Two weeks after a minor crash on black ice that left me with a fractured metacarpal, I was on my way to an orthopaedic follow-up when things got… interesting.

I hit a patch of wet, muddy grass and a dip in the road. Nek minnit, my 94 Hilux Surf was rolling through the air and landed on its roof in a paddock.

When it stopped and realised what had happened, engine still running, I remembered what I’d seen in movies - turn it off before it blows. I unbuckled, dropped down, climbed out through the driver’s window, bleeding, bruised, and straight into a paddock of mud and cow shit.

The first thing I noticed was a ring my late friend Pete Scott had made. I smiled. It felt like the brothers we’ve lost were watching over me - and I got on with it. Cops and ambulance rolled in for the classic 9.30am breath test.

After almost 12 hours in ED, scans and checks confirmed: no new fractures, just cuts, bruises, and the same hand fracture on the mend (now without a cast). Big thanks to Don Kim and Korean Hand Acupuncture/Therapy (selftreatment.co.nz) and hand physio - both helping me heal day by day.

The truck was written off, lifted from the paddock by crane (footage to come). But I walked away. And that’s what matters.

It’s been a shit storm of a year, and now it’s time for a couple of months to reset and refocus.

Peace and love ✌️❤️