I have had quite a full day and although tired feeling pretty positive. I joined Tina and her friend for breakfast at the local cafe this morning, then came home and phoned Sandy to see if she would pick me up to go to the studio with her. She is on her own all week as Donna has gone to Center Parcs so she was glad to have me there for a while. My little mouse was ready as they had done an extra firing at the weekend, it is quite cute although I think Darren was amused bu the fact that it had Friesian cow markings!

I spent just over a couple of hours painting a different style vase, but with the Sharpie pen technique. I tried a landscape effect so it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Another nice shape for a vase.
It was l lovely day so I decided to walk home. Even called in the shop for a couple of bits so felt almost 'normal' again! I took my time, and as it is downhill on the way home managed fine. Had another short walk to go and post a letter then took off the boot and rested my legs for a while. Sandy had asked me to disguise some burns on her daughters top, so have tried my best to make that wearable this evening, then I can give it back to Sandy tomorrow as I hope she is picking me up to go to the studio again.

This morning Rachel came for a visit, she had hoped to stay when I first had the surgery but illness and work commitments got in the way. We had a lovely day today though, we chatted for a bit over a cuppa and then went out. We made for Irton Moor garden centre first, had a look round and then had lunch there. Lots more chat and finished lunch off with one of their very naughty cakes! We had a wander outside, it was a lovely day but cooler than we had thought so soon came inside again.

Then Rachel said we would go for a drive and see where it took us, we went past Snainton and a bit further along turned right along a very narrow, rural road. A view from the car early on our mystery tour.

Lots of black sheep, not just the odd one in a field.

We both rather liked this little building, thought it would be a nice little getaway in the middle of nowhere!

Then more black sheep.

Hello handsome......

This grand driveway was covered in crocuses.

After a long drive along very narrow roads, in a couple of places we thought we had just driven to somebodies drive, but each time the road was there if a little obscure. I was very glad Rachel was doing the driving! We eventually saw sign posts and I think I spotted this unusual roof decoration in Scalby village.

We made our way back and then sat for a while over a drink and more chat. Rachel left a bit after 6 pm and is staying with another friend tonight and making her way home tomorrow. It has been a very lovely day. Going to watch Broadchurch tonight.

Today I have been mostly in and watching plenty of The Good Wife. My ankle was aching quite badly during the night and was still pretty sensitive this morning, I think I over did the walking outside a bit yesterday. Darren carried my washing down, put it on and then delivered it back to me so that I could get it drying on an airer. Tina has been busy today, popping in a couple of times but services and meetings all day.
It looked like a really lovely day out, and although it had clouded over a bit this afternoon was still dry so Darren took me for a drive along the seafront. A couple of pictures from the car, we were going quite slowly as there were a lot of people about today.

There were no spaces along the south bay to park up, but we managed to get a space at the Spa end. We had a look in the little shops before we went for a cup of coffee. A couple of pictures from that end before we came home.

On the way back we saw the starlings gathering for the beginning of a murmuration, no pictures and they weren't in full flight yet, but Tina had told me there is one over the south bay. It was lovely to get out for a bit and see the sea, but I have enjoyed my quieter day today and the ankle feels much better, although my other knee is being a bit troublesome!

Today I have been out on my own a couple of times, not far, as you don't realise what effect the camber on the pavements and the potholes have when you are using crutches and have a rocker boot on one foot! This morning I made it down to the shop at the end of the road to get my paper and a couple of other bits. We have some daffodils almost open in the front garden and lots of bulbs showing. Also the primulas that were completely demolished by the slugs have started to reappear!

The weather looked lovely this afternoon and  I was sitting indoors getting frustrated at the build up of stuff in my sitting room. Getting about is a bit easier now, but actually moving things and putting them away is still a major challenge. So I decided to try and make my way down to the park. I took a puzzle book, my camera of course and the phone in case I needed rescuing! Quite busy there, the good weather had encouraged people to come out for a walk. I always like the effect of sun through the trees.

I sat just inside the park and then went across to the benches where you watch concerts. Liked the patterns the Canada geese were making on the water.

