TripSailor.com® Sailing Blogs

Chris and I attended the fracture clinic on Friday. After a long wait I finally got to see the Mr Holland, the orthopaedic surgeon who viewed my x-ray and declared that the fracture was healing well.

Explaining the urgency of my situation, he introduced us to Mr. Doyle the consultant orthopaedic person, who stated that a few week previously he had broken his ankle. He was interested in our adventure plans and we had a good conversation about our where we are going. A very nice man He then said that i was to rest up my leg for the next two weeks and if all goes well the cast would be removed and a brace would be fitted allowing me to have more movement. I am feeling much more confident in my recovery now and hope that when i go to the clinic on the 23rd April things will have improved and my recovery will be well on its way, I am well aware that i will need to be carerful and ensure my recovery progresses with physiotherapy andnot taking too many risks 

I feel miuch more confident that we will be able to start our adventure at the beginning of June.

Following the blow of my ankle injury I reconcilled that I would take no part in the launch of Fandango, that i would have to hand over the reins to Chris.

The days before launch day, Chris spent finishing off the work i had started I am most grateful that she was available and her hard work meant that Fandango was launched in the style she is accustomed to.

Due to heavy weather forecasts on launching day(Friday 2.4.2010) the lift-in was cancelled so Chris had two further days to finish and prepare.

Weather on Easter Sunday was sunny with low wind speeds, a perfect lunching day. After a good nights sleep at brother Pete’s i arrived at PSC shortly after 1000hrs. Chris was helped by Malcolm and Sandra Parker to whom i am indebted for their help.

The launch went well, although when the engine started and gears engaged Malcolm discovered that I had fitted the autostream feathering prop wrongly so the forward and rear drives were reversed causing  momentary confusion, thankfully Fandango safely arrived on her mooring where she will reside for the next few weeks.

Fandango looks resplendant on her mooring with new fabrics and a shining hull.

Many thanks to Malcolm and Sandra, brother Pete and Rhi and all at PSC who have supported us through my injury.

The next few weeks are going to be frustrated with thoughts of where we could have been, but i must concentrate of my recovery and look forward to our eventual departure.

A visit to the hospital today has resulted in the removal of my cast and application of a temporary slab pending my return to the fracture clinic tomorrow. I hope all goes well.

With only two weeks to setting off i have been working hard to get all the last minute pre launch jobs done, but the weather has conspired against us with heavy wind and rain.

Grabbing the opportunity of a sunny dry spell on Wednesday i was using the ladders to clean when they slipped and so did I.

The result was that I crashed to the ground, the pain in my left leg was soon identified by severe swelling to my ankle, it was clear that there was something wrong.

A visit to Ysbyty Gwynedd confirmed that I had a fracture to my left ankle.

A phone call to Chris resulted in little sympathy and some frustration as it was clear that the start of our trip would be delayed and her planned retirement from work in 5 days time would also be postponed.

With my leg in plaster and being unable to get onto Fandango i have called on the ever present support of Pete and Rhi who kindly put me up at their home, with support from the fantastic croud at PSC Fandango will be launched on time with help from Malcolm who has kindly agreed to help Christine with the launch and ensuring that Fandango gets onto her mooring safely. Thanks to the fantastic friends at PSC.

I now have 6-8 weeks in plaster, so our departure will be delayed pending my recovery, But we hope to be on our way by the first week in June.

Sod’s law.

Well amidst the lists, expendature and house clearing there is light at the end of the tunnel and we can see the start of our great adventure approaching.

Next week im off to Start the final preparation of Fandango for the trip.

The new livery has been delivered, the eberspacher serviced and the keel-cooler will be fitted along with new batteries and application of anti-fouling and new stripes.

all very exiting, I cant wait to get started.