Food, exercise, aches and pains

I got back from Cropredy to find the dog in fine condition having been fed and watered well by my oldest son and daughter. Thank you both!! I got a huge greeting from Honey and she tried to get on my lap! I have a small lap.
She is a big dog with a banadaged leg. We compromised with her leaning up against me while I cuddled her with my arms round her. Lots of squeaking in pleasure (from her!). Since then she has stuck closely to me, following me everywhere I go. She is going to hate me going away again.

I ate what I fancied at the festival but tried to have the healthier options where possible. I did not have chicken and chips or hot dogs. I did have a buffalo burger once and an organic beef burger once but no chips with it. I had a burrito once - chilli con carne, rice, cheese,  salsa and extremely hot chilli sauce. It was delicious and filling. I twice had the noodles with tempura veg and some chicken dish. A really good plateful and not toooo fattening.
I did put 2 lbs back on over that weekend but I've shifted those plus another pound since coming home. :)
I am following a healthy balanced diet as recommended at the hospital, just watching the portion sizes. They gave portions as individual items, 1 apple, 1 banana, 2 egg sized potatoes, or spoonfuls - easier to visualise a portion than having to weigh it out.

No food is banned but obviously things high in fat and calories like pork pies should be taken infrequently and in small quantities.

They gave guidance on lower calorie alternatives to things or ways to cook foods to reduce the fat content. So I can still have a bacon buttie once or twice a week, but in granary or multi grain bread, with grilled bacon with the fat cut off. Just about halves the calories and still tastes lovely. 

I am also being more active at home now Honey can go walkies again. She is a bit reluctant to walk on her bad leg yet but I think that will improve once the splint and dressings are off. She is going to the Orthopaedic vet Tuesday for a check up and X-ray. ££££ :-( I hope they will leave the dressing off now so she can use her paw more and walk more easily.
While I was at the festival my knees were not too bad on the whole. I walked up and down to the loo and food/drink at regular intervals and stood up and stretched my legs between acts. Since coming home it has been a different matter. Perhaps the hard water here is a factor?
I have had a lot of pain on occasions and woke in the middle of the night Weds night with searing burning pain in both knees. I could not find a pain free position and tossed and turned and wriggled about for about an hour and a half before I could get back to sleep. It may have been the after effects of having the grandsons for the day on Wednesday, but I took them to Wilton House and sat while they ran amok on the adventure playground, so it should not have been a strain on my knees. The pain was not too bad Thursday day time but started up again during the evening while I was at the folk club. I took some Ibuprofen at the club but it only helped reduce the intensity of the pain. My friends even noticed I was not right so it must have been bad. At least it eased off when I went to bed. It was a good evening at the club too! We had a young lady visitor of about 9 or 10 yrs old so I changed what I was going to do. Try listening to the Arrogant Worms' Assumption Song on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TywmpMQYojs
It is almost rude, but only in your mind! It is definitely an adults only song! It has the folk club laughing their heads off.

I am now sorting my camping stuff out again ready for Shrewsbury Folk Festival next weekend. The kids are doing house and dog minding in shifts for me while I'm away. I will not put Honey in kennels unless I have no alternative option. I do have an option to consider now though as my neighbours 3 doors down have lost their dog and have not yet got a new one. They have been having friends dogs to stay for holidays so maybe I will have a word with them and see if they would have Honey.



My new tent

 I am happy to have mixed weather at the moment because it increases the chances of a settled few days for Shrewsbury next weekend. I am not too optimistic though because it is a Bank Holiday weekend and notorious for bad weather :-( Last year we had a mini whirlwind slice through the festival site destroying gazebos and flattening tents in a swathe. There were a heap of bent and broken gazebos put out for the rubbish collectors at the end of the festival. We lost ours that day, ending up with a lovely cover and a pile of twisted and snapped poles. They were lucky no one was injured. The site stewards did a valiant job and picked up the debris and tied the remains up in bundles.
I am happy to camp there all weekend. My own tent is spacious and comfortable and my double height air bed is very comfortable. I am taking an extra duvet as the nights can get very cold! If I get desperate I can sleep in my dressing gown, a warm soft fluffy one.

As all the concerts are under cover there is not so much need for good wet weather clothes. Just an umbrella to get from A to B will do, rather than golfing umbrellas and waterproof ponchos you need when sitting out in the open.

I am out to a dinner party tonight with a bunch of friends, 9 of us I think :-). Looking forward to it.
Hope you have a good weekend wherever you are and whatever you are up to. xx