All my eye.....

I'm counting down the hours to the next operation, on February 4th, when a new lens will be fitted to restore sight in my Rt eye. Mr Fayyaz Musa, a Consultant Ophthalmologist who will perform the operation, assures me sight in that eye will be better than it was before. I can't wait. The last six weeks that included Christmas and New Year have been a little indistinct.

Getting back into my stride.....(Click pictures to enlarge)

  Unable to read properly, or drive, or focus clearly on anything, life has been very much 'on hold'. I've become accident prone, bumping into people and objects, knocking things over (even spilling wine!) and breaking things - but luckily nothing of value, yet!  Religious activities have been suspended too, mainly due to inability to read Service or hymn books, or read lessons, especially in our dimly lit village Church.

Running the empty trail.....

Running also went on the back burner due to feeling wobbly on uneven terrain, off balance and unco-ordinated, which knocked my confidence a bit.  Normally I love running alone in wild and lonely places but there was an air of vulnerability about my solo plod along the fringe of Grassington Moor in last weeks snow and ice. My form has definitely deteriorated since 'seeing through a glass darkly' but will hopefully return with the coming of Spring when 'flowers appear on the earth and the time of the singing of birds has come'.

I recognized this visitor - eventually

And speaking of birds, neither have I been able to identify birds at the feeding station by my kitchen window. Goldfinches, long tailed tits, thrushes, robins and cheeky sparrows were a joy to watch and added another dimension to my own meal time rituals. For the past few weeks they've just been blurry little brown things but they're gradually becoming clearer. I didn't immediately recognize the pheasant eyeing me from the barn roof, thinking at first it had rather a long tail for a wood pigeon!  Hopefully, all will return to their proper perspective, and colours, after next wek's operation.

Crossing the bridge over Gateup Ghyll

This week's running pictures were taken on a Saturday morning circuit of Grimwith Reservoir where I sensed a little speed coming back into my legs. Although scores of cars filled the parking area we'd the 4½ mile trail almost to ourselves. We got the impression drivers just sit in their cars and gaze across the water.

Which is probably more sensible than some of the antics we get up to in our dotage!