So, I slipped and fell. Big deal, right? About two and a half weeks ago. Things are kind of sketchy as to what happened. One leg went out, the other stayed. I landed hard on my right hip. My back hurt, knee hurt, hip hurt. Knee bleeding. Some ice on the injury and carry on. Usually. But this time there was a nagging pain in the groin and hip area. A few days later lifting the knee is a problem. Humm, it seems to be getting worse. Possible groin pull/hip flexor injury? Ibuprofen/Tylenol to the rescue. I can still get on the bike, but it is very painful, and my right leg is becoming useless. It is very painful to lift the leg off the peg. That means using the rear brake is for emergencies, reflex only. That means planning ahead to put the right down at a stop. Using my hand to pick up the leg, up and down. Not good.
We were headed to the Armchair Adventure Festival, (AAF). I would be off the bike for a week and would limit my walking. Maybe that would help. A week later and we were off on the bike again. Headed north to a friend’s house and another period of rest. Their place was once a chapel built in the early 1800’s. Linda and Charlie bought it without a roof. They have remodeled and made it into a lovely home. So welcoming. They were not home; Charlie was out riding. They opened their home and said to rest and enjoy. Across the road was a small farm. They had a small building with some basic food supplies in the building. Eggs, take and bake bread, bacon, jams in purple berry and strawberry, honey fresh fruit. The building was unmanned. Just a credit card machine and a cash box. All on the honor system. Honesty. So happy to know that it still exists.
We rode on before deciding to rest again. This time at Stratford-upon-Avon. We found what appeared to be a nice old inn/pub, the Blue Boar Inn. These places usually have a special feel to them. Our greeting was less than pleasant. I felt like I was a burden. The Inn was old, but had lost the feel of an old inn/pub. From entering the building, you could tell the inn had lost it’s way. It had become more volume tourist oriented.
Stratford-upon-Avon is know as the birthplace of Shakespeare. It is very touristy, but we wanted to see the village. We ushered an Uber for the short ride into town. It was only a short walk across town with many sidewalk cafes, old pubs and green areas along the river Avon. We had a wonderful afternoon not doing much, except drinking coffee and beer, and having sweets.
Come on hip, start feeling better. Walking is painful. Luckily, I always carry a walking pole. Without it I could not get anywhere. We were heading to Scotland but there was a big cyclone style storm approaching. We decided to turn east into Wales. I also did not want to get too far away in case of, you know, total hip failure. Riding is less painful than doing anything. It is just getting on and off the bike, the stopping (rear brake), and putting the leg up and down that is excruciating. Not good. We broke up the ride into two days to rest. We headed a little southwest into Elon Valley. We have visited this area several times. It is a stunning area with great single lanes; empty roads headed north into Snowdonia. Finally, we were in Eryri (Snowdonia). Lodging has become crazy expensive during the 10 years we have been coming to the UK. We usually try to camp and cook to save money. But I needed another rest. As I was barely able to walk from the car park to the hotel. Our discussions were interesting that night, to say the least.
I have always fought it. They said I would not ever walk again. That I would be in a wheelchair by the time I was thirty. “They” always tried to discourage me. I have always found a way to make it work. I have always fought for more. I do not like to be defeated. But sometimes you must give in to the thought that ‘will’ alone will not be the fix. Maybe you need help. I don’t know???
After the several ‘interesting’ conversations and prodding with some very ‘firm suggestions’ from great friends, I came to a decision. I had spent the previous night in inner turmoil. Do I stay here in hotels (expensive), or do I go back to the US? I am here on a mission. My mission is to see friends and to attend the Overland Event. I’ve already had a fantastic time with most of my UK friends at the AAF. I DO NOT want to go back. A friend offered to drive me to the A and E, (Accident and Emergency of the NHS). I met Laura Peters at an Overland Event a few years ago. She happened to live only 20 minutes from where we were staying. She took time out of her busy schedule and drove me to the A and E. I have heard nightmares of wait times and was concerned about her wasting her entire day with this. I was also concerned about the expense. Remember, I am from the US where an ER visit can be in the thousands of dollars. I was told it would be free. Humm, we will see.
I entered the A and E with only a couple of people in the waiting room. A voice from the sky (intercom) said to fill out a form and have a seat. Done. Then a very pleasant lady with a welcoming smile came out from behind the locked doors. She looked over the form and said, “You forgot to fill in your age”. Subconscious?? Maybe. Within minutes I was ushered into a room and asked to tell my story of the injury. Then he wanted to talk about motorcycles and travel. So welcoming. He then told me I needed to see their Physiotherapist. No Saul, not the Psychiatrist. He, the Physiotherapist, did a thorough exam, asked multiple questions, and put me through a rigorous set of exercises. He explained all about the injury. His conclusion? Groin pull, hip flexor injury and hip socket contusion and inflammation. We went over recommendations for recovery. Rest!!! Low intensity exercise and stretching. Riding the bike? “No”. Humm, that could be a problem.
You see, we are a ways from everything, in the holiday season and hotels are pricy. Plus, we have tickets to fly to Poland in a week. We had many offers from friends about recovering us and the bike. The problem is we are a long way from everyone. I will need to ride. It is only a couple of hundred miles to Heathrow. If I rest and bite off small chunks it will be doable. Not ideal, but doable. I made it this far without using the rear brake. I can make it back. The hotel we were staying at had no vacancies for the following day. One more day of rest would have been nice. In the morning, we were told that there was a cancellation. One more day of rest.
And the cost of the A and E? FREE!! I could not believe it. They even gave me a set of crutches. Only two requests. Enjoy Wales and donate the crutches when I do not need them anymore. I wish the US would treat their visitors in the same way.
Cheers,
2WANDRRs
2WANDRRs 
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