T Minus 9 Days

My family had a meeting with the Squadron Ant was attached to in Poole yesterday where we learnt much about Ant's last few days. Although he was faced with challenging work in Afghanistan he was making a difference, enjoying himself and surrounded by people who trusted, respected and enjoyed his company. We learned that in the seconds after the incident many courageous people both British and Afghan went immediately to his aid and everything that could have been done to help him was carried out by his friends and colleagues.

Despite all the attention he received ultimately the injuries to him were not survivable. However knowing that he was surrounded and looked after by people who cared for him who did everything humanly possible to keep Ant with us has provided a lot of comfort to my parents and I. We will forever be in their debt.

There was a lot of information to take in and many things I need to think about, but I've a feeling that during the two weeks and 900ish miles Chris and I have on the bikes to look forward to I'll have time for a bit of a ponder...