And Tinky Winky said Uh-Oh!

[lexi6]

I’m feeling a little nervous because I haven’t run at all since PR last Saturday, due to a sore back. One of our dogs, sensing changes ( think the suitcases appearing might have been a giveaway) has become a little clingy and wanting extra cuddles and I think having him sitting on my knee on our hard wooden chairs has caused the pain in my lower back. I’ve been frantically (in slow motion) doing stretches and back exercises and its easing, but still a little worrying that its only 3 more sleeps Yay! until we leave for London. We have two flights each of over 13 1/2 hours and two stopovers, the thought of which fills me with dread. Someone suggested getting a Deep Heat patch for my back for the journey, but I had a vision of Customs pulling me out of line for my funny shuffle and strapping round my middle, so maybe not 😅 Wish me luck ✈️

[HeavyFoot Graduate10]

I expect you’ve seen those Border Patrol programs (and similar) protect our countries against smugglers, drug mules and environmental poisoners.

Well, they crack down especially heavily on those with Deep Heat on their backs: Two nights in the slammer, no access to a solicitor and bamboo shoots under the fingernails.

You’ll be okay with Tiger Balm.

Best of luck for that interminable flight!!

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to HeavyFoot]

😂😂😂 Thanks HeavyFoot, might have to partake in some beverages on board, purely for medicinal purposes - naturally. 👍

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

You are looking forward to visiting "The old country" but not the flight, 13+ hours plus time and season change are not things to look forward to, however, once you have been here in the UK I am sure you will enjoy yourself including several parkruns on a Saturday morning, I assume that you are not bringing your dog with you, or are you?.

I just hope that your back does not bother you, either on the flight or once you have arrived in the UK. Remember parkrun times are later here than in New Zealand, 9am in England and Wales, 9.30am in N Ireland and Scotland.

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr, 😅 looking forward to leaving the dogs behind this time! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be coming back and it will be great to leave our winter behind, even though it has been a mild one so far. I think the parkrun start times in the UK and Ireland and Scotland are much more civilised than our 8.00am start, might get a lie in! 👍

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

I have just had a look at the weather forecast for the month of August in the UK, changeable, showers especially in northwestern areas, if there is any really hot weather it won't last long, temperatures will be a little above the average for the time of year, 20C in the north, 24C in the south.

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Just got back from a birthday celebration Almorr and its 8 chilly degrees here but no wind, which is always a blessing here in Wellington, 20 degrees will be lovely. I hope the rain stops up north soon as the situation at the Whaley Bridge dam would be such a disaster for the town and its people if it collapses.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

That is serious, what is happening at Whaley Bridge Dam was caused by heavy thunderstorms on Wednesday, engineer's are on the scene desperately trying to stop the resorvoir from flooding nearby homes. The water level has gone down a good bit and for the moment there are no more thunderstorms forecast.

O for 8C temperatures, even where I am in Scotland the minimum temperature has hardly dropped below 15C/60F for a few weeks.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Ooo Lexi it’s so close now! It’s such a shame you won’t be down near the West Country as I’d dearly love to meet you! Safe flights, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the UK! Hope your back doesn’t seize up - seated yoga perhaps?! 🧘‍♀️ ✈️

Aww your sweet doggie. ☹️ They’re so knowing aren’t they? The minute suitcases come out, mine knows something’s up. ❤️

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Stanley’s cat was just about to wee in his packed suitcase when we were going skiing. Lucky spotted in time. Keep suitcases closed. 🧳 🧳

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Great tip thank you 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Now that wouldn’t have been pleasant! 😳😳😳

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Oh I know Cheeky, it would have been brilliant to have met up. Our itinerary is almost the same as the trip we had to cancel at the last minute two years ago, which was pre c25k, when I didn’t know what a VRB was or a parkrun. There’s nothing for it but to spend the kids inheritance/win the lottery and book another trip next year. 😂 I feel like I’m coming home, can’t wait. 🥰

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

We need loads of photos/run reports! ❤️

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Definitely, OH has like a proper camera! fortunate really as my arms are too short to take selfies

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

🤣🤣

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hi Lexi, sorry to hear about your back pain, bless you for administering those extra cuddles though.🐶❤

This reminds me of my Goldie, she would come and sit near me, wanting to be stroked and tickled, and after a few moments either lie down, or turn away slightly, whilst still expecting my attentions to continue 👀, and I would end up having to lean over to reach her which would strain my back! If I stopped, she would go back to the original position, look longingly at me, and then do the same thing! I always gave in...

