There was such a wonderful gesture of complete strangers offering to buy a book from this Twitter/X account BigGreenBooks and they would send the book on. My wonderful friend (you know who you are beautiful) nominated me, for the most perfect book ever.

The Wild Remedy How Nature Mends Us A Diary By Emma Mitchell.

Emma Mitchell’s richly illustrated and evocative diary records her nature finds over the course of a year and shows how being in the wild benefits our mental and physical wellbeing.Emma Mitchell doesn’t want to beat around the hawthorn bush, she suffers with depression, and has done for twenty-five years. In 2009, the stresses of a city job became too much and she decided to move her family into a cottage in the Cambridgeshire Fens. She swapped days in the office for walks in the wood. There she began to get better. And better. Her encounters with nature proving to be as medicinal as any therapy or drug.In Emma’s hand-illustrated diary, she takes us with her as she stomps the paths and trails around her home and further afield, sharing her nature finds and tracking the lives of local flora and fauna over the course of a year. Reflecting on how these encounters impact her mood, she explains the science behind such changes, calling on new research into forest bathing and our innate urge to be among leafy, furred and feathered things.Filled with Emma’s beautiful drawings, paintings and photography, this is a book for those who want to bring a little piece of the outdoors with them, whether you struggle with low mood or just love discovering more about the natural world.

Tiktok video of the book

As someone who has and does use Nature to heal my mind body and soul, this book felt so perfect for me. The photos are absolutely incredible, and each month they show you what to look forward too, and to look out for. A well written journey through the authors depression and how walking and taking notice helps to heal you. A gorgeous book to dip in and out of especially when you need reminding how beautiful the world is.

Not me turning up today 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ and it’s not until next week!! Luckily they had cancellations, and I could have the appointment today, that was super lucky.

Boooo it’s the last session, unless they decide it can carry on if I buy cast covers that are waterproof. I believe land physio will start after today. Though I’ve been doing my own version all week with only 2 days of rest.

I won’t lie, I’m going to really miss the warmth in my bones, and how much exercise you can put out, thanks to the supportive nature of the water, as well as the resistance making you work harder. As a rehabilitation factor, there really is no comparison to the results hydrotherapy gives you. It’s been 10 weeks since the steroid injection, so far so good. I pray it stays.

Hydrotherapy Exercises (I know you know them, but I like to list each week)

* Walk up and down the pool X 8 times

* Small Squats X 25 reps

* Left Leg Lunges X 25 reps

* Hip Extension standing with resistance ring X 25 reps

* Hip Abduction standing with resistance rings X 25 reps

* Hip Flexion standing with resistance ring X 25 reps

* Step ups Left leg leading X 40 steps

* Side Step ups Left Leg Leading X 40 steps

* Hip Abduction lying down with resistance ring X 25 reps

* Hip Extension lying down with resistance ring X 25 reps

* Bicycle cycling with Flippers X 10 mins

* Crab walking, low sideways squat, up and down pool X 8 times

Well I will be sleeping this off for sure!! I wanted to go as hard as I could, and do as much as I could as it’s the last one.

I have perhaps irrational, but a sense of dread that the psoas issue will come back while I’m recovering from hand surgery, so I need to think of ways, I’m stable enough to do some moves to keep the strength up. Surgery is 12 days away, it’s the dominant hand so I should be able to do some basic aerobic step exercises and hip flexion, hip abduction, hip extension surely?

Apparently I’m being referred back to ROH to see what they want to do, no idea on timeline though.

It’s no secret that for the last 2 years we’ve been on a journey, through grief and battling mental illness, and lots of physical mobility issues, and in this time, we’ve retreated and stepped back from social lives, events, clubbing, and instead choose things that feed the soul.

We had already been walking as mobility allows, and camped, then wild camped, embarked on a car camping journey too as this is friendlier on hips and current health issues. With this we gained a greater respect for the quiet, the slow, the peace, in fact it’s quite addictive. And while it fixes the mind and it really does, it’s a shame the body isn’t so easily fixed.

Instead of racing around and being in soul sucking crowded places, we are taking time to see the changing of the seasons, embracing the windy walks, and orange colours (while they last) the raging rivers, and general stillness of the woods. Here it feels more authentic and genuine, than brightly lit shops, and blaring music, creating a stimulation overload, no wonder we get depressed. I used to dread the cold, the dark, feel low in mood and most of all stressed out.

