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| Short break | Rate Topic |
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| Posted by Eric: Thu May 15th, 2014 09:08 | 1st Post |
| Our holiday to Italy has been brought to sharp halt after a road accident. Travelling on a provisional road, from a line of oncoming cars debris started to fly out...followed by a car! The semi airborne car which had clearly hit or been hit careered into our path ...4-5 meters or so infront of me. Had no time to brake, just turned the wheel to reduce the headon impact ...which was probably c.100km/hr. Jan and I walked away (after levering doors open) from our beloved but totally trashed Volvo with fractured ribs, cuts and severe bruising (esp. jan). After being released from hospital, a taxi took us to get belonging from the wreck. His words summed it up 'Mamma Mia!' I am not sure where the engine went...the front of the car was flat with the inside footwells. Even the back wheels were off?? (would transmitting force on 4x4 go under the car to the back wheels?) Anyway having cut our way through the dust and debris of 6 exploded air bags( can still hear them going off ) we retrieved some items to enable us to go back to our caravan (parked on a site a few km away) and rest. Hope to go back tomorrow to retrieve all our heavier possessions after 24hours of painkillers and antiinflammatories. I had the presence of mind to grab the XT1 and photograph the scene before the ambulances arrived....and the chest pains started to kick in.lol The camera bag was the first thing I grabbed and took up residence between my knees even while having X-rays. (dedication to the art lol) So we wait for a few days till a replacement tow car comes from Germany (none in Italy???) for me to get us home....slowly and carefully I hope. Shame as its a very photogenic area...but somehow it's charm has gone for now.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Bob Bowen: Thu May 15th, 2014 11:39 | 2nd Post |
| Hells teeth Eric - at least you are both safe and the insurance will sort it out. Take care and get home safely. All the best form me and everyone in the group.
____________________ Bob Bowen |
| Posted by jk: Thu May 15th, 2014 12:22 | 3rd Post |
| OMG... Glad to hear that you and Jan are OK. Hmmm. Arent you glad you were in a Volvo not a lighter car! Take care. DONT OVERDO IT as you will feel pretty shaken up in the next week or so. BTW: I'm impressed that you managed to do a photoshoot after the accident.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Thu May 15th, 2014 14:42 | 4th Post |
jk wrote:OMG... Glad to hear that you and Jan are OK. I did a few shots to demonstrate telltale road debris IN FRONT OF my cars resting place and the other car with impact damage on BOTH sides. Tried to do a panorama...that's when I realised something wasnt right with the chest. Lol Spoke to insurers today. He had the bl***dy cheek to say I "should have got the third party details and car reg.†My answer went "the other driver and passenger had to be cut from the car....the caribinieri sealed the road off for nearly 2 hours....do you really think they would let me interrogate this Italian guy on his stretcher in a waiting ambulance?". Some insensitive muppet reading off a screen again. Off back to the wreck tomorrow to empty heavy personal items i couldnt manage yesterday. Will try to remember to get some snaps.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by TomOC: Thu May 15th, 2014 14:46 | 5th Post |
| Wow. All I can say is I'm glad you both seem to be fine (considering). What a crummy way to spend your vacation time! Be sure to post the evidence of the crash...hopefully, the other car was insured and it won't affect your own insurance rates. The main thing is to rest and get well...aches and pains are not fun at our advanced age 
____________________ Tom O'Connell -Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very many listen, though.... That's the problem. Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh |
| Posted by jk: Thu May 15th, 2014 14:50 | 6th Post |
Eric wrote: I trust you got the agent's name so you can complain later when you are back in UK settling the claim. Bloody cheek. Lucky he wasnt talking to me or else I would have been straight through to the supervisor. I cant stand this rudeness when I am paying money for cover.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by MaxSouthOz: Thu May 15th, 2014 16:30 | 7th Post |
| Not good at all. Glad to hear that you and Jan survived. Looking forward to the photos; to see how you performed in the line of fire. :thumbsup:
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| Posted by Judith: Fri May 16th, 2014 20:29 | 8th Post |
| OMG! Definitely a good job you were in a Volvo. And that you remained dedicated to the art and remembered your camera lol. Hope you are both feeling better.
