It’s been raining for two days. Yesterday we had cold down pours with thunder and such. Today, has been a nonstop cold, windy mist. I didn’t ride. I have nothing to prove to myself. Instead of riding, I went for a 1 1/2 mile walk to test my back. I had an epidural injection on Monday so I was curious to see if it made any difference. (For what it’s worth, my pain doctor referred me to a back surgeon so she’s not exactly the picture of optimism.)
I used a single trekking pole and my Hoka bouncy shoes. My gait was much improved. I didn’t have the awkward forward lean and I didn’t feel off balance. I managed 1/2 mile with no discomfort at all and the pain level never rose above a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10. I’m pretty pleased. I am bringing a trekking pole with me on my bike tour.
Before my walk I was visited by our local postman. He had me sign for a document that I have been waiting for since January.
I am now free to move about the continent.
I am awaiting my supporting legal documents but with this EU passport and my US passport card, I can go pretty much anywhere on any conveyance.
I started this process about 4 or 5 years ago, amassing paperwork to prove my lineage. I sent my application off in 2019 or 2020. There were delays related to the pandemic (the passport office actually closed) and the Brexit passport rush. Processing began in earnest in January 2022 and backlogs still delayed my passport by an additional month. It’s good for 17 years for some reason. I’ll be gumming my fish and chips by then.
Pass the Guinness lads.
A Few Spokes Shy of a Wheel 
Congratulations 👏👏👏
I’m off to lodge a complaint, I can only get a 10 year one and I life here 😆
Congrats! Would that I could do the same and the Rootchopper, Idlecyclist and I could tour the emerald isle together… maybe reunified someday, even?
But I have no paperwork or way to pursue it that I know of. Also, after three years in Seattle I’m not sure my allergy to grey skies would allow a long stay. But enjoy it when you go!
And good luck with the back. There’s a book on it a doctor told me about. I’d have to dig out the name — the back doctor maybe?
John – hopefully Corey and I will see you in about 5 1/2 weeks! I’ll bring the maps!
Mark
Eek. I lift off from Missouri in two weeks.
Personally offended by the later half of this post. I’ll have to contact my friends at the embassy…
Well, to be honest, I prefer Harp to Guinness
Working in healthcare, I call back surgery (as well as peripheral vascular disease) “the gift that keeps on giving”. Yes, there are people who need it, and then there are those whose first surgery results in needing another, and another, and another…Not knowing your specifics, I can’t offer specific advice, but think twice before back surgery. I’m glad I did. In my planning for a transcontinental ride, I am pondering how many N-95 masks to pack. Touring was easier pre-pandemic.