Well, it’s been a bit of a challenging week, at least for me.
On Monday my bike slid from beneath me while I was cycling over a brick surface. It was wet, and I suspect that a layer of slimy algae was involved. I should have been more aware of the hazard – only a couple of weeks earlier a girl cycling in front of me suffered the same fate, and I had to assist her to her feet. My ignominious fall was in front of a coffee shop, and I had several offers of assistance, and
to buy me a coffee, but, attempting to a least keep my pride intact, I assured everyone that I was fine, and limped off, pushing my bike, before finding a seat in a secluded corner of DeMontfort University Campus, through which I cycle daily, to nurse my bruised, knee, adjust the saddle so that it was once again pointing forwards, and replace the chain.
My left knee is still tender, but my bike was relatively unscathed. I brought forward a planned spring service from March to last Friday, and the only part no longer fit for service was the bell, now replaced. The shop managed to polish out various light grazes, and thanks to the service, the bike now rides better than before the incident. I reported the accident to the appropriate folk at the Council, and the bricks have now been steam cleaned.
On Wednesday I had a “display screen equipment” eye test for work – quite a basic eye test by the company that provides subsidised specs if required. The optician expressed grave concerns that my right eye had deteriorated significantly in the 2 years since the previous DSE test. I told him that a couple of weeks ago I noticed some flashes of light at the edge of the field of vision of my right eye, lasting a couple of hours, followed by a lot of “floaters”, like black snow for a couple of days, although not enough to impede vision. He got even more concerned, and said he should refer me for a medical examination. By now I was also worried, and promised to make an appointment for a full eye test at Boots, my regular optician.
On Friday afternoon I duly presented myself at Boots, and after the standard eye test, the optician put drops in my eyes to dilate them, and commenced a thorough examination. “You have a torn retina” she announced. “You need to go to the hospital eye department. Now. I will fax them so that you are expected”. This was not good. (a) I would not be able to collect my bike from the “Bike Park” before it closed, (b) Chantal was at a photography club all evening (c) I would miss out on a planned pint after work with colleagues. In the event I was told that, since my ongoing symptoms were non-existent, I should report back to the eye clinic on Saturday morning, although by this time my bike was inaccessible, and I’d missed out on a pint. Chantal kindly left her Club early to take me home.
On Saturday morning a consultant confirmed the Boots diagnosis, and on Saturday afternoon I underwent laser surgery to repair the damage – a procedure that sound more dramatic than in reality. In fact it was not much more invasive than some of the tests done during an standard eye amination, resting my head against a frame while my right eye was subjected to s series of bright flashes, and then I could go home. I was impressed with the short time between diagnosis and rectifying the problem.
Today has been a welcome dose of normality. Chantal drove me into Leicester to collect my bike, which I cycled home against a strong headwind. Thank goodness it is an electric bike. Matthew and Andree joined us for Sunday roast at lunchtime.
On the subject of wind, which we were, sort of, Storm Doris felled the largest part of the large fir tree at the bottom of our garden. A significant portion of it is now next door. No serious damage though – I will need to set-to with a chain saw next weekend.
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
