Regular readers, sundry doctors and anyone who will listen will know of the travails and sheer agony engendered by my dodgy neck. However, despite various dollops of "You can't do that" advice, having spent a lifetime ignoring doctors it was obvious to me that two days' rest was more than adequate and that if I went for a surf yesterday I would suffer no more than a vague sense of Pessoan disquiet. And so it was that when I dropped Harry at Sennen Cove I found myself unable to resist paddling out, not to the fairly heavy left down the beach but to the benign-looking right-hander at the car park end. Was it worth it?
I'm not sure. I had some sweet rides, including one very fast wall of a wave that went on for as long as a man in my condition could have wanted, and found that lurching slowly to my feet was fine, if somewhat inelegant. The neck held up, and afterwards I felt able to refute Karen's accusations that I must be completely and utterly stupid by striding manfully around the garden wielding a broom.
But today was a different story. The problem with my problem, whatever it is, is that as well as feeling like I'm being electrocuted at regular though unforeseen intervals, I have a bit of difficulty walking. I remind myself of Samuel Beckett's Watt, a man whose quixotic gait was a source of great amusement to me when I read the novel many years ago. Serves me right for laughing, even if only at a fictional character, for now I am Watt, a man who has to think about where his legs are going to land as he walks to the shop to get the paper and who will, as he roams the house, fall into various walls and tables. Stone cold sober, too.
Medics out there might say that my symptoms are consistent with a touch of arthritis in the upper spine. Indeed, one of them has already vouchsafed this diagnosis. However, until the results of the scan come through I will take lots of drugs and go for a surf if at all possible. I accept that boxing and football are unlikely to feature in my life but not getting any waves is a bit much to bear. After all, I didn't get where I am today without ignoring medical advice.
(You are an idiot and I want a divorce. Karen Wade.)
Sorry Karen, I did try to put him off going in but hey , when do men ever listen. Especialy your man.
Posted by: allie | October 20, 2009 at 10:36 PM
The fun derived out of surfing will easily overpower all pain during the activity. Its only later that you come back to the real world and start realizing things and feel your body. Happens everytime but yet you couldn't resist going for it again and again!
-Wavetribe.com
Posted by: Wavetribe | October 22, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Oooh err - hope the all clear sounds asap and normal bodily service is resumed.
Posted by: Beach Bum | October 22, 2009 at 10:44 AM
That doesn't sound too good, Alex. Giving up boxing seems like a very good idea. Perhaps Muay Thai would be better...
(Just kidding)
Posted by: Richard | October 22, 2009 at 03:12 PM