Normal Service will be Resumed as soon as Possible

Bit by bit, day by day, my wrist is getting stronger.  There are little milestones every day - able to hold the dog's lead when she pulls, able to open the back gate, able to carry a cup of tea.

I had my check-up with the surgeon on Wednesday, and it's all looking good.  We really pushed the issue about riding, with Anne making the point that if I ride with the cast on, the wrist is more protected than at any other time.  The surgeon's advice was "well ok, but don't fall" and then he thought for a minute and said I could ride a pony - a small one so that my feet would still be on the ground!!

We also asked the surgeon could my operation to remove the pins be moved forward, but unfortunately he is away on holiday the week before it's scheduled.  He was doing his best to be helpful, though, and we ended up moving it forward by a day, so it's happening on March 13th.

He then arranged for me to see the anaesthetist straight away, rather than coming back again next week, which was great.  The anaesthetist was a little reserved and serious, and started working his way through the medical questionnaire.  I was doing fine and needed very little interpretation from Anne until he asked if I ever "fall in the apples without reason."

Well, I looked at Anne and raised my eyebrows.  She explained that it's slang and it means do I ever pass out for no reason.

"Oh," I said, "No."  Then I paused and added "There's always a reason" whereupon Anne and I got a major fit of the giggles, as did the formerly serious consultant sitting across the desk from me!  It took us all a while to regain our composure, but the ice was well and truly broken.  It's a pity I'll be asleep while during the operation, I bet those two are a riot when they're working together!

Anne had arranged to ride with S on Thursday, and the LSH is available to ride on Friday, but I staked a claim and said I would also like to ride on Friday, and see how long I could go without pain or fatigue setting in.

We went out fairly early in the morning and went towards the Water Meadows. Flurry felt great, eager but not strong.  We did a long stretch of trotting on a laneway that skirts through the forest.  I could hear Anne taking a few canter strides behind me and I knew from the feel Flurry was giving me that he would have happily cantered along as well, but I thought that might be pushing my luck so I restrained myself.

The end of the road!

We were hoping to find a circular route, so the LSH was scouting out the final third of the circle, and we had planned to meet up beside the last house in the Water Meadows.  Unfortunately, his route had involved climbing over and under fallen trees, scrambling down a slope and walking through someone's orchard, so we were unable to complete our circle.

He took some photos before we turned around

Flurry is hiding my cast behind his big ears!

and then followed us back along the trail.

We finally rode through lavender fields

and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful Provencal scenery.

Flurry wasn't STRONG on the homeward leg, but he was taking more of a hold.  My arm  was getting a little bit achey and tired, so I decided to be sensible and let the LSH ride the last bit home, while I took Shanks' Mare back to Céreste and got breakfast sorted out!

I was riding for just under an hour and felt great, until fatigue set in.  Anne and S are riding tomorrow morning and then Anne/the LSH/me will ride on Sunday morning.  Next week, we have another visitor from home, a horsey one this time, so we'll do some riding/walking trips between the three of us, and hopefully include S, our French friend, who is slowly rebuilding her confidence.

I expect I will have a minor setback after the pin removal, but after that, FINGERS, TOES, ARMS AND LEGS CROSSED, I hope to be back to normal and tackling some longer hacks with Anne.