How not to arrive at a Davis Cup weekend ........

[Sallydaisy]

It's a good job the Travelodge has a large laundry trolley.

More to follow.

[Sallydaisy]

Arrived at Braehead safe but definitely not without incident .....
Had a fun trip to Sainsburys for a bag or three of frozen peas and painkillers.
But at least it wasn't a trip to A&E.

Pat and i left Dunstable, or thereabouts, around 12.50 and made good time. Stopped at Norton Caines on the M6Toll around 13.30 for a loo break and carried on. I was keen to get past Manchester before 16.00 to avoid the rush3hrs there and we did well arriving at Tebay (top end of Lakes) around 16.50 having clocked up 270miles.

I was quite hungry and wanted a longish (20mins) break and a cup of coffee. The driving conditions between B'ham and Manchester area were appalling - mist/drizzle brought visibility down to about 4 car lengths at times and it seemed never ending. It had cleared as we drove up through the lakes and the rain had stopped so it was all looking a lot better. Temps hovered between 0 and 2 degrees but we were aware many people were worried about making it to DC at all.

Pat had a cake and I had soup and on the way out I picked up a takeaway coffee to drink whilst continuing the drive and we were quite relaxed when heading back to the car.

Honestly I didn't DO anything! But I was just stepping down the last bit of pavement before crossing over to my car and my right foot slipped and I landed with my left leg doubled back underneath me!

Cue excruciating pain, mega howls of anguish and Pat looking down on me with much concern. After squealing for embarassingly far too long I rolled over and managed to stand up. It was extremely sore and I was soaked from sitting on the wet ground and also because my coffee had spilled all over my knitted Uggs!!!

I hobbled to the car and wondered whether I'd be able to drive at all because I was worried I'd not be abe to use the clutch pedal. Anyhow, Pat went and got another cup of coffee (free replacement) and I changed into dry joggers and took 2 Ibuprofen. We set off with much argh'ing from me - and a very worried Pat. The pain went from the front of my ankle right up to groin and my knee felt as though it'd been hit with a claw hammer and changing gear was difficult.

I told Pat we'd be much later reaching Braehead as I thought it sensible to stop at every service station and get out to walk around and keep the knee moving. So we stopped for 7/8 mins at the next one and I duly hobbled. it felt awful but obviously there wasn't any ligament damage and we carried on.

Needed petrol so we got off at the next place and put in enough to get us to Glasgow; motorway services charge about 5p more per gallon than ordinary places. The knee seemed a bit easier; probably the Ibu had finally kicked in. I found a place for the knee to feel comfy whilst driving and by the time we got to Glasgow the traffic was quiet so we sailed onto Braehead. I'd put on a CD of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue which had us giggling and Pat kept Lizzim (approx 2hrs behind us) up to speed with forward travelling conditions and weather updates!

So we made it to Braehead and headed straight to Sainsburys where Pat was despatched to buy 2 bags of frozen peas, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and a bottle of pale Italian medicine. *cough*

By the time we got to the Travelodge we were both hungry and after checking in made our way to the Restaurant. SG had already arrived and ensured there were wine stocks aplenty and was esconced in the restaurant. So, we went to join her and friends and had something to eat before listening to the Murray Interview with Jon Overend.

Then to unload the car.

I do not understand the words 'travelling light' so we borrowed the hotel laundry trolley to make 2 trips from car to room ... After a few tries I'm set up for wifi internet access and speaking to you 'live from Braehead'..... bag of peas on knee, suitably refreshed and about to take a painkiller cocktail.

Kneegate continues tomorrow.
And American Expressgate will be taking a bow!

[ljs]

omgosh Sally , hope the knee is ok , so u can get around and of course make those walks in the evening to the bar :rolling:

[Katie]

That sounds really painful Sally! - hope your knee is better now.

[AllyB]

Hope your knee's feeling better today Sally. There's an Asda filling station just off J24 on the M8 when you're heading home that's as cheap for fuel as any i've found in Glasgow.

[hfwardhouse]

Oh Sally .... :grouphug: - hope you've had a good night's sleep and the knee is feeling ok today.

At least you'll have plenty helpers to get you from the Travelodge to Braehead and back! And you can always stop at Wetherspoons for a "rest" ;)

[Golden Lady]

So sorry to hear that you hurt your knee Sally :hug:. I hope that it is feeling easier this morning and that you have a great time today.

[Lizzim]

Glad to hear you arrived, if with a little drama! We did wonder why you seemed to be progressing a little slowly but now it makes sense :)

[xenon21]

Wow! Entering DC with a bang! Hope your knee is feeling better!

[FoxyFi]

Good heavens Sally, what a dramatic journey. Hope your leg/knee is feeling better today.

:stretcher:

[Linda]

Sorry to hear of your accident Sally - I hope the knee is feeling much better now :grouphug:

[davech]

We can compare knees later. That'll be fun.

[hfwardhouse]

:eek: knee comparing .... gosh what a riveting way to spend a weekend :red devil: ;)

[KnightOwl]

I don't think it would take all weekend! I can't see them getting more than, ooh, maybe two whole minutes of fun from that ;)

[hfwardhouse]

Oh that's a relief then - it should all be over by the time I get there ;)

That's assuming we ever leave here of course .... am just off to look for Mr HFW :grrr:

[KnightOwl]

Well, I'm sure they would arrange a separate viewing, just for you - if you ask nicely :big grin:

[RoastLamb]

Wow! That fall sounds horrific!!! Hope it's OK. :grouphug: Excellent blog, though. :clap:

[cazza99]

:grouphug: Sally. Hopefully the :wino: will be a good anaesthetic :)

[hfwardhouse]

Well, I'm sure they would arrange a separate viewing, just for you - if you ask nicely :big grin:

Gee thanks ... think I may opt not to though ;) :red devil:

Minnie is currently painting her nails - hope everyone notices tomorrow!!!

[karanga]

Sorry to hear of your accident, Sally. Hope you're better. :sad:

Enjoyed reading your blog. :thanks:

[KnightOwl]

Minnie is currently painting her nails - hope everyone notices tomorrow!!!

We'll make a point of it :)

Looking forward to seeing you both - it wasn't the same without you this evening - it was good, but you were missed!

[hfwardhouse]

Don't look too closely .... it went a bit pearshaped - she didn't ask for assistance :eek:

[rondun]

Minnie is currently painting her nails - hope everyone notices tomorrow!!!

We'll make a point of it :)

Don't look too closely .... it went a bit pearshaped - she didn't ask for assistance :eek:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/rondun/painted-nails.jpg:getcoat:

[cazza99]

:rolling: you've hammered that one.

[hfwardhouse]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[supergran]

Gee thanks ... think I may opt not to though ;) :red devil:

Minnie is currently painting her nails - hope everyone notices tomorrow!!! Well, I didn't see this post until today and I certainly noticed and loved her nails.