I was supposed to be packing as I leave tomorrow, but hey it’s Saturday and a clear, hot day outside and who wants to pack anyway. I had a swim at Balmoral, still a bit stiff in the back from the Cole Classic, but mercifully no shoulder or neck troubles. I could probably attempt the Palm Beach to Whale Beach swim now but alas, have to go skiing. Anyway, I had promised Jan Davies that I would take her walking group out on a hike today so drove my car back to Manly after the swim. A quick bowl of muesli and Rob Fitzpatrick pulled up out front, with a car load of female walkers, one of whom was his wife.

We set off from Long Reef, at 10am, along the edge of the golf course, the ocean a vibrant blue on the left; not much swell but an eye-popping demonstration of the distance Barry and I are planning to swim from Palm Beach. Things were going well, albeit a bit hot, when my phone suddenly beeped and it contained the following message from my daughter Amelia: Guys …Don’t freak out but I came off my bike.” Attached to the message was this photo:

There is nothing like this type of message to send a chill into a parent. She was okay, just bruised, but so lucky she wasn’t going fast when hit and neither was the driver of the car. While snow skiing, mountain climbing and horse riding have their fair share of mishaps, nothing touches road biking around the streets of Sydney for outright danger. I wouldn’t do it. The only accidents cyclists seem to have are serious ones.

We were at Curl Curl when I got the message, almost at Manly, so I peeled off when we reached my place. I said good bye to all the trekkers, told them to keep up the training and watch their feet. I was covered in sweat but went to see Amelia. She was propped up in Catherine’s chair, ice packs on her legs and elbows, with my crutches leaning on the wall. I’d loaned them to Catherine when she had her plate taken out. We had a laugh about it. I’ve now got photographs of two out of my three daughters on a gurney after suffering an accident, plus one of myself. Maybe we are an accident prone family.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s day and I leave for America.