This morning Stew suggested we head on out to Pirongia, to their annual market.
We have thought about doing this market, but the stall fees are quite high, and you have to sell heaps to recoup that cost. So we don't do it.
So we shall be 'customers' today, and just enjoy the vibe.
After that, we might come back into Hamilton and have a look at.... electric bikes. Yep. It's an idea for us, so we can get exercise outdoors together. Stew can't walk far now, so maybe biking is the answer for us. Worth investigating.
Does anyone out there have an electric bike? What do you recommend? And why?
I'm at the 'research the death out of them' stage...
9 am. Still in bed. Thanks for the very helpful comments about bikes. Upon reflection and considering all the points raised, we have decided NOT to buy bikes.
As mentioned, I get an idea in my head (like kayaks), then it simply doesn't happen. E bikes are rather expensive, and we are probably best to shelve that idea!
As for going out to Pirongia, Stews knee is really sore this morning, and he's asked that we don't go after all. I'm fine with that, it's not like we haven't seen it all before. 🙂
So now our plans for today are totally up in the air....
In saying that, we did get one more little thing, which I will show you when we get home.
We are at the Kebab shop right now having a late lunch.
6.30 pm. I've had no appetite at all today. I didn't have a kebab, just some onion rings and a couple of chips. Stew had a nice lunch though, and he got my left overs.
I tried to have a nap this afternoon, but no luck.
My back/shoulder and arm just throbbed non stop.
I've been taking Tramadol and Panadol to no avail. I think I'll be visiting the Dr again to try and get on top of the pain. And ask how long it might be before I will get an ultrasound to hopefully get to the bottom of this pain.
Same with Stew, he's waiting to see a specialist, with no idea how long that might be.
Our health system is FUCKED.
You shouldn't have to pay through the nose to go private, to end constant pain.
I think this 'collection' is finished, unless another one comes out that is just irresistible. lol
We got another 'thing' for the house, but I'll have to show it to you tomorrow, as it's too dark to take a photo of it now. It's outside.
We are settling down for a quiet evening, so catch ya tomorrow.
We have electric bikes but the only trails I will ride are wide rail trails out of the city... no people and loads of space! I used to be a bike rider when I was younger but electric bikes are totally different. I won't ride where people are also walking because of my fear of falling off if I need to brake suddenly. You live near many cycleways so a bike might be good for you but perhaps hire one or get a trial before committing to buy because they are very expensive!
ReplyDeleteHow about hiring a couple of electric bikes first to see how you get on. Audrey
ReplyDeleteI think you should rent some bikes to try before you buy. Like rent and try several times.
ReplyDeleteEven if you have used them before, rent and try where you would ride now. Try again now because of your current shoulder and knee issues. They might be great. They might not.
I used to ride a lot. I am now quite scared to ride. I know others who are now scared of narrow paths, bridges, etc.
Would you use them often enough to buy? Or should you actually just rent them a few times a year? (Think Kayaks)
Will they fit in your garage for storage? Would they get enough use to make up for the amount of storage space they would require? Can you get them in and out of truck for transport? Would you have to get a rack?
Vickie
A further comment... eBikes are MUCH heavier and to me, almost are like riding a motorbike, That's what I mean by being totally different. As Audrey said hire them first - there are many places near you that offer this service.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments here. I don’t have one as my level of fitness is still good to ride my “normal” bike regularly and I’m a confident rider. Many things to think about that I don’t need to go in to as it’s all been said above. I do remember seeing the kayaks being used only once, electric bikes are quite expensive to be relegated to storage which you have very little of. I would be browsing the activity calendar in the village to see what’s available there, I think I recall you being excited before you bought in there to see what’s available. Marie, Melbourne
ReplyDeleteChris, when is Stew seeing knee specialist. If he has a torn meniscus, I had an op on it, and was back to normal very quickly, with no pain. He may well have something more serious, but the sooner he can see someone, the sooner life goes on. So much available these days. Marie
ReplyDeleteHe's on a waiting list. It could take weeks, or months.
