I’m able to get ‘out and about’ a bit now for some gentle exercise. So, naturally for me, the first place I had to go was Kinver Edge. Why? Because the countryside there is stunningly beautiful in all seasons. I never tire of being ‘on the edge’, it is a perfect place that has had a spell on me since the very first time I went there when I was 6yrs old. Yes, my love affair with Kinver has been a long-term one, and that’s the best kind.

Meanwhile, my shoulder injury is progressing well. I’m getting quite confident at the exercises I was given. I’ll be seeing the consultant again next Monday, and I can’t wait. Talking of not being able to wait, Carla and my brother Andrew can’t wait until I get back on my bike so that they can take it in turns to give me a good pasting! Pay back time!

Still working my way through the computer books except that I am now into one of the best books I have ever read. I am so impressed with Designing With Web Standards by Jeffrey Zeldman that I’d say it was essential reading for anyone who has anything to do with web pages.

Thanks to Zeldman I now understand the need for Tantek’s ‘box model hack’, for the ‘be nice to Opera’ rule, and why doctype switching can make such a difference. Yes, it’s “goodbye comp based, and hello rules based design”, for me from now on.

Hang on….. have I lost the plot? now where did I put my anorak?

PS.This week I have been mostly listening to the kids playing in the street. They’re having a great time!

I have taken to riding in the back seat of my car, seeing that I can’t drive, and me an’ my sling don’t fit in the front. It gives you a completely different perspective on what’s going on. I just let the wonderful Carla get on with the driving while I relax, and enjoy the ride.

Went back to hospital on monday to see the consultant, he was pleased with my progress. Removed my dressings, and took my stitches out. I’ll have a lovely scar to add to my collection. I was told that I have to wear the sling/brace for 6 weeks. After that there’s gonna be a lot of hard work to get my shoulder mobile again.

Reg Haig is out of hospital now, and making excellent progress. I reckon he’ll be back on his bike before me! Mind you he did say he was going to give the ‘off-road’ stuff a miss for a while until he gets his confidence back.

While I’m off work I’ve decided to make the most of it, and I’m working my way through some ‘heavy’ computer books. The one I’m reading at the moment might as well be called ‘cure for insomnia’, as it only takes about 20 minutes to send me to sleep.

Gave in, and watched ‘Neighbours’ today!

PS.This week I have been mostly listening to ‘Learn French’ with Michel Thomas! On CD 3 now!

Got out of hospital yesterday nursing a broken shoulder. Fell off while practising the Cross-country course for the National Mountainbike Championships last weekend. Two operations later I’ve got it screwed and plated, so looks like I will be out for a while.

Spare a thought for Reg Haig though. The Marie Curie team rider fell off about 200yds further on from where I crashed. He broke a rib which punctured his lung! Reg was airlifted to Selly Oak hospital in a critical condition. I contacted the hospital today, and they told me that Reg was much improved, and may be transferred to a hospital closer to his home within the next 24hrs. We wish you speedy recovery Reg.

I know we all moan sometimes about the rules of racing, but just imagine if we had been practising outside of the official practice times. There would have been no marshals to raise the alarm, and no paramedics to sort us out. They deserve more praise and credit than we ever give them. The ones that looked after me were brilliant.

Time for my afternoon nap now. Bein’ injured takes it out of you.

PS.This week I have been mostly listening to ‘Learn French’ with Michel Thomas!

Gotta do sumfin.