It's been awhile, but today I finally managed a long walk. The last time I walked more than 20 metres was before I had my open-heart surgery on 20 Nov 25 and that was on my local patch back on the 18 Nov 25.
I have done other walks like at Radipole and Portland Castle, but only just a few metres from the car, which I hasten to add was not being driven by me.
In fact on New Years Day (6 weeks after my surgery), I am allowed back behind the wheel, which I'm sure Dawn will be pleased with, as she has been chauffeuring me around for both Doctor and Hospital appointments. She is a star. Thank you so much xx.
So this afternoon, accompanied by Izzie, granddaughter Poppy and Ted we left the cottage in glorious sunshine, and wall to wall blue skies, and headed off to the viewing point at Rufus Castle. The only downer on the walk, was that stiff north-easterly gusting at over 40mph. But I needed to get out and blow the cobwebs away.
Highlights along the walk were 2 Chiffchaffs between barrier at end of Church Ope Road and the viewing point.
Birds Recorded:
3 Gannets,
1 Kestrel
50+ Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Black Redstart - 2 males in Church Ope Cove. Sadly not seen by me, but by 2 visiting birders.
2 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Herring Gulls just off Penn's Weare in a bit of a feeding frenzy.
A very friendly Robin at the viewing point
3 Blue Blowfly Calliphora vicina
A Blue Blowfly Calliphora vicina
Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus
Well these were a bit of a surprise. Two Daffodils in bloom.
Church Ope Cove with that north-easterly blowing straight in and up the beach
And yes me and Poppy my 20 month old granddaughter
And a long overdue photograph of Ted. Hopefully more to come.
This is the Belgium LPG Tanker "Angela" on its way from Portland Harbour to Antwerp. More on this vessel here.
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Note:
Just in case you were wondering why it has taken me this long to venture out. Well having been discharged from Southampton General Hospital on 26 Nov 25, four days later I fell ill with Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and endocarditis on the inner lining of my heart (a very serious heart infection), which saw me admitted to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.
The medical team were very quick to discover the endocarditis, and after many blood tests and antibiotics, it was dealt with very quickly, leaving just the RSV, which meant 8 days in isolation from the rest of the Cardo Care Unit.
Unfortunately there was something else which was making me feel quite nauseous and for 27 days I felt absolutely rubbish. So bad was the nausea and sickness, I lost 2 stone in weight as I just couldn't eat or drink. General census of opinion is that I have a gastro problem.
However today is the first day that the nausea has gone, and I'm hoping that it is down to the medication I was prescribed on 22 Dec 25. We shall see!!!