Circumstances of the accident have now been revealed, following my conversation with the gendarme responsible today. It was in no way Deb's fault. A lorry, which may have swerved to avoid a car or cars in front of it, came across the white line and hit Deb head on. No-one else was injured.

I have spent an hour retrieving things from the wreck of the car, and am very impressed with how little damage there is. The engine has stayed pretty much in place - quite different from the old days when it tended to try and join you in the cabin on such impacts. The rear passenger door still opened and closed. The roof is missing, having been removed by the Sapeurs/Pompiers in releasing Deb.Deb had always fancied a convertible Micra, and now she'd got one when too ill to enjoy it! Seriously, if you want a small car that will protect you, Nissan Micra is a good bet. I'm sure Deb would have another.

The gendarme, who acted brilliantly on the day, calling me twice to let me know where Deb had been taken, had taken her handbag, camera and laptop, as well as a couple of holdalls, into police care - they were handed over today, with her passport. But in the car there was a complete mess of horse-feed, Diet Coke and Heinz Baked beans (4-packs, of course). Surprisingly two jars of Sainsbury's Hollandaise Sauce survived, as did several bottles of Saumur which had clearly not been drunk in England. The camera - a Nikon D70 with new-ish 70-300 Vibration Reduction (ooh!) lens - is not going to take further pictures, I think. But if someone else was responsible for the accident, then a claim looks likely, so redress in some form may emerge in due course.

I expect to see Deb in Rouen tomorrow.

Termie Termite update! I saw Deb tonight - but she was "asleep" at the time! She had just returned from 8 hours (yes) in theatre fixing her right knee. The reason she was still asleep is that they'll leave her that way until tomorrow, when they will mend the comparatively simple break on the left leg. The right wrist has been done, and apparently the left is ok - no break. Then she will be woken up - and given the little present I left, which is a picture of her favourite cat, Cooper! The ribs - three are broken on the right side - will not be fixed, which is the norm.

She is in the Reanimation Chirurgical Unit, which is the Intensive Therapy Unit -French Style. She has so much stuff by her bed, with all sorts of drugs being administered and monitors going left right and probably centre. I was "shown round" by a delightful young doc and her even prettier student. I had to wear a gown and wash my mits before entering. Once again, I am entirely impressed with the level of care and professionalism. If Deb doesn't make a full recovery, it will not be for lack of effort by the hospital, that is quite certain.

A car crash is a violent event. I am pleased to say that apart from a bit of bruising and a couple of small marks on her chin, Deb's face has not suffered - not that that would worry her very much, anyway!

I expect to visit again late Saturday, when conversation may be possible. More then.

Just a minor update, having spoken to Rouen at 16.30. I had a call this morning asking what blood group Deb is! Not quite my field, so they had to do a test. It emerges that they were giving her a transfusion because she was losing a little, and they wanted to x-ray the arteries in the right knee, where much work must be done. Evidently the x-ray was good, so I think we may expect the op quite soon. I am pencilled in for a visit tomorrow, but will only go if they are confident that I can see her.

Thanks to all for the kind and encouraging messages. Today everything I've done has felt like the deckchair re-arrangement on the Titanic. Being strong is needed, and your support helps. I am lucky that we have a number of Brits hereabouts who are stepping forward, so I am not alone.

More anon.

Ian/Mr T

0330 - Just returned from 240 mile round trip to Charles-Nicolle hospital in Rouen. Deb has multiple fractures to arms, legs and ribs. She was in surgery while I was there but all vital signs seem ok. She arrived at hospital conscious and relatively alert. Wonderful array of hepful staff on duty at midnight - we were offered coffee in china cups in a waiting room, while they brought senior medics - 3 - to see us and tell us the news.

Thanks for all your kind thoughts. Your support really matters. I will do my best to update this thread when more news comes through.

Ian/MrT

I regret to inform you all that a policeman has just rung me to say Termie was airlifted off an autoroute today after an accident with a lorry. I know very little more, but will update when possible.

I hope he's found the loo by now - he's been waiting since 2007!

There are rillettes and rillettes! Unable to find the right-size pot of Termie's fave brand - Boulvert, from Bonnetable - I bought Super U's own offering. Fatal. Tastes like spam, sez La Termite!

