Careful, don't fall.

It was a nice day today, sunny, but very cold. I went to get Billy out for a walk, but Carol was out and the door was locked, and I don't have a key. Billy was sat on his bed, in his own bedroom, it's a bungalow. I will have to try tomorrow. Then I went to get Rocky out for a walk. The house was locked so I couldn't get him out. Maybe tomorrow. 

Well I was all togged up for a walk so I went anyway. Just a village walk, three miles. On my own, I always walk the same route. 

I happened to come across my friend Val. I haven't seen her for ages, I asked if she had been on holiday, because I know she likes a winter break with her friends. She said no, she has been in hospital. She had a fall and was kept in for four days while they did some tests. She said how awful it was, and she still doesn't know what caused the fall. From what she said, hospital is a place to avoid. The nurses are run off their feet, there aren't enough of them, and they don't always come if you ring the bell for help. Her bed was next to the nurses station and they kept the light on all night so she didn't get much sleep. She said there is a lack of communication between the nurses and the doctors. One thing she could not fault, the food was very good. 

I keep hearing stories of older people having falls, seems it is quite common. I think it might be down to distraction, not concentrating on what you are doing. The mind wanders so where you put your feet does not get enough attention. I am certainly taking my time when walking about. 

One thing I do is keeping my hands completely free, ready to hold on to a handrail or anything that is in close proximity. That's why I like a backpack. When out and about the camera stays in my pocket until I see something that I want to photograph. I stop, take it out, put it back before I move on. 

I have a cat litter box upstairs in the spare bedroom which Mickey uses. Very carefully I carry it downstairs to clean it, while holding on to the bannister with the other hand. Same going back up. Slowly and carefully. I have never had a broken a bone yet, and I hope my good luck holds out. 

I recorded this video yesterday. If you have been watching these you may have noticed how careful I am while walking outside. I try and pick flat level ground. I see some yoootooobers doing all kinds of balancing acts with their cameras. It is so easy to trip on a rock or a twig. Of course accidents happen, especially if you are not paying attention. 

That's about it for tonight. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona