Well after not managing to get anyone into my flat all the time I was away in Canada the agents have finally sort it out and managed to rent the flat out at 180p/w
to a Scottish guy called John.
He will be moving in on Friday evening and doesn't mind about the bed.
For those of you that don't know my flat is quite small (its in the docklands so space costs a lot of money) and so the double bed is raised up to make a space underneath for an office.
I just have to pay for a clean up of the flat and for someone to take an inventory of the contents.
I think as soon as I told them to drop the price (just before I flew back), which they had originally at 210p/w, to 190p/w people started to look at it and then it went pretty fast.
I had aimed for 190p/w but its much better to have someone in and paying than it sitting empty.
Now all I have to do is find somewhere for me to live once the knee is better.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Letting Work know
A tricking thing but I had to let everyone know now that I'm back, what's happened and that I'm back in the country.
This broke down into two groups Work and everyone else.
Well everyone else was straight forward about half already knew due to this blog and I sent out a quick email just to let everyone know. I got a lot of very nice emails back from all sorts of different people saying get well soon and we should met up for a drink when I feel up for it.
Work was also fine, a bit more of a shock as not many of them know about the blog. Basically Rich and Rob said they would be quite happy to have me back as soon as I feel up to it.
So it's fine and a weight off my mind.
I'll see what the NHS say about getting an operation and then arrange to go back to work in (hopefully) a couple of weeks when the knee will be more able to cope with travelling into London by train.
This broke down into two groups Work and everyone else.
Well everyone else was straight forward about half already knew due to this blog and I sent out a quick email just to let everyone know. I got a lot of very nice emails back from all sorts of different people saying get well soon and we should met up for a drink when I feel up for it.
Work was also fine, a bit more of a shock as not many of them know about the blog. Basically Rich and Rob said they would be quite happy to have me back as soon as I feel up to it.
So it's fine and a weight off my mind.
I'll see what the NHS say about getting an operation and then arrange to go back to work in (hopefully) a couple of weeks when the knee will be more able to cope with travelling into London by train.
Knees, GPs and bits of paper.
Its crazy because I'm at my Parents I can't really go to my own doctor so I wanted to go to the local one that my Parents use. I only wanted a referral to the hospital and didn't want to trouble the GP for anything else (such as drugs).
However the is a rule that GP are not allow to refer temporary visitors (only give them drugs) and they force you to register just to get a referral (and as a result deregister from you own GP). So after some serious form filling in. I get to come back that evening to see the GP and get him to make an appointment at the fracture clinic at the local hospital. The visit with the GP takes about 2mins, half the time it takes to register.
Fortunately I get a phone call fairly quickly saying I have an appointment on Monday at the hospital. They should be able to tell me how long it will take and what can be done about it. This will start the whole waiting list process and hopefully the doctor will be able to answer questions such as what is the length of rehab and more importantly can I ski next year?
However the is a rule that GP are not allow to refer temporary visitors (only give them drugs) and they force you to register just to get a referral (and as a result deregister from you own GP). So after some serious form filling in. I get to come back that evening to see the GP and get him to make an appointment at the fracture clinic at the local hospital. The visit with the GP takes about 2mins, half the time it takes to register.
Fortunately I get a phone call fairly quickly saying I have an appointment on Monday at the hospital. They should be able to tell me how long it will take and what can be done about it. This will start the whole waiting list process and hopefully the doctor will be able to answer questions such as what is the length of rehab and more importantly can I ski next year?
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Back to Blighty
Well the start of the six nations England v Scotland match was certainly worth travelling through the night all the way from Canada to see.
The trip to the airport was a little strange because just as we got down out of the mountains we left the sunny blue skies and the weather conditions got really bad. most of the way it was a white out with quite a bit of snow falling. So much so the flight was delayed while they had to deice the wings.
