Stormy Weather

[BBMmk2]

There's always the first time SA! Sorry to hear about this but you should always make sure you have a mobile device on you!!

[Serial_Apologist]

There's always the first time SA! Sorry to hear about this but you should always make sure you have a mobile device on you!!

Thanks Bbm! I think any mobile phone would probably have needed to be bolted onto me to have survived that particular impact!

[amateur51]

There's always the first time SA! Sorry to hear about this but you should always make sure you have a mobile device on you!!

Given the state of shock S_A would have been in, a full hip-flask might have been just as useful

[Anna]

Everyone - well, the doctor - insists I get a helmet, but I've tried and found them uncomfortable (maybe my head's the wrong shape) and in 30 years' cycling with many accidents I've never landed on me bonce - the nearest being when I smashed my nose on a road surface, for which a helmet would have provided no protection, probably just strangled me.

One huge thunderstorm has just passed directly overhead here, with lightning about every 30 seconds and strange sudden bursts of violent rain with some hail, reducing visibility to under 200 metres. Must go out now and do a cloud observation!

Well S_A, remember the woman round the corner I told you about last year - first time she'd taken her helmet off before reaching home - hit pothole - cracked head on kerb - airlifted to Frenchay - brain dead probably before she reached the helicopter - machine switched off. Up to you of course but I wonder what our other cyclists think about helmets ....... ? Actually BBM has a point re mobiles, also it would enable you to take photos and videos of cloud formations!

Now that I've cheered you up thunder rumbled around for about 45 mins followed by not particularly heavy rain. I'm hoping the weekend will be dryish as I intend to put some more plants in at the weekend.

[Serial_Apologist]

Given the state of shock S_A would have been in, a full hip-flask might have been just as useful

Does owning two hip flasks make one a hip hip hooray?

[Nick Armstrong]

I wonder what our other cyclists think about helmets ....... ?

............ well, the only (NB: I am typing with every available movable member touching wood ) incident in my cycling career across London where I have hit the deck involved me being projected forwards and sideways when the left hand pedal snagged on the kerb. I landed with perfect grace - natch - and a few oaths but no injury beyond a graze and a bruise or two, but then the bike cartwheeled after me and part of it hit my head - or would have done, had I not been wearing a helmet, which I always do.

I think it is a question of finding one that fits comfortably. Mine has to accommodate my extra-large cranium - I'm not boasting, it's just a fact, on my mother's side everyone has a 7 7/8 head and can never find hats to fit (I went in Ecuador to the place where they make the Panama hats and no one had the facilities to make one, even for ready dollars). So I have a helmet called a 'Sequoia' (when I fell, I think I made a noise like a Redwood hitting the forest floor... ) made by Bell - it's specially large, and actually quite comfortable, and an additional benefit of a helmet is the sunshade/visor which can be a godsend when riding into a low sun at dawn or (in my case ) sunset. I do recommend it S_A.

[Flay]

Yes please do wear a helmet. The potential benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

[amateur51]

Does owning two hip flasks make one a hip hip hooray?

your tumble has not affected your banter S_A!

[DracoM]

Rained here in Ultima Thule for the first time in a week. A week of warm suns, but more crippling for the garden, persistent drying winds. So HURRAY for rain!!

[Petrushka]

Sorry to hear of your accident S-A. Frightens me to death just watching cyclists in London. Not for me, thanks.

Some very heavy rain here including during my usual walk to home from the railway station

[Pabmusic]

Thanks to all for your kind wishes!

The guilty party was a van to my right which moved off as the lights changed. I was going straight on where Queens Road is joined by New Cross Road, but it swerved to the left, hitting me on its left side, then proceeded to the right of central pedestrian crossing bollards, head on into oncoming traffic , to park up at some shops. The woman driver said "Sorry no speak Engleesh" and while bystanders all said "They'll be illegals" no one offered me a phone to call the police! I took an Ibuprofen at six this morning for the pain, then woke up at ten and am now in much less discomfort, thankfully. Apparently Paracetamol and the usual painkillers are OK with the drugs regime I'm on. Everyone - well, the doctor - insists I get a helmet, but I've tried and found them uncomfortable (maybe my head's the wrong shape) and in 30 years' cycling with many accidents I've never landed on me bonce - the nearest being when I smashed my nose on a road surface, for which a helmet would have provided no protection, probably just strangled me.

One huge thunderstorm has just passed directly overhead here, with lightning about every 30 seconds and strange sudden bursts of violent rain with some hail, reducing visibility to under 200 metres. Must go out now and do a cloud observation!

I'd missed this. A horrible experience. Get better soon!

[Serial_Apologist]

I'd missed this. A horrible experience. Get better soon!

Thanks, Pabs!

Lightning during yesterday's storm was captured on youtube:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27529745

Meanwhile, it looks as if Scotland will be the best place to be for the next month, weatherwise, and the Med the worst, according to Brummie Simon. So, get those refunds fixed afore 'tis to late!

[EdgeleyRob]

Thanks, Pabs!

Lightning during yesterday's storm was captured on youtube:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27529745

Meanwhile, it looks as if Scotland will be the best place to be for the next month, weatherwise, and the Med the worst, according to Brummie Simon. So, get those refunds fixed afore 'tis to late!

Only just caught up with this SA,hope you are soon fully recovered.
A lot of rain and smell of wet dog here the last couple of days,it's been warm though.

[teamsaint]

Yesterday and today have been pretty kind up here. Rather cool and breezy, but dry,so decent weather for gentle pottering around and enjoying the gorgeous scenery. Been lucky with the weather, only one dud day all week.

Haggis for dinner tonight.

Yum.

[Nick Armstrong]

Haggis for dinner tonight.

Yum.

One of the things I associate with Skye is our practice of frying slices of leftover haggis the next morning with eggs, and breakfasting on that washed down with a robust glassful of Talisker. I do recommend it