Update: Ready to Roll (again)

It’s been a week, and I’ve spent a lot of that week with one foot elevated, doing constant gentle physio exercises on my ankle.

I’ve also today purchased mountain-bike style SPD clipless cycling shoes, which lock into my pedals (along with high visibility overshoes and gloves) from the fabulous people at Sprockets Cycles in Kilmarnock.

The upshot is: I can cycle again! We don’t have time now for me to cycle to Oban to meet the ferry, so Sarah and I will drive up there tomorrow to make our way to Iona. After a few days’ retreat together, we’ll take ferries and busses up to Fort William, from where I’ll resume the human-powered element of the pilgrimage.

There is still be a lot of healing and strengthening to do on my ankle, especially for sideways movements. I won’t be able to hike uneven paths for a few weeks, and certainly not with a heavy pack, but straightforward cycling doesn’t need lateral stability.

Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers over the past week as I focussed on healing. It’s not always been an easy time, and I’ve appreciated each and every message, even if I didn’t respond to them all.

I’m looking forward to posting regular updates again from tomorrow; in the meantime, here’s a picture of Charlie on the beach at Troon in the late evening sunlight.