The airport was fun mainly because the customs desk is miles from the air canada desk (I had to get my receipts stamped so I can claim the tax back on the stuff I bought). Also we had a little fun with the check in as my medical clearance to fly didn't show up on their system. fortunately I had all the documentation on me and was able to get it sorted that way. They got me a wheel chair and I whizzed through passport control and past the xray machine. They xray my stuff including the crutches but I just was given a quick hand search (ooh missus!). Then they wheeled me up to the exit gate and parked me until it was time for the flight. This was all great but by the time they loaded me onto the plane, I was first on, I was busting for a pee.
The flight was nice, especially as I was in first class. the meals where on proper plates and the wine in real glasses. This was demonstrated by one of the air hostesses when she dropped a couple of glasses and covered the floor in bits of glass. I decided not to take my shoes off for this flight. The seats where nice and big with controls to electronically lift the foot rest and lower the back. The seat also had a built in TV and I watch the film 'The Prestige' (good) and 'The Illusionist' (better) again despite the entertain system crashing a couple of times.
I was struck, while we were coming in to land, by how much I had missed the colour green while I was in Banff. The fields and trees where very colourful in the briliant clear sunshine as southern England was having a very nice day.
At Heathrow I was last off the plane and got another wheel chair ride back out through the special medical and cabin crew gates and out to meet my dad who was waiting out the front.
So it was off back to Watton to catch up with everybody and then off to Ivy's party, which was fun although by that time it was all I could do not to fall asleep.
The trip to the airport was a little strange because just as we got down out of the mountains we left the sunny blue skies and the weather conditions got really bad. most of the way it was a white out with quite a bit of snow falling. So much so the flight was delayed while they had to deice the wings.
The airport was fun mainly because the customs desk is miles from the air canada desk (I had to get my receipts stamped so I can claim the tax back on the stuff I bought). Also we had a little fun with the check in as my medical clearance to fly didn't show up on their system. fortunately I had all the documentation on me and was able to get it sorted that way. They got me a wheel chair and I whizzed through passport control and past the xray machine. They xray my stuff including the crutches but I just was given a quick hand search (ooh missus!). Then they wheeled me up to the exit gate and parked me until it was time for the flight. This was all great but by the time they loaded me onto the plane, I was first on, I was busting for a pee.
The flight was nice, especially as I was in first class. the meals where on proper plates and the wine in real glasses. This was demonstrated by one of the air hostesses when she dropped a couple of glasses and covered the floor in bits of glass. I decided not to take my shoes off for this flight. The seats where nice and big with controls to electronically lift the foot rest and lower the back. The seat also had a built in TV and I watch the film 'The Prestige' (good) and 'The Illusionist' (better) again despite the entertain system crashing a couple of times.
I was struck, while we were coming in to land, by how much I had missed the colour green while I was in Banff. The fields and trees where very colourful in the briliant clear sunshine as southern England was having a very nice day.
At Heathrow I was last off the plane and got another wheel chair ride back out through the special medical and cabin crew gates and out to meet my dad who was waiting out the front.
So it was off back to Watton to catch up with everybody and then off to Ivy's party, which was fun although by that time it was all I could do not to fall asleep.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Times up in Canada
I'm just waiting for the transfer bus to the airport due at 1:30. So Rich and I are watch a last bit of biker build off and sci fi stuff on the TV while I finish packing.
Last night we all had a jolly night out starting with us all going to Mellisa's followed by a quick lesson on ski tuning, then off to the rose and crown, and finally Hoodoo nightclub. the whole thing finished around 2:30 with sitting in the hotel reception watching the more drunk members of the group returning from town. It was nice to see everyone together for one last time.
I was lucky with the ski tuning lesson as they managed to have one of the session before I headed off home. The lesson covered waxing, edging and filling in holes on the underside of the skis. These things repair normal damage to the ski and lets them run faster and make more accurate turns. We got to try out the techniques on a couple of old skis. It should save me some money in the long run as I will be able to do some of the things you would normally need to pay a ski shop to do, to keep my skis in top condition.
