Yup: a good one.

"Y'know that has been a good day Tanya."

Calming down has taken until now. Health anxiety is this time an added ingredient to the roller coaster of emotions always affective when starting my 'foreign' wanderings. Calm down and slow down I most definitely have to do. My body is giving me suitably clear indications (tiredness plus bits of aching where aching is not really supposed to be.) This happens when I do too much driving, walking, or whatever. I notice this year I aint gonna be doin 'stuff' the same as previous years.
Today however; has shown all is far from doom gloom and worry.

DODGY TICKER MAN & DOG are staying here in Spain and are gonna enjoy it.

'Zafra': a pleasant enough Aire at an edge of town showground for all things agricultural. This was where the day started. A late start for me too as once again I got caught out by my clever satellite signal clock which, and you would think I'd have learned by now, always reverts back to UK time no matter how you set it. 

"Aha! That's why everyone else is gone Tanya. Tis gone nine not eight".

'Time anxiety' entered mind at this point intent solely upon firing up an unhealthy dose of adrenalin fueled panic. The trick is recognizing anxiety's early arrival and then dealing with it quickly. Much like the unwanted salesman at the front door. The skill is to send them packing straight away before they get a foot in your door. Now of course I'm lucky. I'm retired and can afford to send 'Time anxiety' packing. Time is not my boss any more. Poor mind. There it was retreating in confusion and grumbling in utter dismay upon reading the new A4 sheet of totally opposite instructions. 

Instructions such as; "Don't matter I'm late. Is not a problem. In fact I think that today I'll go even slower. Lets start by having a long slow breakfast. Off you go now 'Mind team'. Go and re-organize. I know you can do it because you've done so well all these past years with the old panic and rush instructions".

We finally leave 'Zafra' with Mrs Sat nav set for the 'now redundant' main road rather than the super duper motorway. What a wonderfully relaxing drive. All the way to Seville, stopping to walk up to 'Castillo de Santa Olalla del Cala' on the way. We were passed by one car and I saw two tractors going the other way. All the traffic was whizzing down the new motorway leaving this former main road, which was in excellent condition by the way, delightfully winding its way to Seville criss crossing the motorway every now and then.

Mrs sat nav then faultlessly guided us through and round the busy Seville traffic to a welcoming Aire situated in a small Marina at a suburb called 'Gelves'. Literally we were parked in among the 'on dry land' boats with the 'Rio Guadaquiver' flowing by just behind us. Shower, toilet and cafe on site, other English folk to talk to; What's not to like?

We were very quickly settled with tea brewed and Tanya tucking into her evening meal. Yup. We both agreed the day had indeed been a good one.

Stormy Trip

I remember back in the early 70's sailing on the aircraft carrier 'HMS Eagle' Northwards through the 'Bay of Biscay'. Her bow was digging into the huge Atlantic rollers so deeply water flowed of her flight deck, some 40 or 50 feet above the waterline.

As Brittany Ferries good ship 'Eterat' pulled away from Portsmouth straight into gale force winds I said to Tanya:  

"I reckon we both gonna need our sea legs for this one". 

I was not wrong. A rock and roll trip indeed. I enjoyed it but I am fortunate in not suffering seasickness and having my Naval seagoing history. 

The 'Bay of Biscay' is notorious for rough weather as is the English Channel. As we headed down the channel into the teeth of the gale it was fairly heavy going but tolerable. Once the end of Brittany is rounded you are headed directly South which means the unstoppable Eastward travelling Atlantic rollers catch you sidywayse and literally toss and roll all 25000 tonnnes of Creaking banging ferry around like a cork.

So there am I, at table in the cafe, which on this ferry is right forward, trying to juggle keeping food and drink on the wildly pitching table while occasionally, and hastily, grabbing a mouthful of breakfast. Next to you, also juggling, is a cheery lorry driver informing that the recently burnt out with some loss of life Greek ferry is 'Eterats' sister ship. 

'Oh f*****g great' 

you think spooning in a tasty morsel as the ship noisily shudders and digs her bows deep into another mega wall of watery Atlantic immensity. Thank goodness for the strictly enforced safety rules on this side of the European continent. I don't think anyone on this trip would be foolish enough to even contemplate lighting a cooking fire on the car decks below us never mind the fact we cannot even access them while at sea.
- - - -
Santander was eventually 'fetched' (nautical way of saying reached) 3 hours late. A quick detour to a local beach gave Tanya a much needed walk on solid ground before we headed off down the smooth and uncrowded Spanish motorway to 'Palencia'. This was our stop for the night selected to heed everyone's, plus my own, concerns re my health. I pulled safely into the Aire  (official motorhome stop) which was already starting to fill with other motorhomes.
I have to tell you it was difficult resisting temptation and not pulling off into the vast high Spanish plains where I would normally wild camp within my beloved solitude & emptiness.

