Eureka! I can walk! In the three preceding weeks, the major highlights and progress had been made on Friday afternoons. Last week, the exception came on Thursday, when Fiona made me walk from the bedroom to the dining room – about 30 yards. I did of course need my stick, and a reassuring hand on the back, but the look on the nurses faces as they saw me walking epitomised that horrible word 'gobsmacked'. Jaws dropped and eyes popped. Even a little tear or two was shed. I am now mandated to walk nearly everywhere with stick and nursing support. This is exceedingly tiring. Pizza and Dennis Locorriere I managed to get home on both Saturday and Sunday. We had a pizza on Saturday. This is the first time I've had a pizza since admission to WSM General, over 11 weeks ago.  | | Mike Elliott and Dennis Locorriere |
I also had a late night pass on Saturday evening. Parole was extended so that I could go to see Dennis Locorriere (the voice of Dr Hook) in concert at the Playhouse. He was magnificent. You can read my review by clicking on the Dennis Locorriere review link at the top of this page. Naturally, I have had dark moments over the last three months, when I have wondered if I would ever be able to walk properly again. Steady progress has been made during the last month and I am now confident that I will eventually be able to get back to walking normally. A long, hot, Ashes summer However, now I have reached this stage, I have decided to stop worrying about major scientific issues. I really don't give a damn which way the water goes down the plughole in the Southern Hemisphere. Do you? As for global warming and the greenhouse effect, I am quietly confident that earth will not explode before my time of mortal coil is over. Therefore, I am still eagerly anticipating a long, hot, Ashes summer. Realistically, much as I would like to see the Urn in the possession of England, I feel that the Aussies will prove superior over five tests. Home progress On Wednesday afternoon I am looking forward to my home visit, where I will be assessed to see what work is necessary in our home in order that I can return safely. Assuming that this goes as well as I hope, then I can genuinely see that the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched on again. I will switch that light off when I exit the tunnel. Hopefully, this will be in the near future rather than distant future. I will continue to relay my progress, as the day for returning home draws ever nearer. | 
