a gentle cycle ride to test joke's new knee

A modest cycle ride with Joke of about 15 miles this afternoon, out to Alresford then back via Wivenhoe, stopping off at the Rose and Crown for a pint on the quayside. Nothing special in itself, other than the fact that it's only about 10 weeks since Joke had her knee replacement operation, and this was her first proper cycle ride. Her recovery has been both astonishing and inspiring. Her progress has been thus

Week 1 - walking a few hundred yards up and down the road on crutches (and lots of painful stretching)

Week 2- walking up to a mile or so around the Recreation ground with one crutch

Week 3 - a walk of 3 miles at Alton water with walking poles

Week 4 - a walk of 6 miles with walking poles to Wivenhoe and back

Thereafter no need for poles or crutches, and back down the gym for exercise and swimming once the wound had healed properly. A testament to sheer bloody mindedness and determination.

Fantastic.