Where to start…. It was Friday and traveling day, we were packed high in the car and come 10am our journey began up North. Not the nicest of road trips and traffic was pretty bad as well.

Weather isn’t really the best, in fact it’s cold. But trying hard to not let it get to us and dampen our spirits.

Set up and ready for the weekend. Friday is a settling in day, there’s no communal fire this night (this year). We decided to go for a walk to the Southern Henge (as we have 3 henges, camping in the middle one.

After watching the Sun set we need to eat some food. so we have our Panang noodles (so HOT!!) Made my lips look like I’d had Botox!! And some marshmallows all toasted.

Had a terrible night’s sleep due to many factors but that was Day one completed.

We squeezed in a last adventure to see some glorious views, spend time in nature, soaking up birdsong and spring sunshine, and it was heavenly.

But it also bodily broke me….

It wasn’t something we hadn’t done before, well maybe a bit more, but not by much. The biggest difference was the 1.5cm insoles I wore. The left foot one had to come out pretty quick I didn’t last an hour. The foot just isn’t used to the hardness of it. But the other felt natural there so I left it.

It could have been my mistake leaving it in for too long. But my back, and both hips were in so much pain, I wanted to cry. I was limping, and waddling even though I had a stick.

Ended our trip with driving around, as these legs were not capable of anything more. It has taken 6+ days to try and ease the pains out, thankfully the hips eased faster than the back, that just seems relentless.

Well as this post goes up live, I should be in hospital about to have surgery on the left hand. Let’s hope the back eases off a bit while I recover from the thumb surgery.

Throwley Old Hall is Staffordshire’s only surviving example of a large medieval manor house yet is little known by all but those living in this picturesque corner of the Manifold Valley. In fact I only just came across it days before we planned this visit!! Not sure how it’s never come on our radar.

Throwley was first recorded as a residence in 1203, when Oliver de Meverell settled here. It was probably a dwelling for years prior to that – As the Manifold Valley was an area rich in archaeological relics from Thor’s Cave and the Burial Grounds of Casterne, whilst in the area around the Hall there are traces of a deserted medieval village.

The Meverells, an ancient Derbyshire family, remained owners of the estate for many years. Thomas de Meverell married Agnes in the 2nd year of the reign of Edward I (1278). She was an heir of Goebert de Gayton.

In 1344, the 17th year of Edward III, deeds given at Tideswell name Thomas de Meverell ‘Lord of Throwley’.

All that’s left to see is the East Wing, but it’s so grand, you can see where chimneys and fireplaces were, turrets too. The thickness of the walls is amazing to see.

It’s a shame it’s all just a ruin now, but the walk to it is enjoyable enough, and the views it has are stunning. You can even rent a holiday cottage just behind this old hall, and enjoy those views for yourself for longer.

We end the day walking through Soles Hollow, having seen less people than at Three Shires Head. Winter Walking or Days out is perfect when you want to be alone, and at peace with the countryside.

Even the trees are watching you, it’s a creepy woodland hollow. Feels dark, damp and muffled in sound in here. Wonder if the fae will get us?

No snowdrops or crocuses to spot, but we did see new Ferns blanket the woodland floor, so signs that spring is coming is around us.

A small break in the weather meant we could go out to get some fresh air, as the following week is full of hospital appointments.

We are off to Three Shires Head is where the counties of Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire meet at a waterfall and collection of pools on the River Dane. It’s a stunning spot and one of our first Ever Peak District wild swimming locations.
The walk ascends gradually at the beginning and is also rocky in places, so ensure you’re wearing good hiking boots. It’s also handy packing a towel (or even swimmers) if you’re planning on having a dip.

It’s a little grey and damp but we didn’t let it get us down. At times it felt like we were in the low hanging clouds, with drizzly mists swirling around us. Muddy boots at the ready, don’t think we will dip in the waterfall today sadly!!

The sounds of the river is the music of the day, such a comforting sound. The walk is practically just us all day, which is strange as this walk is popular. The weather must of put a few people off. So that’s our gain.

The perfect spot for our dinner, cheese and onion sandwiches and a much needed flask of coffee to warm up. Sadly not a day for drone flying as we had planned.

We head off back to the car, with faces cold from rain and wind, rosy cheeks and numb hands. But every minute was loved.

It was a lovely walk, and very different to the warmer days when it’s packed and it has lots of swimmers in the waterfalls, I don’t think I’ve seen it so empty before. We didn’t do the quarry half as my hip isn’t up to that much. I’m trying to control the swelling and pain better.

A new day and weather is improving from our first day in Padley Gorge seen here and here. So we make our sarnies and cappuccino flask, grab our bags and off we go, to quite possibly the most romantic place I’ve ever visited.

It’s Wyming Brook Nature Reserve, it used to be a Royal Hunting Forest. Now it’s home for dog walkers and photo togs. The colours are like fiery embers and the exact reason for our trip. We’ve previously been here in the Summer and it was outstanding then, but it’s even more magickal now.

We get some rain again, but handsomely rewarded for the second time in 2 days with a double rainbow, and able to see the end of the rainbow once again. It’s almost as if our loved ones are sending us a message from Heaven. I’d like to think so.

