Hemswell Antiques Centre and Gainsborough

I booked my support worker for a day out today and since the weather forecast was looking rather miserable the plan was to go to the antiques centre at Hemswell Cliff, a few miles east of Gainsborough. That's what we did, since it's the default option for rainy days, but the weather was much better than expected and so we only stayed there for a couple of hours before going to Gainsborough to have a look round.

We stopped at the Trent Port pub en route for breakfast but we won't be going there again; we were treated rather rudely because Siobhan was struggling to use the vehicle registration parking permit system which they've implemented to prevent dogwalkers from using the pub car park.

I'm not sure how many separate buildings there are that are being used as antique centres at Hemswell Cliff; it must be maybe six or eight...of differing quality. [It's an old RAF base.] We only went inside three of them, and only climbed up to the first floor in one of them - my legs, which aren't strapped up as much now as they used to be, managed okay.

We went in the charity shops, and a few other shops in Gainsborough. I bought a Shrewsbury biscuit from one of the bakeries - the women who served me was very patronising because I pronounced 'Shrewsbury' differently to what she does. I've never seen a Shrewsbury biscuit before; it's a large shortbread biscuit with a chocolate design on it.

We found a nice coffee shop down by the river which has a lovely terrace which will be nice to sit out on in the summer; we ate our tea and cakes inside though.

Things Are Improving

There's been a noticeable improvement in the condition of my knees recently, I no longer need to wear my heavy duty brace on my right knee any more...I still put it in my rucksack when I go to the shops though, or go out with my support worker. I had hoped to visit Bakewell this week or next week, just to have a look round the town; something I've not done for several years...I tend to just use it as a base for starting or finishing walks, or changing buses. I've had to stay in Doncaster though because of commitments, a broken boiler and workmen coming to insulate my kitchen roof.

Beningbrough Hall

I was able to download and print out a voucher valid for free admission for two adults to many National Trust properties and chose to book a day out with my support worker and go to Beningbrough Hall, a few miles northwest of York.

We stopped for breakfast at Crown Garden Centre, just north of Askern yet over the county boundary in North Yorkshire.

The interior of the hall was disappointing, it's in the process of being renovated and a lot of the contents have been temporarily removed - the gardens weren't looking their best either.

Legs Update

Today has been the first day I've noticed any real improvement in the condition of my legs since I did some serious damage to my tendons and quadriceps muscles eight weeks ago when I was running for a bus at Bakewell. I've managed all day walking about the house and garden without having to wear any strapping or knee braces, and for the last few nights I've had an undisturbed night's sleep because my legs haven't been too painful. My initial assessment that I won't be out walking until the New Year stills looks pretty accurate though, my legs are still weak and ache at times.

Extended 257 Route on Sundays

I'm not walking at the moment because I'm recuperating from my knee injuries and so I hadn't noticed this, but since the beginning of September the 257 bus from Sheffield has been running a longer route over the other side of the Snake Pass serving New Mills and Whaley Bridge.