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| Posted by Eric: Sat May 17th, 2014 16:43 | 9th Post |
Judith wrote:OMG! Definitely a good job you were in a Volvo. And that you remained dedicated to the art and remembered your camera lol. Hope you are both feeling better. I thought of you today Judith. The wife stripped off and showed me her 'body painting'. She has a completely blue tummy...I thought she still had blue pants on..two blue legs and a purple sash of honour across her boobs. After 10 years on steroids for a condition ( now sorted) her tendency to bruise is extreme. I only need to sneeze and she gets a blue mark. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Sat May 17th, 2014 16:52 | 10th Post |
| Guys I really messed up. I went back to the wreck yesterday to get all my possessions but forgot to take the camera. In fairness it nearly laid me out again struggling to lift several heavy objects (eg caravan spare wheel!) with cracked ribs, so I don't think I would have been on best form. I am not allowed to go back to the car now as its an insurance wreck 'owned' by the salvage garage ....so I wont get any more images. I have some shots of the accident (mainly the third party vehicle position and the road conditions to show It wasn't my fault) and will sort some out when I get home. Waiting for replacement vehicle coming from UK now. Mixed feeling as although I will be more familiar with RHD.....the seat belts will be resting on the same damaged places!! The insurers wont send the car till their medical assessor is happy I am fit to drive. So we may be here for a few more days yet.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by blackfox: Wed May 21st, 2014 14:38 | 11th Post |
| oh shit eric ,just picked up on this .what a total mess .hope they provide you with the right "tow car" to get you back .at least your still with us it could have been so different . after traveling round italy a few years ago in a coach i can certify there the worst drivers i have ever known . take care buddy and get home safely
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| Posted by blackfox: Thu May 22nd, 2014 07:02 | 12th Post |
| not sure what your caravan is eric ,but be worth contacting the insurance before it leaves the u.k and checking that (1) its capable of towing your van (2) that its fitted with the right type of tow ball i.e dry alko type etc. (3) and finally if there sending a car from u.k i presume it will be driven there ,so surely the driver can tow it back to u.k with you and jan as passengers ,or are they not capable of working that bit of logic out themselves
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| Posted by blackfox: Thu May 22nd, 2014 07:02 | 13th Post |
| bump
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| Posted by Iain: Thu May 22nd, 2014 09:18 | 14th Post |
| Glad to hear that you and Jan are in a bit better condition than the car. Hope everything gets sorted out for you.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu May 22nd, 2014 09:46 | 15th Post |
blackfox wrote:not sure what your caravan is eric ,but be worth contacting the insurance before it leaves the u.k and checking thatThe assurance is with Red Pennant and they are very good. They asked me the details of caravan weight, hitch and electrics so hopefully it will be compatible....soon find out. There was an option to have the driver take us home. But provided I am ok to drive we felt it would be better to do it in small stages with rest days. We also wondered about the drivers accommodation. He would have to dump us and the caravan on a site and take the vehicle to find a hotel each night. Maybe wrong but we thought a complication too far...and not giving us total control of our situation. If we like a place we can stay a few days...we have the car till June 8th.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Thu May 22nd, 2014 09:51 | 16th Post |
Iain wrote:Glad to hear that you and Jan are in a bit better condition than the car. Hope everything gets sorted out for you. Thanks Iain...bit sore at the moment. But Jan's more banged up than me. Her legs obviously got flung against the glove box as she has two nasty swellings under her knees and a swollen ankle. I know seat belts are a life saver ....but the damage they do to the chest is quite significant. Happy days.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Fri May 23rd, 2014 08:22 | 17th Post |
Eric wrote:Iain wrote: Being ex ambulance service I've seen the damage seat belts can do but better some bruising or cracked ribs and being alive than the alternative.
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| Posted by jk: Fri May 23rd, 2014 12:35 | 18th Post |
Iain wrote:Eric wrote: I know it is a question of practicality but the four/five strap racing harnesses dont cause this damage in/after crashes. Maybe we need a newer design ?