Everywhere we look there are photo opportunities if you like to take photos, it’s so Tolkien esque at times, middle earth would be at home here. We don’t walk much as it’s a very short walk, it’s more of a chance to embrace the river and all the waterfalls.

Body is worn out, pains are getting worse, but mentally I’m recharged and over the moon we got to absorb such beauty. We found off our day with some warm tea, a well deserved coffee and snuggle up with a movie. Honestly haven’t felt so content, weather is blowing a hoolie, but we are warm and exhausted and sleep easily.

If you saw the previous post Here (Part One) you’d see why it was put into 2 parts, one as we got soaked in the rain, literally soaked to the skin. And this part two is after the rain. As stated after waiting in the car for a while and seeing a glorious double rainbow, we headed out again to finish our walk, though a lot colder than before.

We were rewarded with dazzling reds, burnt oranges and zingy yellows, a carpet of leaves and raging waterfalls galore. More of less had the area to ourselves as that rain had put most people off walking, which is a shame as it stayed pretty dry for the rest of our walk.

We ended our walk getting snuggly in the back of the car and warmed up with some warm food and coffee.

This week I’ve been out and about, testing my insoles, new walking boots and the heel strike movement more. And I’ve developed new pains, strains, and aches. But it’s been great for mental health to enjoy the jewels of nature.

While it’s been lovely to get out and enjoy autumn and all its colours seen here It’s been a very painful affair too. The arch of the left foot really hates the arch block (made to stop arches from falling) it really aches and makes the foot tender to touch. The insoles overall are good, but even with 2.5cm ones I’m still lurching when I’m tired, so the Trendelenburg gait is there. The low back pain I get isn’t being relieved with the insoles as of yet. This is a massive pain that’s holding me back daily.

I’ve also gained a new pain that I’ve never had before, a side of the lower leg pain, the Fibularis Longus. No idea why or how, is it over use? The insole and my legs positioning, or the leg length? Would I be better off with a built up shoe? Or perhaps insole wearing improves over the months not weeks.

As I flex the ankle it pulls up near the knee, it’s a sharp stinging pain. Possibly a nerve or tendonitis pain?? It’s going to need a fair amount of resting to settle down this inflammation.

Peroneus longus acts as a foot evertor and pronator, thus ensuring stability of the talocrural joint by curbing inversion movement of the rearfoot. Increased activation of the peroneus longus muscle in the stance phase could have a stabilising effect on the ankle joint. In a study the aim was to determine whether the activity of the peroneus longus muscle could be increased by the targeted use of a specially formed lateral pressure element in a customised orthopaedic insole. For me I think as I strike my heel down in the way I’m supposed too, it’s activated this muscle or tendon, that probably has been bypassed before.

I’m grateful for the replacements, but I feel more studies are needed on the impacts of having a Leg Length Discrepancy. It’s clearly pulling ligaments and tendons in a totally new way, as well as lengthening and shortening muscles while twisting my lower back to compensate. It’s far more complex than merely adding a shoe lift. Its impact on my overall health is massive.

We had high hopes, the sun was shining and the wind had died down, off we set for a Peak District Adventure. Further we got away from home, the darker the clouds got. Oh well a bit of rain won’t hurt.

Totally Instagram worthy as they say, it’s a bit chilly and damp but all is well at the moment…. Until it was a complete deluge and we got soaked through our waterproof coats. Feet wet, trousers soaked it was awful. Retreat to drier areas to restock the day.

We sat in the car and got rewarded with a double rainbow, even could see the end of the rainbow too. Though where was the pot of gold?? Have I been lied too my whole life?

Sarnies in the car, dry off a bit, let the wind die down and head back out again soon

It’s our last total lunar eclipse until 2025, and while emotions and challenges may run high, take time to reflect, and shed energies and things that don’t serve you.

With this Blood moon in mind we are spending time away to spend it in nature instead. Though the eclipse won’t be seen in the UK sadly, others will be able to bask in its red colour. It will be still magickal to be out and about, and seeing autumn’s fiery colours, and watch the moon rise.

The tarot card I pulled for today was 6 of Swords, which in itself says now is the time to have faith and take that leap into the unknown, and allow yourself to step away from things holding you back, or creating a toxic space in your life.

See the calm waters, and beautiful horizon? Warmth in the colours, the calmness of the waters show this is the perfect time, to acknowledge a need to shift in location, roles and journeys. Perfect card for today!! As we set off for a forest and moor adventure.

Along the walk after Luds church see previous post Here the walk ambles along towards the Hanging Stone. A dramatic rock that juts out and looks ominous. A perfect spot for flying a drone we think.

Weather was equally as dramatic, going from boiling hot sun to the darkest murderous skies you’ve ever seen, with a biting cold wind. My coat was on and off so many times, it was ridiculous.

The views are beautiful and go for miles. A glorious place to while away the time and enjoy a flask of coffee. I can’t wait to see our drone footage of the area.

Thoroughly sore from wearing 1.5cm insoles on this walk, first time going passed an hour in them. Hopefully it helps in the long run. Roll on CT scan to find out what’s going on with the leg. I’m over back pain to be honest.