FUTHER PROGRESS.

TIFOSI NEAR THE BEACH AT SWANAGE.

It's now been four weeks since I finished my cancer treatment. During these weeks I have been slowly starting to get back on my bike. I began by doing ten minutes on my indoor trainer increasing the time and resistance level day by day. Last week I got back on my Tifosi training bike. Again I started very slowly managing to get as far as the Studland Ferry and back. Today I crossed over to Studland and rode on to Swanage and then after a rest I rode back home. This is the second time in a week I have managed to achieve this. It goes without saying that I only attempted this after medical advice. Mind you after completing the ride I then need to go to bed and rest for the afternoon as it uses all my energy. The ride is only about twenty three miles there and back but it represents a major step forward on my journey back to a full recovery.

WEEKEND MEET FINAL DAY.

This morning half of us decided to go for a 'Hungry Camper' breakfast served up on the site. After breakfast most of the backpackers set off by foot and car to head off in all directions. Four of us stayed on taking photographs around the village and then later we discussed plans for future trips and weekend meets. We finally set for home at about 1530hrs.The pictures show various views around Sixpenny Handley and the village of Farnham.

WEEKEND MEET DAY 2

Today the weather turned out much better than the forecast. John Yale had one he had prepared earlier - route that is - and he led one group on a walk to explore some open access land. The other half of us did a walk to the village of Farnham where we took pictures around the church and surrounding area. On the return route we stopped and had a grass blowing competition- it was the best laugh I have had for a long time. Just think Last of the Summer Wine and you will get the picture! By the time we got back to the campsite I was totally exhausted but a nice big chunk of cake courtesy of Sandie went a long way towards aiding my recovery. In all a really good day and it was great to be out with friends again.

DORSET BPC WEEKEND MEET.

I arrived at the Sixpenny Handley site about 1230hrs. During the afternoon I was joined by a further 4 tents and a tarp. Late afternoon a few of us went to the post office not for stamps or an envelope but for tea and coffee and a large slice of Dorset apple cake. Tonight some cooked at the tent but I joined 3 other happy Backpackers for fish and chips on the site. There is a cold N E wind but it wont flatten my spirits as I am so glad to be out in my tent again. There have been times over the past few months when I felt that I might not be able to do this again. Today is a great day!

STILL ON TRACK !!

My journey back to some kind of normal life is still on track. Since my last posting on this blog I have started to regain some of my energy- indeed I have even managed to get out on my 'Tifosi' training bike for a couple of short rides managing to get down to the Studland ferry and back.

This weekend I will be going to Sixpenny Handley (by car) for a static camping weekend with other members of the Backpackers club. The last time I spent the night in a tent was when I joined JD on his charity cycle ride around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. After eight weeks of radiotherapy I am really starting to suffer with 'outdoors person' withdrawal symptoms.

I am really looking forward to the weekend as it represents yet another milestone in my attempt to get back to normal- Well normal for me!!

I don't think I will manage to walk a great distance as I find walking more tiring than cycling but I do intend to do some work on a photographic project in and around the village and I know that I can manage the distance from the campsite to the pub.

I plan to arrive at the site about midday on Friday. I know a couple of members will be walking in to the site (I wish I could) from their homes and hopefully we will have others arriving by car the same as me.

I will make some short postings from the site during the weekend.