I started writing this 10 days ago but paused it on account of the Bedford train crash. The moment of horror when first you hear of an ‘incident’ and then the realisation that people you know may be on the train. My brother, missed it and somehow managed to get back via Sandy. Others missed all connections and were stranded in London, returning by train and bus on Saturday. They were the lucky ones , we were the lucky ones , not a day that we were on the train, as we so often are. My friend M was on the train. She started texting immediately. Hurt and scared. She was deemed category 3 so did not get into an ambulance for hours and then on to Luton. She was in the front coach of the second train. What she witnessed must have been horrific. She’s amazing. One of our GPs despite her injuries stayed to help and administer what she could. Luton is the MaxFax centre and so I am thinking the surgeons I know so well will be flat out sorting the poor passengers there and having to cancel clinics etc…rightly so. Explanations for cancellations helps. Doesn’t always happen! There are so many stories so many acts of kindness. Incredible response from police, ambulance, fire and air ambulance. everyone here knows someone connected in some way.

A week on and hopefully people are somehow coping and recovering. Not forgetting the poor driver and his family. Goodness knows what happened.

The story I was going to relate was indeed about trains. It doesn’t seem appropriate to make it funny but to explain it as it happened.

I boarded a train at Peterborough for Edinburgh . Using the app called ‘Seat Frog’ I got an upgrade to first. It doesn’t always work but when it does the ability to get a seat with a table, wifi, socket, and copious tea, coffee, water…in fact there’s any sort of drinks and food too. I had a small bit of work to do and then looked forward to relaxing with my book and the scenery. I chose an unoccupied seat. Window. Table. ‘Available’ on the lit up signage . There were lots of spare seats but this seemed a good option for a bit of peace and quiet. The lady in the seat behind immediately got up and said «  That’s a priority disabled seat » nosy old bag. For the first time ever I said: «  I AM disabled » I have never pulled the disability card before. «  would you like to see my disability or my disability card? » She muttered into her magazine….I said » look if anyone in a wheelchair or whatever needs it I will move. There are lots of seats. …. » She muttered away and I nearly pulled out a load of catheters – rest assured I did not.

Coming back next day, I flew on a much delayed flight into Luton. The cabin crew explained all the delays and that helps with the tired passengers hoping to get home by midnight. ( we didn’t !). The amazingly nice kind crew began dispensing drinks. I had picked a seat at the back ( first off on arrival always a good thing). Easy jet and Ryanair don’t pay for the ‘passenger boarding bridge ‘ so you know there will be steps at the back and the front. Top tip! Where was I? Oh yes the crew started the drinks trolley from the back. I was first up….I was going to order some water and get some sleep. However, they said : On the plane up from Luton a man had bought a Moretti and asked for it to be kept on ice for the first tired passenger on the way back! It was me. Wow. what kindness. The crew kept laughing and chatting about… beers…as we eventually arrived at Luton sometime after midnight but speedily dispatched into the night and home.

As for medical news… more dentistry two hours… but it all went wrong so back Monday….bummer….

Appointment in London, not sure about train, I will drive if trains not yet back to working…Tuesday…that’s the pain management clinic…hopefully they can sort my faulty stimulator implant Nevro…..

More soon. Hope its cool wherever you are…