HI Everyone,
Well, lots more to blog about beautiful Burgundy (Bourgoune), but we are now sitting in the Scottish Highlands with so much more to talk about, so these blogs will no longer be in any order. We'll get back to France and England and Scotland, but we have a tale that must be told first.
Charlie planned a C-to-C bicycle ride across England, from the Irish Sea at Whitehaven on the west coast to the North Sea at Tynemouth, near Newcastle on the east coast of England. In this area, it's about 145 miles from coast to coast with some nasty, steep mountains right in the middle. The ride started on Aug 12th and Charlie had 2 glorious days of cycling from the coast, over the mountains (the steepest and toughest he's done to date) and into Newcastle, as scheduled, on day 3. With 9 miles to go until the finish, Charlie's cycling mate overlapped wheels with Charlie and a crash followed. Charlie went down hard onto the quay at Newcastle, bracing himself on the fall with his hands and knees. Covered in blood from facial contusions, he still thought he could finish the ride (sigh). Fortunately, a lady living in the condo adjacent to the quay heard the crash and came to their assistance. On this sunny Sunday afternoon, she tossed bloody Charlie and his mate into her car, secured their bikes in her garage, and drove them to the hospital. The UK national health system (NHS) kicked into high gear, cleaning his wounds, x-raying his hands and setting his broken bones. Oh yes, the cuts on the face, knees and shoulder were nothing compared to the severely dislocated left ring finger and the broken bone in the right hand.
And where was I during all this? Well, my friend Libby and I were 3 hours away watching Libby's horse, Uncle Keef (remember him?) race at Pontifrac, a major flats course south of York. Our plan was to pick up Charlie about 7 pm in Penrith after his ride. That is, until I got a text from him about 2 pm that said, "Crashed, broke at least 2 fingers, need to be picked up in Newcastle. Sorry" !!!!!
Somehow, Libby managed to get us there in about 2 hours! We met Charlie at the Queen Victory Infirmary at Newcastle Hospital where he looked dreadful, and wonderful at the same time! His dislocated finger had been re-set, his right hand was in a cast and he had dressings everywhere else. All the other details of returning the bike, getting his kit, etc. had been handled by his riding buddy, Magnus and his good samaritan. He was very fortunate.
The next day, we took him to York Hospital Orthopedics, where he was again x-rayed, received a new cast, had all of his dressings changed and was treated very professionally and compassionately --- and with no waiting. And we were not charged a cent, either in Newcastle or York. We kept trying to pay, but were told that we were guests in the UK and they were so sorry this had happened, but no payment was required. Amazing.
Downside: Charlie can't ride for some time. Ergo, we are compensating by taking lengthy death marches....er, walks, around the Scottish Highlands - rain or shine. I'm smiling - yes, I really am!
Actually, the scenery is beautiful and the weather hasn't been too bad. We did get a bit doused yesterday, but it was only water and we only had about a mile to go.
Charlie is feeling a lot better, his face has healed very nicely and he is looking forward to getting back on his bike as soon as possible. We are very thankful the crash happened in a large city with good medical care and not in the wilds of the Pennines. And we were blessed with the help of strangers and especially our dear friend Libby. Yep, could have been a lot worse.
More to come on France and Scotland as we continue our amazing adventure. Just hoping those of you in Irene's path are safe and weather her well.
Love to all,
Lari
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