on

 and on... and on a bit more.

So today was a first.... I unlocked the popemobile and climbed into the driver's seat..... turned the key.... and predictably..... nothing!

One short phone call later and i've a new battery delivered and installed.

Now.... this may seem rather unremarkable.....

Given that the vehicle hasn't been driven for five months and it's simply sat there, unloved and unoccupied..... the battery being dead, is a given!

The thought of getting into a car isn't a new phenomena for me.... i've struggled to get in and out of vehicles for the entirety of my condition.... the first few times was a case of shuffling backwards, into the back seat, and sitting side-saddle with my leg stretched across the width of the car.  More recently i've been able crunch my leg up and make it into the front passenger seat.  What was strange today was that this was the first time i've entered the vehicle on the driver's side..... busted leg first, as it were......  it wasn't particularly comfortable as experiences go, but it happened, and i reckon i could drive the vehicle at least.

To celebrate the fact that i could go for a drive if i so wished, i went for a walk.  I've walked as far as the post box lately.... up the village, and back down.... today i decided to push on.... up New Hey Road, past the chapel and the post box..... turned right along Gosport Lane.... struggled  on the slightly downward sloping path to Forest Hill Road.... turned right and walked down to the bowling club where i cut back through the houses and home again.....  mebbe twenty five minutes but it was far enough for today.

Here's a photo i took to illustrate how hard i have to focus on where i am putting my feet so i don't inadvertently trip, slip, keel over...... i mean, look at me with two feet on the floor and that.....