Annette Owen-Mulder of Wherrol Flat says she is still on her L-plates when it comes to manoeuvring her new Mountain Trike.
She was spotted out for the first time at the February Wingham Farmers' Market in the all terrain outdoor wheelchair.
Since then Annette has been turning heads wherever she goes.
The Mountain Trike isn't your ordinary wheelchair, with it's big chunky wheels and high end mountain bike technology, and people have been stopping Annette on the street to find out more.
"They say things like, 'Gee I've never seen one of those before,' and 'that's amazing!"
They also ply her with technical questions.
But Annette is more than happy to chat and sing the praises of the trike which has given her the freedom to not only get out in comfort, but to roam around her own farm as well.
"It's pretty special," she said.
Annette had polio as a child and said she has since overused all her "good bits."
After various joint replacements, Annette started using crutches more and more but found they restricted her ability to get about.
"They played havoc on my hands," she said.
In October 2018 Annette found herself in a wheelchair and realised her hands felt so much better.
But the disadvantages of being in a wheelchair - particularly on a rural property - were concerning.
"Wheelchairs are usually hopeless on grass," said Annette.
Fortunately husband Les is keen on research and he soon pulled up information online about the Mountain Trike.
It is promoted as being an ideal trike for outdoor every day use, whether it be a muddy woodland trail, a trip to the shops or a walk in the park. And for the more adventurous, the trikes are said to have been used to climb the odd mountain or two!
You can also take them to the beach.
Custom made for Annette, the trike arrived (sight unseen) from the UK based manufacturer in January.
Annette was soon out practicing on the farm, where she and Les run their business the Edible Forest.
Once confident she took on the lumps and bumps of Wingham Showground and was so happy with the results she posted a customer testimonial on the Mountain Trike website.
Next she'll tackle an everyday problem for people in wheelchairs.
Kerbs.
"Unfortunately we're sorely lacking in access on and off paths in Wingham," said Annette.
"But with practice I will be able to go up and down kerbs."
The Mountain Trike's have three independent shock absorbers and are made with a unique lever drive system which allows the rider to have clean, dry hands whatever the weather.
They are all-terrain, self-propelled, versatile and - as Annette has discovered - attract admiring glances from passersby.
