“However”,he said brightening up a little,”we haven’t had an earthquake lately”. 

Eeyore A.A.Milne

Thermal baths and broken bones.

Our “R&R” in Hegyko as now turned into rest and rehabilitation instead. On our trip to the thermal spa where we wallowed happily in the thermal pools for a couple of hours, disaster struck as Pete slipped on wet tiles and broke his femur.The last 2 days have been a blur of hospital,confusion, panic, pain and rather a lot of unhappiness. But Eeyore has it right and it could have been worse and Pete received speedy treatment, being operated on very quickly.He is doing  well and walking with a zimmer frame (!) and is very determined to get back to normal (whatever that is) as quickly as possible. He is even being obedient and doing his exercises as instructed.We have managed to laugh at the irony of visiting the “Wellness Centre” to ease aches and muscular strain and leaving with a broken bone and unimaginable pain!
It looks as if the elephant might have to be put in the fridge for a while and we are using our insurance , which we hoped we would never have to do , to get us home. Pete is being very positive and describing this as a blip and there is talk of us continuing the trip when he is able. We shall see. Healing could take anything from 6 to 12 weeks.

Thank you for reading our blogs. The positive feedback we have had and the kind comments have been so encouraging and for two people who were rather cynical about actually writing a blog, I think we might be converted! I hope I can say,”to be continued”…………….

Limerick

There was a young man called Pete 

Who couldn’t stay up on his feet.

He slipped and he fell

The pain it was hell

Postponing the elephant to eat.

Chris

Comments

  1. Heather Tipler says:

    Hey, I’m so so sorry to hear this news Chris and Pete! We had a farmers’ market in Brampton today so of course the grapevine was active and I heard about your awful disaster. How ironic; not even on a bike. Actually, I think on reflection, that’s rather comforting, as you can rest assured that your bike skills are exemplary.
    Peter has a lovely smile on his face but I can imagine it’s been a most challenging and traumatic time.
    Thank goodness you have a house waiting for you!
    Look forward to seeing you both soon and hope the journey goes smoothly. xx

    1. Peter Lloyd says:

      Thanks Heather and hope to see you soon. Xx

  2. Hilary & Tim says:

    Devastating news and so frustrating for you both, not to say painful for Pete. If there is any good news in this it is that we will see you much sooner than expected. Take care.

  3. David Whewell says:

    There is a large bone called a femur
    To use it will make you much leaner
    But beware of a slip
    (That’s no good for hips)
    And leads to a sadder demeanour

    Wishing you a speedy recovery and a safe return – feel so sad for you both but know you will bounce back
    Masses of love
    Dave
    PS Reassuring photo but I am again concerned that Peter seems also to have lost a finger of his right hand – are his hands ok ?

  4. Andy Crawford says:

    Guys, guys, GUYS! … so sorry to hear this. Pete – you look cheerful enough in the pic, but you must both be gutted after having made such great progress, and written such eloquent, enjoyable and warm-hearted blog posts! … When I saw the words broken bones I naturally assumed some spectacular cycling accident – but you’re right, no earthquake … just a very unfortunate … postponement to your immediate goal! Is it a good thing this has happened relatively near the beginning? … I don’t know. Anyway, I know you two, you’ll be back at it as soon as you’re able! Thinking of you – lots of love and sympathy to you both! Andy xx [Hilary is subscribed separately and I’m sure will post … ]

  5. anthony farrell says:

    What wretched luck however it could have been worse it could have happened in Outer Mongolia, if it was on your route; I doubt the medical facilities would have been so readily available there. It sounds as if you got quicker medical treatment than you might have received at home.

  6. Pat says:

    We are extremely sorry this has happened to you Pete… Rest and recover without too much pain we hope, and remember the rivers will be there for your return. You will get there !! ?
    We are sad for you both. Of course we will miss your stories , and pictures but, just press the pause button for now … Love to you both ..
    Pat and Eddie.

