CABIN FEVER*

After 6 days in the house with a gammy ankle, I broke loose this afternoon and managed to hirple to the post box. Fear of falling led to extreme attention to detail - cushions of moss, chill wind in the hair, sycamore parachutes twirling, spatter of rain on the cheek, sunshine and shadows, smell of damp leaves and the taste of freedom. The sensory overload was both wonderful and overwhelming. Forced to have a wee lie down.

*"A claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in a small space, with nothing to do for an extended period. Cabin fever describes the extreme irritability and restlessness a person may feel in these situations. When experiencing cabin fever, a person may tend to sleep, have distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow, dark or hail.