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Fri May 23rd, 2014 12:37 | 19th Post |
Iain wrote:Eric wrote: About the ONLY good thing I can say about the Italian medical treatment was the girl in the ambulance. Being bounced around in a tiny vehicle on those rough roads the ambulance lady successfully and perfectly (without any later bruising) inserted a cannula in Jans arm. My eyes were out on stalks that she was attempting it ...but she was brilliant. For the rest of the service I wouldn't give you 2cents. On discharge they REMOVED the dressing off Jans cut neck and then told us to get some painkillers and dressings from a Pharmacia.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by richw: Sat May 24th, 2014 10:10 | 20th Post |
| Glad you're OK Eric. I think they ought to make the people manning the phones at insurance agencies go through a bump where all the air bags go off. I had one in 09 and I can tell you I wasn't in a fit state to do anything afterwards. Sounds like you were a lot more banged up and still held it together really well.
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| Posted by Bob Bowen: Tue May 27th, 2014 12:36 | 21st Post |
| How's it going Eric. On the way home yet?
____________________ Bob Bowen |
| Posted by Robert: Tue Jun 3rd, 2014 13:59 | 22nd Post |
| I had an eMail from Eric yesterday. They are on their way back to the UK, internet connectivity is spa**e so he may not be able to reach the forum. They are expecting to cross the channel before the weekend. Both Jan and Eric are suffering from the impact of the accident, which from the photo's I have seen was very severe.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by jk: Tue Jun 3rd, 2014 17:51 | 23rd Post |
| Oh dear. I hope they get back home soon and can recuperate at home. Very distressing for them to have a holiday ruined in such a fashion.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 5th, 2014 07:11 | 24th Post |
| Hi all Yes as Robert said we have been plagued with non existent internet on the campsites where we stayed. We are at Calais and hope to cross and return home over weekend. Going has been a bit slower than we might have planned. The truth is, hitching up a caravan, steering a car for 3 or so hours and then pitching at a campsite (with all leg winding, toilet emptying, fresh and grey water container lugging) was a lot more painful than I expected. I have needed a rest day with my arms not outstretched and doing something, after each stage. Poor old sod. I didn't send ALL the photos of my wifes body to Robert....don't want to put him off his food. Looking forward to getting home and regrouping...lots to organise and sort. Not the least is the purchase of another vehicle. Jan wants to buy a used chieftain tank ...to ensure this doesn't happen again. But I don't think they do them in her preferred colours and not sure I could afford the fuel or insurance.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by amazing50: Thu Jun 5th, 2014 15:30 | 25th Post |
| No matter what size vehicle you get there is always something bigger that can flatten it ;~).
____________________ There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept ;~) Mike Grace |
| Posted by jk: Fri Jun 6th, 2014 02:05 | 26th Post |
| Think that a chauffeur and batman is what you need.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by highlander: Wed Jun 11th, 2014 16:07 | 27th Post |
| Just come back from a break myself, camping on Skye, which included a nasty near miss. One of those, if anything coming the other way when the b*****d pulled out on me moments.......but nothing compared to this. I'm so sorry to hear about your accident and my thoughts are with you, wishing you both a speedy recovery. I was also on steroids for a conditions for many years and I know only to well the resulting bruiseability. I hope you've made it home and are now on the road to recovery, our thought are with you.
____________________ Blog https://blythestorm.com Website http://www.blythestormphotography.com |
| Posted by highlander: Wed Jun 11th, 2014 16:09 | 28th Post |
| You need one of these http://www.mod-sales.com/direct/vehicle/,37,/46101/Tempest_4x4.htm Although I don't think the insurance payout on your Volvo would cover it
____________________ Blog https://blythestorm.com Website http://www.blythestormphotography.com |
| Posted by jk: Wed Jun 11th, 2014 16:50 | 29th Post |
| It is the fuel to run it as well that kills the wallet. I think that insurance on it is relatively cheap as long as you dont want to go over minefields. Not much is going to damage it!