Last night we all had a jolly night out starting with us all going to Mellisa's followed by a quick lesson on ski tuning, then off to the rose and crown, and finally Hoodoo nightclub. the whole thing finished around 2:30 with sitting in the hotel reception watching the more drunk members of the group returning from town. It was nice to see everyone together for one last time.
I was lucky with the ski tuning lesson as they managed to have one of the session before I headed off home. The lesson covered waxing, edging and filling in holes on the underside of the skis. These things repair normal damage to the ski and lets them run faster and make more accurate turns. We got to try out the techniques on a couple of old skis. It should save me some money in the long run as I will be able to do some of the things you would normally need to pay a ski shop to do, to keep my skis in top condition.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Jason
another blow to the IA yesterday
one of my good friends here, Jason, badly dislocated his shoulder while out boarding.
He went off to the hospital and came back with quite an evil looking torture device designed to stop his arm dropping out of its shoulder socket. Unlike me he is in qutie a bit of pain and so we decided we would try quite a lot of alcohol to see if that helped. It did a bit !
so unfortunatly he too will be heading home early.
one of my good friends here, Jason, badly dislocated his shoulder while out boarding.
He went off to the hospital and came back with quite an evil looking torture device designed to stop his arm dropping out of its shoulder socket. Unlike me he is in qutie a bit of pain and so we decided we would try quite a lot of alcohol to see if that helped. It did a bit !
so unfortunatly he too will be heading home early.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Final Plans
I'm getting the Air Canada flight on Friday at 17.55
If such things can ever be really well time this flight is. Firstly it lets me have a big night out on Thursday when everyone else can go out as they don't have school on Friday. Secondly I should get back in time on the Saturday to go my niece Ivy's Second Birthday party.
Oh and the start of the Six nations as well!
If such things can ever be really well time this flight is. Firstly it lets me have a big night out on Thursday when everyone else can go out as they don't have school on Friday. Secondly I should get back in time on the Saturday to go my niece Ivy's Second Birthday party.
Oh and the start of the Six nations as well!
It's Snowing
I guess the weather has worked out I'm leaving. Since my crash we haven't had much in the way of new snow and the conditions out on the slopes have deteriorated. Not so good for the rest of the group and their skiing but quite good for me as the paths are clear of snow and ice for me to get around without too much trouble.
However today it started snowing as I was coming back from the hospital and everything is starting to get coated in snow. I had decided to walk back for the first time (rather than get a taxi) in order to work my leg out a bit and by the time I got back I was covered from head to toe in snow!
I was at the Hospital in order to pick up my treatment notes and get a letter from the ER doctor saying I'm able to fly home. The Insurance company have sorted out a flight back on Friday but I need the OK from a doctor first. Fortunately the same ER doctor was on duty and so she was able to fill in the required forms. She also checked my knee again to make sure she had made the right diagnosis has the swelling isn't hiding the condition of the knee as much.
The walk back took quite a while as I wasn't rushing. Several different kind local people took pity on me and asked me if I need help or a lift back and one told me all about her daughter who's a ski racing and has just had the same operation. apparently in Canada it can take a year to get the surgery done but when its done the knee is as good as new. I guess it was bit like the people I was talking to outside the restaurant the night before last one of who demonstrated how well the surgery works by jumping up and down on the spot!
However today it started snowing as I was coming back from the hospital and everything is starting to get coated in snow. I had decided to walk back for the first time (rather than get a taxi) in order to work my leg out a bit and by the time I got back I was covered from head to toe in snow!
I was at the Hospital in order to pick up my treatment notes and get a letter from the ER doctor saying I'm able to fly home. The Insurance company have sorted out a flight back on Friday but I need the OK from a doctor first. Fortunately the same ER doctor was on duty and so she was able to fill in the required forms. She also checked my knee again to make sure she had made the right diagnosis has the swelling isn't hiding the condition of the knee as much.