Now I’m actively doing what the seasons and our ancestors used to do, embrace these dark nights and read books, play board games, try some crafts. Or get outside even in the rain, knowing you can soon get home and warm up again with hot water bottles and blankets. Take this quite time of the year to slow down, take stock, make hearty batch cooked foods, instead of racing to the next holiday of the year. Midwinter was a time to feast and be with those you love, giving each other blessings that we know Spring will come soon, and the dark nights and cold can’t last forever.

To help me enjoy the slow seasons more and gain more skills, I bought this book, which has crafts for each season, recipes, foraging tips and so much more. If like me you bring in most of the outdoors in, with found feathers, leaves, sticks and stones you’ve found that represent the seasons, this book is for you! So cut some Holly, bring in some Ivy, dehydrate some oranges for Christmas tree decorations, and live a slower pace.

When we go walking I like to wear real wool socks, they seem to wick sweat properly, as well as keep feet cool, and more cushioned than usual fashion socks. I picked up a pack of 2 wool socks from Primark for £4.50 I got Cream and Forest Green, then another pack which was Navy and Grey.

They are ribbed but not tight around the ankle, super soft and best of all, super cosy at home (as I usually have freezing cold feet!)

£6.00 for 250ml

Complete dupe for DRUNK ELEPHANT which is £28.00. The Winter is harsh on my legs especially, so why not treat your skin to this Lacura Glycolic Body Lotion. This exfoliating body lotion has been specifically formulated with a 10% AHA blend with mango and shea butter. Made to help resurface skin texture and provide hydration and moisture.

Features
Exfoliating body lotion specially formulated with 10% AHA blend
With mango and shea butter to help resurface skin texture
Smoothing and moisturising

50ml for £7.49 Anti Aging Night Cream

Cold winds, central heating all plays havoc with my dry skin, it gets super thirsty, so to love a thick overnight cream, and this Lacura Caviar Illumination one is perfect. Apply in the evening after cleansing to face, neck and décolleté, gently massage in and leave to take effect.

My favourite facial oil is my friends lavender oil, she makes it herself. Can’t advertise it as a facial oil, but it’s what I use it for. It’s so luxurious and smells divine, last thing at night I pop it on for a better sleep, and really locks in moisture. It wears beautiful under your make up top for day wear. Her shop is Here

It’s October and we are HERE in Cornwall, Boscastle one of my favourite places. Back to Hengar Manor but now under Park Holidays instead of Hoseasons. A cozy cottage booked for us.

The day we set off was immensely stressful, (Friday the 13th) We had a new car to go in as ours is broken, so this meant different ways to pack it as it’s smaller than ours. The rain was definitely spoiling the conditions to drive in, and traffic was terrible. Felt like every road had roadworks, but I refuse to let it get me down, or feel negative. Instead I choose to be excited for the log fire, the bottle of wine and movie we get to have once we arrive. Got there so late, so it was coffee and pizza (thank goodness we brought them) and 0.1ml X 3. Fire has to wait, they didn’t supply kindling 🤦🏻‍♀️

Didn’t sleep particularly well, but we rarely do the first night. But the English breakfast fry up was a welcome holiday treat, along with the skies being blue.

SATURDAY, We headed out to Seal hole off Beeny cliff, so a short coastal walk, and while it was windy off the sea, it was glorious and sunny. We had a plan to see the waterfall, and hope to see Seals (sadly these were elusive) but the dramatic coastline and crashing waves were a spectacular in themselves. And the waterfall did not disappoint at all, we even got sprayed as the wind whipped up the waterfalls water to us. We even caught a rainbow in the spray.

Mornings are good with our small fry ups (small so they don’t sit too heavy on the stomach) and the layout of the cottage has no stairs so that’s a godsend too. SUNDAY another day of exploring planned but shorter and not as steep as yesterday’s, as I need to recover a bit. So Tintagel Barras Nose walk, checking out Merlin’s cave, and Camelot castle hotel. Sun was glorious so it gave us plenty of time to eat a picnic and rest while looking out to sea. The sea has a way of relaxing the mind, and giving a restorative time to us.

