I left work early to visit Marc who is recovering from pneumonia, then up to my Mum's to check she was OK. the intention was then to head out into the Peak with Peggy and make use of my new lantern for a little evening climbing. however the weather was grim so after a quick dog walk i arranged to meet up with Dave and Si at The Works in Sheffield.

After a few warm up problems we moved onto the Skips and did a steep upside down sort of problem, next we moved on to the Competition Wall and after a couple of problems on the left hand side we moved to the very steep roof on the far right. The problem I tried had an awkward reach round a volume on the underside of the roof. I worked out how to get across to a good hold on the lip of the roof and dropped off onto the crash mats where I felt a little faint. I'd had this feeling lots of times before when bouldering as for some reason when concentrating hard you sometimes forget to breath so I thought that after a quick sit down I'd feel fine. But if anything i started to feel worse it was suggested I perhaps hadnt eaten or drank enough that day and Dave and Si gave me some water and a cereal bar, at this point I began to feel as if my voice was changing and as soon as I tried to eat the cereal bar i realised I couldn't swallow and the decision was made to call 999.

A kind member of staff from the works suggests I wait for the Ambulance in the little shop near the entrance and its at this point I realise I cant walk. My legs move but I cant stand up straight so it takes someone each side to help me. I seem to want to fall to the right.

By this time I pretty scared but everyone seems to be very calm and reassuring which is a great help. The ambulance seems to arrive very quickly and I'm soon being wheeled on board. Dave travels with me to A&E at the Northern and calls Karin to let her know what's happening. Si goes to rescue the dog from the car. I remember lots of tests in A&E but before too long Karin arrives just as I'm being asked to stick asprin up my a*se! The decision is then taken to transfer me to the Hallamshire.