Coming home was a bit of a challenge as it is quite a steep path out of the park and I could feel that straining my ankle. Not dangerously so but enough not to want to walk that way again too soon!  So, by recent standards quite a bit of exercise today, and that includes a couple of times down and up stairs, which is slow and tiring but safe now. 
Have just watched Sing and Dance for Comic Relief and I will watch Casualty in a bit.

Darren set off to work early and kept to his word and fed then let out the two younger cats. I had a pretty lazy early start to the day and watched a couple of episodes of The Good Wife. On season three now and still enjoying it. I could hear Colonel complaining late morning so made my way downstairs, very carefully and fed all three cats. The younger ones then went out again. Charlie is terrified by the crutches so doesn't come and see me as much at the moment! Had some lunch and watched a bit of tv, then went down again and fed the cats, they get through a lot of food. This time I ventured into the back garden to check the bonsai trees, most of them seem to have survived the winter and have buds. The willow tree that Darren and Tina bought me got a really bad disease last year and I wondered how it would be this spring. It has got quite a few buds forming, so will just hope that the winter has killed off the problem.

Tina was home earlier than expected as the weather had been dreadful at Mirfield. We had a drink and then we went shopping! Borrowed a wheelchair from the store and fixed on a wheelchair trolley. We had quite a giggle and people were very considerate. When Tina was buying rolls the baker offered to get her some freshly baked ones and then when we were leaving they opened up a new till so that we went straight through. I think Tina is looking forward to the next time we go shopping while I am on the crutches!! I got out of the house safely and down the steps on the path, so now will be able to get out, probably not able to go far but not quite so restricted. Also will be able to go down and join Darren and Tina now and again, so all looking good. I have started the exercise regime so that the recovery is as quick as possible.

Tina has gone away for a couple of days and was leaving just after 8 am. As I had to go downstairs to get to my physio appointment she suggested that I go down before she left as she wanted to be sure I was safe. I haven't tried going down since I got the boot. I managed fine so now am a bit more confident about getting away from my rooms a bit. They got me tea and breakfast downstairs before Darren and I left for my early appointment at the hospital. I had a physio called Neil, he was very nice and gave me exercises to do to strengthen the leg and of course for the ankle. I have begun then already because I want the recovery to be as quick and successful as it can be. I have to see him again in a month when I will be nearing the end of removing the wedges.
Before I went out I took a photo of some lovely roses that Tina was given earlier in the week.

Beautiful white roses tinged with white, and the heads aren't dropping which often seems to happen with roses these days.
Darren and I went to Deans Garden Centre after leaving the hospital, that was a real treat and we had a huge cream scone each and shared a pot of tea. Then Darren dropped me off at the studio on the way back. I spent a couple of hours there and had a chat with Sandy, who has had a really bad chest infection, that is why the studio was closed on Tuesday. They have some cute little mouse ornaments so I painted one of those while I was there.

The vases I painted a week or so ago were in the kiln but it wasn't cool enough to be opened while I was there. Darren came and collected me and brought me home and I have had a fairly quiet afternoon but have started the exercise regime. Sandy sent a text to say the vases had come out really well and then she dropped them off here on her way home. I am delighted with them, I will use that method on something else I think.

Darren has set me up with water and a kettle and got me some lunch in so that I will be fine tomorrow when I am here alone. Feeling quite positive about things, onwards and upwards now!

I had a really bad night last night, the pain in my ankle was worse than it has been and the boot is unbelievably awkward and uncomfortable. At 2 am when I was really struggling  so I undid one of the straps across my foot and that did ease the pain quite a bit. I am at the physio department tomorrow so will ask their advice.
This morning I watched a couple of episodes of The Good Wife, still enjoying it. Tina came home with fish and chips for us which was a nice change. Colonel was very happy with that decision too!
This afternoon I did put pencil to paper and did a pretty poor attempt at a sketch of Audrey Hepburn!

I have written a couple of letters this afternoon, hopefully when Darren takes me to the hospital tomorrow we will pass a post box.
I will undo the strap on the boot tonight so hopefully will get a better sleep.