56. Salerno, the Hospital, Italian phone talk, the Vet and good coffee

 56. Salerno and the Hospital

Again it is not all plain sailing and during our sail up to Salerno I slipped and fell on my left wrist. I had an acute sharp pain in my wrist and it started to swell and go red and hot. Being an imaginative doctor I could imagine that it was most likely a fractured scaphoid bone (one of the wrist bones joined to the thumb), I attempted to strap it to immobilise my hand and wrist and waited till we arrived at Salerno. We had some difficulty getting into the marina as they said they were full but I said I have to go to the hospital as I may have a fracture and we are flying to London for a wedding in the UK. Suddenly they found a mooring for us!

They were very good and there were 5 staff waiting for us to help when we arrived which was very kind but a little embarrassing. Remembering that Salerno claims to have the very first Medical School in the world, I had researched the Trauma and Orthopaedic Hospital which sounded very grand. The manager of the marina said I musn't go to that hospital and recommended a better hospital, she ordered a taxi for us.  The hospital was outside Salerno and when we arrived it looked rather decrepit. I was wondering whether this was a good idea. 

No English was spoken by the A/E reception staff but they accepted my EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) and there was no cost. Somebody came along who could speak English and I was duly given some forms and told to wait. They were all so friendly and kind just like the NHS. When I was called, the doctor was very cheery and told me about his training in London and then referred me for an Xray. I had the Xray and waited in the Radiology reception and the Radiologist came out to see me and said there was no fracture but asked what had I done with my wrist over the years. Was I a boxer? He said my wrist was full of calcium. I didn't tell him I have a condition called pseudo gout or Hypercalcinosis which causes this and then I realised this was the cause of the swelling and inflammation which would dissipate within a few days which is what it did. Now my wrist was fine for the next trip which was to the wedding. 

Salerno and the Bus station 

Coffee and Italian phone talk

We decided to go to Naples by the airport bus from Salerno which was only 5 € each return for a one hour ride!! 

While we were waiting for the bus we strolled over to a little cafe and ordered two large Cappuccinos and 2 Croissants and I could not believe the cost - 3.50 €. 

We went back to the bus station and waited for the bus. While I was waiting there I saw this lady across the street sitting on a bench on her phone talking with her hands. Perhaps she was on a video call. I felt a bit sorry for the person at the other end who was getting not only a mouthful but a hand full as well. 

At present I am unable to sort the video out. I will try later

Salerno marina at dusk

Dalliance 3 at the marina 

Dinner at the best restaurant 

The best restaurant 

An unusual but very useful boat. This boat goes out every day to scoop up all the plastic debris in the marina and nearby sea. You can see the large scoop in the front - ingenious!

The Vet

She then proceeded to put a muzzle on the labrador she had beside her. It was very hot and the dog was needing to pant but now couldn't. Lesley decided to take this in hand and marched across the road to her and said she was a Vet and due to the severe heat she was endangering the dog by putting the muzzle on.

The lady thanked her for the advice but said it was a law that all dogs must be muzzled getting onto a bus. A pity she did it so soon before the air conditioned bus arrived.

 

Photo of the Vet and the Chef