Sleep, nerves and things

We're sleeping ok, & in fact Rikky is napping as I write. It's rest day! So what better to do than rest! Several people have gone off for "recovery rides".  We didn't think that sounded like such a good idea. 

I'm finding I wake a lot with either left-sided median nerve (carpal tunnel) symptoms, or ulnar. So I'll take the risk of snoring & try sleeping on my back, which will require the use of 2 earplugs to screen out generator noise & toilet doors banging.

I also get median nerve symptoms in my right hand while cycling. Physio had suggested it might be tight forearm muscle pressure while leaning too hard on the handlebars. I think others also have this - I notice people riding along & one arm is dangling & shaking. Prevention is better of course - ok, get the posture right: shoulders relaxed, soft elbows, lower ribs in, lift the front of upper chest, head back as if trying to move back from a spider that's coming down in front if my face - then, hold that position firm, and pedal! Round & round - not emphasising any part of it. This is all after some VMO (inside quads) and buttock activation exercises, within 20 mins of starting for the day - I've been having a go at that after loading luggage onto the bus. 

The medical/ first aid support is good - and has been called for. The police got us to stop while an ambulance got into position. He told us a girl was riding along, looking down, then looked up & list control of the bike, went over the handlebars onto her head. He thought she was ok. We've seen others with grazes being patched up. So we're glad to rest at each designated rest stop, and take our time, and eat & drink lots.

Getting back to rest day. I tagged along with Tim's cousin Andrew & Susan his wife, & their riding partner Sally. Coffee first: Sally had gone early & was in the queue.  Then we did the 4km walk round the western side of the cliffs. We met Kay, someone I met on beach mission years ago. We had such a good catchup. And she knows Andrew & Susan too! Then a swim - the water was freezing, but we stood round for a while with arms crossed like footballers, or up to the neck, hoping it'd do our muscles good. Someone said the water's 16 degrees! and warmer than it was! I met Rikky after lunch (she had been washing clothes) & was reading her book in the shade. We had coffee & shared a brownie. 

Since getting back to camp I've washed some clothes too - that happens at the dishwashing place: bowls & water provided. The man in the tent next to us stretched a line between our tents, a pole in the middle, & even left us a few pegs. It's a hot day & things are drying very quickly.  We have an elastic line which we've put up inside the tent, but it's no use for dripping things.