Been a while, but if you've been following the news (and know I'm working at Fort Detrick, MD) you know I've been busy lately ...

Update time:

Well, it's been a bit over a year since the hip replacement. In that year, I've had an attack of reactive arthritis that set my rehab back about two months, and in January, discorvered that I had a: a cataract in my right eye, and b: a detached retina in that same eye.

Two major surgeries in six months and the arthritis, which is mostly under control, but still an issue, AND a trans-Atlantic move, and the short result is that I haven't spent as much time on the mat lately as I'd like.

Em and I do some veyr light training once a week or so, but I'm not up to taking ukemi, which sort of puts a damper on my teaching style ...

However, we do sword and staff when we can and we've signed up for an 8-week course in Shinto Muso Ryu jodo locally, and will be getting to know some of those folks soon. Looking forward to that!

Otherwise ...

We did about 10 miles today on the C&O trail, an old canal stretching from DC up into W. Va. Got onto the trail just south of Frederick, went east past the Monocacy Aqueduct and Lock 27, turned around and went back toward Point of Rocks a bit, before calling it a day to retire to Brewer's Alley in Fredneck for a late lunch and beers.

The Trail handled well on the mostly gravel and mudholey trail, did do a little x-country here and there, but it was mostly flat and pleasant.

Very comfy, responsive and agile. If I do much trail riding, I'll replace the tires with something a bit less street and more knobby.