peter's prang

day 4: friday 31 december - we get him out, but it takes time

Day 4: Friday 31 December: Peter phones in the morning to say he is being discharged. Kathy and I go shopping for clothes in the new Sainsbury's (underwear, socks, teeshirts for us both and a fleece top for Peter) as, apart from the things we stand up (or lie down) in, all our belongings are still in the Shogun on the locked reclamation garage in Braintree. I also buy 2 fleece throws - these are going to come in more handy than I realise.  I'm concerned that we are going to be late to collect him but waiting for drain removal and stitching, prescriptions, assessment by the houseman and further prescriptions, which take an age to arrive from the pharmacy, we don't manage to leave until after 6. Long sitting and waiting in limbo. Finally, a careful, but painful, drive back to Mersea.

Dougal makes a dish for tomorrow's family visitors - a goulash or something similar, I think. Kathy and Dougal don their glad rags and go next door for a New Year's Eve party. We are invited, which is kind, but rather out of the question so we decline. Tuck Peter up in Kathy's office and stay up to console Monty, the terrier, who is terrified of the fireworks.  Dougal and Kathy come home before midnight, realising that Monty would be in a state, and we watch in the New Year with Jools Holland.

the journey begins...

Starting before the event: we travel safely and easily to Peter's sister, Linda, on Christmas Eve and then spend a lovely Christmas Day with her. Onwards to London on Boxing Day, taking a new route through London.

Tuesday 28th December....we are at Robin and Halina's, having had a happy day on the Monday with extended Brunning family. Time to leave, car packed to gunwhales, and we are delayed by a flat battery (I left the lights on after taking Simon home the evening before). Split second timing plays a part in all our lives, as does space. A moment here, a few inches there and all could be avoided...or so much worse.

We are travelling north, towards Colchester, on the A12. Light signs appear, warning us that there is an accident ahead, beyond the A130 junction. We see another sign, then a sign to tell us that we are approaching that junction. When the junction appears ahead of us we see tail lights of stationary vehicles and of others braking. We are in the right hand lane, others are driving in the left hand lane and many more, who presumably know the area, are peeling off to the A130. Peter brakes gently and comes to a stop, well behind the stationary cars ahead. He puts on the hazard warning lights.

 

........CRUNCH

 

An impact from behind. We are knocked forwards a few feet.