Midweek marvel

Feeling good about myself today. Went to the physio yesterday morning and she was so pleased with my progress that she said she didn't need to see me again. She said I could always come back any time if I was concerned about anything and she stressed that I still have another 9 months or so of hard work in front of me, but she was confident my knee would continue to improve, just by regular daily use. Quite a change from our first meeting back in November when she was very concerned about my lack of progress and how little I could move my knee then. She even went as far as to suggest then that I shouldn't have been let out of hospital after just 3 days.

So I made a choice this afternoon. I had originally planned to go to the golf club's AGM tonight, but I also wanted to go back to the gym after work, and it might all have been a bit of a rush. So what did I do? Send my last minute apologies to the golf club, that's what, before heading to Bannatyne's. I did 30 minutes on the bike and then, buoyed by the physio's comments yesterday, I tested my leg on some of the weights machines - the first time I had used the machines since last summer. I was careful and reduced the weights from my normal level, and I managed OK, with just a little tremor here and there.

It's just 5 weeks tomorrow until I officially collect my Old Age Pension. I'm one of the last of our generation to be able to collect this at age 65. It's a significant date, but hardly a significant windfall. I feel for those that have to live off what is a very modest amount in these times. The Government web site charmingly words it:

"The most you can currently get is £110.15 per week."

Not that the Government can afford to increase it - but it's a salutary lesson, kiddies, that you have to look out for yourself and plan well ahead if you want to have a comfortable retirement. Will my lifestyle change dramatically in 5 weeks time? Unlikely, but some changes may take place - watch this space.

Tomorrow night there's a Meet the Brewer evening at the Boat Inn, Aboyne. It's a pub I've yet to survey, so, if the weather behaves, that might be a chance to do both. Forecast is for some snow tomorrow - at last - so I'll make a late decision.