After all these weeks since I had the operation, it’s been nice to get back to some light training for the first time in the last couple of weeks. When I first had the surgery on my right knee after the Ashes, I was restricted to lying on the couch with a machine which moved my leg up and down around 3,000 times a day.

 

It was ok for the first few days, but I soon became very bored with that - particularly when the kids want to play with their Dad! It’s got a lot better in the last couple of weeks because I’ve been able to do a little more, including quite a bit of work in the pool. I am still obviously a long way away from returning to playing again, but every little step is progress and I just have to be patient.

 

In addition to the pool work I’ve been doing, I’ve also been working on upper body weights for the last week or so with a physio I’m working with out here in Dubai. I have also starting seeing Doctor Charles Jones, who is an American doctor from California who has worked with all the top basketball and baseball players over there.

 

I’ve been having two or three sessions a week with the doc and on a day-to-day basis I’m working with a physio. The work I’ve been doing with him is all fairly scripted with knee extensions and leg work and things like that and with the doc, I’m just trying to get my body conditioned again so I’m in good condition when I start playing again. The doc has also put a plan together to get me fit again, which includes a new diet I have to follow to try and reduce my body fat.

 

Embarking on a new diet is a bit of a shock to the system. I have to go on-line and get all the recipes, but fortunately it’s not one of those diets where all I have to eat is rabbit food and some of the recipes are actually quite nice. I think the idea behind it is that if I reduce my body weight I will be better prepared when I return.

 

I’m pleased to be back in training again because it can get a bit boring doing nothing. I’ve been in the pool, but I will be ready to get back to full training just as soon as my specialist, Andy Williams, gives me the green light to step things off. I’m due to go and visit him back in the UK in November, so I will know a bit more about my rehab programme then.

 

Away from the training, we’re very happy here in Dubai. We decided to come out here as a family for a few months for the first part of my rehab schedule and so far, it’s worked out very well. Everything I need for my training is in one place and it goes without saying that it’s a lot easier to train if you have the sun on your back.

 

The family all seem very happy here and we’ve got the kids enrolled in school for the first term over here. We’ve also had a chance to enjoy the life here and we went to see a show of the Rat Pack the other night, which I enjoyed immensely.

 

That’s about all for now, but I’ll write again soon when I get the chance.

 

Fred