Now that I've recovered from the journey I can post more.

It really was the most STUPID of accidents. I was stone cold sober and stood in a friend's drive and just WOBBLED. My balance isn't great so I wobble a lot - lol

I didn't realise I had hurt myself until I tried to get up - THEN I realised.

Paramedics were called and I was whipped off to a hospital in Fleur. The experience wasn't all bad as the food was excellent and, amazingly for me, I actually looked forward to hospital food. The operation was simple and went well but I think I will probably trigger security cameras in airports from now on, as there is a lot of metalwork in the hip now.

Recovery will be slow because of the position of the break but I should be able to put my foot to the ground in about 5 weeks time. Annoying really because I have heard so many stories of folk having whole hip replacements and standing within a couple of days.

The whole experience was horrible but it did get worse, including some black moments, like when the keyboard on my mobile phone locked itself and I couldn't use the mobile at all (mobiles are allowable in French hospitals!). Being cut off from humanity was a dark day.

I think coming home was the worse part of it though. As I had had a pulmonary embolism after the operation I'd been told not to fly for 6 months and they wouldn't allow me out of hospital unless it was into Mick's care, so poor old Mick had to drive out to France to collect me and then we had a nightmare drive of car, ferry and then car. We got back here at 3am and then had real problems getting me inside. The house just isn't built for an invalid, there are big steps up to all doors. The only way I could get in was to sit on the bottom step and inch my way back on my bum and then lever myself up the steps. I managed to get as far as the sitting room floor and then Mick just had to cover me over and get a pillow and leave me there for the night as I was in too much pain to go any further. A few hours later we called paramedics who help me onto the settee and I've lived there ever since.

Anyway, there's the whole sorry saga.

Thanks again, fellow Catters, for all the cheery words that gave me a boost on bad days.

Blessings
Rhiannon