Well, today’s been the first day of the rest of my life. And Tom’s. And Ma’s. Returning to Wales after collecting Ma from Surrey yesterday afternoon, we were having a great journey. The M4 was busy, lots of lorries, but the weather was good and we were ticking along just under 70 (the speed cameras are abundant) happily planning what we were going to do for a few days.
Then a huge noise, like metal screaming. And what? I don’t know, really. Time stood still and then moved infinitely slowly as we meandered across the lanes and on to the hard shoulder. Then the full horror really kicked in. A shredded tyre, snapped suspension, no steering. How Tom got us to safety I really don’t know. The car’s a mess but it must be some kind of miracle that the three of us walked away from it without a scratch and that no other cars were involved. My profound thanks to the Highways Agency Traffic Officers who were so efficient and reassuring, to the AA who got us home and to whichever lucky stars were shining.
Normal posts will resume when I’m feeling normal again! (Hmmm!)
Comments
I hope you had several stiff drinks when you were safely home!
Jjx
Agree with Pondisde to take it easy. When the wheel came of my car, all I could think about next day was 'what ifs'. x
Just take care - oh and dont go out in the boat will you? - not just yet anyway.
J
x
Do take it easy, it must have been one hell of a shock. I had an accident 2 years ago and it took days until I actually realised how lucky I really was.
Pondside, we're all a bit shell-shocked this evening. Seems to have come out slowly.
Lane, exactly - it's the 'what ifs' that have got to us today.
SBS, I think it's time I stopped in!
Faith, thank you - it's difficult not to keep replaying the whole thing over and over again.
Jude, thanks. It's wierd how the shock is slowly sinking in!
CH, It's so kind of people to share their experiences, glad that this feeling will pass. Yes, the AA were brilliant.
Fp, - I still don't know how he did it!
Cait... it's funny you should say that. My dear friend Jill, who does my eyes, has a very good guardian angel and, since I'd seen Jill that day, I think her angel might have been doing a bit of overtime!
I do hope that calm will return to the hearts and minds of all who were in that care.
Cannot tell you how many typos I made sending this message just thinking about what might have been, and being so glad that what might turned the corner into a happy ending.
xo
Adrenalin is extraordinary stuff. I am SO SO SO relieved you're all OK. Big doses of arnica all round please..... jxx
So glad nothing more awful happened as a result of something awful happening!!
Sending hugs
CKx
Late, too, catching up with last week's - fantastic news about FTT. I bet it's really cracking. Fingers crossed everything goes swimmingly now and soon you'll be writing out the guest list for your launch party (me! me! me!).
xx
BT, both the Highway Agency Traffic Officers and the AA were a huge help. Phew!
Kitty, yes, lucky stars definitely shining... well, except for the bit about us being spread over the road which wasn't so lucky!
Milla, interesting that you confirmed the time thing - it was very strange, but no scampering across two lanes of motorway for us, tempus has certainly fugit in that department. Hmmn, good to be prewarned about the cold sweats, too.
Jane, sorry it brought back horrid memories for you as well. Gosh, yes, once we'd reached the hard shoulder time seem to go at twice the speed - I don't feel as if all this time warp stuff has been very good for me!
Kate, absolutely. I dread to think how it might have turned out had it been me at the wheel. Tom was a complete star, so calm and controlled.
Elizabeth, we've all been a bit prickly so far! As I say, I think it's only today that I'm beginning to calm down again. Horrid experience.
Pip, Wow! How lovely that I now have a title! Thank you for your good wishes.
LBD, will you bring Bob Flowerdew's plait to the party to really make it swing?! Yes, as I say, all fine if a bit up and down, thank you.
Well done to Tom for getting you out of it without any injuries.