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by jk: Thu Jun 12th, 2014 15:43 | 30th Post |
| Welcome back to the UK. I hope that you and Jan can relax a bit now.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 12th, 2014 15:52 | 31st Post |
jk wrote:Welcome back to the UK. Thanks Jonathan. We've got doctors appointments on Monday for checkups. I am a lot improved but Jan has a few lumps and bumps (more than she should have lol) that need checking out. I was hoping to evaluate the 14mm lens but the lack of transport at the moment (negotiating for a replacement vehicle) means I can't get to WEX....and until the finances are clear, not sure I can justify a luxury purchase anyway. Lots of bills building up. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Bob Bowen: Fri Jun 13th, 2014 05:46 | 32nd Post |
| Glad to hear you are back home safely Eric. Take care both of you.
____________________ Bob Bowen |
| Posted by Judith: Tue Jun 17th, 2014 08:13 | 33rd Post |
| Not been on for ages. Hope the cuts and bruises have healed up!!
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| Posted by Eric: Tue Jun 17th, 2014 15:18 | 34th Post |
Judith wrote:Not been on for ages. Hope the cuts and bruises have healed up!! Thanks Judith. Yes we are progressing nicely. Even managed a sneeze today without the accompanying scream.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Fri Jun 20th, 2014 07:35 | 35th Post |
| Glad to hear that you are home safe and reasonably sound and I hope the hunt for a car won't take too long.
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 20th, 2014 10:29 | 36th Post |
Iain wrote:Glad to hear that you are home safe and reasonably sound and I hope the hunt for a car won't take too long. Thanks Iain....hopefully picking up another car after weekend. I am afraid I don't feel so good today. I foolishly spent yesterday in the garden lopping some branches and the 'discomfort' in the chest and back I felt at the time was a warning I foolishly ignored. Ache all over today...even hurting again when I sneeze. One step back! As Mr Plowden eloquently reasoned....old b*ggers get hurt more and take longer to recover in car crashes. Which made me feel a lot better.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Robert: Fri Jun 20th, 2014 16:04 | 37th Post |
Eric wrote:
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by jk: Sat Jun 21st, 2014 07:11 | 38th Post |
| I think Robert is accurate!! I wont comment further but you might be better sooner if you take it easy now. Go take some photos.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Iain: Tue Jun 24th, 2014 08:25 | 39th Post |
jk wrote:I think Robert is accurate!! sound advice Jonathan.
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| Posted by Kathy Baker: Sat Jun 28th, 2014 02:07 | 40th Post |
| Very glad you are safe, if a little worse for wear. It would be nice if you had a hot tub.
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| Posted by Bob Bowen: Sat Jul 19th, 2014 14:11 | 41st Post |
| Are you both recovered now Eric?
____________________ Bob Bowen |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Jul 19th, 2014 16:59 | 42nd Post |
Bob Bowen wrote:Are you both recovered now Eric? Afraid not fully. We are a lot better but seeing specialists for residual problems (my back and wife's leg). I am having difficulty sitting at the desk for more than 30mins before I get back spasms. Jan still has pronounced limp we are trying to solve. One thing good thing this sobering episode has done...FINALLY... Ive set in motion the winding up my business. Life is too short for continued "nose to the grindstone". As a good friend said " there are no pockets in shrouds". 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Sun Jul 20th, 2014 03:03 | 43rd Post |
| I think that there are always episodes in life that bring into focus certain aspects of life. Money is of value when it allows you to do things but having it does guarantee you a long life or health.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Bob Bowen: Sun Jul 20th, 2014 07:00 | 44th Post |
| You will get there Eric. My time for re-evaluation came out of the blue a couple of years back with cancer. A year of ops etc made me review things. Trouble is our jobs were fun (on the whole) and satisfying and the cash was useful too. Can't take it with you though. Take care.
____________________ Bob Bowen |
| Posted by TomOC: Mon Jul 21st, 2014 15:36 | 45th Post |
| Sorry to hear you are still facing some physical issues, Eric. On the retirement side of things. I can only predict that in short order you will be very happy that you pulled the rip cord. I know I worried about it incessantly and, once done, everything in my life improved - especially on the physical side. You will be amazed at how the stress will just lift from your shoulders and you will feel better all over. (at least that's what happened for me and I hope for you, too.)
____________________ Tom O'Connell -Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very many listen, though.... That's the problem. Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh |
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