The Trip to Sydney
Trip was the operative word. I managed to trip not once, but twice. The first time, our 2nd day, was in George St. after we had lunched at The Hingara and were making our way up towards Central to catch the train to Wyong. The plus side of this experience was that 6 people stopped and offered assistance - 2 Chinese women went into an adjoining Vietnamese restaurant and brought out a chair for me to sit on whilst I recovered, and a young man went racing after Les, who walks faster than me and was blissfully unaware of my predicament. After I had recovered we crossed the street and caught a bus the rest of the way, as my left knee was painful.
The 2nd fall happened in McLeay St., Potts Point as we were returning to our hotel to collect the luggage and be picked up by the Airporter bus. Again several people stopped to help (and I thought Sydney was a cold hearted city). This time I did more damage to myself, cracking my head hard on the pavement - I looked as though I had gone a few rounds with Mohammed Ali. (Curiously we were returning from lunch at Dixon House food court this time, and no I had not imbibed any intoxicating liquor on either occasion). When we reached the airport Virgin were reluctant to allow me to travel - question 'have you seen a doctor?'. Where did they think I would find a doctor's surgery open on Good Friday, I wonder. They eventually agreed to permit me to board, and ahead of the rest of the passengers, but this was solely on the understanding that the responsibility was mine alone.
I'm currently nursing a magnificient shiner, but thankfully the swelling on my forehead has gone down, and even though the bruising continues to spread down my face the discolouration is beginning to fade.
I've come to the conclusion that Sydney's streets are very uneven, particularly where they are paved, and combined with my recent mobility problems with my left leg were just enough to tip me over. Les has accepted that I am not strong enough to go to Thailand this next, and possibly last time, and actually has doubts about his own ability to cope, but since he needs adjustments to his dentures will have to make the trip. I'm feeling depressed at the prospect of having my mobility reduced, as I have always led an active life. At present I'm walking very carefully with a walking stick, and will go and see my GP in the next few days. Bugger it!
The 2nd fall happened in McLeay St., Potts Point as we were returning to our hotel to collect the luggage and be picked up by the Airporter bus. Again several people stopped to help (and I thought Sydney was a cold hearted city). This time I did more damage to myself, cracking my head hard on the pavement - I looked as though I had gone a few rounds with Mohammed Ali. (Curiously we were returning from lunch at Dixon House food court this time, and no I had not imbibed any intoxicating liquor on either occasion). When we reached the airport Virgin were reluctant to allow me to travel - question 'have you seen a doctor?'. Where did they think I would find a doctor's surgery open on Good Friday, I wonder. They eventually agreed to permit me to board, and ahead of the rest of the passengers, but this was solely on the understanding that the responsibility was mine alone.
I'm currently nursing a magnificient shiner, but thankfully the swelling on my forehead has gone down, and even though the bruising continues to spread down my face the discolouration is beginning to fade.
I've come to the conclusion that Sydney's streets are very uneven, particularly where they are paved, and combined with my recent mobility problems with my left leg were just enough to tip me over. Les has accepted that I am not strong enough to go to Thailand this next, and possibly last time, and actually has doubts about his own ability to cope, but since he needs adjustments to his dentures will have to make the trip. I'm feeling depressed at the prospect of having my mobility reduced, as I have always led an active life. At present I'm walking very carefully with a walking stick, and will go and see my GP in the next few days. Bugger it!