Yes, well, it was a cool, blue-skied, shining, autumnal Sunday, and we - the trekking group I belong to - had congregated in a gorgeous green field from which we could see the towers of San Gimignano silhuetted against the sky. We happily set out on our 13k trek.
It didn't last all that long for me however... a skip across a little forest stream- arriving safely on the other side; then at the next, easy, step up the forest path my foot was entangled in a layer of trecherous fine roots; I went flying forward and smashed my left knee against a rock...
It quickly became evident that I would not be able to carry on, I would have to be lifted out of there! Emergency services were called, with some difficulty because we had strayed out of easy coverage.
I eventually found myself strapped to a stretcher and was carried to the waiting ambulance which stood about 800 m. from the accident spot. 4 Heroic volunteers from the San Giminano MISERICORDIA, the Italian social/health services as well as 4 fellow walkers took on the task of carting me up the steep hill ascent. The event got front page position in the local paper La Nazione in the morning.
I spent 5 nights in Poggibonsi hospital where they operated on my broken knee cap.
Back home again last Friday night, this time transported by another Misericorda team, who were laughing at my pyamas which they had time to notice because the journey took a while and eyes had time to stray... My Karma Sutra pyamas was given me once a long time ago by Giulietta, when I was about to go in to hospital for some other reason...It never fails to amuse me that people don't notice what the pattern is.
Back home there was dear Patty who had come down from Bologna to help me for a few days. Soon arrived three, four other friends from the walking group and a couple of theatre friends- it became quite a jolly party!
And today Patty left, and I am starting to look after myself- but I and my crutches are
already able to go and have a cup of coffee and a croissant at the bar St. Pietro!
The ultimate drama queen - but of course it's serious. Perhaps you could put up the bit of the newspaper report. Can't wait to see you around Xmas, and rest up as much as you can (difficult for Typhoon Ann-Sofi, I know).
ReplyDeleteOK David, will put it up when back from the control today, and will also put up a close up of the Kama Sutra pyamas!
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