Thanks everyone.
not only for the heart felt thoughts, but in the good advice given.
so, next step is to wait for the insurance to get in touch.
trying to put a positive spin on things (and to make myself feel a bit better) at least: -
the 18 year old was insured, many aren't as we all know
he admitted liability immediately to my wife and soon after to his insurance company.
no one was hurt too badly.
his dad came round to apologise to me, ok small consolation but he was genuinely gutted for me and he didn't have to do that.
I haven't owned it long enough to completely fall in love with it, I can't imagine what I would feel like if I'd had spent months machine polishing, leather cleaning, fettling the engine etc to make it perfect.
so all in all I'm lucky (in a way)
I'll keep you posted on the outcome of the insurance discussions.
Mark