The weekend before last (July 9 - 11) was my last weekend before the 2nd eye operation, and since the first op was almost 4 weeks ago by then, I was allowed almost everything I wanted to do (with caution).
It was a weekend with a mix of sunshine, rain and thunderstorms; as most of you know from the news, the rain and thunderstorms caused a lot of damage in many parts of Germany as well as other countries in central Europe. Thankfully, neither O.K.'s nor my area were in trouble, and I am selfishly glad that all my family and friends are safe and well. Still, I am not untouched by the dramatic events; the death toll has risen to somewhere around 120 as far as I know, and the worst affected regions will suffer from the aftermath not for days, weeks or months, but years to come.
Anyway, this post is about what the weekend was like for me - if you think that's shallow and callous, feel free to not read on.
On the Saturday, we finally went for the type of hike I enjoy so much: straight from the cottage, rucksacks packed with sandwiches and water bottles, and a total of just over 24 km, all at a leisurely pace.
Surprisingly few other people were out and about, making for a peaceful and quiet atmosphere in the woods. I loved every minute of it, especially knowing that for several weeks to come, I was not going to be able (or allowed) to do something like that.
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View across Diersburg
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We were headed to the wind mills you can see in the distance.
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One of the two wind mills at the top of Steinfirst.
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This completely harmless grass snake (Ringelnatter; natrix natrix) was fully aware of us and made haste to cross the path to safety. The snake was about as long as my arm from finger tips to elbow.
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On Sunday, we decided on a walk instead of a hike, and drove the short distance to Ortenberg. You have seen the castle and surrounding vineyards a few times on my blog, but we took a slightly different circuit route from the parking lot behind the town hall, so that we came back with a view of the castle we had not yet seen.
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These tiny moths were on the hydrangea near the front door of O.K.'s cottage, maybe 2 cm across. Sorry for the slightly blurry picture, but they looked as if they were made of lace.
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A former vineyard left to its own devices.
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A particularly picturesque part of Käfersberg, next to Ortenberg.
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Ortenberg castle
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After that beautiful weekend, I had all of Monday to get things ready for my next OP and the days after, and was able to go to the clinic on Tuesday morning in a rather relaxed state of mind. As you already know, all went well. I am scheduled to work again next week after SIX weeks on sick leave - it feels like I have been practising for my retirement, which is still about 15 years away!
Very thankful all went well with the second operation. You look very relaxed, not at all anxious, in this photo before the op. I do like the lighter hair and think it quite becoming.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill! I like the lighter hair much better now, too.
DeleteActually, I realised that the photo was from the weekend before that one, but I looked pretty much the same on the days I describe in this post.
What a lovely weekend. There is no need to apologise for appreciating what is good in your life, it doesn't mean that you are unsympathetic to the sorrow of other people. The number of deaths from the flooding is truly shocking. We are currently experiencing extreme heat, something very unusual for this country.
ReplyDeleteSo glad all went well at the eye hospital - you look very relaxed in the last photo!
Last night on our main news they said there were now about 190 confirmed dead and hundreds still missing.
DeleteThank you, I am glad how everything turned out with my eyes, too!
I am so pleased that your area has not been affected by the dreadful floods. Pleased also that you eye ops have both gone so well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat, me too!
DeleteI'm so happy to hear about how well your eye operations have gone! I'm sure it's a relief to you. I go back to work next week after 6 weeks off, too. The summer is going by so fast!
ReplyDeleteI envy you those long hikes. It's so hot here at the moment that our obligatory twice-daily walks with George are pretty miserable so we're keeping them short. I'm beginning to look forward to fall.
Now that you mention it, yes, we both have (had) a six-week break this year! Yours was a lot more productive than mine, though - I was mostly lounging around and feeling proud of myself even with just the basic household upkeep.
DeleteHow nice that the weather cooperated with you for hiking before surgery. Lovely skies to compliment the lovely nature around you! Glad the surgery went well and you are on your way to recovery and a return to normal.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad we were able to do that hike, and on such a beautiful day, too. It had been on my wish list for quite a while!
DeleteReturning to work will be gradual, as I can not yet spend an entire day at the computer, but I will do what I can while making sure at the same time that I give my eyes enough rest.
It is good to hear from you and to know that you and your loved ones have not been affected by the floods. What a wonderful weekend you had before your surgery! The pictures are all beautiful and I especially like that picture of the lovely homes of Käfersberg. I'm so happy to know you have done well with your surgery and are on your way back to your regular routines!
ReplyDeleteThat part of Käfersberg is very picturesque but not unusual for the area. I am glad you like it!
DeleteAfter six weeks not working, I am a bit apprehensive about how I will cope with the former amount of meetings and other tasks; I won't be able to spend the entire day at the computer at first but will need many breaks for my eyes.
"Ringelnatter" - what a great name.
ReplyDeleteOur other most common snake here is the Kreuzotter (adder).
DeleteI knew that you and your family were not in the flooded areas and was relieved. My thoughts are with the people of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands...all those so horribly impacted by the flooding.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that you had such a nice outing in between your surgeries. A very welcome break for you and, as you said, it put you in a relaxed state for the second procedure. Happy that you are healing well. Can understand your concern about how you will feel going back to work. Just pace yourself and make sure that if you have any issues, perhaps just work part time at first, if possible. Take care.
There are few other topics on our news and other media these days - even Covid has taken a back seat because of the flooding.
DeleteI fully intend to gradually ease back into full working days, with many breaks at first. My eyes won't thank me if I do too much too soon!
Glad to hear that your areas were not affected by the massive rains and thunderstorms, and that your second eye op seems to have gone well too! I think we are always instinctively relieved to hear our own family and friends (and homes and familiar surroundings etc) are okay, even when we know that others have not been as lucky.
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