Events 2003

30th December	!!!	My 40,000th hit on the website! WOW!
22nd December		Had new exercise at physio. Did Superman impressions whilst balancing on top of large gym ball! Also rocked left/right and front/back. Finished by balancing with both feet off the ground! Amazed my physio who didn't believe I could do it so quickly!
20th December		Attended England's celebration match at Twickenham against the New Zealand Barbarians. Good match, followed by parade of the players of the squad with the Webb Ellis Trophy. Have to admit I broke down during this, not because of what the team had done, but because someone who'd been at my side throughout the build-up to these celebrations wasn't at my side. The divorce is certainly starting to hurt me more and more.
7th November		Visited surgeon at Poole Hospital, been advised that because of excess weight I'm carrying, corrective surgery on hernias (I have two!) should not be done at this time. Therefore must lose as much weight as possible, and revisit surgeon in May 2004.
31st October		Jackie has asked for a divorce. She says she wants me as a friend, but doesn't have love anymore. Also, she feels she is unable to give me what I need, and that she doesn't want to hold me back from seeking this. Truly a devastating day in my life.
24th October		Heard from British Motoring Sport Relief Fund that they will fund my physiotherapy for a further 9-12 month period. This is a wonderful relief financially.
21st October		Had further problem with incisional hernia. Consulted with GP as re-occurred so soon after last occasion, been referred to surgery for possible corrective surgery.
23rd Sept to 7th Oct		Have 2 week holiday in Malta. As well as doing tourist bits, also managed to meet up with Antonella Muscat, the physiotherapist who'd written to me a year ago. Great to meet with one of the people who'd encouraged me via the internet.
8th-15th September		Suffer an inflamed incisional hernia, which caused much pain before it settles down again. Thankfully no surgery needed to sort it on this occasion but warned by doctor about possible surgery if this problem starts to re-occur.
5th-7th September		Attended Goodwood Revival meeting, as honorary team manager to Ernie Nagamatsu. Got to speak to many drivers, mechanics, officials and members of the public over the course of the weekend. My weekend was ended in spectacular style when Desiré Wilson gave me the magnum of champagne she'd won for driving the fastest lap by a lady driver over the course of the weekend, and signed the bottle. A memento I will treasure forever. Thank you Desiré.
18th August		Returned back to work.
29th July		Invited by my car supplier, English Ford, to show the car at a Motability Open day being held at the showroom.
20th July	!!!	My 20,000th hit on the website
11th-13th July		A dream comes true. Jackie and I (UK marshals) get to marshal on the same event as her sister Susan and partner John (South African marshals) for the last two days of this year's Festival of Speed. Here's to many more occasions of working together.
9th-16th June		Jackie and I attended the Le Mans 24 Hours. Worked on post 106, the same one Andy Carpenter had done for the 10 years prior to the accident and where some of his ashes are buried. Took over a chaplet that we put in place on the Tuesday before the event started, and which remains there now. Had "West" and "East" Germans, Austrian, Belgium, Luxembourg, French and English marshals in the crew, and a great experience was had. Thank you all.
22nd May		The second of the visits arranged by Louise Goodman was a visit to the Jaguar Racing factory in Milton Keynes. Thanks go to Tony Burrows, Test Team Manager, and Michelle Tomlin, PR Co-ordinator, for their time and effort during our visit.
20th May		My Psychiatrist has advised me that I have become "clinically depressed" because of a number of issues I am attempting to deal with all at the same time, and my not being able to handle them all at the same time. Therefore I have been forced to signed off work, initially for 1 month and then subject to further evaluation.
10th May		Experienced my first long coach ride, and theatre seating, when Jackie and i went with her company's Recreation Club to see "The Lion King" at the Lyceum, London. Great day out, wonderful show, but suffered as the constant road vibration caused sore points where the bone rested on the socket when on the coach. Something to work on.
3rd May		A magic moment. Whilst officiating at Brands Hatch with the American CART media, who walks into the room but Mario Andretti! Managed to spend some 90 minutes with him, talking through past achievements, his recent crash at Indy, and all things motorsport. He even left me a signed picture, which I will treasure, mount and hang on the wall of my study.
27th April		Marshalled my first event of the racing circuit year at Thruxton.
24th April		Louise Goodman arranged for Jackie and I to spend the day with Jordan Grand Prix Team at a Formula 1 test at Silverstone. A great day was had, got a Jordan cap signed by driver Ralph Firman, and was photographed with both the team and driver trophies from the recent Brazilian GP which the team won. A fantastic day, thanks to Jordan and especially to Louise.
20th April		My poor Jackie has been diagnosed with Clinical Depression, and is signed off work for two months in order to give her physical and mental state time to recover.
22nd March		At Twickenham, for England v Scotland game. Thank you to the disabled register held by the RFU.
15th March		Joint Rescue and Marshal training at Thruxton, making marshals more familiar with the equipment and procedures the Rescue crew follow.
7th-11th March		Another niggly illness. Since the accident, my immune system is much weakened and therefore I am more susceptible to any germs or bugs doing the rounds, plus it takes longer to combat them. One day I believe things will improve, but not yet.
6th March		My 10,000th hit on the website!
1st March		Princess and her partner John win joint runners up Novice awards at the Kyalami Marshals Association's annual awards night.
21st February		Daily Echo report into my physiotherapy at BWT
20th/21st February		Ran Marshals' Sign-On at Scrutiny on the Friday, and acted as reporter/observer at Avon Park on the Saturday. Thanks to Vicky Butler-Henderson and Louise Goodman for speaking with me on the Friday, and to Roger Finn and Roger Johnson of BBC South Today for your messages.
15th/16th February		Attended BARC Marshals Training.
8th February		Attended BARC "Big Nite Out"
5th-7th February		Inquest heard into the Goodwood accident. Verdicts of Accidental Death given to both Andrew Carpenter and John Dawson-Damer. (see Press and BBC reports)
2nd February		Attended MSA Clerks Seminar at Basingstoke. Seminar principle Allan Dean-Lewis made mention of me during the introductions, not for my time keeping (I was an hour early!), but for the fact I walked into the seminar. Met many other colleagues, all pleased to see me up and about.
26th January		Attended Goodwood Marshals Club training day.
24th January		Traded in the Hyundai Trajet, as it has now served its purpose of transporting me, my wheelchair, my medical bits and pieces and the like from when I was poorly. Jackie now has a car again, a Subaru Impreza STi!!!!!!!
17th January		Jackie and I invited to tour Penske Cars, at Upton. Thank you Nick Goozée and Martin Webster for your time and co-operation. We very much appreciate the effort you all made for us.
10th January		Met up with Wendy and Graham Marshall, the sister and brother-in-law of Andrew Carpenter. Was made to feel very welcome by Wendy.
10th January		Attended Autosport International at Birmingham NEC. As well as meeting many marshals from around the country, I also had the chance to speak with Jackie Stewart for several minutes
1st January		Saw in new year with severe stomach bug, so celebrated with boiled water. The year can only get better!!!!!