A couple of painful Christmas crackers!

This year is my 20th season playing competitive league hockey. I have had a few absences from the game, most notably when I lived in the US, but apart from that, hockey has been a very important and enjoyable part of my life since my early teens. Sadly, after one too many daring tackles, it seems likely that I'll be hanging up my hockey boots for good in 2008.

While playing at Rugby School on Saturday for my team, Stratford upon Avon, I fell in a tackle and dislocated my right foot to such an extent that my toes touched the back of my leg! In the process, I managed to break my tibia, fibula, ankle, shatter a bunch of tarsals and rip all the ligaments that connect my leg to my foot. Yup, I did a darn good job of it.

After a rather speedy ambulance trip to the Accident & Emergency Room of the Warwickshire University Hospital, I had my foot manipulated back into roughly the right position. An x-ray confirmed the surgeon's suspicions that a series of pins, screws and plates would be needed to put it all back together again. Sadly, the rapid swelling meant that the operation could not be done for another 5 days, so I'm back home for Christmas. It's back into hospital on the 27th for theater and then I expect to be out again after a few days. I'll then be in plaster for 6 weeks, followed by a lot of physio.

Now that B has a captive Daddy, I'm petrified what will happen to me next! The photo below is the result of a few minutes of his handy work!

Stratford upon Avon Christmas Lights

The Christmas lights have been switched on in Stratford upon Avon. It's very pretty around town at this time of year. Say hello if you are in the neighbourhood!

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 08

My best bud, the incredibly talented Tom Pietrasik, has started to achieve the recognition he deserves--and will one day soon receive in spades--by obtaining a placement among the finalists of the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery in London. If you are not familiar with the prize, it's a big deal. I'm immensely proud of you, Tom!

Here's a picture of the picture, but you should visit Tom's web site to see his photos in all their glory. Or buy a copy of the FT, Guardian, Times, Telegraph etc etc etc on any given day to see his photos on the front page.