I drive to Ajo, a small town in the Cantabria region. The swell is big but the winds onshore. The spot on my neck has ballooned and is now the size of an egg. It is not particularly painfully but very worrying. After eating lunch I decide I must find a doctor. It is Saturday afternoon, and I think finding one tomorrow will be difficult.
My satellite navigation unit says there is a hospital 19kms away. I set the course and start driving. It takes me on the motorway towards Santander. I check the sat nav unit again and the address is of Santander. But this is more than 19kms away. Then I realise it must be 19kms ‘as the crow flies’, but a lot more via road, due to the many mountains. I drive to the hospital. I explain to the receptionist that I only speak a little Spanish, and ask if they have a doctor who speaks English. He says I must go to another hospital, which is the emergency hospital. My sat nav unit has this one also so I drive on. I cannot think that I would do without the sat nav unit.
I find the hospital, but parking is underground, and the van is too tall. I check with a security guard where to park, explain that my van will not fit underground, but he is unsure what I mean. He calls over his friend, how understands me. He says to follow him and he drives off. He takes me to a little parking area and says to park there, and then points out the emergency entrance. He is a thoroughly nice bloke.
I go to admissions. The receptionist does not speak English and my Spanish only goes so far. We eventually get some forms filled out, with my E111 card helping enormously. I go to door number 2, explaining again that I only speak a little English. The nurse jokes that she only speaks a little English. Using both I explain about my neck. She takes me through to the doctors, asking if any speak English (in Spanish). One says she does and leads me to a room. She explains that I have an infection. A fat cell has become infected very badly. They must cut open the egg sized bubble and remove the fluids and clean the infection. She does this and even under the local anaesthetic it hurts like made. Much more than when I nearly cut my finger off with an axe. She gives me 2 prescriptions, one for ant-biotics and another for strong ibuprofen. I didn’t understand the ibuprofen at first, doctors writing I guess. I have a massive pad stuck on my neck which is taped down my back. I cannot get it wet for 2 days, and I must see a doctor in 2 days. I can find one at a health centre though. Either I will stay in Santander until then, unlikely as I hadn’t planned on stopping here at all, or find a big town with a health centre. I’m relieved to know what is wrong. I have to say I thought it may be something serious like a cancerous lump, as it was on my neck, exactly where I get a strong tan, and I have been in the sun quite a bit. At least I was in a ferry port to get home if it was serious. I have to stay out of the water for probably 4 days, but the second doctor will advise. Everyone was very helpful, except the receptionist, and I didn’t have to wait at all. A good experience in the end. The doctor said this will continue to happen until I have the lump surgically removed though. This I must do when I get home.
I leave, thanking the security guard again as I pass him, and try and find a pharmacy. I cant find one on a Saturday evening that is open, but find a couple of slums which are not inviting at all. I decide to leave the pharmacy until tomorrow, as it’s getting dark, and head for a campsite, which I eventually find.
I try and find a pharmacy again, by driving into the city. I see a few that are open late, but there is nowhere to park. Santander surely has the worst parking of any city I have seen yet. I go around and around in circles, and finally give up. On my way back to the campsite I notice a supermarket with nearby parking near the Sardinero beach. I shop and stock up on goodies.
Current miles: 2,000 (3,200 kms)
