August Check In

I got my wish in recent weeks and enjoyed wonderfully close views of this Green Sandpiper. Here, it's winkling out food from under stones and the mud.

It's been a fairly steady but busy few weeks. It's mostly been a case of sticking with things. I'm managing a little longer out birding and the weights at the gym are feeling more stable and more comfortable to deal with. The nagging problem is the right upper thigh and it seems to be referring pain/dysfunction through the back of the knee to the outer ankle as well. I went easy at the gym this morning on the leg work. I missed out the step ups and leg extensions. I could feel that if I pushed it, I'd end up spending the week nursing my right leg.

My shoulders feel like they are strengthening up nicely. I upped the weight on the seated rows from 6kg to 8kg on the last set of 10 reps today. For the past 2 weeks, I've also been using a 3lb weight (rather than the 1.1lbs) for the front raises, lying on my back (targeting the anterior deltoid muscles). I only do 10 reps but, in time, the endurance should improve.

All in all, things are still moving in the right direction. I just wish the right thigh problem would show some signs of improvement.

Weekly check in

Image quality isn't great here but I liked how you could compare the two species of Sandpiper (Green, right; Common, left). The water at the local reservoir is very low so these waders were miiiiles away, hence the lack of image detail. Anyway, you've got the characteristic white 'shoulder notch' on the Common Sandpiper and the more grey/black plumage on the Green Sandpiper. Hopefully, one of these days, I'll get some closer views of these species.

Giving myself Saturday and Sunday as recovery days worked well last week. I felt less exhausted and more able to do things during the week. The right upper thigh problem persists, aggravated by almost any use of the leg. The gym session yesterday was good although I felt weak on the push-up-pluses again. The left shoulder was less painful generally and felt easier to manage. I worked my abs quite hard and have the usual right lower ab ache/strain. Feeling a bit tired and washed out today.

My tumble drying neighbours are now back from their two week holiday. It has been absolute bliss without the constant threat of that intrusive noise. I've been able to enjoy peace and quiet in my own home. I had been able to walk through my front door without dreading the sound of that machine droning on. My mind was able to expand out of the stress and 'hemmed in' feeling that the tumble drier noise generates within me. When I heard that the neighbours were back, I could feel my world contracting again, back to the dread and anger associated with being unable to control the peace in my own home. After the 40 hours of tumble drying (nearly 6 hours a day!) they did in the week before they went away, I am very glad I'm going to stay with family this coming week. Hopefully, the neighbours will get their post-holiday washing/drying done by the time I get home!

Edit 11:45am - Tumble drier has just come on.... [sigh]