Dog walking and Geocaching on Bonsall Moor in the afternoon.
Ian chased by a cow, then back for Lasagne.

Worried that I'd feel rotten this morning after yesterdays bike ride but didn't feel too bad at Heavy workshop and managed much of my programme, including my first go on the Wii, a penguin catching fish, heading footballs, and ski jumping! Up to Ible with a curry for this evening.

Visited the GP this morning to get the results of my blood tests. All returned normal and I have a very low cholesterol level, so the Statins are working. So after six months how do I feel? I still have some occasional stomach discomfort, my left side also has reduced and altered sensation to heat and pin prick and my swallowing is weaker on my right side. My balance also seems a little off. My biggest problem is however fatigue it doesn't seem to take a lot to make me tired, which increases all of the above symptoms with the left side of my face and left hand in particular starting to tingle, my voice alters as swallowing becomes more difficult and I have increased discomfort in my stomach, plus occasional headaches. However to put it all in perspective six months ago I couldn't walk or swallow my own saliva! I still seem to be making small improvements and still have a year to go over which improvements may occur.












Ride around Carsington this evening including a diversion to the Barley Mow went well. Plans to have a BBQ after were knocked on the head, as it was 9pm by the time we got back to the car. So it was back home for some of Lottie's Cherry pie.

Six months

Dan went to see the A Team with some friends today but ended up seeing Toy Story instead! Lottie and I took Peggy out for a short walk around Foremark Reservoir. Despite being caught in a heavy shower we found three Geocaches and picked a bag of cherries, Lottie is keen to make a Cherry Pie. We will return on Saint Philibert's Day to get some hazelnuts as it looks to be a good year. It's also a good location for apples, and blackberries. Hmmm crumble. . .

Lottie, Dan, Ellie and Isaac make use of swim for life while they still can and go swimming at Queen Street Baths. I take Peggy for a walk and watch confused drivers as Normanton Road, Burton Road and Lara Croft Way are now two way. Across the Bass rec past the travellers to the river and then behind the new bus station and along route 54 to Handyside bridge then to Kade and Linda's for Lasagne. Another short walk around the park before Karin drives us all home.

Heavy workshop this morning went OK managed all my programme except the Wii. BTE results were a little poor compared with the last results but it has been sometime since I last had a go. 1183m on the rowing machine. Back home to see if Lottie and Dan were out of bed yet ;-) Trip to the YMCA in the afternoon for a Stroke Support Showcase, I didn't stay long.

Fun and games in Cannock Chase. Picnic, short bike ride, snooze in the sun then a trip to Fradley Junction to watch some long slow boats and a half pint of mucky duck ;-)

After a crap nights sleep an easy day with a little shopping in the morning, followed by watching an interesting time trial in the Tour. All the winners now decided but still a chance for Cav on the final day?

Heavy workshop hard work this morning ran over time to fit in the rowing machine and only just managed over 1000m. No Wii, foam balance or BTE. Back home to take it easy and watch the Tour. Cavendish is very fast even with bronchitis!

Trip out this morning to Raven Tor with Dave. Drive up through the mist to find conditions at the Tor pretty good. Dave managed to redpoint pitch one and two of The Prow, but came unstuck on the very steep final pitch, still an impressive bit of climbing for a sleep deprived new dad :-) Back home through the rain in time to watch the live coverage of the Tour from the Col d T.

Meeting at work today to discuss my return. Looks like I've got all of August off and will start a phased return in September.
Evening walk around Darley while Dan was on the river in the new boats. A Mink got into one of the lock ups when the kayaks were being put away, which provided some entertainment.

Don't feel quite as good as I did yesterday. This yo-yoing is starting to get a bit frustrating. Catching up on some correspondence in the morning. Visit from Dean at Lunchtime, then afternoon watching the Tour.

Feeling on fine form for the revised programme at Heavy Workshop this morning. Although by the time I'd gone through the new exercises I didn't have time to get it all done.

10 mins on exercise bike - only managed 5 mins today
5 mins air bike
5 mins cross trainer
G4 multigym working my arms - a couple of different exercises on this
10 mins on treadmill
swiss ball squats 10x3
5 mins therapeutic putty, octopus and doughnuts
Wii balance - didn't get chance to do this today but looking at all the press it should be a useful assessment of my balance.
foam balance beam
5 mins on rowing machine
BTE

Spent the afternoon watching the tour and Andy Schleck losing the yellow jersey due to a poor gear change and dropped chain?

No eating in the garden tonight due to flying ants!

Feeling tired and a little wiped out by the end of the day.

Delivered an allotment ladder and some plants over to Kade and Linda's this morning.
Took the rest of the day easy watching the Tour while Karin pottered in the garden, Lottie went to see the latest Twilight film, and Dan recovered from his Berlin trip.

Trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to meet Karin's folks for a picnic and to walk the dog, so not a good sign . . .

But the heavy showers on the drive up disappeared and its only a small area of the formal gardens that don't allow climbing, dogs and picnics.

Heavy workshop this morning was OK despite not feeling brill when I woke up. Didn't get to complete my programme but had a review of how I'm doing. Positive comments about my progress but I'll still be attending Heavy Workshop until after my meeting with the consultant next month because of the up and down nature of my recovery.

Lunch at Mickleover Community Centre with Karin today. Seven volunteers behind the counter and some rather fine lemon drizzle cake!

Finished tidying my cupboard today and found the EB's. Maybe I should have a name the rock boot competition?

Another interesting day in the Tour and we are not in the Pyrenees yet.

Dan back at midnight tonight from his Berlin Trip, hope he's had a good time.

Not sure where this morning went but feeling a little tired. When I eventually got going I started to clear out my cupboard before watching the tour. Found a history of my climbing in footwear. Still got to unearth my first proper boots that were EB's, before that it was Dunlop Green flash.

Another exciting days racing with some fabulous looking scenery/crags. Shame about Renshaw but hopefully the rest of HTC and Mark Cavendish will still be able to do the business?

Spotify play list and Yoga this morning, slightly interrupted when one of the neighbours cats wandered into the front room much to Peggy's surprise!

julyselector

The Orb – Grey Clouds
Mint Royale – Singin' In The Rain
Thievery Corporation – Until The Morning (Rewound by Thievery Corporation)
The Flaming Lips – She Don't Use Jelly
The Go! Team – Huddle Formation
I Am Kloot – Northern Skies
Mungo's Hi-Fi – Divorce A L'Italienne - Feat. Marina P
The Heptones – Sea Of Dub
Fat Freddy's Drop – The Raft
King Curtis – Memphis Soul Stew - Single/LP Version
Django Reinhardt – Tears
Belle & Sebastian – The State I Am In
The Black Twig Pickers – Kensington Blues
Shuggie Otis – Aht Uh Mi Hed
Junior Murvin – Police & Thieves
Horace Andy – Something On My Mind Dub
The Roots – Right On
Fat Freddy's Drop – Ernie
The Bug – Poison Dart - South Rakkas Crew Remix
The Dead Weather – The Difference Between Us
Jags – Back Of My Hand
Napalm Death – SOB
Richard Cheese – Creep
Electric Light Orchestra (Elo) – Mr Blue Sky
Julian Cope – East Easy Rider - In Concert Derby Assembly 15/06/1991

afternoon watching the tour plus 30mins on the turbo trainer.

Short walk around Little Eaton with Peggy this morning then home for an afternoon of tour coverage. It turned out to be quite an exciting race again, with Schleck and Contador looking equally matched on the slopes of the Col de la Madeleine and putting a good two minutes between them and their rivals. Great coverage which makes you want to go on an alpine holiday for some pedalling, climbing, and mountains.

Up early to see Dan off to Berlin. Heavy workshop felt ok this morning, finished off with 1283m on the rowing machine, then home for a lie down and listen to Lee Perry

After a morning picking blackcurrants in Ible we headed back home via a quick trip to see Marc's amazing new swing, slide, decking, climbing wall combo which was given a thorough test and thumbs up by Lottie and Dan. Packing for Dan's trip to Berlin, followed by catching up on the Tour which as expected is turning out to be much more exiting than the football.