MONDAY saw us enter the beautiful Rocky Valley, to see the cloutie tree ( we left our own cloutie and wishes) and labyrinth cravings (dated from 1800-1400 BC) walking along the babbling stream to watch it become more roaring at the Cauldron, and eventually meet the sea. The weather was mostly kind, the wind only got cold and whippy one the settlement part of the walk. Started to get exercise bruises on the legs, especially the old dvt leg, broken blood vessels and veins in that leg. So I think I need to put my legs up more. We ended our day with a glimpse of a seal swimming in the harbour, and honestly that made my day. Met a lovely couple and they recommended some places to visit, so that’s on our to do list for sure. I didn’t sleep well at night, so this morning I woke up broken, and stiff. Weather turning soon though, so can’t waste the day resting.

TUESDAY We took the couple’s advice and set off to find this beach and caves on this coastal path, as they said the Beach was easier to get too, than the one we tried to see yesterday. And it was a beautiful walk, along old now abandoned slate quarries, seeing the scars of the past etched into the cliffs. The wind was a lot stronger today, and sun barely showed its face, so we were more wrapped up. Explored some of the caves, mindful of tidal times, so we don’t get cut off. We even bumped into the couple again! Hope they were pleased we took their advice on visiting this beach 💕 it was definitely a hit for us. A few hairy bits on the way back as the wind was pushing us closer to the edge, so we took a more inland route back.

WEDNESDAY Later start than planned,but the culmination of walking and getting up early, is wearing me down. Even though we are sleeping about 8 to 9hrs. Worse weather day, so not racing to get out in the rain and wind. We decided on revisiting The Rumps coastal path, we’ve done before but we added slightly different ways, taking in all the Lead Mines and quarries along the way. Rugged coast line super emotive and powerful, alas no seals to be found.

THURSDAY Last day here really, so we got up extra early to get to St Necturns Glen, we took a different walking route in, more direct and I’m so glad we did. Following the river up to the Nature trail area, popped into the meditation room, had a few tears for our loved ones. Felt super emotional as soon as I walked in. Left our wishes and messages. And went off to pay for the waterfall. Omg what a gorgeous place, I knew it would be magickal, but even I was took back on how amazing it is. We took photos and videos, but felt like we should take off our boots and get in, get closer to the waterfall. Our feet feeling the cooling waters, just what our tired feet needed. We wandered around taking in all the sculptures and sights, looking at peacocks and local birds. Our day isn’t over though, now it’s a quick bite to eat and off to the Witchcraft museum in Boscastle. I’ve been a few times before, but I go to support them. Always wonderful to see the exhibits and learn more history. We ended the day walking to the harbour, feet are agony but what a wonderful day and perfect end to an incredible week.

In a couple of weeks we have some epic adventures planned, and I feel unconditioned in fitness for it. But that’s just because we had to have an abrupt halt to walking, and yoga for the dental surgery.

So we have been for a walk this week, and I’m not sure why but this week it felt like treacle I was walking through!! Could it been I’m still feeling rough from dental surgery? I didn’t think I was, but the body says otherwise.

Outer hip pain on the 4yr old hip, then it started up with groin pain (hate that) and the knee on this leg. This is my ‘GOOD’ hip too, so I need to speak to my surgeon as this is extremely worrying.

So I’m naturally nervous for Cornwall, I will have to increase the tramadol for sure to 4 a day, as well as increasing my THC Oil, as they do help.

Has anyone else had a really good hip replacement suddenly become a nightmare hip? It’s scary to think it’s going backwards, I just want to put hips behind me once and for all.

Hopefully I can tell the consultant all of this in Nov, when I see him about the weak psoas in the left hip, could this weakness be causing the extra back pain, and new pains in the right hip, is it making me lean more heavy on the right hip??

In Buxton there is a temple, this Temple was built in 1896 on the site of a neolithic burial mound. Known as Solomon’s Temple now, but was known as Grin Low Tower. It replaced an earlier building, which had probably been erected to give protection from bad weather. The construction of the Victorian folly is said to have been requisitioned by Solomon Mycock to give work to some of the unemployed in Buxton.

