Our friend Romaine was here for a few days and took her daily short walk up the road with Meredith.
“Robin not walking anymore?”
“Seems not at the moment….”
This comment was duly reported back to the sometime walker who was busy watching others exert themselves impressively in the World Athletic Championships–enjoyable.
No immediate reaction then from the “no-longer” walker.
The comment, however, left its mark–like a nagging truth one’s been trying to ignore.
At supper last night prompted by Ben, our sleek, fleet of foot, black cat–mercury on the move–agitating for a postprandial forage, the subject came up again.
“You’ve given up walking?”
“Uhm…”
I had just eaten–I say it myself–a delicious plate of Mellanzane Parmigiana (aubergine in tomato sauce with parmesan)* and simple tomato salad–and was feeling benign–not like walking exactly, at that moment you understand, but positive towards the idea of walking again.
I heard myself saying:
“I should walk at 6am at this time of year–before the sun gets up and it gets too hot.”
My relationship with the sun changed a few years ago, after a small operation to remove a squamous cell carcinoma close to my nose.
The fiery beast has become like a friend you’ve fallen out with–and cross the road to avoid.
I spend my time dodging the ultra-violet.
Sad paranoia.
Silly too, as I have hats–effective ones–and sunblock.
The former I enjoy, the latter I don’t.
The remark at dinner was well-timed and I resolved to get up at 6am and walk.
I didn’t commit to this publicly at the time, which meant that this morning it was with a glow of virtuousness that I delivered Meredith her hot drink at 7.30.
“You went for a walk?!”
Yes–and as I left the “precincts,” I saw a small figure approaching out of the darkness, as surprised to see me as I was to see him.
Beau takes his duties seriously
Our head cat–Beau–was out on his early morning walk–patrolling the perimeter.
We greeted–and went our ways….
Beau, night work completed, takes a break.
- see page 176 of my book Mediterranean Cooking for Diabetics
Robin Ellis 
I know I should but can’t seem to do it. You (and Meredith) inspire!
Having trouble with the walking business m’self, so you’ve got plenty of empathy coming your way from Boston. xo to you and Meredith (I feel as though I know you.
Thanks, Fiona.
Very glad to hear you’ve started walking again, Robin. As you know, it’s part of the recipe for keeping diabetes in check. Well done, sir.
Thanks!
Do keep at it. I have to walk our dog – perfect excuse to get out! Even when I don’t want to, she does. I wear a hat and go early, especially on hot humid days. Some days we keep to the level roads, cooler ones we are energized and take the slopes, such as they are near me.
Thanks for the encouragement, Nancy–I will try.
Congratulations, Robin!
Sounds like a lovely meal, as usual, tool
Millie
Thanks, Millie.
I probably missed a post, but why are you having trouble walking? Truly hope it’s getting much better.
No–just lost the habit.
Robin,as we all are well acquainted with,the first steps are hardest in getting back into a fitness routine.Wonderful excuses abound, just waiting for us !
But you have motivation,and your lovely wife(and sweet Beau!) to give you encouragement—with a team like that on your side,success is sure to follow!
I wouldn’t be without hat and sunblock;after 4PM when the worst rays are gone seems to work best for me.
Hang in there and don’t give up!
Thank you for this and you are right about The Team!
Dear Sir
Thanks for this post.
Beautiful images, as always.
I wear compression stockings, but for DVT and venous insufficiency, rather than diabetes. I wonder whether stockings are useful for diabetes too, or rather if one needs something not confining instead?
All the best
Not there yet, but circulation problems are a common part of diabetic life.
We both know the feeling, Robin! “Go for a walk? Gee, I’d like to finish this first,” etc, etc. But hubby’s numbers are always better, even with a little walk. We like to go in the evening as the sun goes down. I prefer making the loop around our development, but unless we back-track, returning home along the main road has become scary lately. It seems people do everything but pay attention to their driving! Gene prefers the rubberized track at the school a few miles away. Not quite so convenient, though. So we’ve got to keep at it, too. Wish our “country lane” was more like yours!
You meet the nicest “people ” on early morning walks!
