Mutterings and Musings

Take a Hike

Challenge: What is something you started doing during the pandemic that you will continue in the “post-pandemic” world?

I'm a pharmacist, so I've been working throughout and although Best Beloved worked from home for most of the first lock-down, he has since been back work. We watched Tiger King on Netflix, but otherwise we seemed to have both missed out on the banana-bread stage of lock-down.We have had to make a few adjustments, but far far less than most people. We don't have kids, so haven't had to worry about childcare or home schooling (and admittedly we would still be able to have school places for key worker kids if we did). We also live by ourselves, so we don't have to worry about crowding in with in-laws or housemates.

So all in all, we have been extremely lucky.

We are both keen walkers, but I had an ankle operation two years ago that has taken a very long time to heal and regain strength. But we are finally getting there. In January I signed us both up for virtual marathons and we've been trying to build up the distances we are walking. There have been no double-figure mile hikes yet, but we've managed a couple of 5+ miles so far; last summer I struggled to walk 3 miles without needing pain-relief and then struggling for the rest of the week. So I'm feeling pretty proud of myself right now. It's going to be another six months or so before I'm confident enough to suggest an all day hike, but I'm determined to get there. Between my improved ankle and the virtual challenges, Best Beloved and I are going for walks almost every Sunday afternoon and as the evenings get lighter we are trying to squeeze in little twilight strolls too.
The various lock-downs have forced us to explore closer to home a lot more frequently than we would normally do, and because we haven't been able to 'go out' and do much, we actually have time to spend exploring. Last Sunday we went to a nearby reservoir; despite living nearby for nearly 12 years, I'd never been and Best Beloved hasn't been since he was a young child. It was a fantastic day - cold, but clear and sunny, and although there were a few patches that required scrambling, most of the path was dry and clear. I checked my map app afterwards and I think we may have accidentally summoned Batman, but nevertheless it was a good walk.