Personal Update: I Finally Got My Knee Injection!

Hi, all!

I hope you're well and that you're all enjoying the wonderful weather that we've been getting (although it is a bit hot for my tastes, not to be a curmudgeon lol!). It's great to see everybody out and enjoying the nice weather.

I got in for my first swim recently. I went out to Greysones with my Uncle Joe. It was a lovely swim and there were still a lot of people on the beach at 6.30pm when we got there. And great to have Joe for company. I don’t remember seeing the beach so packed.

Greystones is one of my favourite places and it had been a few years since I was last out there. I have lots of fond memories of the times I've spent there and it was great to be back. It's a lovely place.

I've just gotten a cortisione injection which I'm very happy about it. It was a long wait to get one, it feels like my knee was in a bad shape for nearly 2 years and it's a relief to have finally gotten one.

The procedure itself was fine. Just a little sting and it was done. I hadn't know quite what to expect. I don't have much of a problem with needles and I was talking with the nurse to distract me.

The injection doesn't work instantaneously but it shouldn't be too long before I can stand up straight and walk without hobbling! Lol, but I have missed the simpler things in life, the stuff that you take for granted. I'll be back going for long walks as soon as I know it.

I've been keeping busy with things and trying to be active and keep to a routine. You'll probably have heard that my brother Steve suffered quite a serious medical incident recently but he's recovering well and getting the best care.

He's a terrifc guy, very healthy and despite the scare he should be back to being his usual, bright wonderful self in no time. It's been a tough time for the family but all the positive messages that we've gotten from friends and family have helped a lot, so I want to thank everyone.

It's important to keep positive about things and look to the future with an open mind. I know that when I'm negative about things that it doesn't help me and doesn't improve the situation, so it’s best to be pragmatic. I'm also part of a very strong and supportive family which I'm very greatful for.

I've been going to the gym,and I'm hoping to pick up the pace a bit now that my knee should be getting better. I've also been reading a lot. Some books about rugby, philosophy, history, astronomy. The usual stuff.

Also, some fiction, including old favourites like the Hobbit and Star Wars lol! I'm also reading Around the World In 80 Days, by Jules Verne, who is considered one of the fathers of science fiction. It's a great story, there's a cartoon adaptation that I watched in the '80s about it.

I'm also reading Don Quixote, which is another great read. I usually have a few books on the go at the same time, to lookk at. I dip in and out, depending on my mood. It's handy having the Kindle as I can have them all open at the same time!

I'm also following the Lions tour, in Australia. It's great! The Lions are my favourite rugby team and it's always a joy to follow their progress and it's also nice to have that distraction, atm.

The Lions have been doing well, apart from losing the first match, against Argentina. Which was in Dublin. I was actually in London at the time, but we got to watch it in the great hotel that we were staying in, who were very helpful.

It's always difficult to gauge how the Lions are doing. The focus is on the Test series, and the provincial/club games are used to gel the players, always difficult when bringing together players from 4 different countries who are used to competing against each other.

The series against Australia should be great, although Australia aren't at their best at the moment, but they will always lift their game against the Lions and Australia are also coached by former Irish coach Joe Schmidt, who had Lions coach Andy Farrell as his assitant, which adds some layers to the contests.

While it's great to be able to cheer the player from 4 countries, this Lions series could see a record participation from Ireland, with a possible 7 or 8 playes in the starting 15, which would be great.

So, onwards and upwards and thanks for reading!