An update on my injury. I went up the hospital for my final visit with them. They were happy with my progress and told me yet again that it’s a long haul to recovery but I was doing well. Sometimes I think I am not getting anywhere even doing everything they tell me to do. On the other hand I have a moment and think I could not reach that, or open that a week or so ago. So although I am getting more movement and strength back it’s taking its time.

My physio sessions down the local small hospital which I have every week have now changed to strength exercises. I have certain exercises I have to do with a small 2 kilo weight. This will build the muscles up and will also help with movement because the arm and shoulder will be stronger.

I have to laugh at myself every time I pick up the 2 kilo weight because I used to do some weight training with big heavy weights and have always been quite strong. Thinking nothing of throwing a 16 kilo kettlebell around and now I am picking up a 2 kilo weight and having trouble completing all the sets on all the exercises. It will get better.

We had an engine management light come on in the car. Not a serious fault but I like things to be right so took it to the local garage to get checked out. Turned out it was a glow plug fault. So got it booked in for repair , all sorted but my management light came on when I got the bill. I was never expecting it to be such a big bill, but it had to be done and is now sorted.

We decided we need a new screen cover on the camper. This is a cover which covers the screen and door windows, it stops condensation forming on the inside of the windows and keeps it cooler in the summer. I contacted the company that makes them and for a date to go and get one made.

They are in Telford about an hour away from us so it would give the camper a run also. We can’t just order one online because they have to make a template and then make it unless they already have made one for the same model before. But in our case they have not.

The week we were supposed to be going to them the forecast was for a lot of snow so we watched the weather and decided to cancel and re book for another day. Driving a five ton, thirty foot camper in snow is not fun I can tell you. As it happened the snow never happened but better to be safe than sorry as they say.

A nice walk one morning up in the castle grounds with some low cloud/ mist gave me a good opportunity for some photos. The peace and quiet was so nice and from the fields we walked up to the castle grounds where they have a great spread of snowdrops.

It’s was a bit eiry looking with the mist and sun trying to come out and the morning dew on the snowdrops and trees but felt really refreshing at the same time. We walked on the paths through the snowdrops so it felt like we were walking on a carpet of them.

Last week we had a managers training course to go to. Stopping in a hotel is not really our type of thing but we had to attend. As it turned out we met some peaple who we had not seen for five years so that was great to catch up with them. The food was good also which is always a bonus in my eyes. The five days away from Bertie the camper was the hard part and was so nice to get back to our own bed.

A couple of days ago it was a ten year anniversary of living in Bertie. Ten years living in a tin can. I now know how a baked bean feels like left on the shelf.

In two weeks time we will be in the Lake District for a couple of days. A stop off on the way up to Scotland. It just breaks the journey up. From there we will have a five hour drive to the area we will be working in for the season. About an hours drive from Glasgow in a place called Killin.

Killin is a small town and we are looking forward to spending the season there. Exploring the area and we might visit a pub or two. Supporting the local economy of course and research to feedback to our guests staying on the campsite. It would be rude of me as a manager if asked about the local pubs if I hade to say, sorry I don’t know.

As usual I have a list of things we want to do while in the area. I know the Scot’s do a lot of whisky’s but that will not be for me. I had a bad experience with whisky in my teens and that has scared me for life as far as whisky goes. But maybe I could be tempted to try one. I really want to try a traditional dish of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties so will be searching for that on a pub menu. Will let you know how I get on. I don’t think Nikki is as keen to try the Haggis as me.

So that’s us up to date. The rain is pouring down here today, let’s hope it’s not like this up in Scotland all the time, but at least it will keep the midges away. Winter is slowly drifting away and spring is just around the corner. Take care.