My eldest son Michael and his wife Helen said to me you are coming with us on holiday somewhere warm but it will be a surprise. I had no idea all I knew was Leeds/Bradford Airport 4am. Still did not know on the aircraft until the captain said we are going to Malaga. Ok I thought that's nice. We arrived there, they had hired a car and off we went to (still did not know until I got there) Granada. How lovely and it was. First morning we went out and they said "we will go in this church". I said "I can't I have not brought anything to cover up (in shorts and strappy top) and I do not want the embarrassment of being told to leave I will sit in the little garden" I did but they were having a guided tour so I thought I will have a little walk across the road. I crossed the road just turned left, There was a man selling pictures, handbags etc spread on the pavement. He had his back to me when he suddenly, as I was passing behind him leapt in the air and threw out his right leg which caught me and ripped my leg. There was blood everywhere as I had on sandals, nothing to stop it. He grabbed his goods and was off. People were shouting guardia, ambulance. No one could speak English I cannot speak Spanish. I was shaken up and tried to text Michael who had switched off his phone being in a church. All I managed to text was hospital next door. An elderly gentleman took my arm and was pointing to a hospital just there alongside the church. Both named St John. I went in. The receptionist could not speak English but motioned me to stay where I was (covering the floor in blood) and brought back a young male nurse who had a bit of English. He said private hospital you pay. I said "I have no money". As before we left Pannal I said to the kids will you subsidise me and I will pay you when we return. So I had left money and cards at home. He said I call Dr in other hospital. I am saying No please. He say get ambulance I am saying No please. He say ok I will tidy you up but you must see Dr. Tidied up I thank him and say can I go out please. He takes me down on the lift and leaves me by a large glass window I am thinking where's the door. Then Michael and Helen came towards me and the window slid to one side. We went to a chemist and got some large coverings and antiseptic. I never told them about seeing a Dr etc. They had booked tickets for the Alhambra - lovely gardens and buildings- that evening and all day the next day. I said you two go on at your normal pace and I will walk slowly behind you but every so often turn around to make sure I am still there. I made it. That night I could not sleep then fell into one of those heavy sleeps for a couple of hours. I woke up at 5.30am and the bed was all blood. Trailed the sheets off and washed them in Fairy Liquid. All that was there. Got two chairs put sheets over, open window wide and as the temperature was 35 degrees they would dry. Then I looked at the mattress. More Fairy, more scrubbing but I got it clean. Left windows open and it all dried. Wrapped a towel round my leg in bed and I was ok. Leg healing, not infected. No Doctors. But I must admit it shook me up. Was shaky all that day.
Now for some Pannal news. My friend Jenny and I had applied to turn the telephone box outside the hairdressers into a little library. Tidy it up put flowers and books in. I have asked a number of people if they think this is a good idea and they all approved. Been into the Drs surgery and asked patients and one lady said "brilliant I can go in and get a book when I come here and I have some books you can have" I asked John Mann our local Councillor and he told me where to write and I did and they, BT were very good said great idea we would give it to you but we cannot give it to individuals you will have to ask the ask the Parish Council. So that is where we are at the moment. Thought with all this thought of development going on this would be a nice community thing to do. So hopefully they will say yes and Jenny and I can get started.