Same situation here! I need inspiration to “walk” again. I know I will feel better when I do. Fingers crossed. Joan
Sent from my iPhone
>
I hope the walk cleared your head and helped make way for new thoughts. That has always been my motivation for a walk. If I don’t consider it exercise I’m more apt to go. I’m fooling nobody by this method. Beau seems to take his patrolling the grounds very seriously. What a sweetheart, he was happy to see you out and about as his backup guard. Your home is in a lovely setting, would lend itself to a canvas nicely.
Take care of each other, felines included!
Denise
So glad that you are walking again Robin. Sensible though to avoid the sun.
I like the theory, but… good for you for actually starting. (Maybe I need to lose my car keys!)
Oh–go on!
Well done its hard to take the first steps back. Having been in a wheelchair on and off for the past two years I had lost my confidence but not wanting to become totally sedentary I thought I’m going to try and push past this. Now I’m up walking doing more each day and gaining strength and determined to carry on now. Id take a tip from Beau go for a morning perusal of your territory then flat on your back to recover!!
Well done and bonne continuation!
Several years ago realising that our children were getting older and this was probably the last year they would be happy to go away on holiday with mum and dad we planned a ‘special’ break. However we also had a very enthusiastic and active Border Collie called Jessie. My parents gamely agreed to look after Jessie and Dad said he would be the walker. If she had two good walks a day you reaped the benefits of a quiet evening and so in full knowledge of the facts Dad signed up. Eight days in he thought he was going to die !! Muscles that he didn’t even know he had were aching. By day fourteen he felt fitter and had more energy and had lost a couple of pounds. He continued his walking even after we got back. Jessie has sadly passed away but Dad still walks. Shorter distances and a slower pace now and whilst he has his medical issues he celebrated his 94th birthday last weekend.
I keep saying I hope I have his genes but sadly I think the walking might be the clue so boots at the ready I might join you Robin……….. might !!
Great story! Felicitations a voter pére.
Robin, I am sure that if you have started your daily walk again, you will find a pleasure in repeating it. Walking – in addition to exercise – may give you inspiration for nice thoughts and good suggestions for your cooking! And there is always something to discover even if you have seen the local landscape thousand times! As per the sun, I had a melanoma on my right side (flank) and was operated twice in 2013 to completely remove it. Except when I was in my twenties, when I was used to sunbathe and swim at every hour, since 1998 I have been using total sunblock and since a few years even under my make up – following instructions of the dermatologists treating me – and when I fancy – not this Summer though! – I sunbathe on the beach at good hours, that is early in the morning or late in the afternoon ALWAYS with total SUNBLOCK. It is important to get some sun vitamine too! Just avoid the hottest days or hours. And have at least a skin check once in a year. So do not fear the sun too much, walk at nice hours and enjoy the peace, quiet and beauty of your countryside! I am sure you will be walking back home with more appetite….. Foooorza Rooobiiiiinnnn!!!! 🙂 A hug to you and Meredith!
Very good advice, Paola–thank you.
I am enjoying my early early mornings and mean to continue.
Robin, Was just watching you on the GET TV channel The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb was on this past weekend (hope you’re getting your residuals!). Yes, that walking thing, I too must get onto it more. My excuse is the heat and humidity, the tradewinds have been fine lately so I really have no excuse. Aloha
You should move back to London we never get the sun 😎
Good to read more of your blog, Mr. Ellis. Liked the photos of your cats. Can tell you look after them well. They’re on fine form.
Perhaps exercise shouldn’t be your goal, a la writer Wallace Stevens: “Sometimes the truth depends on a walk around the lake.”
Up the hill and back again in my case and a course of action can emerge.
Double gain.
Your Beau reminds me of my Lizzie. Good for you on the walking. We just returned from Quebec City which, I discovered is VERY steep! After loads of walking I realized I should have been doing far more before I went! The regime is back on! I’ll stick to it if you do!
Go for it!
Walk while you can, Robin! I haven’t been able to walk properly for months due to problems with my Achilles tendon and the main tendon in my calf all of which have given me problems with the opposite knee. I see people walking normally without giving it any thought and I envy them so much. My world has become very small and I miss walking with my husband. If I ever get over this I’m going to walk till I drop!
I hope you are able to “get over it” and walk again. Perhaps you are able to use an exercise bike?