A rather delayed update

Dear All

I am sure you have been wondering why the blog hasn't been updated for a week. The first thing I need to say is that Roger is OK, however last Saturday (31st May), Roger was involved in an accident. He was apparently hit by a minibus, and suffered some head trauma.

I received an email from his Doctor in Tabriz, Iran, on Sunday 1st June, explaining what had happened, however at that point Roger didn't want anybody to know about his accident, as he didn't want people to worry!

Roger has been extremely well looked after by the staff at the Imam Reza Hospital, they have kept me informed by emails, they located his belongings and have been incredibly kind. I contacted the British Embassy in Tehran, and they have had a representative helping him also.

Below is an extract from an email received from Roger last week.

I have no recollection of my incident pm Sat 31 May. This to me is very sad ,cofusing and frustrating as everything was going brilliantly well following a good rough camp site on Fri 30 May. The camp site was ideal by a river and mountains, for the first time ever I had no signal on my phone so could not update you via text.

I was apparently hit by a mini bus, when approaching my target town of MYIANE, I have no memory, my head was opened up with flesh peeled away to the bone. I have been well repaired at hospital in Tabriz where I sit now using their computer. I feel sore and fragile in the back but reasonably confident that I will make a sensible recovery. As usual people here are very friendly and helpful, it helps that respect goes both ways. My overall journey is proving to be an informative, interesting and fullfilling experience in so many ways.

Tomorrow Fri 6 June, it is probable that the Tehran consul will turn up to help get me and my equipment to Tehran where I may receive a medical checkover.

I naturally would like to make a full recovery in all respects and achieve all my stated journey aims. At present I realise it is paramount that my bike (which i have not yet seen since the accident) is in perfect working order and that i am in the same medical state, at present I feel fragile and a little lacking in real positive drive. My patience and wisdom needs testing!

The latest news is that Roger was discharged from the hospital on Friday. He is now being looked after by an Iranian family (the family of the brother of the man who was driving the minibus!). Roger has decided that he will not be able to continue his journey for the moment, as he has agreed (finally) with the doctors that he needs a few months rest. So when he is fit to travel he will be returning to the UK. He has now also managed to collect his belongings, from the police station where they have been held since the accident, unfortunately his bike is very badly damaged.

I would like to thank Dr Payman Vahedi and Dr Hossein Ghasemi, who have kept me up to date with Roger's progressed, and who have cared for him so very well.

Fiona

Below is a photo which Dr Payman Vahedi emailed to me!