Leapy Lee - chart topping singer of the 1960s and 70s

Every week I write and article for the Euro Weekly News, an English-speaking newspaper covering all the major resorts of Spain and the Balearics. You can pick up a copy on a Thursday ... or read it here every week.

Thursday 28 June 2007

Yet again, this week I find myself praising the Spanish National Health Service. It never ceases to amaze me how so many ex pats, finding themselves struck down with various ailments, immediately make tracks for treatment in the UK. Frankly, with super bugs rife in just about every nook and cranny, the very idea of entering a hospital in Britain not only frightens me to death, but by all accounts, can present a very real threat of death, even if it's for nothing more serious than an in-growing toe nail! This week has been no exception of my admiration for the local services. Monday afternoon my daughter Melanie came to me bleeding quite badly from the mouth. She told me she had been in this condition for some hours and had swallowed quite a substantial amount of blood. I put her in the car and quickly made tracks for the local medical centre. After a top priority consultation with the emergency doctor, we were told to immediately proceed to Son Dureta - one of a growing number of the magnificent social service hospitals on Mallorca. To cut a fairly short story even shorter, within a couple of hours, not only had she been seen and assessed by no less than four separate doctors, she was actually on the operating table. One hour later the surgeon (who had been urgently contacted and brought in) informed me that my daughters infected tonsil had been removed and the offending artery cauterized and repaired. The next day we brought her home and I am delighted to say she is now well on the road to a full recovery. What about that for service? Who in their right mind would want to return to Britain and run the gauntlet of a crumbling third world operation that the British health service has been allowed to become? I won't go into my views of the reasons for its downfall however, not again. I do believe most of you know them by now anyway!

Once again my heartfelt thanks to the doctors and staff for a thoroughly efficient and satisfactory outcome to what was at the time an extremely worrying situation.

Today sees the arrival of my eldest offspring Kerry. In true 'oft travelled' familiarity, my globe trotting daughter informed me yesterday she would be arriving to stay with us for two weeks with my Granddaughter Amber. Of course I am delighted to have them here, but it does raise the somewhat confusing scenario of my being addressed on a daily basis as 'Daddy' by a forty 'something'. 'Daddy' by two six, a seventeen and twenty three years old. Granddad by a twelve year old, and a variety of 'titles' by an uptight, totally harassed, forty something 'better half'! Ah well, should have thought of all that when I was 'spreading the lovin' shouldn't I? Can't wait; bring 'em all on.

Delighted with the response to my Tuesday guest radio slot with 'Prince' Vince on his Costa's O.C.I. radio programme. Lots of e mail and letters and all pretty constructive. Vince is a real master of the radio interview and makes it more than easy for the guests on his show. A multitude of subjects covered, so if you want to 'have a go' or create some input give us a buzz. 966 882 830 the number. Every Tuesday between 2 and 2.30 pm.

And that just about winds us down for another week. Lots of agreement with my bin 'persons' piece last week. I am now considered by many to not only be a racist but a 'binist' as well. Ha! Most of you agreed with me however. Is it my imagination or have I found myself held up behind more than the normal amount of rubbish trucks this week?

Keep them e's coming. Keep plenty of sun block at hand, and whatever ya do - Always keep the faith.

Love Leapy

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