Hobbling Chester fan

This blog has become a series of posts detailing my illnesses and misfortunes it seems, so I don't want to disappoint you dear reader. The sun is beating down outside as I write this, but it surely cannot last, actually, it won't, just checked the forecast.

Month started with a hospital appointment for the broken bone in hand, was a waste of time as the break was a month before, basically it will heal mostly on it's own, but do still have a small lump of bone, which, apparently should diminish over time. The hand is more or less ok now, other than a bit of stiffness, still, if I was a boxer it might be a problem!

Went to Leven by train, walked to the Railway Inn in Lower Largo and back, it is a nice coastal stretch in good weather and the rail link to Leven is great, but I'm sure I've said that before. Went again to Leven for steak pie at the Windsor a few days ago, alas the great food there is soon to stop for whatever reason.

Near the middle of the month my next issue arose- a horrible gout attack on the big toe joint on the right foot! I was basically disabled for 2 days, but amazingly got a doctor appointment and hobbled into the surgery. Got 3 different drugs which made it possible to walk with discomfort within 2 days. That was just as well as I had to get bus to Manchester on that day, at least that was the plan, but as I waited for train to Edinburgh on morning of the 15th, I got a message saying Flixbus was cancelled! So I had to rebook on a bus to Leeds, then got train to Chester from there, total stress! The normal train from Edinburgh to Chester wasn't available due to rail works. 

The week in Chester was again very good, this time with Clemens instead of Oliver. Third time in a row in the same cottage next to the city walls. The time went very quickly and much ale was drunk, though maybe not up to my usual standard because of previously mentioned medications. Was in Manchester, also in Wrexham during the time in Chester, Wrexham isn't up to much so should have got train along North Wales coast to more scenic areas. The pubs in Chester superb as always, surely won't be my last visit, we'll see. 

Made my steps target despite the gout attack, I was lucky really as had the attack been even a day or two later I probably couldn't have travelled at all. I am due for a blood test at doctor in a week or so, we'll see what that brings. 

I really should be out the garden cutting the ivy on a day like this, but had a couple of beers and I cannot be bothered. Both budgies seem happy enough, they don't like winter, but sunny days remind them of their Australian homeland I'm sure.

Here a few photos, a fat bore outside the Fat Boar in Wrexham, a view of the cottage from the Chester city walls, and the famous Chester clock, apparently the second most photographed clock in the UK.