Categories: general
Date: 24 May 2009 11:27:34
Mr B and I are currently enjoying a 2 week holiday away from work. Last week we walked (most of) Hadrian's Wall. It went well. The first couple of days were tough, because we weren't used to carrying our big rucksacks for 10 miles a day. But surprisingly, after that, we got used to it and we got quicker and less achy. It didn't help that during the first 2 days the 'Hadrian's Wall bus' didn't go along that bit of the wall. On the second day by 5pm we'd done 10 miles and still had another 5 to go, the strong wind had been blowing in our faces all afternoon and we were knackered, so we called for a taxi. Which seemed like a cop out, but I think it was the sensible thing to do. In the middle of the week we had a rest day, where we went to Vindolanda and the Roman Army museum, caught the bus inbetween the two, and then walked 4 miles to the B&B. I was very impressed with Vindalanda - they are constantly excavating and the number of roman artifacts they've found is really quite amazing.
My ankle didn't hurt half as much as I was expecting it to. I wore my support bandage, took ibuprofen everyday and used my walking poles, and it was fine. Occasionally it would be a bit sore, but nothing like it was doing with my 12 hour shifts. I had thought that maybe it was better, but then yesterday when we were walking around shops, it was more sore again. Maybe it's to do with the shoes I'm wearing or the different kind of strains on it.
We're now on the second half of our holiday - a relaxing week in Birmingham. The only responsibilities we have is to look after 13 animals... it's not as bad as it sounds. We're looking after a dog, and a cat... and the cat next door whose owner has had a stroke, and 10 fish. It was sold as 'dog-sitting' whilst it's family (close friends of Mr B's) go to Spain. But then when we got here we were also given instructions about the cats and the fish (which they'd only acquired the day before!). Its fine though, the cats only really need feeding, and the dog's quite old so he sleeps a lot. And the fish... well, I haven't seen any of them yet. They're outside in a barrell, fulled with cloudy water and a few plants. And I'm beginning to think they might all be dead. Either because the water doesn't have enough oxygen or because a heron has eaten them. Or they could just be hiding at the bottom and eating natural food rather than the food I've put in. I got the impression they were more of an experiment and the family haven't had chance to become attached yet, so if any of them are going to die, I'm glad its the fish!
As well as caring for the menagery, we're going to do touristy stuff in Birmingham - go to museums, parks and generally relax. Until Friday anyway, when Mr B goes off to work at a festival and I go back home.