So ... What Now?

[Sweder]

Update: it's a strain, NOT a tear. 

This is infinitely better news. A tear would be a minimum of 6 weeks out and probably some form of diver's boot.
A strain means rest, ice, compression, elevation, hardcore for 48 hours with some minimal and very gentle exercise. 
After that it'll be self-assessment. IF I behave and go easy I could be back to light jogging as early as next week. 

Let's see how that goes!

In other news, my visit to the local A&E was a timely reminder of how brilliant the NHS is.
The nurse asked a few questions, including who I currently live with.
"Wife, daughter, her boyfriend, mother-in-law, two dogs and a cat"
"Ah, you'll be hoping for a stay with us then!"

She applied the calf squeeze test to assess the damage.
Kneel on a chair, have someone squeeze your calf. If your foot jumps like a landed fish, your achilles tendon is working. Mine twitched and jumped rather well.

"Strained, not torn. Your tendon's working OK. Sorry, you'll have to go back to the house"
RICE and pain-reducing drugs prescribed, the conversation took a turn.

"Don't look so sad, it's good news"
"Yes but ... I'll have to cut down on my beer intake"
I explained the miles to beer ratio and the fact that I have access to some of the finest beer known to mankind right here in Lewes.
"It's vegan, too, if you're into that"

This led to a conversation about finings, how brewers use fish guts to cleans the liquid to achieve that crisp, clean finish so prized by the big breweries.
Abyss Brewing don't use finings, leaving their product proudly cloudy and astoundingly tasty, not to mention suitable for vegans. 

"I'll get some of that for my Dad then"

Our NHS is a remarkable thing. It's riddled with flaws, struggles under the crushing weight of bureaucracy and government cuts, yet at the coal face it's front line workers manage to treat a never-ending line of complainants with efficiency and good humour.

A few weeks ago we gave up 'clapping for carers'. Instead we ordered 'Born In The NHS' T-shirts from Philosophy Football. Proceeds go to the NHS Charities who support NHS workers struggling to make ends meet.

Check 'em out here: https://www.philosophyfootball.com/born-in-the-nhs.html