Sometimes it feels like old age has come a little too quickly recently. Yes, of course, I am getting older and with age there comes compromise. It just feels too quick, infringing on my freedom. Multiple Sclerosis doing its thing. Building walls that are closing in too quickly.
Small Escapes
There are moments, though, when the walls that are trying to close me in get… a little …unstable. Such moments are different to what they used to be. In the past it would be long walk or a big cycling ride. Perhaps an epic cycling climb. Epic for me, at least. Acts of resistance.
Now?
A short walk somewhere beautiful. A good ride that actually causes my legs to ache as opposed to going numb. Reading a good book. Writing these words.
A smaller escape? Perhaps. But better a smaller escape than none at all.
Celebrating What I Have
The Austrian Alps have been perfect to start this journey. A new phase. Learning to make the most of less.
It is too easy to reflect on the fact that, only two years ago, I had climbed Col du Tourmalet. With a lot of stops but still climb completed. I cannot do that anymore. I didn’t write about it then, perhaps a little ashamed.
But I can still cycle a reasonable distance and see the world around me from a different angle. I cannot complete the long walks of the past but, luxury of western world, I can take a cable car to the summit of a mountain and look down on the clouds. And remember them.
My moments. No-one can take them away from me.