The walk back took quite a while as I wasn't rushing. Several different kind local people took pity on me and asked me if I need help or a lift back and one told me all about her daughter who's a ski racing and has just had the same operation. apparently in Canada it can take a year to get the surgery done but when its done the knee is as good as new. I guess it was bit like the people I was talking to outside the restaurant the night before last one of who demonstrated how well the surgery works by jumping up and down on the spot!
Monday, January 29, 2007
A final bit of Physio
A quick final session and a last chance to look at the view out of the window.
This time after a warm up on the cycle machine, he had me doing light walking on a tread mill (keeping my right foot still on the side, just lightly using my left foot)
and using the foot press on the weights machine. the tread mill work was to make my leg remember the correct motion for walking starting by putting the heal down and then moving through to lifting off at the toes. The weight machine was really just more work keeping the muscles working.
While I was there I also asked for a note for the next Physio, for when I get back to the UK.
This time after a warm up on the cycle machine, he had me doing light walking on a tread mill (keeping my right foot still on the side, just lightly using my left foot)
and using the foot press on the weights machine. the tread mill work was to make my leg remember the correct motion for walking starting by putting the heal down and then moving through to lifting off at the toes. The weight machine was really just more work keeping the muscles working.
While I was there I also asked for a note for the next Physio, for when I get back to the UK.
Pretty Icy Things
On Sunday I traveled up to see the ice sculptures. They were quite something to see with the beatiful view of Lake Louise in the background.
I was completely knackered from all the walking and my arms didn't work too well that evening.
Monday was my Final trip to the Physio and then off on the tour of Lake Louise and the Ice fields with tour guide Hugh.
I learnt the name Banff comes from Banffshire the home of the accountants for the railroad company when the names where being decided for the different slidings on the route to the coast. They where after something better to promote the tourist trade than 'Siding 29'.
Also that Canada is based on native language phase for little village.
I was a good tour if a little long, quite a travel up to the Bow lake at the top of the Bow Valley. Bow Valley is the name for the overall area where Banff and the ski slopes are.
We still got nice weather for sightseeing and photos, no snowing and clear blue skys.
I was completely knackered from all the walking and my arms didn't work too well that evening.
Monday was my Final trip to the Physio and then off on the tour of Lake Louise and the Ice fields with tour guide Hugh.
I learnt the name Banff comes from Banffshire the home of the accountants for the railroad company when the names where being decided for the different slidings on the route to the coast. They where after something better to promote the tourist trade than 'Siding 29'.
Also that Canada is based on native language phase for little village.
I was a good tour if a little long, quite a travel up to the Bow lake at the top of the Bow Valley. Bow Valley is the name for the overall area where Banff and the ski slopes are.
We still got nice weather for sightseeing and photos, no snowing and clear blue skys.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Banff and its wild life
Well I'm not sitting on my laurels here I'm still going to have a bit of the Holiday experience and today it was a sightseeing tour around the area.
The guide/driver was Natalie and we travelled around Banff while getting a taste of its History.
We covered the giant Springs Hotel (very twin peaks), the Banff springs fall(still not quite frozen), Bow Valley, the Hoodoos, the local herd of Elk (a about a hundred of them). Lake Minawhanka (very big frozen three feet thick), the different mountain ranges, the finding of the hot springs (by some rail workers) and its unique type of snail (and all the conservation effort that are happening).
It was a half day tour with not too much walking. I've spent the rest of the day in the pool seeing how much weight I can put on my leg. The answer is a bit, which is good.
The guide/driver was Natalie and we travelled around Banff while getting a taste of its History.
We covered the giant Springs Hotel (very twin peaks), the Banff springs fall(still not quite frozen), Bow Valley, the Hoodoos, the local herd of Elk (a about a hundred of them). Lake Minawhanka (very big frozen three feet thick), the different mountain ranges, the finding of the hot springs (by some rail workers) and its unique type of snail (and all the conservation effort that are happening).
