One year on

It is a year ago today that I broke my hip; a challenging year that is sorting itself out very well now following my total hip replacement in June.

I saw a consultant Orthopaedic man on last Friday; he is very pleased with my progress but does say it will probably take until approximately mid-2017 (a year on from the total hip replacement) to fully 'recover' and get all my strength back in my right leg but at the same time he does advise working (!) and playing normally.

However the purpose of this post is not to talk about my hip but to take the opportunity of saying 'thank you' (in reality two totally inadequate words in the circumstances) to all of you for all the kindness, help, support, taxi services, mothering, counselling and just being there and so on over the last year - it's been a huge help and something that makes me feel so very humble and is something I shall never forget.

On Wednesday (2-November) I helped crew Sculptor - the Canal & River Trust's historic, former working boat, based at the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne - back from Weedon where it had been undergoing some much needed maintenance.  It's a year since I crewed Sculptor; I was pleased to realise I hadn't forgotten how to bring her through the 2.8km of Blisworth Tunnel without touching the sides!

And what does the future hold?  Well the lovely Orthopaedic man said that in all probability my new hip will last some time but conversely it may fail without warning. He said it is man-made and we were never as good at putting things together as mother nature.  Live life (just the one life!) as if your hip hadn't been replaced but if it fails just let us know and we'll get the tools out to repair it - wise advice I think.

Thank you all so much and with special thanks to:

• Liz Soames of Working Bodies in Towcester who has persevered with me over the last year.
• Stephanie (Mother) Furniss
• Vicky Martin - who was always 'there' for me in the early days
• Rob & Helen Westlake who made sure I didn't spend last Christmas at home after being discharged from NGH on 23-December
• José Blanco who repaired me (twice!)