Sound familier?😅

That heat pack sounds like a good idea..but don't look too shifty...😉

You must be busy getting everything ready...how long are you staying in the UK?

Exciting times, good luck with those long flights...waggle your feet a lot! Definately have a medicinal drink or two!😆xxx

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

“Its all about me” with animals isn’t it? I’m getting a serious case of the guilts with them, they keep giving me very long, accusing looks. We’re going to be away in total for 8 weeks. 10 days in France, almost a week in Ireland and the rest of the time in England (so excited) We have 4 days in London before flying out to France, so hopefully I’ll be able to get some runs in in France before, its very flat where we’re staying (Will be out of practice by then) hopefully if I walk up and down the plane aisles and do some stretches and take my medicine 🍾 I’ll be absolutely fine! 😀 Xx

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Make sure you get up and walk during the flight Lexi, it’s a long time to be sitting down. Have a wonderful time and we’ll be looking out for your posts of VRB meet ups.

🇳🇿 ✈️ 🇬🇧

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy, will do and can’t wait, might be some walking breaks going on at parkruns, although if I can find nice places to run at the various places we’re staying, I’ll be happy. I’m so excited.😀

[Coddfish Graduate10]

I hope your back improves before your journey, it’s a tough 24 hours or so to get through. Don’t fall asleep in Hong Kong, Singapore, LA or whatever your routing is and miss the 2nd long leg! Easily done.

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thanks Coddfish. Oh! I remember doing just that once, many years ago after visiting daughter and stepdaughter in the UK when they were nannying over there, headed home to NZ after having a late, last might with them, Stansted to Frankfurt, but snoozed at Frankfurt Airport forgetting about time difference, hearing my name called and having the “walk of shame” down the entire plane (Jumbo 747) seat next to the toilets and with all the smokers. Never again! 😂

[Saartjie Graduate10]

Good luck with your back and your flights! See you in Wilmslow in a few weeks (assuming the park hasn't washed away!) X

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Saartjie]

Thanks Saartjie. Hoping to bring back the sunshine when we come, but have rain jacket and cap just in case. Will be in touch soon. Very, very excited x

[Saartjie Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

I'm in Cyprus currently with glorious sun everyday so will also try to pack some! 🌞😂

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Saartjie]

Ooh! Lovely Saartjie, hot sunshine not the watery stuff we have here. Enjoy. 😎

[Couchpotato2]

An ostheo suggested having a tennis ball in the top part of my back for long haul and although you can’t Keep it there all the time but didn’t really help. Good luck!

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thanks Couchpotato2, that must have been so uncomfortable. D’ya think I’d be missed if I sneaked into a First Class Suite and had a sleep?

[Couchpotato2 in reply to lexi6]

No I think no one would notice

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

😬 Flooding here. We're waiting for the dam to burst. Worried about the boats. Please bring sunshine with you!

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Ooh! Baddie that’s not good and very worrying. 🤞 will definitely bring sunshine with us.

[Bridget007]

I’m with you on back pain! Sitting still makes it worse! Walk up and down and get that deep heat on ... I love the smell although I notice people don’t stand too close to me 🤣🤣🤣 have a lovely time here xx

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Bridget007]

😂😂 thanks Bridget, so looking forward to being back in the UK. At least I’ll save money on buying perfume at duty free! Nothing can compete with the smell, which I admit I love too. Xx

[Wimborne]

Safe travels Lexi and hope it’s not too uncomfortable. Have a wonderful trip and just think how excited your doggie will be when you get back. Although mine ignored me for several days the last time I went away 😂. Same happens with the vets. I get the cold shoulder for at least a day even when it’s just for a health check.

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Thanks Wimborne, I’m pretty excited now, lots of stretches I’m sure I’ll be fine and great if I could have a sleep through some of the journey. This time the dogs get to stay at home and don’t have to go into kennels, but like you, I imagine I will be ignored for a bit when we get home. 😂

[Katnap Graduate10]

Fingers crossed for a safe and pain free journey!

🐱 Katnap 🐱