Location of the next working party is in Malvern

 Meet at 10 o'clock on 20^th May

 At Hayes Bank Road. This is a turning on the eastern side of Poolbrook Road (B4208)  close to WR14 3JY

 To volunteer or further information call Brian Mayo on 01905 453087

I had my hip replaced on Tuesday, 2^nd April, at Kidderminster and was discharged, much to my horror on Friday, 5^th. It is a brutal operation and the pain afterwards is quite intense. However, after being at home for a few days the pain began to subside and things have got better and better. I have been quite amazed. People who saw how quickly I went downhill before the operation are amazed at how I am now recovering. All the pain has gone from my face. It still hurts but not much. I am just on one stick and quite often abandon it altogether in the house so that I can carry things about. From 15^th I have been trying to take walks. At first I went too far, but gradually things have got better and I have been checking combinations of assorted sections of my Walks book as I need to get a reprint as the shops are asking for them and I have none left. I went about a mile on 25^thApril, perhaps 1½ miles on 29^th, 2 miles on polling day and today, 5^thMay, I have just checked out Walk 3 in my book which I measured as 2¾ miles. Peter is running me to the nearest point and picks me up if I phone to say where I am. That is a huge help. I find it a bit exhausting. The hip seems to cope well enough but I think I am just generally out of condition so it seems more effort than it should be. I stop at every seat possible. I know exactly where they all are! Failing that there are tree stumps, low fences etc. The etcs. are not very comfortable! I cannot walk at any speed but who cares. I have seen the bluebells and the cowslips. They are just stunning. It seems like years since I could enjoy the countryside. My doctor knows that my heart is in the woods and fields. I see the surgeon on 13^th and then I shall enquire about stiles. I am not quite sure whether he will be pleased or horrified at what I have been doing but there seems to be nothing in the rules. They just say don’t cross your legs across an imaginary middle line down your body, don’t bend the hip more than 90% and sleep on your back for three months. It doesn’t seem to matter how far you walk. I have no idea how long it will be before I can join you again, but hope I can one day. An occupational therapist phoned to find out how I was and she said that if you kept fit before the operation, even if you deteriorated in the lead-up to it, you recover much more quickly than people who don’t. I need to be much more speedy before I can come on walks again, but, after all, I only had the operation a bit over a month ago. Best wishes to everyone, Barbara Hopper.  

Update No 2 13th May
I was a little taken aback to find myself on the website, but I suppose it is an easy way to reach people I didn’t contact. I have been to the hospital today for a check and saw a lady practitioner. She says I am a star patient in the speed with which I am recovering but said that it will be another six weeks before I am fairly normal and full recovery can take up to a year. I must not expect too much too soon and should keep the help in the house and the various contraptions I have got for another few weeks. Groans from Peter. He would love to be rid of the various things around the house. So would I, but I
don’t want to put too much strain on the new hip. I was interested to see a walk, presumably from the Barn Owl, on the Ramblers website. I printed off the photos. I would have loved to have been with you, but know that I cannot keep up a reasonable speed yet and need to sit down at regular intervals like every half mile or less. Also that particular walk covered more ground than I can cover at a time just now. Best wishes, Barbara.

Keep up the good work Barbara, we are looking forward to seeing you on a walk in the future.

updated by Lin 13th May

Note to members - the artist says his idea for the project was inspired by walking - so keep at it and who knows what inspiration may strike you! (But never mind if it doesn't, it's good fun and great exercise anyway!)