It was a half day tour with not too much walking. I've spent the rest of the day in the pool seeing how much weight I can put on my leg. The answer is a bit, which is good.
More Physio
Yesterday I went back to the Physiotherapists this time for more of a work out.
I was given some light work on the exercise bike and lifting my leg with the aid of an electric muscle stimulator.
Of course I had some more icing and ultrasound.
On the plus side he said that there was some resistance by the ACL so it may not be completely torn.
I was given some light work on the exercise bike and lifting my leg with the aid of an electric muscle stimulator.
Of course I had some more icing and ultrasound.
On the plus side he said that there was some resistance by the ACL so it may not be completely torn.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Dog Sledging
Last time I was in Banff I didn't get the opportunity to try Dog sledging as the weather was so warm that the whole thing had to be cancelled. This time around I've managed it and so completed at least one thing I really wanted to do while I was out here.
The weather was superb for sightseeing. The temperature at about 5 degrees and it was sunny, with crystal clear skies. Great weather for taking picture.
However the weather wasn't so great for the dogs. they are most happy running at around the minus 15 mark and so get quite warm in this sort of weather. They eat and rolled in the snow each time we stopped, but were so happy just to be out running they didn't seem too affected.
The dogs were not like I pictured them, they were lot more like greyhounds and alot more friendly than I thought they would be. They were very well trained and disciplined, with most of them being ex racing team dogs.
I had five dogs called Ellipse, Timer, Tron, Ella and Rebel. with Ellipse and Timer being the lead dogs.
Oh and of course the Musher (driver) who was call Chad.
We ran down and back long the shores of a frozen lake for a 10K loop. we stopped about half way and the more mobile of us went down to stand on the lake. I was able to get down to a nice viewpoint and took a load of pics. While we where there we saw a couple of racing teams practicing out on the ice, they looked like lines of very fast moving ants.
Apart from the difficultly in getting in and out of the sledge, which the drivers were a great help with, it was a brilliant couple of hours and something I would love to try again.
The weather was superb for sightseeing. The temperature at about 5 degrees and it was sunny, with crystal clear skies. Great weather for taking picture.
However the weather wasn't so great for the dogs. they are most happy running at around the minus 15 mark and so get quite warm in this sort of weather. They eat and rolled in the snow each time we stopped, but were so happy just to be out running they didn't seem too affected.
The dogs were not like I pictured them, they were lot more like greyhounds and alot more friendly than I thought they would be. They were very well trained and disciplined, with most of them being ex racing team dogs.
I had five dogs called Ellipse, Timer, Tron, Ella and Rebel. with Ellipse and Timer being the lead dogs.
Oh and of course the Musher (driver) who was call Chad.
We ran down and back long the shores of a frozen lake for a 10K loop. we stopped about half way and the more mobile of us went down to stand on the lake. I was able to get down to a nice viewpoint and took a load of pics. While we where there we saw a couple of racing teams practicing out on the ice, they looked like lines of very fast moving ants.
Apart from the difficultly in getting in and out of the sledge, which the drivers were a great help with, it was a brilliant couple of hours and something I would love to try again.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Physio
Another new strange experience this morning, getting some Physio. Not a unpleasant experience and as a work place it has one of the most amazing views out of the office window. The window runs the length of the treatment room and looks out above Banff to the huge range of mountains to the north.
First was the assessment which Kevin the Physiotherapist check to see the damaged and confirmed it was to the ACL (Anterior) but also said it was to the PCL which stops the lower bones moving back. Apparently the way my shin slightly drops when the muscles relax tells him that the is damage to the PCL (Posterior)
Then he used ultrasound to help with the bruising and swelling. It helps move the blood around the knee.
Next some exercises to help keep the muscle tone in the leg. one was to push the knee down and straighten the leg for the muscle on the thigh and the other, with the leg bent push the heal into the mat to work on the hamstring.
