A bump on the head

I was asked at my recent yearly training assessment interview what my greatest achievement over the previous year had been. My reply was returning to work and learning to intubate again. (The honest answer being the completion of my fifth, sub three hour London marathon despite missing six weeks' training.) “You should write a personal view,” was the response. Although initially sceptical I have relented.

Owing to the mild weather my 12 mile cycle to work had enjoyed a continuation well into winter. I had been proud of my non- car use and my mode of transport on these dark mornings from my rural location had been noted as a tolerable eccentricity.

On 1 December 1997 I remember setting off. My next thoughts were why had I been sleeping in the middle of the road in the village and why was this man standing over me? He kindly helped me to the side of the road: it was still dark. He then drove away. I had no idea what had happened and got back on the bike which was lying …