll probably top it off by being murdered tonight too!
(That’s in our Murder Mystery Night by Zoomlight for anyone who’s worried!)
Oh Graham – so sorry to hear this, but glad you’re not plastered! Happier New Year!
Yes, it could have been worse! HNY to you two too!
Hope you heal quickly. I suspect you will be challenged a lit by not being able to walk too far. Annie x
Yes, but it’s a chance to start reading”Natives”. Every cloud….
Sorry to hear about your fall.Looks like you’ll have to be as inactive as the rest of us for a bit! Get well soon
Happy NewYear to you and Caroline anyway
Cheers Brian
Yes, and the same to you both, Brian.
It’ll be a good few weeks before I can play tennis, especially singles, which is all we’re allowed!
Graham. So sorry to learn about your nasty fall. Just about puts the tin hat on a shite year! I do hope that your diagnosis is accurate and that you soon start to feel better.
When next we meet I will tell you about the fall I had when on a boat in the middle of the Adriatic. The pain was so bad I thought I might have punctured a lung, so I tried to get advice from UK health service over the phone. I failed. My experience of the Croatian health service in Split hospital made me really appreciate the NHS.
Thanks Jack, I’ll look forward to that tale!
How awful, & so close to home too.
But ever the optimist – it could have been worse if you’d been up in the peaks isolated somewhere…. So thank goodness for tier 4😉
Hope it’s better soon. The photos are wonderful.
Yes, small mercies! Thanks, Frances.
Aww so sorry to hear this. It’s dreadful the path there in winter..the council were going to put a cycle path in but Covid (and poss landowner) stopped or delayed it. I hope you’re better soon. Look forward to reading the continuation when you are better as we live nearby and regularly are there in the summer doing Himalayan balsam bash!
Thanks Christine. Yes, I thought the path was going to be upgraded. That would be great. Himalayas balsam bashing – now that must be like painting the Forth Bridge…. or perhaps flogging a dead horse!
And that’s before you had a NYE glass of champers !
Only joking, you were lucky not to break anything but it might be a while until this heals, and I bet it hurts.
I agree, 111 are amazing,
Loved seeing the sleighing video and the blog and scenery are beautiful.
Keep it up…..the blog and the leg 😂.
Haha! Thank you. Have a good evening. And a happy new year!