DeleteChris - has Stew had time to walk on the exercise machines the doctor suggested for his torn meniscus? I too have torn meniscus and I was doing floor exercises that were to strengthen the knee muscles. I wonder how he was doing with the machines. I've never had such pain as I had with my meniscus. I hope he heals soon. Ky Girl
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the comments about the e-bikes and your decision to shelve the idea. I feel for Stew being in pain. Is it possible to go to a specialist without waiting an undefined amount of time. Having a specialist appointment sooner rather than later would be well worth the money and thus getting a definite diagnosis. If Stew needs an operation could he then go on the waiting list. It could save time and perhaps future damage to Stew’s knee. Only my opinion though 🤷♀️
ReplyDeleteWe have electric bikes. We absolutely love them. We got fold up ones, and take them away with us in our van. We bought ones with a throttle, to help you 'get started' - the wobbly bit I find hardest - and generally use them only on the first speed, which just feels like someone giving you a gentle hand along. The higher speeds are handy for hills, or on your way home when you're tired! They certainly can go fast if you want, but I've never felt they were like a motor bike. I have hip bursitis and knee issues, and have no problems doing 15 -20 km rides now. Friends of ours have now also bought them, one after both knees being replaced,. It's made cycling fun again, like when we were kids. I would suggest you don't dismiss it, at least hire them and try it. We went for a ride with my father in law and his partner (who hired) and they bought them and love them. (They're 75 years old😊) we bought Earth Ant ebikes. Give it a go, nothing to lose!
ReplyDeleteYour bikes sound really good - when I said it's more like a motorbike I suppose I mean heavier than a normal pushbike. I have had one fall off mine and it was awful so sadly now I am way too cautious.
DeleteThat last long comment was me, by the way!
ReplyDeleteI don't have an e-bike, but a couple of friends do. They LOVE them. We have considered getting a couple.
ReplyDeleteI have an e bike and love it, as said earlier it is heavy - 22kg - we had to buy a special heavy duty carrier for the back of the car - and have used it once! Mine folds to go in the back of the car, which is great just the lifting gets me. Mine is a Dyson. But like others I would suggest hiring first.
ReplyDeleteI found biking EXTREMELY painful on my knees and I'm sure that is now y I'm in so much pain in them... very painful to walk at all today even girl at supermarket took pity on me and went and got me a trolley. Now I'm home I'm going to take a couple of painkillers.
ReplyDeleteInteresting reading about electric bikes. I was very pro but I can see that there can be problems. Loads of people have them here, especially hire bikes. But the roads are quieter, perfect for any sort of bike.
ReplyDeleteSadly we consider having private medical insurance essential. I've had mine now for 35 years. Just remember though that ultra sounds are not expensive and paying for certain tests may be a wise investment to just know what is wrong.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Lynda. I think It’s never too late to take out private insurance especially as you age. Perhaps you may be in the best position of your lives to invest in your health as you age. You have taken a huge step to invest in your living arrangements and downsizing to make things easy. Without our health when we age we have nothing. It’s up to ourselves to plan for any health procedures as governments are essentially broke and can only provide very very very poor services. Pretty sure it’s worldwide and not just NZ where government health is in all sorts of trouble. Each to their own really but I believe we are responsible for our own health.
ReplyDeleteNot just nz, definitely worldwide. In Australia it is essential to have private health insurance , otherwise you can be waiting years on the public health waiting list in great pain.
ReplyDeleteYes, good to have private health, especially in New Zealand there they have non means tested pensions...very lucky....
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I have health insurance in Australia only because if I didn’t, I’d have to pay extra tax. My insurance is rubbish, have very little cover but I don’t have to pay extra tax. In saying that, I think at my age, 71, I wouldn’t want to suffer if I was in pain, I can afford to pay out of pocket so I’m prepared to go without other stuff to live out my life pain free. Marie, Melbourne
ReplyDelete