Short stroll out with Ern and wor Baxter on the BTK Crossover

I am due to head down to Pace Rehab's new HQ in Manchester next week, so that Paul my prosthetist can have a look at my current BTK Crossover socket. So this morning I thought it maybe a good idea to convert the Crossover into ambulation mode, so that I could give Paul a little bit of feedback on how the socket and knee are working together. Converting the knee from sports to walking mode is as simple as removing the tendons the tendon receivers and cams and replacing the protective shells on either side of the knee. Oh and then not to forget to adjust the Rock Shox shocker, both the pressure and rebound so as to be able to walk on the knee. It only takes a few minutes once you get the hang of it.

Out with Ern, Baxter and the BTK Crossover

Have to admit it has been sometime since I walked on the Hybrid BTK Crossover as I have been using it mostly on my bikes. It is a lot different to walk on than my Ossur 2100 Total Knee. It doesn't take long to get the hang of it, however it does feel like a bit more work in that the BTK has more resistance. I think with regular use it would be like anything else you would just become accustomed to how the design works and adapt accordingly.

Baxter such a good lad

Having a little gargle in the stream

Ern (aka me dad) decided we would go for a tootle up Quakies (Quaking Houses) and up past the fell, taking in a small part of Chapman Wells nature reserve, before looping back through the woods to Quakies again. Wor Baxter is in his element when he is off the leash. Ern lets him off regularly, me well I always keep him on as I cannot exactly run after him if he buggers off. Not that he really does. Baxter never seems to go too far, well unless he spots a deer or a rabbit. I guess I am more cautious as I always worry some other dog sets about wor Baxter and he gets the blame as he is classed by many as "one of those dangerous breeds" I say "Poppy Cock" this is what is wrote on Wikipedia about the Bull Terriers Temperament

Can you spot the ickle wee Ern

Such a Poser

 






















 "Bull Terriers can be both independent and stubborn and for this reason are not considered suitable for an inexperienced dog owner. A Bull Terrier has an even temperament and is amenable to discipline. Although obstinate, they are particularly good with people. Early socialisation will ensure that the dog will get along with other dogs and animals. Their personality is described as courageous, full of spirit, with a fun-loving attitude, a children-loving dog and a perfect family member. A 2008 study in Germany showed that Bull Terriers have no significant temperament difference from Golden retrievers in overall temperament researches".

My 2 best mates

We were originally going to call Baxter Vandal

Leave, Leave

Determined to carry a stick

Managed to get a few pics using my GoPro whilst out with Ern and Baxter and although the walk was just a short one with a few stops here and there, really enjoyed being out with my dad and Baxter.

Usually likes saying hello to horses, but today had a stick

Such a handsome boy

Happy Lad

 

Short ride out after work, time to think!

I had agreed to work this Bank Holiday Monday in my new role as a health trainer. I was actually quite looking forward to meeting some of the new acquaintances I had made up at Quaking Houses Village Hall and of course representing the Health Trainer Service in speaking to other people within the community. I started at 11am and was done by around 4pm, the day flew over and was quite a success. This is my 5th week in the new role. I find chatting to people no problem, this is in fact my favourite part of my job. The paperwork side, well I'm slowly getting to grips with it, just so much to take in and remember.

As soon as I got in from work I would like to say I ran up the stairs and got ready, however it was more of a fast'ish limp, taking two steps at a time. Off with my casual stuff I had been wearing and straight on with bikey gear. The other week when I had been up to Kielder with the boys I had forgotten my under shorts so I had had to purchase a new pair at a local bike shop in this quiet little village, anyhoo I bought a complete pair of Endura baggy shorts along with liner and have to say I quite liked the fit. They also have a variety of handy pockets and appear to wash and wear well. So I popped the Endura's on complete with a base layer and my rather snazzy Troy Lee Jersey.

As I had came in I had mentioned to Ern (my dad) I was going to head out on my NS Soda just, fancied a change. The reason I mentioned it to Ern was I wasn't sure if he had been off tinkering with my NS. As I have told you before Ern has a habit of figuring it's easier to store my bikes by loosening the head clamp and turning my bars. So I just wanted to make sure my bike was in one piece and I didn't have to rebuild it from the frame up before I set off, as you never know with Ern, he may have decided it would store easier in bits in our loft or something on those lines. Anyhoo on investigation of my bike I soon found Ern on resetting up my bars and taking my hand actuated dropper post from my Ibis to pop on my NS, oh and there was a little matter of no pedals, so I had to steal a pair off my Fat Bike, which is currently without a rear wheel as Si my good friend and local bike mechanic over at Cycle Solutions has my wheel and is going to sort me out a new free wheel hub as mine is a bit knackered.

Ok bars sorted,seat post sorted and a set of pedals. I grabbed my trusty Panasonic Lumix, the new shiny Blue one I had to purchase after wor Kyle lost my brand new shiny orange one in a lake last year. Weird as the cameras are exactly the same brand and model, however I feel the orange one took a better picture. I couldn't be bothered to fill my Camelbak bladder so just hoyed a bottle of ice cold pop which I had had chilling in the fridge into my backpack and I was off.

In typical fashion, didn't have any real clue where I was going. Decided to head through glass wood, no that's not it's proper name I just call it that as it's full of glass, due to the under age Lambrini girls and boys, well I suppose the boys drink larger or cider. I could have just as easily chosen to call the wood tin wood to I suppose.

NS Soda Air