Photograph taken 1894 – 1930 © Historic England Archive ref: op06032

The structure is a 20-foot-high (6.1 m), two-storey tower built on top of a Bronze Age barrow, sitting on top of a ridge at a height of 440 metres (1,440 ft) above sea level. From the open top of the tower there are good 360-degree views over the town and the surrounding countryside and parts of the Peak District. The tower does not contain anything other than the staircase to the top. It is a Grade II listed building.

On one of the most whimsical and fairytale like walk around Errwood Hall, we found the most beautiful shrine, nestled near a wood.

The ruins of Errwood was sadly fenced off for repairs, so we couldn’t explore as we had planned. But no matter, we headed off to the family cemetery plot, and sat for a while deep in thought for those passed.

Baby frogs and crickets walked and jumped alongside us, the sun was glorious and the trees dabbled the sun for us, so we didn’t feel baked.

We came across the most beautiful shrine, just outside the trees, a round stone building with an altar, and lots of notes for loved ones who have passed.

What a day to find this, deep in our grief this day I knew would be a day of remembering, and we chose to do a walk to lift our spirits, instead this walk made us think more, but not in a bad way, instead we noticed the butterflies following is, the beautiful frogs, the crickets chirping, and birdsong, it felt like signs all around us.

Seeing a block of sunshine, and the car semi behaving itself, we took this opportunity to grab a few days in the Peak District. Staying not too far from home, just in case the car broke more.

I had thought everyone was back to school, however it was packed with everyone enjoying this rare sunshine, and a spot of wild swimming. We had planned to dip but the crowds definitely put me off that. Daft I know as I shouldn’t let others dictate my day, however I knew I wouldn’t feel comfortable, so I opt to do it when it’s quiet.

Not to worry though, we had a full day out, and while it was immensely difficult, as the heat saps me of energy. The cannabis oil I had taken had helped with my lower back, but I am noticing how sore the older hip is due to carrying the most weight through it. I must ask the surgeon about this in November. I know walking is meant to be highly productive and good for arthritis, but it’s still very painful.

This week started normal on the last dregs of oil, now I know they roughly last a month. But Tuesday 15th August I have an appointment with Pharmacy team to see how I’m getting on, and discuss the oils, and potentially up doses, or change them.

MONDAY New week, feeling good and surprised that the trip hasn’t worn me out more. Happily surprised though. Had the usual dose of 0.1ml THC oil X 3 and 0.2ml CBD oil X 2. But I’m out of CBD oil now.

TUESDAY Sapphire appointment with Pharmacy, we discussed that I’ve not felt pain free but more manageable. So we are combining the CBD and THC into the same bottle, and having a larger bottle too. This way I can just take 0.1ml X 3 a day, with a view to increase if needed. Next appointment is in 3 months time. No CBD oil left, so I’m just having 0.1ml THC oil X 3 until I get the new prescription delivered. 

WEDNESDAY We had a day out visiting people so I didn’t have 3 doses of THC oil, instead just had 2 at 0.1ml which was fine for the level of activity we were doing. The prescription has gone through but the hard copy needs to go to the pharmacy, could take a few days and then a couple more before delivered. So I shouldn’t of let my oil run this low 🤦🏻‍♀️I should get to the new delivery date if they don’t hold up the payment part.

THURSDAY The prescription went through today, all paid up, so I’m guessing Monday delivery?? 0.1ml THC oil only as for now I’m out of CBD oil. Email arrived so delivery is coming tomorrow.

FRIDAY it arrived at 4pm and we had to wait all day for it, then drive off to our car camping area ready for a walk tomorrow. I’d had 0.1ml x2 of THC oil only then in bedtime I tried the 0.1ml of the combination oil.

SATURDAY we started the day early as it’s a busy area for walking, plan is 0.1ml of new oil every 5.5hours roughly. Walk was hard, hip flexor super painful but back pain is more manageable for sure. Was broken by the end as it had been too hot for an uphill walk, and my feet were humming. Slept as soon as I got home and finished our pizza. Slept heavy all night.

SUNDAY I think I slept 12 hours!! Oh I needed that. Body aches but it’s a quiet day with England playing football, and Sunday roast, heaven. Now on combination oil 0.1ml