Friday 13 November 2015

An unexpected interlude

I'd planned to spend a couple of days with my folks, then continue on my way. The first day I sorted and dried out gear, cleaned Horse and then took him into town to be re-shoed with new brake pads.  I repaired the back tyre, which turned out to have two holes, followed by a long siesta and a general battery-recharge . The next day we nipped into town, and I picked up a new camera, more porridge and some rice for the next leg of the trip.

Dad didn't feel too well as we drove home, and later in the morning he staggered in from the garden looking very ashen-faced. We took him to A&E where we were told he'd had a heart attack. He spend the next week in hospital, until they could fit him up with some stents. "Is there anything you need dad?" "Can you bring my pint mug in? The cups in here are like thimbles!"

So there was a ten-day interlude in Nuneaton, and this would seem a good point to give the place a plug. It's really friendly! What's more it has great cycling credentials. Graeme Obree, the Flying Scotsman and world record-breaking cyclist was born in Nuneaton! He's the Flying Nuneatonian! Other luminaries include George Eliot, famed for her novels and sprint finishes, film director Ken Loach, comedian Larry Grayson and no nonsense Mary Whitehouse.

Dad came out on the 21st November, a new man. We managed to sneak a couple of hour's fishing at Draycote Water the next day, much to mum's displeasure, then the day after I hit the road again.