Poor Simba (the cat) was very weak today, unable to stand, so we look her to the vets at 8pm in the evening and had her put to sleep. She now lives at the bottom of the garden under the daffodils. It was slightly amusing seeing Rosemary and I trying to bury Simba using a torch for light and me trying to help dig while being supported with crutches.
Stoke Mandeville
On Saturday I travelled to Hundred House and did some paragliding. Unfortunately on one lading on the slope I heard a load crack. I assumed my boot had broken. My ankle hurt, so I packed up and drove home. Gear changing was awkward as pressing the clutch down hurt my foot.
In the morning my ankle was too sore to walk on. Rosemary took the day off and we visited A&E at Stoke Mandeville. X-rays taken within minutes, and then a five hour wait for the doctor. Left after seven hours with my leg below the knee in plaster. I had broken the small leg bone near the foot. Some talk of having to have an operation and plate inserted, but as the bone had not moved and I had been walking on it then plaster will be sufficient. What a disaster, when will be be back in the air?
The issue had been my landing. Not breaking and not standing up in the harness when landing. Result was foot hit the ground at a fast forward speed. Silly boy.
More ground handling
After the previous nights celebrations, paragliding had to take a back seat. Beautiful day, wind machines around the UK seemed to be suggesting a flyable day. Instead I stayed at home and gave the lawn its first cut of the year, and did a bit of ground handling. Mastered this reverse launch!
Colin Boot’s fiftieth birthday
Went to Colin Boots fiftieth birthday celebration/commiseration at the Bull and Butcher. Nice buffet had been laid on my Ricky, and Ursula had laid nice company. Usual culprits were in attendance. Many Old Speckled Hens later, Graham, Selina’s boyfriend came an picked us up to take us home.
More work for Rosemary
Another weekend with Rosemary working the whole weekend in the office. At least the product her company is implementing is now live. So no more weekends, and hopefully she will be back early from now on. The weather was too windy for paragliding, so I was not able to make use of my free time. Usual lunch time trip to the P&A for lunch.
KC&RC committee meeting
Well we had the KC&RC committee meeting at the Swan. We had left the organisation of a dance too late, so will be having one in September instead of April. Probably date the 19th or 20th We agreed to buy an automatic trap, seems everyone is fed up using the manual levermatic traps. Also you can put the automatic in line of fire which means you can set-up shoots far more easily. We also agreed to purchase a 20ft container to store all the traps, subject to Sally and Peter having it on their land. The Welsh trip is to be organised for May bank holiday.And that was that..
Funeral of Reg Nixy
Today at 10.30 a nearby neighbour, Reg Nixy was buried. He had lived to 85. He had fought in the war, and been evacuated from Dunkirk. They had lived in the village for over 50 years. The service was pleasant and well attended. Afterwards we adjourned to Jacks for tea and sandwiches.
Paragliding and Triumphs
Well I should have gone paragliding, but instead in the afternoon we washed the Triumph, took it for a drive and boiled the brake fluid. I did wonder why I could only get to 40 mph, and that had to be in third gear. So must speak to Graham to see what damage I have done to the front brake and cylinder. The paragliding bit, well I did some ground handling in the field. My last flights last year were all forwards launches, and I have all but forgotten how to do a reverse launch. I was also trying a technique, which is called the reverse hand launch. Something most people launch with, but I never mastered. It is a safer technique when launching in a strong wind on a hill.
Clay shooting
More work for Rosemary, but at least from home. The day was a beautiful sunny day, so I went clay shooting in the morning at Collet. Quite a good turn out for the KC&RC. Not sure what my score was. I really should take the cards and publish them on the web. We decided it was time to have a committee meeting
Work work work
Saturday was a sad day for me. Rosemary had to work all day. Result was a lunchtime meal in the Plough and Anchor as a reward for me. I do love their starter salad of green leaves, oranges and raspberry juice. The main course was lobster.