My Tarn Hows Challenge

Last week we were in the Lake District at long last. It was third time lucky.Twice over the last few months we have packed and been ready to go, then weather forecasts of gales have stopped us in our tracks. It is already a long journey there and as I'm still recovering from my transplant we didn't think it very sensible to be travelling in gale force winds and heavy rain. 

I have been carrying a dream of being able to walk around Tarn Hows once more since I have had my transplant. Walking in the Lake District was something I had done all my life up to the last four years. I had already come to terms and accepted that it was something I would never be able to do again and then came the chance of transplant and hope. 

As soon as I began to recover and the physios got me up and moving I began to realise that the possibility of going for a walk again was very real. The dream of doing this and walking once again in the Lake District gave me the motivation to try really hard with my physio, even on days when I didn't really want to  do it, as I knew my dream wouldn't ever come true if I didn't. I kept thinking of the beautiful walk that trails all around the scenic Tarn Hows and had it firmly fixed in my mind that that was the walk I was aiming for as soon as I felt fit enough. 

So I focused all my efforts to build my fitness up and trying to build up my strength again with Tarn Hows and it's stunning walk always in my mind and motivating me on. 

The forecast was rain for most of the week, but there was no way that was going to put me off. It was a very bleak, cold and dismal looking day, but I was well prepared with all the usual gear. I even had my waterproof 'over' trousers and a waterproof over my coat, so I could stay warm and dry. I didn't want catching out with getting too wet or cold half way round. I'm fiercely protective of my new heart and lungs - especially my delicate new lungs. 

I have built up my walking to two or three kilometres now and use a pedometer to measure what I've managed. The walk around Tarn Hows is about three kilometres, but there are also a few steep gradients, which make it a little more difficult to what I've been practising. 

Here I am all set and prepared! Laden down in waterproofs, but I'm confident I can do it. 

There are lovely views even in the dismal rain and cloud. 

There was a bit of a wind blowing up and the trees were having a good old creak. I wasn't sure whether some were that safe after all the gales we have had in winter. It did cross my mind more than once, that I've been through all that illness and then a huge transplant operation and now I'm going to get knocked down by a tree! 

You see what I mean? There was lots of evidence of all the storms we have had. 

Half way round and time for a five minute stop and to take in the view down the tarn. 

Up the hill and through the woods, working our way round we go! 

Still a way to go, but on the homeward stretch back now! 

Back to base, I've done it! Dream achieved! 

I had believed I would never be able to do this again over the last few years and here I am home and dry - yes dry, the rain held off, it was that blowy! The only thing that was missing was the sunshine - it was always blue sky, fluffy clouds and sun in my dreams! 

It is a very strange and surreal feeling to find yourself doing things you believed you would never do again, it is a feeling I just can't get used to or really quite believe. I can't help but wonder if this feeling of amazement will ever cease to go away, I'm not sure I want it to either: while I have this feeling I know I appreciate every minute of the new life I have and every step I take! 

Completing my walk and my dream on this day was simply in honour of my donor, who has given me the wonderful chance of having my life back again. 

Walking, Walking, Walking!

Crocuses shining in the sun at last! 

It's a gorgeous sunny Sunday: the sun is shining at long last after those horrendous gales of the last few days. Friday night's gale had kept us up on and off for most of the night and we spent Saturday feeling tired and fed up of the continuing miserable weather. It was like a rare treat at last waking up to some sunshine and a calm day.

Walking? Me?

I stood at the foot of the lake at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire. I'm wearing my wellington boots, because it's been so wet and the grounds are muddy. There is nothing odd or unusual about that to anyone, but for our family it is another 'first' to celebrate. We are posing like tourists while Sarah takes a photo and laughing because I've just walked a good kilometre or so from the cafe to the lake. I've only ever been to Wrest Park since I fell ill - it's only been open this last few years- and I've only ever got to the end of the lake in a wheelchair before now. I'm grinning like a cheshire cat, not quite believing I've been able to do this and that I've still got loads of energy left for more. 

Stunning statue

Has the wind not blown you away yet? 

We wind our way further along by the moat now, treading carefully through a minefield of fallen tree branches - a reminder of the previous day's weather - but enjoying the warm sun, the views and the waterside. 

A crisp day for reflection

I'm snap happy with my camera, everything always looks so different and more beautiful in the sunlight. There are a lot of people out and about, I think everyone is uplifted to see the sunshine and they've all had the same idea to get out and enjoy the day. I'm feeling uplifted too, but I'm also amazed yet again at what I'm managing so easily to do. Walking, just simply walking! Walking a long way, walking at a good pace, walking normally, walking in my wellies! I feel like jumping and singing and cannot quite believe I'm having a walk around this beautiful place at long last: no wheelchairs, no walking sticks, no stopping to catch my breath, no searching for the next bench to sit on. I cannot quite take it in. It's a simple everday thing, but for me it's enormous.

This time I got to climb the steps and admire the view from the bridge

Snap happy! 

I just wanted to keep walking on and walking on and walking on. It suddenly felt alien and new as though I shouldn't be able to do it, but then I can. My family laugh at me when I tell them to get a move on. They cannot quite get used to the idea of me walking at a faster pace, they have got used to walking slowly with me and now they are having to speed up. They all complain that their legs are aching, but my legs want to just carry on and on. I think my legs are enjoying the novelty of it! 

Just ambling and enjoying the views

Sunshine in the orangery

We wander back to the cafe and shop and I reckon I've now managed to walk nearly four kilometres without a rest or sit down. I still feel I've got energy for more, I can't quite believe I'm able to do this so soon - just four and a half months post heart and double lung transplant. 

I always had a dream while I waited for my transplant that I would be able to don my walking boots and walk around Tarn Hows in the Lake District once again, just like I used to do. This dream kept me going while I waited the long hard wait for my transplant. After my transplant when I felt weak and was struggling at times, this dream drove me on every time the physio came to see me in hospital and I really only wanted to curl up in bed and rest: to get my dream I knew I had to put a false smile on my face and do what I was told instead. This dream drove me on when I first came home and wanted to lie on the settee and rest away the trauma of the transplant: I knew I had to try and get on that exercise bike and keep practising walking if I was to get there. 

 I know this dream is about to come true now. I just need to wait for the weather to improve and the gales to stop so we can actually get to the Lake District at last: it will then be, 'Tarn Hows here I come with my walking boots and all!' I will be living my dream. 

Transplant changes lives and makes dreams come true! 

Statues in the sky