I LOVE walking. It is my go to exercise. I love to stretch my legs, get into the rhythm of walking and imagine I am in the inhale and exhale of the Universe.
I love moving through the seasons from the chilly slumbering of winter, to the quickening of Spring, the flourishing of Summer and the cozy curling up of the Autumn.
One Saturday recently I did the 8km Norton Ridley circuit, celebrated with a steak dinner. On Sunday the plan was a 13km hike in the Cotswolds with a sumptuous Sunday lunch at the Baker's Arms at Broad Campden. Sadly my best laid plans were stymied by a minor skirmish with a fallen tree branch, a badly misjudged pirouette and a good dollop of mud. Half way into this delightful Sunday stroll I broke my leg.
What a bugger. Well thanks to a well charged phone, a reasonable phone signal, an ever patient walking companion, the NHS emergency services and an intrepid ambulance crew who were willing to do a bit of search & rescue as well as reverse their trusty chariot down a long and muddy farm track I was delivered back to Warwick (the closest hospital to where I am staying), expedited through Minor Injuries and home in time to tuck into a GBK burger and an episode of Big Little Lies.
It wasn't all smooth sailing - all in it was a 7hr recovery, a large portion of which was spent sitting in a puddle, the ambulance crew nearly didn't find us because our pin drop wasn't passed on to them, one of the crew definitely didn't have the temperament for a 'bit of search & rescue' and we had to cancel that sumptuous lunch BUT ....it was a stable break, that doesn't require a cast, my pain levels are negligible - for some reason or other - the ambulance did find us and went out of their way to bring me to my preferred hospital. I had the best human & dog company while I was waiting (you know who you are!). I had a fully charged phone, a good enough phone signal, the unexpected warmth of a February afternoon and the magic of this magnificent double rainbow appearing as my walking companion spied the ambulance crew about to give up their search.
Life is a box of chocolates, as Forest Gump's Mom would say, and you never know what you are gonna get! The strawberry dream or the coffee creme may not be my favourite but there is sweetness in all that life has to offer methinks.
#talesoftheunexpected #walking #lifeisaboxofchocolates #growth #opportunities
I’m so sorry you broke your leg and hope it is healing well. You’ve written beautifully about a tough experience. I love how you found the rainbows - literally and metaphorically ❤️🩹 🌈