I have been so grateful to see everyone’s posts with pictures of the countryside and spring flowers. But life is not so bad for us in Portsmouth and Southsea., and we are very lucky to be by the sea.
Glad That we are able to get out for evercise, unlike so many. With my injury I have only been able to walk from home, and I’ve now got up to 3km, but that does limit me to a certain area. So today I emailed my physio and told him how I’m getting on and asked if I can ride a bike without causing damage. Yippee! He said it would be good exercise as it is non impact and won’t put pressure on the LCL.
Within only a few minutes the bikes were out of the garage, wiped down and tyres pumped up ready for the go. It’s such a beautiful day, with no wind, and we cycled along the Common to Old Portsmouth and Camber Docks. This is a photo of the Spinnaker Tower and Gunwharf Quays. This shopping and restaurant area would normally be heaving during the Easter holidays, especially when it’s warm enough to sit outside to eat. But today it is like a ghost town.
For those of you who are unable to leave your home at the moment, I hope you can still open your windows wide and breathe in the fresh air, without the traffic fumes and noise of our normal life. Keep safe.
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Dexy5
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Oh it looks lovely there Dexy. I can almost here you rushing to the garage there 🤣! It’s such a gorgeous day and the air is definitely getting clearer (apart from that pesky pollen), how brilliant you can get out on a bike. Soon be back out there running again 🤞🤞
I woke up to the sound of a pheasant this morning, which is a bit bizarre as we aren’t that close to the countryside!
The birds and animals are taking over! We were woken up by urban foxes this week, which we haven’t heard since we moved over to wheely bins. I think with reduced people out, there’s less food litter about For them to scavenge.
Yes, they are. The poor swans, geese and ducks on the Avon are used to everyone spoiling them this time of year. It could be hard for them this year (although they’ll get less white bread which isn’t so bad).
That is a lovely photo you took of the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth during your bike ride today, every town centre is like a ghost town at the moment.
I am still running 2/5Ks a week, on a Wednesday morning around 8.45 and at 9.30am on a Saturday as a 'virtual parkrun', that is the time parkruns are ran in Scotland, I wish you a speedy recovery and most of all, keep safe, also regards to UpTheStanley.
Thank you Al. I am glad to hear that you are still able to run. It must be nice to live in a less populated area at this time. Keep safe, keep running. 🏃♂️👏👏
Thanks for that photo Dexy, it's the only way I'll see the sea this weekend! I can potter around the garden and forget everything for a while, but I had to go to town for a prescription yesterday, it's so eery. Pharmacy staff in face masks 😷
Beautiful picture Dexy5. When you are IC you have to push the boundaries/ physios to find a way of keeping fit and entertained and that is just what you have done. 👏👏👍
I’ve got to do something to make up for the lemon drizzle cake I made Beachcomber66. 🍰. I’ve got another Skype consultation tomorrow so no doubt, a new set of exercises. I’m glad I was already on the books of a good physio.
Yep, give me a recovery plan and I am a happy man. My physios are providing virtual care for existing clients...I guess that means continuing ongoing care. Pity, I could do with a quick consultation! 😊
I have worked it out. They are saying that they can’t “virtually”assess an injury professionally and their insurance wouldn’t cover the work. What they are doing is giving/updating bespoke rehab plans in respect of injuries they saw and touched pre lockdown. It makes sense.
You can't do every job via zoom that is for sure....they would be working if they could. No hops or jumps or running for a week or so and then we will see.
You put a lot of effort into a short period to make a speedy HM. I spent a week running more quickly than usual trying to speed up my 10k pace. 10k Pb immediately followed by 1k Pb....just a bit too much, so now we pay the bill. Virtue out of necessity; an occasional run free zone probably does us good! 😊
Now that you put it that way, yes that is very true. I had to run very big jump distances for my last few long runs during HM training so I'm not suprised why I've had a few niggles and then a knee injury. Yes, having a rest will do us some good, and it will be even more refreshing when we can finally go running again! 😀
Great photo Dexy! When the sun shines, England really is a lovely place to be and thank goodness we can still get out to exercise. Enjoy your cycling 🚴♂️
I couldn’t get on my bike quick enough IP, it is good exercise in prep for running too, although I suspect my bottom might be reminding me it’s a while since I last got in a bike in the morning.
Yes really beautiful today and looks like it will be for the next couple of days. Getting my bike out of the shed had crossed my mind too - dependent on the outcome of tomorrow's x-ray!😀
Beautiful Dexy. The weather is being kind to us even if not much else is at the moment. ☀️
Great news that you can ride your bike now. So much more interesting than walking all the time. 🚲 I hope you’ll be able to start gentle running before too long - I bet you’ve missed it.
