Mr Toad 1, Roadsign 0 !!!

Bonjour tout le monde, cul-de-sac, mange-tout & 2CV

Right, enough of that French cr*p

The title of the post is based on the fact that I'm in one piece, and it's in several (OK I may be in 2 pieces, but that's only temporary with a bit of luck)

I got back home yesterday afternoon, and have only just plucked up the courage to sit down in front of the computer - whilst I was over there the crafty french doctor took the opportunity to fit me with the bottom of a baboon , so I've been a bit sore 'sur la posterior' as they say

I've only had a quick flick through the other threads, will go back and read them properly a bit later, so I hope I'm not repeating anything

Firstly MANY MANY MANY THANKS to all those who have lent support, eg, posting, txting , phoning , visiting, etc.

A massive thank you to Leigh & Steve for sticking with me (and having to endure sharing a double bed - did they mention that )
The moment they entered my room the day after the accident, I was in the middle of throwing up quite violently
Steve rang me one evening shortly after they had given me an enema - I guess he heard some strange noises, but at least he couldn't smell anything

I think Steve's account is correct - I came round a r-h bend slightly wide, was correcting my position and also noticed that the road dropped downhill with a l-h bend in a hundred yards or so, so I eased off the throttle. The back end immediately went light & swung out (possibly aquaplaning) and by the time I had recovered I was heading off the road towards a large chevron roadsign. In trying to get back onto the road the bike went down on its l-h side & together we demolished the roadsign , and I guess it was at this stage I broke the leg as I was catapulted off over the top of the bike. Speed was probably 30-40 mph, not excessively fast for those nice wide sweeping French roads

I ended up lying on the remains of the sign, and after a quick check of fingers/toes/neck, decided the best course of action was to lie very still & let someone else sort out the mess

Luckily that someone was along very shortly in the shape of Steve, with the others turning up not long afterwards. Fire engines & ambulances & police & doctors/paramedics turned up very promptly & soon I was inside in the dry, only to be breathalised by the gendarme Of course I was clear.

I was wisked off the hospital (eventually), and the paramedics/doctors managed to get a drip in my arm after about 15-20 mins of trying (I guess all my veins disappeared due to the shock). I had a very nice chat with the aneathatist, all about my height/weight/age etc, and even managed to convert my weight in stones into kilos before he did

He convinced me to have an epidural rather that an general, where they inject into the spine, as it's safer & with less after effects. I then realised that it would mean I would be awake during the op, so tried to change my mind but it was too late. I dozed off, only to wake up to the sound of a black and decker doing something to my knee
I then had to have a general as the op was taking longer than they thought - it was a very serious break apparently with a few splinters that had to be sorted.

The English docors thought he'd done a good job under the circumstances, with no infection (so far), although my leg is now slightly crooked, so I might have to have it reset in 6 weeks time to straighten it, which will set back my recovery a bit

At the mo I have a clever flexible brace (no cast) and am encouraged to stretch the leg back & forth & side to side, so am quite mobile, hopping up and downstairs, although it sure is knackering I'm supposed to keep full weight off it for the next 3 months, and will then probably need more physio after that.

Oh, the food was foul, and the nurses were all a bit like your granny, except for Marie-Fleur

One of the reasons I survived as well as I did I put down to the quality of my gear - Belstaff leather trousers & jacket, knox back protector, Sidi Vertebra boots, Schuberth Concept helmet

Bike is being recovered by Carol Nash (very good service - thoroughly recommend them) due back to UK on 5th June, where I'll probably get it delivered to Steve Jordan's for assessment.

Finally I'd like to thank my wife for taking it all in her stride, coping with the kids whilst I was absent, and taking advantage of my befuddled state due to the morphine (it's damn good stuff - a bottle of that is going on my Xmas list ) to ask whether she should buy a new sofa as she'd seen one in a sale. No problem I said, splash out, get a big one, get the best in the shop.

So she did

If only my **** wasn't so sore I'd try it out

So the only question now - what colour should the new bike be

cheers

Simon

Great to have you online!

Nice to see you're settled back home Simon, if the hospital is having trouble sorting your leg there's always the dynamic duo of Rictus and Sid Squid - it might come out sprayed yellow and with carbon bits but at least you'd know the torque settings were spot on .

So, chin up lad and we look forward to seeing you hobbling along Frith St in the near future.


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OUCH! Sounds painful.

Great post tho, good to have u back albeit in oddly patched together pieces.

Great to see you back!! Hope your fully fit soon!!!

i see your sense of humour is fully functional and intact

welcome back

will.

Glad your ok mate, tell us more about this nurse ?

Good to see you back Simon.

glad your back in Blighty and recovering.

Take care, and take over that sofa as soon as you can!

RoB

glad your back on line and that your on the mend bud.