Something in your eye Timothy - stop making such a fuss
No Help Sorry
It started as a mild irritation. A Doctor once told me that the eye is extremely efficient at keeping itself clean and washing out unwanted matter. I tried to focus on this positive thought, but couldn't help thinking that my left eye was taking its time.
The day had started out so well. Thursday morning I'd met Mike outside of the Malmesbury Town Hall at 7.00am. Ahead of us was a 200km ride which began with a wide arc, out around to Bourton on the Water. We'd stopped there for hot drinks and toasted tea cakes at a baker's shop.
The Royal Hop Pole, Tewkesbury
Lunch was taken at The Royal Hop Pole, Tewkesbury. Mike wisely went with a well presented pasta dish and a coffee, whilst I threw caution to the wind with a very enjoyable bowl of broccoli and stilton soup, a Pepsi and a serving of apple crumble and ice cream.
Appetites satisfied without feeling uncomfortable, we headed for Newent. I can't pinpoint precisely when or how it happened, but after Tewkesbury I became aware that there was something stuck in my left eye. I normally wear sunglasses to prevent such occurrences, but on high ground across the Cotswolds, they'd fogged up in the mist and having removed them, stupidly I'd never got around to putting them back on.
Newent
We stopped briefly at Newent. Mike went into the baker's and emerged triumphantly with a magnificent looking mince pie topped with brandy butter cream. Coming so soon after my pudding, I felt that I couldn't justify buying a cake, but I did finish off the bun I'd bought from the village shop at Poulton in the morning.
Its worth pointing out that long distance cycling is all about keeping the body well fuelled, particularly so, in winter. Running on energy bars and gels alone, is a recipe for failure.
Still plagued by whatever was refusing to leave my eye, I drowned it in a weak solution of orange squash from my water bottle and then water from Mike's.
With no change, I formulated a plan of sorts. I'd continue to our next port of call at the Forest of Dean Heritage Centre, where I'd carry out a proper examination of my eye. If I couldn't resolve the situation myself, I'd then try and get medical help.
The Forest of Dean Heritage Centre
By the time I'd reached the Heritage Centre my eye looked a bit of a mess. Puffy underneath, bloodshot and narrowed to a thin slit, looking for something which shouldn't be there, was a hopeless task.
Our route home was across the Severn Bridge. I felt confident that a town of Chepstow's size would have a hospital, and so it seemed sensible to continue in that direction.
At Bream, Mike found a Boots and suggested that the pharmacist might be able to help. The lady in question, who I sensed would have done a lot more if she hadn't been bogged down with bureaucracy, could only help me buy a bottle of Optrex eyewash. Presumably she was only filling in, as she had to ask the other staff members if there was somewhere in the shop I could use the eye bath. There wasn't. What about any public toilets or a public house, she enquired. There weren't any toilets and the public house didn't open until later.
I explored my opportunities for medical intervention. There was a hospital at Lydney, but there was a question mark as to whether it would be open. Mention of my intended destination being Chepstow brought a confident chorus of voices. My best bet was definitely Chepstow.
Outside on the footpath, most of the Optrex missed the target and ran uselessly down my face. The only way I could get any sort of relief was to ride with one eye closed.
The entrance to Chepstow's Community Hospital
At Chepstow Mike turned for home with my full blessing and I set about finding the hospital. When I did, I was filled with a sense of foreboding. Something didn't feel right, it was too quiet. There was no Accident & Emergency Department, it had closed some years ago. I was told I'd have to go to either Newport or Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. 'But I'm on a bike riding around with one eye, it's too dangerous', I pleaded.
I'd noticed on my way in that the building also housed two doctor's surgeries. Surely there was a doctor or a nurse who could take a look. 'They won't see you', I was informed, 'but you can try if you want to.'
They each had their own reception desk. The first said that they were just closing. The second listened with interest and said she'd have to speak to her supervisor. I repeated my desperate plea and for a moment it looked as though salvation was close at hand. She began inputting my details, but quickly logged off when I said that I wasn't registered with the practice.