By gad, sir - you're a genius! Chris Amon, one of the unluckiest men in top level motorsport, in terms of the manure that surrounded him time after time. That said, I believe him to be hale and hearty in his 60s, which many contemporaries never reached for the usual tragic reason. I assume you'd read the Eoin Young (also a Kiwi, I think?) biography?

This was, for the benefit of anyone still awake, 1967, and Chris was sharing a Ferrari 330P4 with Nino Vaccarella. The retirement was before 11 p.m. I found the story in the new book "Ferrari au Mans 1961-67" by Francois Hurel, which follows on from the same author's series on Ford, Porsche & Matra (at least). Natch it's in French, but the pics are superb, and technical details are international in their nature. The interjections with little tales like this one make it a very good read if you have even basic French, like wot I have got. I bought it during the 24 hrs, and I think the (English-speaking) seller said they were going really fast. But then a Ferrari book would!

Worthy guesses both, but no cigar just yet.

Ok, so my story is set quite a few years back. It is recently dark, and our hero is driving through the Dunlop Curve (sic) when he gets a puncture. Not good when it's 8 miles round to the pits! He drives gently on, but soon the rim is grinding on the tarmac, so he stops at Hunaudieres to change the wheel (also sic). He digs out the torch, jack, hammer. The torch batteries are flat! So he waits for a passing pair of headlights so he can see to strike a blow on the knockoff hubcap. One blow and the head flies off the hammer, straight into the undergrowth! Doh! After a brief but fruitless search in the dark, he gives up and drives gently on. You know what's coming next! Flailing tyre punctures fuel line, fuel sprays out onto hot exhaust - car catches fire! Driver leaps from car before it stops - as would I. Car stops near marshalls' post, and they and gendarmes race to the rescue, trying to save driver inside. While they peer into burning car, driver taps gendarme on back. Gendarme turns round, and sees hirsute figure in pale clothing - nearly dies of fright!

Driver/Car/Year?

As a most irregular poster, may I just say that Termie showed me a calendar last night, and I think it's quite excellent! Pictures are good, layout and inset pics work well and topicality of the months is just fine. The Aston in atrocious conditions sums up June 2007. Also enjoyed being reminded of the Muz family tee-shirts at Spa!

A great credit to all concerned! Well done Club Arnage!

Sadly Termie seems to have come back from Holland with a major touch of the Dreaded Lurgie - what did you put in the water, Paddy? - so I'm having to be nursemaid for a couple of days! You'll no doubt hear when she's up and about again!

Thanks Steve - that's really useful feedback. Pictures are top-notch, so - even allowing of course for the genius of the photographer! - the lens can't be too bad either! You have a really good eye for interesting detail, too.

Sorry if this stuff is boringly off-topic - I can't imagine going motor racing without taking a few snaps! 7 Nikons and counting......

Cor, call the wife a God and she gets ideas above her station! Retirement can be tough!

On another matter, I think I noted Steve Brown sporting the new Nikon 70-300 VR lens at Sebring. While it has been well-reviewed in the e-press, no comments to date on its effectiveness in our fave sport, but, as it's almost affordable for some, Steve - can you offer any views on the results you obtained, please?

Hi Jimp!

10 years ago I was an LM virgin - now I'm retired and live here! Our first trip was with a well-known UK-LM travel operator, by overnight coach, and the journey was hell - virtually sleepless in both directions. But the race was wonderful, so we persevered.

One piece of advice? If you want to see the easy-walking parts of the circuit, roughly from Maison Blanche to Tertre Rouge, and I'd strongly advise it, then make sure if the weather is at all hot, you have access to plenty of water. I've seriously regretted not being hydrated more than once around there!

As this is definitely termietermite's show, you won't hear much from me, but I thought I ought to take a bow at least, having met several of you guys and gals @ LM '06, the Classic '06 and even - pinching myself here - Sebring '07, tornado and all! I think I also took the snap that has become termie's avatar - at about 7.40 on raceday 2002! Friend Richard and I - he now has a 996GT3 - had to blag our way into the Members' Grandstand to get the shot at all!

It's a lovely day here in the Sarthe, although the wind is a bit pernicious. Only sad thing is the horrid news about Tomas Enge after St Petersburg - not holding my breath for seeing his irrepressible grin at LM '07.