Finally he iced the knee to let it recover after the workout.
The whole thing cost me 110 dollars and lasted about an hour.
Next time it should only be 80 dollars as he doesn't have to do the assessment again.
First was the assessment which Kevin the Physiotherapist check to see the damaged and confirmed it was to the ACL (Anterior) but also said it was to the PCL which stops the lower bones moving back. Apparently the way my shin slightly drops when the muscles relax tells him that the is damage to the PCL (Posterior)
Then he used ultrasound to help with the bruising and swelling. It helps move the blood around the knee.
Next some exercises to help keep the muscle tone in the leg. one was to push the knee down and straighten the leg for the muscle on the thigh and the other, with the leg bent push the heal into the mat to work on the hamstring.
Finally he iced the knee to let it recover after the workout.
The whole thing cost me 110 dollars and lasted about an hour.
Next time it should only be 80 dollars as he doesn't have to do the assessment again.
Week Three
Not quite the week three that I had originally planned. For me it has been mostly sitting on my bed watching the Sci-Fi and Discovery channels on TV.
The plan for the week is/was
Monday was a trip back to the hospital again this time to see a Physio and then the Knee surgeon. They concluded they couldn't really tell until the swelling has gone down. The verdict was 'Acute ACL Tear' and instructions were definitely no skiing for 6 week and get the injury re-assessed after 5 weeks. Also I was given the contact details for the main physiotherapist in Banff.
Tuesday nothing much apart from getting in contact with the insurance company, the travel company and anyone else that might help.
Wednesday has been a trip Physio to get a better assessment to my condition
Thursday will a trip out in the morning dog sledging, something I've always wanted to do and a little knee problem shouldn't get in the way of.
Friday will be more Physio in the room with a view.
Next week will be a couple of bus sightseeing tours of the wildlife and the scenery. Also I guess it will also include my farewell meal and my flight home.
BTW the knee doens't really hurt just aches a bit. It hurts lot if I go over on it when I'm not being carefully. Apparently this probally means I've done alot of damage and riped out all the nerve cells. Eek!
The plan for the week is/was
Monday was a trip back to the hospital again this time to see a Physio and then the Knee surgeon. They concluded they couldn't really tell until the swelling has gone down. The verdict was 'Acute ACL Tear' and instructions were definitely no skiing for 6 week and get the injury re-assessed after 5 weeks. Also I was given the contact details for the main physiotherapist in Banff.
Tuesday nothing much apart from getting in contact with the insurance company, the travel company and anyone else that might help.
Wednesday has been a trip Physio to get a better assessment to my condition
Thursday will a trip out in the morning dog sledging, something I've always wanted to do and a little knee problem shouldn't get in the way of.
Friday will be more Physio in the room with a view.
Next week will be a couple of bus sightseeing tours of the wildlife and the scenery. Also I guess it will also include my farewell meal and my flight home.
BTW the knee doens't really hurt just aches a bit. It hurts lot if I go over on it when I'm not being carefully. Apparently this probally means I've done alot of damage and riped out all the nerve cells. Eek!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Day time TV
Oh man it's enough to drive you nuts. the Canadains/American have the strangest ideas about some thing the are so many adverts and 35 of the 40 channels are complete (and I really do mean it complete and utter) rubbish.
and I had to visit the hospital again this time to get a set of crunches. they cost 30 dollars and the old style with the support under the arms. I understand you don't get this type in the UK anymore as you can damage the nerves under the arms if you don't use them right. I was abley assisted by Kevin and Craig (an expert at knee injuries) to get me there and then off to where everyone else was having dinner.
and I had to visit the hospital again this time to get a set of crunches. they cost 30 dollars and the old style with the support under the arms. I understand you don't get this type in the UK anymore as you can damage the nerves under the arms if you don't use them right. I was abley assisted by Kevin and Craig (an expert at knee injuries) to get me there and then off to where everyone else was having dinner.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Hospital
Tango, Bryn and Jess also helped me in the next stage of my (mis)adventures and went with me by taxi to the hospital. I had a bit of fun with the wheelchairs and basically handed over my credit card. It's not at all like the NHS with me being taken in to the exam room quite quickly. This was either because I'm paying for all this or maybe because it was quite quiet. Most of the other people from the first aid post were already here.
