So my parting comment on the 'winter' post about a minor health issue preventing any further winter fun, didn't quite cover where I now find myself. 'Minor' was suddenly a lot less minor, and another hospital visit ensued, MRI scan and another opp. OK, it's not 'serious' (i.e. I'm not going to die) but it's pretty nasty, slightly horrible and a bit embarrassing, the classic middle aged ailment. I'll not share the details (look up 'fistula' on the NHS website, but only if you have a strong stomach) and there are some other complications, caused by a lifetime of sitting on various saddles, but the upshot is a pain in the fundament, both figuratively and literally.
At least I can still do exercise, ride bikes (and motorbikes) and carry on regardless, kind of. But there is a fair bit of management required - pain and hygiene - and it's not a quick fix. 6 months as a minimum, more likely to the end of the year and possibly into next.
A couple of take homes: Firstly, lumps. If you find them, get them checked out. Secondly, causes; which there isn't, it's just 'one of those things.' But this particular thing, whilst fairly rare can happen to anyone. What do you do....
OK so it's not cancer but the long term-ness of it is more like a serious injury, like a broken leg. You have to get your head into that injury space - take it day by day, don't over react to good or bad days and try to lead as normal a life as you can, or else you'll go mad.
Anyway, I did my first proper bike ride today and all was well, more or less. Just an oft used local trail circuit to enable an easy bail home if things went awry. The trails were drying, the birds were tweeting and the blossoms were appearing which improved my mood no end. I can also use the trainer so all being well I should manage to maintain my fitness level, which was at an all time high by the end of February, thanks to last years bumper mileage and some mega hard snow rides this year.
What I can't do is camp, hence no March BAM and in all likelihood no other BAMs until the autumn at the earliest.
Last weekend we did our annual adder survey in Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran. I nearly didn't go but 'get on with it' will be my motto until I'm through this. The weather looked a bit iffy but we made it over, did the survey and counted lots and lots of adders. This was extremely gratifying after last years survey post the big moor fire, and a lot of burned, dead snakes. So I'll finish with a photo of Glen Rosa. I'll not likely post much up until I get better so see you on the other side!
10 adders, all in a heap to keep warm, bless 'em. A couple of work colleagues I showed this to freaked out. Whereas I find them to be fascinating creatures.
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