Gibraltar

Since leaving home I discovered a nasty lump on my leg. It grew daily and was painful so I knew what it was - another nasty cancer (an SCC) like the one I had a few years ago. I hoped that it would be OK until I got home but eventually faced the fact that it was growing too fast so off I went to the Medical Centre.

The upshot was that it had to be removed either in Italy or Gibraltar. Luckily Gibraltar was only 10 days or so off and English was spoken there so I was booked in.

It turned out quite well. The surgeon was English and I only needed a local (which hurt like hell!) so that was good. Afterwards, I managed to do a bit of shopping in High Street before the anaesthetic wore off. Got some good bargains as the end of summer sales were on. Alan was reeling from the cost of my little op, though. Hopefully it will be covered by insurance.

Gibraltar is interesting and the rock is spectacular. The town looks quite English but you mostly hear Spanish although in the shops everyone could speak English. I didn't, of course, have the chance to go up in the funicular to the top or to see the apes, or macaques, as they really are.

After leaving Gibraltar we had a last look at Africa and tried to work out in which direction was Casablanca. As it turned out for me, it was better for me to have been in Gibraltar instead of there.The picture is actually of Iceland, not Gibraltar. I can't load my own pictures, for some reason!

Next port, Lisbon.