Nigel has done a lot of motorway miles in my car this week and it was really filthy last night when he got home. It's that horrible grit/salt/mud mixture that you get at this time of year so I treated the car to a full wax car wash. When I'm in the car wash I feel a bit like normal people who like roller coasters must feel when they are about to set off - fear-tinged excitement! I enjoy the process but there's always the thought that it could go wrong and crush your car.
Beautiful but freezing afternoon in Oundle watching the hockey - seems odd that it will be the last visit. Some beautiful buildings there but no where near the hockey pitches.
Also big up to Cambridge United for drawing with Manchester United last night and to Adam who went to the aid of a badly injured cyclist while waiting to be picked up in town. I think the sound of skull on pavement will haunt him for a long time - I'm hoping it may make him wear his helmet but it seems unlikely. Kids should be taught in schools about emergencies like that - he was trying to tell the emergency operators where to send the ambulance but the call operator said he covers 6 counties and couldn't find where Adam was telling him to go on his system. He should have found a street sign rather than using the unofficial landmarks that we all use but with the cyclist's partner screaming at him and the truck driver telling him it wasn't him etc it's hard to concentrate. Thank goodness for a passing police car.
Wonderful shot, Judith. I love the abstract color and forms. Quite a story, too. Yikes. I find it hard to keep my head in an emergency. Let's hope that Adam's experience has an impact (so to speak) on helmet use.
Oh gosh Judith what an awful thing to witness, I hope the cyclist is ok, Malcolm might hear about him on Monday. I once went into a car wash, forgot to remove my aerial and it ripped it off. I was very very scared!!!
@lucypics I'm a bit worried about it - he landed on the back of his head and Adam heard the crack loudly from the other side of the roundabout. Lots of blood and glassy eyed but though the police took Adam's number they didn't think they'd need it so they must have thought he'd survive, funny things though brains! I've read Henry Marsh's book!
How frightening for Adam, he did so well to keep his head when all was so frantic........I hope he finds out that all is well with the young man. Many pats on the back for your boy!
Car washes....I darent go in one of those...looks like a complete nightmare to me....I prefer sitting in a wRm place with coffee & biscuit in hand reading my book while someone else does it! A complete brilliant place to take s photo!
Your story is so riveting I almost forgot what your picture was! I almost get car sick in a car wash! Wearing helmets is compulsory here and has saved a lot of badly damaged skulls!
very abstract judith, a lovely shot
top respect to adam for helping
That's what happens when bureaucracy decides to centralise several counties / regions into one call centre , you lose the 'knowledge'. Some services need to provide a quality service rather than being 'cost efficient' . Next thing they will be offshoring the service !
Fabulous shot and wonderfully reflects the introspective nature of your writing. I can imagine being sat in the carwash, reflecting on all this...
I hope the young man is OK :(
@phil_howcroft well I agree Phil - I had no idea they covered such a big area. If he said 'Jesus Green roundabout' to anybody in Cambridge they would know where it was. He did at least make him stay on the line for first aid advice but the police took over (& gave proper instructions) but valuable time lost and Adam v stressed because he couldn't get help and the chap was obviously in trouble. Also (now you've set me off!) if you googled Jesus Green you'd find the roundabout!
A fabulous abstract shot! Love it!!
Kudos to Adam for going to the aid of the downed cyclist. That head injury does not sound good at all. Helmets for cyclists are required by law in the state of NC. I suppose that's a good thing as I would probably opt not to wear one if given the choice. I still think of myself as being indestructible even knowing that I'm not.
Well played, Cambridge!
Great image I only went in car wash once scared the living daylights out of me! Accident sounds a bit mareish. I am not much of a helmet fan personally - assertiveness, clear communication and good road positioning are far more relevant to keeping safe on cycle than a bit of polystyrene strapped on your noggin box. The health benefits massively outweigh perceived dangers - cyclist live 5 years longer on average than non cyclists. Did you know you are more likely to get a head injury in a car - the idea of donning a helmet to drive or as a passenger would be risable. I'd deffo wear one for off roading tho where you are more likely to fall and clip the side of your head at low speeds - helmets are useless at speeds above 20mph - offering zero protection.
@peggysirk no so good - cycling is a healthy activity to be encouraged plus it reduces polluting vehicle congestion. Compulsory helmet laws reduce the numbers cycling so forced helmet wearing is completely counter productive increasing ill health and promoting unhealthy environments.
Car washes....I darent go in one of those...looks like a complete nightmare to me....I prefer sitting in a wRm place with coffee & biscuit in hand reading my book while someone else does it! A complete brilliant place to take s photo!
What a traumatic time for Adam , and for you
top respect to adam for helping
That's what happens when bureaucracy decides to centralise several counties / regions into one call centre , you lose the 'knowledge'. Some services need to provide a quality service rather than being 'cost efficient' . Next thing they will be offshoring the service !
I hope the young man is OK :(
Kudos to Adam for going to the aid of the downed cyclist. That head injury does not sound good at all. Helmets for cyclists are required by law in the state of NC. I suppose that's a good thing as I would probably opt not to wear one if given the choice. I still think of myself as being indestructible even knowing that I'm not.
Well played, Cambridge!