Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, or RICE as an acronym, is a well known adage that has served sportspeople well for many decades and aided in their quick recovery. I wouldn't go far as to state that Cassy is a sportswoman (despite her fit and healthy lifestyle!), but she has benefited from adherence to this course of treatment for the last four days.
"What happened?!" you,the reader, may well ask. Well, on Thursday, Cass was juggling a tray of coffees on a staircase at school on the way to our one social get-together for the cycle, when she lost her balance momentarily and felt her foot roll on her ankle and "pop" a little. She managed to hobble downstairs where we began an immediate cycle of the aforementioned RICE and we're pleased to report that a solid programme of this has led to a quite remarkable recovery. Today, Monday, she has managed to hobble in to school and manage her classes with the help of her faithful walking stick and some strategically used elevators and helpers.
With the help of some strapped on ice packs, the elevators and some crutches and a taxi, we managed to get home and get ensconced on Thursday evening, whereupon Cass took the night off her feet in any way. She arranged a sick day for Friday and similarly laid low for the entire day and night. With some regular icing, strapping and elevation as well as staying off her feet as much as possible on the weekend, she's managed a quite brilliant recovery: it's still quite tender and weak, but on the way to mending.
Virg'nMary reveled in the extra time lazing around and took advantage of the dozing spells in and around fluffy beds and relaxing lounges! I took on some of our regular weekend tasks solo this time and managed to get the groceries and bread supplies as well as the get the washing done and hung out as well as get some takeaway and fluff around the kitchen a bit. Because of the lack of perambulation in the house, I was inspired to get myself up the Tienmu Gudao steps for the first time since we'd arrived back from camp by the time Sunday morning rolled around.
After filling up with petrol anticipating a heavy use week for "Blackie", I scootered up to the section 7 trail-head in a misting drizzle and actually donned a football jumper to ward against the burgeoning chill. This country never ceases to surprise in the weather stakes: literally one day passes from scorching humidity that has lasted for never-ending months, to cool breezes and shivery wafts: does someone flick a switch overnight?!
The cooler temperatures eased the pain of the steps somewhat: the knees still shrieked, the shins complained and the illiotibial band tightened, but at least I wasn't pouring with sweat and dodging direct sunlight. It was a pleasant challenge which was quite invigorating: the foliage was bursting with verdant succulence and the little river gushed and gurgled beside the path, while knots of walkers were relatively sparse owing to the slightly annoying rain spurts. I "summited" in due course (slowly!), then wandered along the path a bit as is our custom, before tracing my way back down. About 2/3 of the way down my ITB started worrying my outer knee, which is annoying, because it signals that I may have to wear my orthotics even on short hikes from now on. Anyway, despite my whinging about minor aches and pains, at least I was out and about, unlike my housebound darling! My cooling draught at the bottom was the sweetest elixir ever (or at least since the equivalent drink last time I did the steps)
Photos: a few different shots of the steps, including the first few stages which run beside houses creeping up the lower slopes. There's a shot of our new dryer with its relatively new companions, the water heater and the washing machine...surely something else can't break down? Finally, the walking stick warrior in her class this afternoon...
P.S. You might have missed my tiny post in-between this one and last week's......check it out below: it's an interesting follow-up to last week's comment about the internet.