We are now at Almerimar, 36 42N, 2 47W, towards the eastern extremity of Spain's Costa del Sol, about 15 miles SW of Almeria.
Having left Lagos, we met up with friends at Albufeira for two days, then went on to Olhao to pick up Peter Manly and Sue. We had a pleasant few days, exploring Colatra Island before setting off overnight for Cadiz. Unfortunately the wind and sea were not too kind to us. After an evening in Cadiz we had a short sail down to Sancti Petri where we anchored and swam. Early the following morning we set off for Gibralter, again under less than ideal wind conditions. There being no room in the inn owing to development and dredging in the marinas, we anchored for the night north of the runway. We had a look around Gib in the evening and ate ashore. The next morning we spent more time on the rock, taking in the shops, and then getting a minibus tour. After lunch we set off again for Porto de la Duquesa, half way to Fuengirola. This enabled us to complete our journey to Fuengirola where Peter and Sue were getting off to spend some time with Sue's friend Maggie near Mijas before flying home.
We spent the afternoon at Maggie's and watched the first of the election results come in, then Mo and I set off again, hoping to make Marina del Este. The winds were not in our favour once more, so we settled for a berth alongside the hard at Caleta de Velez. The next day there was no wind, but eventually one came up and we made Motril. I thought we might be able to leave the boat there while we went up to Granada to see the Alhambra Palace, but it was expensive and not very pleasant down wind of a freighter unloading fertiliser.
We set off the next day with a fair forecast. To start with there waa no wind, then it came in eventually, and then suddenly started to build until we had a full Force 7 behind us. We had planned to stay out overnight, but with this wind and the fact that neither of us felt enthusiastic or fit for a night sail, we began to look for a harbour of refuge expecting to have to overshoot Almerimar, but the conditions improved such that we were able to enter the harbour after all.
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| The cathedral at Cadiz | With Peter and Sue at Europa Point, Gibralter |
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| We had to anchor off the runway as there was no room in the marinas | Outside the governor's residence in Gibralter |
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| Checking for nits in what remains of John's hair? | Monkey business? |
Once we had tied up, relaxed, and had our meal, I began to feel breathless and had angina pains which developed into a pain in the arm. At this point we dialled 121, and after some hold up for interpreters, the emergency services went into action most efficiently. Ten minutes later I climbed over the pulpit and onto the quay, then into the ambulance!
The crew were fully equipped to diagnose and offer immediate first line treatment. We were on the quayside for about half an hour before making a relatively leisurely progress up the hill to the local district hospital, where I was admitted.
On Wednesday 18th I was discharged having run to the limit of what the local and national hospitals near here can offer. Cardiac consultants, surgery, etc. are at Malaga and Granada, some way away, and there would be the possibility of being referred there. I am full of praise for the care received and attention given, despite the challenges offered by the language barrier and alternative mode of caring for patients. We are hoping that the situation will stabilise under the control of medication and that I will soon be stronger and fit to fly.
I am now back on board Fuga, keeping my fingers crossed and trying very hard to relax. I find this difficult and my mind is tearing around all over the place, while at night the beta-blockers are up to their usual tricks. Mo has been an absolute brick, so loving, and for the moment acceding to my demands and trying to keep me away from this aggravating computer. We have been very fortunate that Ginny and Carole on Ginny (USA) and Julie and Ian on Morven (GB), friends from Lagos, have been pinned down by gales or adverse winds. It has been wonderful to receive their visits in hospital, and to enjoy the distraction of their company again. Carole, who has been in touch with her husband who is a doctor working away back at home, and as an ex-research biochemist herself, knows a bit about the physiology, and has been particularly supportive and encouraging.
My daughter Jacqui, Rowan and Oscar are, we hope, going to change their Easyjet flights to Majorca to come and see us here instead, and it is planned that they will in this way be on hand to help pack up the boat and eat their way through the freezer contents. If possible we will fly back with the family (private A & E care from Rowan!). We plan to lay Fuga up here until the time when we hope that I will be fit enough to resume duties.
Jacqui is meanwhile doing a splendid job at home. My discharge letter and angiogram report is being translated as I write, and she plans to accost one of the cardiac consultants at Hemel Hempstead where she works to find out when he thinks I should fly. Hopefully he will agree to see me privately to kick start the system. My daughter-in-law Debbie's sister Sarah has offered us the use of her home at Hemel Hempstead which is wonderfully generous. One friend has even offered to vacate her home for us and others have offered to take us in!
For the moment therefore, all plans are in limbo. Thankfully Almerimar is very reasonable.
John