The sun was out though and before it dropped out of site Tanya and I enjoyed a leisurely and pleasant walk around the town.

Oh! and I just have to tell you it is SOOO good to be back down here again under warm blue skies.

Tis not all roses mind; Oh no!

Awakening this morning to -2° and fog reminded me it is not only rain that falls mainly on the Spanish plain. The cold and clammy fog and mist stayed as we travelled on. Thankfully we emerged from it nine kilometres before 'Salamanca', our next stop.

Both the 'Rough Guide' and 'Michelin Guide' wax lyrical and extensively over this city's history and architecture. Google the place and you will see.
My perspective is more a 'pets-pective', accompanied as I always am with my faithful amigo Tanya. The guides from their perspective are correct though, a stunning place indeed.
On only my second day of travel and in the cold month of January to be sat in Salamanca's 'Plaza Mayor' enjoying an Americano coffee in shirt sleeves and warm sunshine was very special indeed. What a plaza.

It's bloody cold again tonight!!
- - - - -
'Caceres' tonight in a crowded out motorhome Aire. UGH!! Peaceful enough but I do not like being packed in like Sardines.

Tis decision time too as to which direction from here. I am tempted, being as the weather is so good, to go West into Portugal. Health has a say this year though and it is gently reminding me every now and again that maybe, just maybe, South and East would offer an easier to access get out clause should it be required. South East and the Costas means X Pat English spoken land. Maybe for once I'll choose the cautious option.

Wow! Some adventure this eh! Will Steve make it or not?  Will anxiety and worry get the better of him or will the early morning porridge and fresh fruit drive him on successfully through yet another day of intrepid adventuring through the wild Spanish Costas?

We leave our brave / stupid (you choose) wandering hero on the precipice. Should he face emptying his toilet cassette or just go straight to the supermarket for more fruit? Will he survive either?.... What will his decision be? 

Big drum roll here please. 

Stay with us reader for the next thrilling instalment of .......

DODGY TICKER MAN + DOG HITS SPAIN.

Time for the off.

I guess that's it. I'm ready to go. Insurance done, ferry to Santandar booked. Sadie fit n well (apart from the grumpy footstep alarm which we can cope with quite happily thank you very much!) Yes, all done and ready to hit the road for some more Continental wandering.

Well actually; not quite all done.

We seem unfortunately, during this last few weeks, to have developed a worryingly consistent engine problem with, I am informed by t'internet, the possibility of sudden terminal failure. This has  financial implications including possible abandonment of current travel arrangements. All in all a rather unhealthy mix of personal anxiety and trauma.

Confusion is magnified even further as the engine in question is nothing to do with Sadie. That big lump of purringly sweet German engineering is raring to be off and is never happy with the silent cold stillness of stationery existence.

The engine in question is mine. My heart to be precise. Even saying that is unfair as heart itself is strongly beating away but giving firm notice via tiredness and odd bits of chest pain that ......

"Look mate. I'm actually under a bit of stress here. Errrr d'you not think it's time to get me properly checked out and serviced?' I'm good to go but some of the plumbing you've got round here is starting to creak & in need of a re-furb."

I know and am fully aware of this situation. A early life farm upbringing with ample supplies of rich Channel Island milk and cream liberally pasted my arteries with 'stuff' reducing both their capacity and flexibility. My heart attack in 2006 where I was fitted with one stent (little metal spiral that widens an artery) plus subsequent and regular medication has given me 8 years of wonderful health and wellbeing. Believe me, the difference to my life is, and has been, way beyond amazing.

However; in any system if you repair one weak link the system will, given time, throw another one your way.

So dilemma. Do I throw caution, but not common sense, to the wind and carry on as normal albeit it at a slower easier pace?
Or
Do I throw myself upon the uncertain expectations of the NHS knowing, once I do, then my present lifestyle will dramatically change for a few years or maybe for good.

A dilemma indeed.

I'm happy to report option number one as being strongly preferred. Apart from the symptoms mentioned my health is good and things seem stable, not deteriorating, plus I have all necesary medication and insurance in place.

I guess what I'm hoping is that warm sunshine, healthy food and plenty of relaxation will be as positive a prescription as any the NHS could hand out.

So wish me luck as I head off tomorrow for Portsmouth where my ship awaits.

Santandar and Spain here I come.