Headed upto Ible then on to Hathersage to go swimming at the lido. First time swimming since January and it went fine even though Speech Therapists were still reluctant to give me the OK. I soon felt confident in the water and although I didn't swallow any pool water it's good to be back in the pool; a couple of lengths, a width under water and a little passing with a ball, before sitting on the grass in the sun. Hathersage carnival today so the road had just been closed when we arrived. The walk to the lido was made more interesting by the food themed scarecrows that were on display. Favourites that we saw were Bertie Basset and the Hairy Bikers.
Back to Ible for tea , then after catching up on the tour we watched Earth Girls are Easy, not a film I'd recommend.

Feeling good this morning tingly sensation in left hand much reduced, and head feeling clearer. Able to try much harder at Heavy Workshop. Managed to run at a pace of 7 on the treadmill and increasing it to 8 for the last two minutes. 1234m in 5 mins on the rowing machine.
Afternoon watching the tour and another great sprint by Cavendish.
Karin working late and Lottie at a Party so Dan and I went for chips from Georges and a walk round Allestree Park with Peggy. Back home for Bluebells Ice Cream with Karin then early to bed as I'm looking tired.

Feeling OK this morning so a short trip with Peggy along the Great Northern Greenway first thing, then back home in time for a visit from Marc. The afternoon spent watching the tour and visiting baby Bond, before collecting Lottie and Dan for this evenings music centre concert.

Very cute and well behaved baby, Great win and tears from Mark Cavendish, A fab concert performance, and starting to feel a bit better - result

Had several lots of blood taken very efficiently at the London Road Community Hospital this morning, should get the results in a couple of weeks time. Afternoon spent in the office discussing my return to work. Nothing yet decided but some options discussed and another meeting planned for a couple of weeks time.

Back home to catch up on today's stage of the tour. It was all looking good for Mark Cavendish but he was out ridden at the end by Petacchi.

Trip to Ible in the evening to say hello to Liza who has just arrived from Belarus.

Visit to the GP this morning for some reassurance that the latest set back is par for the course. The altered sensation shows that changes are still happening to my nerve pathways and I've still got at least a years worth of improvements to come. Came away with a list of blood tests that I need to get done as its 'good medicine'. Full Blood Count, Fasting Glucose, Fasting Lipids, Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase, Liver Function Test, Thyroid Funtion Test, Urea & Electrolytes, Urate.

Took Peggy for a short walk around Horsley Castle before heading home for lunch, then settled in front of the TV for some sporting action. Entertaining day in the tour on the cobbles and a good day for Thomas and Wiggins.

Heavy workshop went a little better this morning as I seemed to be feeling less tired. 1240m on the rowing machine. Afternoon mainly spent taking it easy and watching the tour, more crashes and a rather disappointing finishing. Did however find this site where you can track the position of Mark Cavendish and the rest of HTC on the road with heart rate, speed, power and cadence all in real time! Looking forward to tomorrows stage and the cobbles.

Trip to the Cycle event at Markeaton Park in the afternoon where Karin was working. Nice to meet up with a few folks here, although it was a shame I wasn't feeling up to the Stanage surprise party for Sam. Back home in time to watch the tour and the multiple crashes.

Biggest news of the day however, the birth of Chloe Bond :-)

Breakfast in the garden, followed by a trip down town to buy Dan a bag for his forthcoming trip to Berlin and to look at a party dress for Lottie. After Lunch headed to the Cinema to watch the latest Shrek movie as Lottie has to write a review. Back home in time to watch the first day of the tour. Still feeling a little out of sorts but some improvement on earlier in the week I think.

Heavy workshop this morning and still feeling a bit pathetic so took it easy again. Still managed to complete my programme except for the BTE.

The garden bench arrived this afternoon so it was al fresco eating tonight. Feeling a little less tired this evening so hopefully will be on better form for the weekend.

Another good nights sleep but still feeling tired today.

Its International Reggae Day so I've been trawling through the old vinyl. I've a couple of Misty in Roots albums that are no longer available, I checked Amazon and 'Live at the Counter Eurovision' on CD is going for between £70 and £135! Any way if you want to hear 'Live at the CE' and 'Forward' I've dumped a copy here http://www.mediafire.com/file/zmnzadjgyjz/Mistyinroots.zip

A visit from Dean in the afternoon and some time spent learning how to make a 'monkey fist' rope ball.
A tip from Karin and we caught up on 'Mongrels' on the BBC iPlayer, before another early night.