Lydney railway platform, not exactly a station
As a last throw of the dice I asked about the hospital at Lydney. Yes, I could go there, it should be open. Getting to Chepstow had been a complete waste of time. Dejected I couldn't face cycling the 10 miles to Lydney and so I went to the Chepstow Railway Station, where, I had my first stroke of luck. The train to Lydney, which I thought I'd just missed, was actually running a few minutes late.
The Charge Nurse at the Lydney Minor Injuries Unit was a credit to her profession and after squirting the eye with some local anesthetic, she soon had the troublesome piece of grit on the end of her cotton bud. The not so good news was that the cornea was badly scratched and I'd have to use cream to prevent infection. This blurred my vision and with the pain returning as the anesthetic wore off, I had no alternative but to take the train to Gloucester, and from there to Kemble, where my wife picked me up.
My quarrel isn't with the dedicated NHS staff working at the point of delivery, it's the modern day mania for closures and centralisation implemented by those at the top, as cost-saving measures.
In view of the poor weather, Saturday's club ride to the Allington Farm Shop was abandoned.
Beginners
Group
Riders: Howard, Atherton, Dave and guest, Steve Cox.
Weather Conditions: Headwind on outward leg, temperature about 8
degrees C.
Total Mileage: 15, average speed 10.8 mph although it is worth
noting that the outward average was 9.9 and the return average was 13.2 (wind
assisted return).
Destination: Should have been Allington Farm Cafe but
circumstances, weather and with rider agreement the ride was shortened and cake
was consumed at the cafe in Hullavington.
Sporting group
Riders: Pete C, Steve M and Phil.
Weather: As above for beginners group.
Total mileage: 38, average speed 13.1 mph.
Destination: Once again the destination change due to weather
conditions and coffee was taken at Costa Coffee in Royal Wootton Bassett.
Peter C ready for the excursion to Bristol
Agh my fellow Clariontears, what a
ride you have missed!
9.30am at the square with Peter, no
one else arrived (a lot of emails saying no ta), for which I thank you all!
A wet and windy looking Bristol Harbourside
So into the wind we rode, headwind
for the most part. Some light rain, with the odd heavy shower. Not deterred we
duly arrived in Bristol, a quick decision made, a resounding no ta to Mud Dock
so onto a cafe of Peter's choice for tea and an excellent bacon butty!
Peter C enjoys his bacon butty
A return journey enhanced with a
mostly tail wind. A quick detour through Bristol and back to the Railway Path
and onward via Sherston to arrive elated and self-satisfied (as only those who
faced the elements can feel), back where it had all started, Malmesbury! A quick
hand shake and each to our separate routes home!
So the mileage (smiles) bank
increases!
Mike G
The boathouse at Bradford on Avon
I was recently pleased to receive an email from Jamie with an update on what he's up to these days. Those of you who've been members for quite a while will remember Jamie on his fixed wheel.
Jamie is now the captain of the Bradford on Avon Rowing Club, which sounds like an achievement in itself.
He's kindly invited us to come and visit him one weekend for coffee and cake at the Grumpy Badger. I'm going to pass though on his offer of a quick skulling lesson.
We might not be a racing club, but we do have first and second claim members who race. You might recall that earlier this year Jamie took part in the Tour of Cambridgeshire. Well, what I hadn't realised was that wearing his MCCC jersey, he finished in the top 25% for his age and gender group, which meant qualification for the World Amateur Road Race Championships. Unfortunately financial constraints meant that Jamie couldn't travel to Aalborg, Denmark.
A brilliant effort Jamie and one which you and the club can be rightly proud of.
The Darkroom Expresso Cafe, Swindon
Finally, John from Swindon, has been in touch. Although never a member, he has been a friend of ours for some time and has ridden with us on a number of occasions.
John has now joined the Darkroom Expresso Cycling Club in Swindon. The man responsible for setting up the club owns the Darkroom Expresso Cafe. Apparently they brew coffee in an ultra serious fashion. The club meets on a Sunday, drink coffee and then head off for their ride.
I don't know about the cycling, but the cafe certainly seems to be a big hit with the coffee drinkers. You can see what they're saying on Trip Advisor here.
