The good news is; It's an absolutely glorious day out there. The wind has finally dropped to a light breeze and the sea is rolling gently beneath us, as opposed to the choppy stuff we've had since leaving Portsmouth. The sky is patchy but not in any way stormy or threatening. The weather forcast for tomorrow, when we arrive at Malaga is for a summery 30-degrees. There is a definite buzz about the ship with our impending arrival; three days in open sea is okay, but arriving is really what it's all about. The captain announced over the loudspeakers yesterday that we would be passing the Rock of Gibraltar at about midnight tonight. Apparently some people saw a couple of whales yesterday, which is exciting. The fact is; one can't help standing and gazing out to sea in the hope of spotting some form of life; you know it's out there, it's just a little bit shy...

Okay, so, the bad news is; I had to make a visit to the Medical Centre this morning. Despite people telling me how bad my cough seems over the last couple of weeks, I really did see an improvement yesterday, and the voice was starting to come back. Last night, I watched the 'Broadway Rythms' showtime production, which was quite good, despite my not really being into that sort of thing (this shortening of 'Phantom of the Opera' to just 'Phantom', or 'Starlight Express' to 'Starlight' reeeaaally bugs me, in the same way that referring to 'Strictly Come Dancing' as 'Strictly' does). I then went up to the Lido Lounge to check out the duo there (bass player and Saxophonist; very unusual combo), and listen in to the quiz, which was 'Food and Beverages'. It's early days yet, and people are still a bit thin on the ground for the quiz, but mark my words; this time next week they'll be fighting for tables and teams will be making death threats against each other over dodgy answers. Sometime between now and then, I'll try and endear myself to a group and join in; it certainly wasn't going to happen last night; I tried making I'd-be-a-worthwhile-member-of-your-team looks at one couple, but they really weren't having it...

So, anyway, in the middle of the night I awoke with a bit of a coughing fit. Nothing unusual there, except that this time, I experienced this sharp, stabbing pain somewhere around the ribs area - and I mean REALLY  sharp, stabbing pain, like I'd pulled a muscle or something. Thereafter, every time I coughed, the pain shot through me like a bullet. Needless to say, I spent the rest of the night desperately trying not to cough...

I slept fitfully, always mindful that a simple cough would have me doubled up in severe pain. Noooooo! After all this, please not this!!! Having taken the precaution of bringing a small stash of Ibuprofen on board, I took a couple of tablets in the hope that drugs would be the answer, but had to concede, as morning came around, and having not been able to face the thought of breakfast, that I really couldn't ignore this, and would have to visit the Medical Centre.

The nurse there was very helpful. She agreed with my prognosis that I'd most likely strained one of the muscles between my ribs, and that I'm likely to feel the pain for up to the next 6 weeks (great!). She's sold me a packet of double-strength Ibuprofen, explaining that that is the strongest thing she can give me, and that I should take one at lunchtime and one at dinner time (no more than 3 during a day). When I explained that I'd been drinking a lot of water and trying to avoid coughing, she insisted that I mustn't stop coughing altogether, since not doing so would run the risk of a build up of phlegm (urgh - sorry if that's too much information). I dutifully coughed for her, and she told me that she was happy that it sounds good, then told me that I shouldn't try to lie down and rest too much; far better to keep moving, otherwise the muscles will tighten up and the pain will be greater.

So I'm trying to find quiet corners, away from people, to cough when needed. I also went out onto the Main Deck and joined the throngs of passengers 'doing the mile' (5 laps around the deck), which made me feel tons better. As long as I can control the coughing, which is  soooo much better, then I should be able to manage the pain.

I just need to get through this afternoon's workshop...

Glad to hear the cough is getting better, even though painfully.

Hi Peter.

Here a proverb from king Solomon to encourage you:

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
So I wish you a cheerful heart. Enjoy your work-vacation!

Eva

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement, RichmondLady and Eva. I really thought I was home and dry with the cough, and the muscular-pain-thingy seems like a little sting in the tale. I managed to get through this afternoon's workshop with only one cough, and right at this moment I feel like I have it under control - if I can just get through another night, without a coughing fit, I reckon I'll have it licked! As they say: No Pain No Gain...