  7. Sheena Murray says:

    Hi Chris and Pete
    So so sorry to see this news, thankfully help was near hand and Pete OK ish, is looking very chirpy but you must be so disappointed. When you eventually get back if you need bikes picked up with the van let us know. Just pleased you were near a hospital.
    Love
    Sheena and Davy xx

  8. Eileen Titterington says:

    So sorry to hear this news Pete but I wish you a speedy recovery, thinking of you to Chris take care Eileen Titterington xx

  9. Heidi says:

    Such a shame, I’ve been enjoying following your journey. Hope you’re able to resume in a few weeks. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

  10. Eric Horn says:

    Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
    What a bugger !
    Better luck next time
    Keep smiling

  11. Alison Gash says:

    Limerick (ish) 2
    From Wall to Wall it is their aim
    But Wellness struck and made Pete lame
    Nought but a blip
    That damned slip
    And soon they’ll be off again ……….. xxxxx

  12. Fiona McElhinney says:

    I heard about this catastrophe about 15 minutes before the blog update! I was getting a lift to Kirkcaldy this evening from James & Liz Smith, who I’d just met – his brother and sister-in-law are friends of ours – and hearing they live near Hexham thought I’d tell them about my amazing friends’ amazing bike ride. (I dine out on your story quite a lot!) Anyway I got as far as “I have friends who live in Hallbankgate..” and Liz asked “are they cyclists?”!!! She explained that they are friends of Tom’s parents-in-law and told me about the broken leg… you sound like you’re being very positive but you must be devastated. Hope to see you during your enforced half time xx

  13. Julienne says:

    So sorry to hear this after all you have accomplished but no doubt you’ll carry on from where you left off sometime in the future. Thinking of you both and hope for a speedy return to this country for you to recover. xx

  14. John Hopkins says:

    Dear Pete and Chris,
    Sorry to hear of your setback; but you will still return as hero and wounded hero to all your supporters in Cumbria.
    The sun is shining here after all the rain and it looks like spring will be here to greet you back home as well.
    Cheers
    John and Dee

  15. Renee says:

    Hi Chris & Pete,

    We are so sorry to hear about this painful obstacle on your path. Sometimes bad things happen for a good reason. As you say, it could have been a lot worse.

    I don’t know why, but I never got your last blog update! David told me about it and forwarded it to me.

    We both wish you godspeed in healing and getting back safely. If there’s anything we can do to help, please let us know.

    Renee and David

  16. Jean simpson says:

    So very sorry to hear this has happened, especially after all you had achieved so far, Hope you are both okay and manage to get home asap and Pete recovers quickly. I’m sure you will still be up for continuing your journey at a later date. Thinking of you lots xx

  17. Denis Inch says:

    Dear Pete and Chris,
    Massively disappointed for you. Hope recovery is swift.
    Love,
    Denis

  18. Stewart Brady says:

    So sorry to hear of the accident. Let us hope that your trip will continue after healing.

    Stewart & Janet Brady

  19. Stewart & Maria ( St Ninian's) says:

    Hi Chris & Pete,
    Sorry to hear of your bad luck. Wishing you a speedy recovery and well done to you both for making it so far- we have been following your progress with great interest and not a little envy. Hopefully you will be able to complete the second half in due course.
    Stewart & Maria

  20. Irmgard und Gerhard says:

    So very sorry to hear this has happened. We wish you a good healing .
    We hope that your trip will continue after healing.

    Irmgard und Gerhard

  21. lizhughan says:

    So sorry to hear of your accident, Pete.What a shame when you were both getting on so well.As long as you are both safe now, you will get onto other adventures before long, I have no doubt!
    Liz and Ju x

  22. Daphne and Mark says:

    Dear Chris and Pete we have only just heard the news as we haven’t checked into the blog for a few days. What bad luck! Commiserations and all good wishes for a swift recovery, Pete. Love from Mark & Daphne xx

  23. Kate Swindlehurst says:

    FINALLY caught up with your news – so sorry to hear about the accident and the interrupted journey. But knowing you both, I’m sure you will continue at some point.
    Enjoyed the limericks!
    I didn’t make it to Bulgaria either this spring – maybe we’ll meet there in the autumn???

    Meanwhile take it easy!!
    Lots of love & best wishes for a full recovery
    Kate xx

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