Like most hospitals it was a lot of waiting with no trousers on for people got come and twist my knee around to work out what it going on.
They bent the knee this way and that to work out which ligaments were still working and which bits are hurting. then they send me for a load of x-rays to make sure that the bones are OK.
After all that they weren't certain what the total picture was.
Basically they said I've got a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). They said use RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and made me an appointment to come back in and see a knee surgeon on Monday.
They sent me off with a knee brace and the guys helped me get up to the Elk and Oarsman for a late evening meal.
So its a quiet rest of the week and weekend watching TV for me.
Like most hospitals it was a lot of waiting with no trousers on for people got come and twist my knee around to work out what it going on.
They bent the knee this way and that to work out which ligaments were still working and which bits are hurting. then they send me for a load of x-rays to make sure that the bones are OK.
After all that they weren't certain what the total picture was.
Basically they said I've got a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). They said use RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and made me an appointment to come back in and see a knee surgeon on Monday.
They sent me off with a knee brace and the guys helped me get up to the Elk and Oarsman for a late evening meal.
So its a quiet rest of the week and weekend watching TV for me.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Rescue
So I'm lying on a steep slope a bit dazed and trying to get into a less painful spot. First to my aid was Bryn, one of other skiers in my group who acted very professionally and took control straight away.
Next along was one of the ski patrol who checked out the situation and called for a rescue sledge in order to get me off the slope. By this time I'm sitting up with Bryn supporting my weight to let me take pressure of my foot. The other members of the group are trying to find another way down, as I'm blocking the route down.
Because we where following the tracks of the instructor, Willie, he had to walk back up from where he stopped. It was a while before Willie got back up to us and then didn't really do much apart from asking me how I felt.
Fortunately the rescue sledge turned up fairly shortly after, being pulled by a paramedic called Matt. He had difficult time getting right to us due to the weight of the sledge and the steepness of the slope. Matt, Bryn and Willie loaded me into the sledge, strapped my leg to a board and covered me in blankets.
Then it was time for my ride down the mountain. Although I had to be injured to take this ride is was quite a bizarre and fun experience. travelling backward at speed approx 30cm off the ground. We whistled down the greenest runs to get back down to the first aid post at the bottom of the slopes. We past one of our groups on the way back and I smiled and waved to them. They all looked a bit confused.
By the time we got to the bottom I was really cold. The problem was travelling at speed you get really chilled if you are just sitting in a sledge rather than using energy and generating heat like while skiing. The rest of group managed to beat us down so I guess we weren't travelling that fast, and waiting for us by the first aid post.
Matt took me inside with Willie to check me over and give us loads of forms to fill in. Inside were a couple of other casualties for the day, including a girl with her arm strapped up and a lady in bed who had done something to her hip. Matt gave me a bag of snow to put on my knee and loosened my boot. By now its getting quite late and the last bus back to Banff would soon be due, so I said I would try to get the bus otherwise it would have cost me at least 700 dollars to get an ambulance back.
I couldn't really walk so I had to be helped to the bus with help from Tango, Bryn and Jess. it took us quite a while but fortunately they waited for us. The guys from my class also sorted out my stuff and put my skis into one of their lockers.
So I travelled back to Banff with a bag of snow on my knee in the front row of the bus wondering how bad it is and was my skiing trip now over.
Next along was one of the ski patrol who checked out the situation and called for a rescue sledge in order to get me off the slope. By this time I'm sitting up with Bryn supporting my weight to let me take pressure of my foot. The other members of the group are trying to find another way down, as I'm blocking the route down.
