Oxford. July 3.
. . . and I was having such a good day . . . a perfect rainy day to study in an ancient library, but . . .
About 5 hours ago, I fell on the Radcliffe Camera library steps after the guard wouldn’t let me throw my banana peel away in her trashcan: She said I had to out in the pouring rain to the trash can across the way. So I fell, slam-slam- slam, hitting every step. Loads of people came to my aid. I was embarrassed and angry.
My lower back.
I kept on reading but after about two hours of discomfort, including an aggravating headache, my lower back got hard as a rock and I suddenly started feeling dizzy, faint, nauseous and was covered in sweat. I tried to make it to the door for fresh air and I couldn’t, so I hobbled, really scared, back to my seat and tried to will it to go away. Eventually, I realized it could be a diabetic sugar low, so hands shaking I reached into my backpack for my glucose tablets which I keep in case of emergency, and slowly regained some normalcy.
I read a bit more eventually but closed up and painfully made my way home. Now I am back in my room, lying on my tummy with an ice pack on my back—nick knack paddy wack. I am still kind of freaked out about the sugar low, the worst attack ever. I am wondering if it was related to the bruising or maybe I just didn’t eat enough before taking my (diabetes) meds, but that was hours before. I have been eating very healthily–except for my habitual Pimms & lemonade:) I had found some great reading material and will go back tomorrow.
Kent One week later, evening, July 11
After an ER visit, a story in itself, I was advised to keep still for a week. I cried, hard, at the loss of time to study at the Bod. But I needed to heal. One week later, very sore but determined, I trained to Ashford, in Kent, to visit the country manor of one of Mary’s court, poet Anne Finch. I rented a car. Initially, I was very nervous to drive on the left side. Didn’t do so well maneuvering around Wales during my last visit to Britain!
I think I got honked at 3 times— and of course, cracked the side view mirror leaving Dover. But other than that, I had a great day. First, I drove to Hothfield, stopped for cheese and nan and tooled around, practicing my driving. The narrow winding road to Boughton Lees made me cry. So beautiful. I could imagine Anne being driven home by carriage to Eastwell, after visiting her friends Lord and Lady Thanet in Hothfield. Eastwell Manor was remarkable: Even though it is not the original estate, it was gorgeous. The gardens were breathtaking; I felt Anne’s gentle presence. No wonder she didn’t mind too much leaving the court after James II and Mary were deposed: What a fruitful place to create.
When I walked around to the back of the estate in search of the gardens, a wedding party was being photographed on the terrace steps; I snuck a few photos of them.
The clouds grew ominous quickly and I roamed the manor, keeping away from the bridal party–except in the loo– until the rain passed. I could have stayed there for days, but I continued on, in search of the small village of Wye. I circled around and decided to head for the coast, but I needed petrol and it took me forever to find a station.
I took the M20, of course, I missed it a few times. When I descended into Dover, the cliffs literally took my breath away. I will definitely need to cross over to France just to experience the sun and the sea on the channel and since May’s escape to France, taking the same route over the channel. It took me quite a while to find the St. Crispin Inn but it was worth it. My room is enchanting, above the pub where I had a Pimms & Lemonade—man, I am a cocktailing here in England!—and then fillet of trout. It was delicious. Now I am getting cozy in my room, a gentle rain with windows wide open; looking forward to a new adventure tomorrow.
Have you ever had an embarrassing spill? Comment below!
