The more observant among you may have noticed I’ve been a bit quiet the past couple of weeks. It wasn’t because there wasn’t any first-rate contributions on myWanderlust to recognise and reward. On the contrary, there has been some great stuff. It’s just that I’ve been laid low by House Maid’s Knee.
House Maid’s Knee is where your knee fills with fluid and blows up to the size of an orange. It is commonly caused by doing excessive housework, but my wife has insisted I tell you that is NOT how I got it. I got my dodgy knee – along with a bent finger and a slight concussion – when I ploughed into the side of a van when its driver decided to do a U-turn in front of me without looking or indicating.
I was on my brand new Vespa at the time. Liz Cleere knows how much I loved that Vespa. I made a point of showing it to her at the Petra event at the RGS a couple of months ago. Sadly, it wasn’t as lucky as me and is completely trashed. If you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about it.
The scary thing is that there is a period of 20 minutes after the crash that I cannot remember. I remember seeing the side of the van loom ahead of me. I remember staggering around on the side of the road after the crash. But then nothing until I was in the back of an ambulance. Apparently I’d been lucid the whole time. And looking at the call history on my phone I made five calls, including one to the Towers to say I’d be a little late. I’d always thought amnesia was just a plot device in books and movies, but it seems it does happen. As I pointed out to the Flower in Power, Daisy, I’ve never not recalled anything before. Even after a 24 hour bender in Bangkok. There’s always a first time I guess.
But I digress. We’re not here today to debate the pros and cons of amnesia, but rather to celebrate the plethora of fantastic contributions on myWanderlust this week. I notice that in my absence we have another Pete on the scene – WheatyPete, to be precise – and he is prolific. He only joined us on the 17 October and he has already posted five experiences and given ttbko first-hand advice on travelling around Europe in a campervan. His experiences are top rate too. India, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, SatNavs and camper vanning in general. Join me in giving the Wheatster a big myWanderlust welcome.
Elsewhere in Experiences, George M gives us the lowdown on doing Switzerland on a budget, XuanArgi’s piece on travelling around Muscat independently is worth a look too. You won’t find better, more up-to-date info than this.
Pebbles11 survives her first long haul flight and plunges head first into Hong Kong. Srini sings the praises of Srinagar. And Oria jo takes us by the hand and around Topkapi Palace.
Liz Cleere is Just Back From Jordan and loved it. Check out her extensive tips. EHalford did the whole foodie thing in Fidenza, including the ALMA school of Italian cuisine. Springer is still buzzing after their floatplane ride to Vancouver Island and Penny Walker reveals a side of Bali few people, well the Aussie hordes anyway, get to see.
Feeling in a helpful mood? Then pop over to the Forum and give others the benefit of your hard-won knowledge. Mik wants to know which Christmas market to visit this year. Roovilla is keen to discover the cheapest time to fly to OZ (any time other than school holidays!). Ttbko is interested to hear your experiences with travel maps on Kindles or a tablet. Help them all here.
If you’re feeling philosophical, check out Liz Cleere’s post on craving the unfamiliar.
After my knock to the head, I haven’t been able to do much more challenging than look at pictures. Luckily, the Photography section has had more than enough quality images to keep me happy. Jamie Furlong proves that he doesn’t have to be in India to take a good photo with a set of trademark stunners from Jordan. Peterj2002 is back too, with some terrific photos of hummingbirds and friends in Brazil. And bilbo_baggins captures Autumn in the New Forest. Check them all out here.
I think I will leave it there. It’s not easy typing with a splint on your little finger. And the work experience girls reckon they’ve got better things to do than take dictation from me.
Stay safe. And beware of the blue van man.
Until next week …
