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Day 55 looked to be a quiet day to finish unpacking after the weekend away and get lots of admin done. Frustratingly, as I was writing last night’s post, my computer froze again. I managed to take a photo of what I had written before it disappeared off the screen and Heather very kindly lent me her computer again to finish the post. Tonight’s is being written yet again on my very patient daughter’s computer but I did get some admin done and caught the No59 in to Stirling to put the computer back in to the computer division for another look. The guys were fantastic. Apologetic because it was back in so quickly and proactive about ways in which we can not only fix the computer but enhance it at a greatly reduced cost once the original repair fee was taken in to account. What a team! I even had the owner or manager of the shop, from whom an exuberance and love of life shone brightly, sidle up to me and ask me if I had found Jesus. His face was a picture when I mentioned that he might be walking with me! He beamed even more brightly!! A quick visit to Boots for contact lens solution and it was time to catch the bus back. As we made our way home the rain sweeping across the countryside and forming large puddles in the road I decided that despite the foul weather it was time for a run. I managed to avoid talking myself out of it, in fact was rather looking forward to it so once home got out with Georgie and did a 2.1 mile run. It was fabulous. In fact probably my favourite running conditions. It was so warm it felt almost tropical to run though the muddy puddles with the rain falling softly against the face acting as a cooling screen. It was wet and muddy. Muddy and wet with large puddles to splash through knees high to avoid tripping on the water but beaming like a child. I couldn’t see the mountains as the rain was sheet across the vista but the river was gushing along making the most lovely noises and sights of swirling water. I was lost in the wander of this glorious wet day in fact so lost that I nearly lost the dog. She was getting slower with old age and clearly wasn’t appreciating the heavy muddy bits or just took too long sniffing something or other because when I looked behind me to gather her in before crossing the road she was just appearing at the end of the track I was now on. She trotted up, slow but with her tail signalling her delight to have found me again. Still it rained but it was fantastic!!

A good stretch and then a shower before lunch. I scraped down the shower, finally managed to finish unpacking my suitcase and got some washing on and drying hung out. Had a lunch of the usual poached egg on toast with Spinach, rocket and watercress chased down by a plate of tenderstem broccoli, carrots, tomatoes and red grapes. Feeling virtuous but rather tired it was time to try and lock in an organ tune I had been struggling with for a while. It was another step forward in my learning and I was finding it very difficult. I had an hour before having to catch another bus so sat down and practised, and practised, and practised. I would love to say that my brain clicked in to gear and cracked the tune but sadly I cannot. However I can report a definite improvement in my ability with this tune and that is great news. It took a long time but slowly the cogs in the brain seemed to clunk forward, tooth by tooth as the steam pressure built under the pressure of repetition and practice, repetition and practice. I got a sense that another bolt in the back up generator I am trying to build in the left side of the brain was married up. Now to try and screw it home.

On the Cimbing Wall at the Peak in Stirling
On the Cimbing Wall at the Peak in Stirling

The day hadn’t finished there however. One of my neighbours Pastor Jon had promised to take me climbing on the wall in the Peak in Stirling and despite an incredibly busy schedule managed to find the time to take me climbing. Back on the No.59 to meet up with Jon. I wasn’t feeling brilliant but was very much hoping to be able to beat back any seizure activity. Met Jon and we started to walk up to the Peak as he managed his last few calls for the day to keep the wheels on the latest project moving forward. I quietly swallowed the afternoon’s allocation of pills to try and calm the epilepsy. Jon was clearly extremely busy and yet had somehow found the time. I so wanted to be able to make the most of it. We talked some as we neared the peak and I learnt more about the journey Jon had found himself on and the path that led him to it. I listened in awe at his faith and hoped a little of it would rub off on me this afternoon. Instead that horrible metallic fuzziness was fizzing behind the nose and my lips tingled ever so slightly. I was not going to be beaten but realised to my horror that I was seeing in 3D again as I tried to fill in the form. This was not good so as we changed our footwear I let Jon know that I was not 100% but wanted to give it a go to try and blow away the seizure. I let him know about the sort of seizure we could expect and that it was unlikely to cause me instant problems on the wall. It was a great relief as it became more apparent that he had read some of my facebook page and therefore had a fairly good idea of what to expect. No messing about we fitted on a harness and after some instruction took to the wall. We started slowly by climbing a short distance and then throwing oneself off of the wall on the self belay device and even have some comedy video of me doing it, messing up my landing and banging in to the window but sadly cannot load it up. After a couple or more takes it was time to go for it and get to the top. I had forgotton how much hard work climbing can be so by the top of the wall was perspiring slightly, blowing slightly, but grinning massively. The fog and fuzzy fizzing sensation had gone. My lips had stopped tingling. We had beaten the seizure and sent it packing!! My arms were hanging off of their sockets but I felt great. A little more coaching from Jon and we moved to another wall. It was harder but I made it to the top and this time Jon belayed me down so I could walk down the wall. I was loving it. The next wall proved to be much harder but found a little cheaty route to get up it. I grew in confidence massively and started to believe we could beat this beast even more. I was introduced to Peter, the wall manager, and had one final go. It was time to go. I had a bus to catch to get back for the children’s tea and Jon had a long cycle home. We packed everything away as quickly as possible and headed for the route home. I told Jon about the amazing way in which I felt that I was being told who to speak to and that in listening to that direction I have met the most amazing people all of whom had a connection with me which was either their Faith or a particular beast that they or a very close family member was trying to beat. Not everybody I meet but everybody I felt told to speak to had a connection. It was extraordinary but I was very thankful for it. Jon was very clear in his own mind what it was about. We stopped. He offered me his hand before we went our separate ways and he prayed for me. There on the wet streets, the breeze blowing, the cars wizzing by in a blur of light the orange glow of the street lamps giving an orange glow to our faces, a train in the station accelerating noisily in to it’s long journey. The world was spinning fast on it’s own path but for a few short moments it stopped spinning and became very focussed on our faith as we prayed, quickly, but earnestly for healing. Jon thank you that was a brilliant afternoon in which you helped me beat back the symptom of the beast in the form of epilepsy and brought me closer to God by improving my understanding of how he could be working in me if I will only listen and believe in him and his spirit.