Nick

phoned you this morn [midday for you]and left a message. I have not got back to you as I wanted to be able to report one way or the other as to whether I can carry on. Also I have been working from first light to late evening stripping the machine down and and checking all parts. My apologies for not contacting you sooner.

I am at an airfield called Cleveland which is about 30 miles North East of Houston Texas. My machine was hit by a tornado, luckily not a huge one. The weather was not predicted and was fairly isolated. It arrived about 3 am Tues Night. I managed to throw myself across the into wind wing tip - all the straps on the tie- down had bust but one. I lay for about an hour face down with my head back watching the wing [seemed like all night] in 2or 3 inches of water and spilt fuel with the lightning striking all around. I am 15 stone [200 pounds] and was lifted off the ground by the wing continuously. I had on only very light clothes as I had jumped out of bed on the office couch and run outside. Eventually with me now numb and shivering violently from the continuous downpour driven from winds that I was told later reached about 100 to 150 miles per hour, it moved on and I was able to tie an old BBQ and some concrete blocks to the wing tip. All the local power had failed so tea or coffee was out. Trees were down other aircraft were damaged, including a huge heavy lift military helicopter at a nearby airfield which was blown onto its side, and there was extensive local flooding.

I had managed to save the wing; the main damage was to the trike suspension and keel. Mainair are happy for me to replace both, but I have to strip and inspect everything else. I don't expect to be away from here before the month end.

I am now in the progress of writing a full follow on story from my last one and that should be with you in a few days. I have pictures which I will send with the story.

The boss here Alf Vien has been great and is allowing me to sleep on the couch and takes me to the supermarket for supplies so I dont have the expense of car and hotel. As you would expect the people here are very friendly and hospitable.

Best Regards