Because we where following the tracks of the instructor, Willie, he had to walk back up from where he stopped. It was a while before Willie got back up to us and then didn't really do much apart from asking me how I felt.
Fortunately the rescue sledge turned up fairly shortly after, being pulled by a paramedic called Matt. He had difficult time getting right to us due to the weight of the sledge and the steepness of the slope. Matt, Bryn and Willie loaded me into the sledge, strapped my leg to a board and covered me in blankets.
Then it was time for my ride down the mountain. Although I had to be injured to take this ride is was quite a bizarre and fun experience. travelling backward at speed approx 30cm off the ground. We whistled down the greenest runs to get back down to the first aid post at the bottom of the slopes. We past one of our groups on the way back and I smiled and waved to them. They all looked a bit confused.
By the time we got to the bottom I was really cold. The problem was travelling at speed you get really chilled if you are just sitting in a sledge rather than using energy and generating heat like while skiing. The rest of group managed to beat us down so I guess we weren't travelling that fast, and waiting for us by the first aid post.
Matt took me inside with Willie to check me over and give us loads of forms to fill in. Inside were a couple of other casualties for the day, including a girl with her arm strapped up and a lady in bed who had done something to her hip. Matt gave me a bag of snow to put on my knee and loosened my boot. By now its getting quite late and the last bus back to Banff would soon be due, so I said I would try to get the bus otherwise it would have cost me at least 700 dollars to get an ambulance back.
I couldn't really walk so I had to be helped to the bus with help from Tango, Bryn and Jess. it took us quite a while but fortunately they waited for us. The guys from my class also sorted out my stuff and put my skis into one of their lockers.
So I travelled back to Banff with a bag of snow on my knee in the front row of the bus wondering how bad it is and was my skiing trip now over.
Disaster
Its one of those pieces of advice that you hear all the time but some times does actually ring true. Be careful of the last run of the day.
Wednesday had been a full days skiing with us covering alot of ground around Lake Louise from the front face of the resort to some of the back runs up at the Larch chair.
We decided to up to top of the world chair one more time and ski back for the end of the day. We had been practicing applying pressure, edge and pivoting in the turn and was following the instructors tracks like we had been doing most of the day.
While doing this I landed badly in a rough steep section and felt a pop in the back of my left knee. I collasped to the ground and stuck my arms out to bring myself to a stop and tried to get into a less painful position.
Wednesday had been a full days skiing with us covering alot of ground around Lake Louise from the front face of the resort to some of the back runs up at the Larch chair.
We decided to up to top of the world chair one more time and ski back for the end of the day. We had been practicing applying pressure, edge and pivoting in the turn and was following the instructors tracks like we had been doing most of the day.
While doing this I landed badly in a rough steep section and felt a pop in the back of my left knee. I collasped to the ground and stuck my arms out to bring myself to a stop and tried to get into a less painful position.
Week Two
This week instructor is Willie who's French/Canadian. The week is more about getting us to think how we would explain the aspects of skiing to a class. Also the lessons have concentrated on keeping the center of mass low and how this helps improving balance.
We are starting to get some very smooth rhythmic ski out of the group and you can tell we are improving as our skiing is all starting to look similar to one another.
Also the lessons have been about managing the pressure that a skiing applies to a slope during the turn. As the pressure increases near the end of the turn the idea is to lift the skis up so that they take the pressure off and let the turn finish.
The Weather has been clear and mostly sunny so not much more snow but the runs have been well groomed so the skiing is fast.
We are starting to get some very smooth rhythmic ski out of the group and you can tell we are improving as our skiing is all starting to look similar to one another.
Also the lessons have been about managing the pressure that a skiing applies to a slope during the turn. As the pressure increases near the end of the turn the idea is to lift the skis up so that they take the pressure off and let the turn finish.
The Weather has been clear and mostly sunny so not much more snow but the runs have been well groomed so the skiing is fast.
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