It must be totally eerie to see Portsmouth so quiet! I don’t think I’ve ever been there when it wasn’t busy, even on a cold winter day. Glad you are making such good progress, and the bike riding will give you a huge sense of freedom. Hurray. 😄👍🎉
Yes it was great to move a bit faster Granspeed. Lymington must be strange without the tourists too. I hear they are closing lots of car parks In the new Forest over the weekend to deter people driving in.
Yes. I think last weekend was quiet but the one before had a big influx. Most locals are respecting the “walk from home” rule, so there was a good bit of grumbling about incomers. Haven’t been in town but neighbours say it is very odd. I am strictly on local roads - the paths are too narrow to pass safely. It’s a shame in this beautiful weather....
Thanks. Hubby doing better, tho’ still under the hospital team (but at home, thank goodness.) Foot also doing better but now it’s hard to find time to get out even for short runs as OH can’t be left. Oh well, garden is getting done & house has never been so clean! 🤣
Lovely photo Dexy, it must have felt very liberating riding your bike, although it must have felt odd with hardly anyone around. Glad you are out and about. 😊
Really hoping that the lockdown is having an effect we have 29 only new cases today and still the 1 death. 🤞I love that the teddies are a thing there now ❤️ love the koala and Biggles. I’ve been doing my usual runs locally, but there are so many families out walking and riding bikes that I’ve had to keep jumping in the road to keep my distance, so I may go for a run round the garden tomorrow instead. Happy cycling to you both. X
The week off was great thanks, this week back to work is fine too, working from home today and wondering is a brisk walk round the block a couple of times counts as my walk to work or my daily exercise 😀 stay well and enjoy the bike
Thank you so much for the photo of the spinnaker! I live across the Solent and am missing that sight. I love that tower. Because of husband's age we are in strict 'retreat.' However I am still able to do my 30 minutes run, I open the gates either side of the house and run around front and back garden.
I’m so glad I took that photo then IslandOma. It sounds like you’ve got a great little course within the confines of your garden. I think any exercise you can do during this time is great for body and soul. So far, the island seems quite well protected by the Solent at the moment and I hope it stays that way for you. 🏃♀️🌞
Glad you're still able to get our on your bike - and virtually traffic free routes! I'm pretty much in the countryside but am enjoying photos and film clips of deserted towns.
Your post has made me smile. Spinnaker Tower for me is a reminder of leaving for France. We always have an on deck family selfie as we are leaving and for some reason the tower is nearly always in the photo - sunshine, drizzle, lit up at night, think we've got it in all weathers over the years!
Happy cycling & hope you're back to running soon. x
Thanks slinky, yes it’s amazing the way it pops over the horizon throughout the city too. I was fighting to keep the tower white when emirates wanted to sponsor it. I think our council really let us down on that change.
Great photo Dexy.😄 I’m so pleased that you can cycle now - it makes such a difference to be able to go that bit further & see a different view. ( It’s my sanity saver too at the moment because PF is limiting my running.)
I sympathise with your PF Elfe. My friend suffered a lot with that. Do keep up the exercises- they do work eventually. Yes I did enjoy the cycle so much yesterday.
So glad you're on the mend and I'm also tremendously grateful for my daily exercise...the lovely weather were having is also much appreciated, though not so much when I was running in 18 degree sunshine yesterday 😅
Glad you are out and about Dexy and nice to see you made it down to the Point. What time were you down there? I ran round it (plus Ben Ainslie’s place) at about 10am and it was lovely, but more hazy over the water than on your photo. It’s a pity Gunwharf is closed off as I usually add it on to an Old Portsmouth run. Managed an hour today, which was nice.
The new black Mizunos arrived this afternoon, definitely makes me see how worn the soles are on the pretty turquoise ones.
It was yesterday afternoon Coddfish, and beautifully clear as you say. I’ve never seen Spice Island so deserted, but much easier for cycling without so many cars on the road as normal.
I had my virtual physio consultation this morning and have a new set of exercises for balance and getting the ligament to work harder as it will now be repaired. About 3 weeks before run walking.
I’m glad your shoes have arrived. Maybe you can order more turquoise ones online. There are quite a few companies that Don’t charge delivery.
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My Tuesday (solo) run in sun
10k run done slowly in sun..😎
Friday run in the sun ☀️ 
