Thursday, February 26, 2015

First Citadel Walk of 2015...With New Knee!


It's not the entire walk, mind you, but an hour's worth that got the inspirational juices flowing on a gorgeous, sunny Sunday this past weekend.  It's enough to get anyone outside and moving!

Because we can access the citadel path just a few steps from our senior-complex's back door,
we'd be stupid not to walk-the-walk as often as possible.
Our Nooit Volmaakt windmill is just a block away if you turn right on the path.
But we turned left.


It so happens that THAT's where Astrid filmed me climbing the steps,
at 6+ weeks post knee-replacement surgery.
It was a big deal for me.  Ta-Dah!

Within seconds on turning left at the top of the stairs, this is what we saw.
The winding paths (upper and lower levels) thrill my soul.

And the trees!  The trees.
The former war-bunker mounds give them life and form.

Then come the sycamore trees.
The greenish hue on the bark makes it look like spring has arrived.
Soon.

That's where we also spotted a clump of snowdrops.
I had never seen snowdrops till I moved to Europe.

After the sycamore grove, it's time to cross the Westwagenstraat that takes you in and out
of the citadel across the Korte Brug.  Water surrouds the citadel, of course.
It's called the binnenstad = inner city, where we're lucky to live.

You may remember this map from before, with the red dot showing where we live.

On the other side of the Westwagenstraat, the path continues towards the Merwede river...

...and the bench that was our destination for the day, before turning back.

You could spend hours sitting there, watching the freighters pass by way off in the distance,
to and from Rotterdam, one of the main ports of Europe.
Closer in, the harbor is one of Gorinchem's two port entries.

Next walk, I'll try to go further, but that was enough for one day.
The fluid on the knee will build up for a year, they say, so I just pay attention.

Speaking of which, 2 days after my last post, when I couldn't yet cycle backwards, I could!
That means my new goal is to cycle forwards!  Eline says "It'll come, Ginnie!"

18 comments:

  1. Ginnie, I'm so impressed with how well you are doing! That is a good walk for a person with a new knee. It just seems that everything went so well and that makes me happy. Also, you and Astrid have a beautiful walk right outside your door. It's all looks as though it's bursting out with new life! Love to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Susie, for sharing this journey with me/us. That means a lot. It's a long row to hoe, but the seeds planted are already sprouting, ready for Spring. I expect to be a very happy camper by then! :)

      Delete
  2. It really is very beautiful and would inspire anyone for a walk, even with a new knee! Well, maybe especially? In no time you'll be back, better than for a long time, I think. Just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never tire of where we live, Ruth. Just think how often I say that! I do know that one of these days I'll be zipping around like crazy...the first time in a long time. So worth all the hassle now! Thanks for sharing it with me.

      Delete
  3. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful news! Keep at it. I even sent your blog to a friend who has just has the surgery. I think she is working on replacing everything and then living for ever.

    Your shot down the axis of sycamores - squeezed tiny at the bottom of a montage, deserves a spot of its own. What a grand colonnade!

    Snow drops outside our dining room window are always our first glimpse of spring. Often they are true to their name, coming up through the snow. Jane planted about a square foot of them 40 years ago, and now they have spread over the bank. Enjoy your approaching spring. We are still in the jaws of bitter cold.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing this journey, Ted. Being positive and upbeat about the whole thing goes a long way, I think. Not everyone has as good an experience as I'm having...and mine isn't always "the best." However, I'm totally committed to the rehabilitation and will do what it takes to be on top of the world again. I'll have physical therapy for a full year after my initial 24 sessions, twice a week. The government allows for insurance to pay anything after the first 20 sessions, so I feel good about the access I have to good training.

      I never saw snowdrops wherever I lived in America, so lucky you to know all about them because of Jane. One day you'll have to take a picture of them for me!

      Delete
  4. What a great milestone Ginnie. Amazing and you are my hero!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're a sweetheart, Donna. Thank you. These milestones are very important to me right now during my rehabilitation!

      Delete
  5. Ginnie, that is outstanding! I looked at your video – I wish I could go up stairs that easily …. I am so happy for you as I know well how hard it is when one wants to walk and the knees don’t cooperate any longer. You have made such progress but I also know that you must have worked hard at flexing your knees and doing your exercises, so you have been very diligent and it shows! Of course being able to walk in such lovely surroundings helps you keep up the good work. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've nailed it all, Vagabonde. Totally! :) Thank you.

      Delete
  6. It looks like you (like us) have some great walks on your doorstep. It is lovely to hear that you are able to get out and about after your surgery and enjoy it all :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, Anne. One day maybe we can share our walks with each other. That will be wonderful! Thank you.

      Delete
  7. Every new goal attained must be so exciting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, Michael. VERY. And thank you for stopping by here...and commenting. That really means the world to me.

      Delete
  8. LOVED seeing you climb those steps!! Such wonderful progress! YOU GO GIRL!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SHE'S BAAAAAACK! I always love seeing you, Robin, especially after all your galavanting. THANK YOU.

      Delete
  9. OK! You're now ready for the marathon.

    ReplyDelete

Texel Island, NL, 2024: Renovations

  To be honest, I thought I had already posted about our January trip to start some renovations in Jaap's bungalow, as a gift from Astri...