In 2014 my mum had been ill for quite a while and I had been advised to take some respite from being her full time carer. I booked a trip to do a two centre break to Madrid and Barceloan with my friend Paul Dunne & arranged for my mums cousin to move in to look after her while I was away for a week.
Things didnt go as planned. My mum took a bad turn very soon after I left and after going into a hospice, died a short time later. While I was on holiday I too felt unwell and on day six was taken into hospital in Barcelona. These stories are about the short break I had before going into hospital in Barcelona and finding out that my mum had died.
Location: Fareham, Gatwick Airport, Madrid
Summary: An early start, a smooth journey to Gatwick, an easy flight to Madrid, and a first evening exploring the city, even if the Irish bar hunt didn’t go to plan.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Summary: A brilliant Segway tour around Madrid, a relaxed lunch, a disappointing visit to the Bernabeu, and a great evening with a few beers to finish the day.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Summary: A day exploring Madrid on foot from Puerta del Sol, joining a free walking tour, visiting major landmarks, and ending the evening with an unexpected hotel‑bar dinner after a failed taxi trip to a non‑existent restaurant.
Location: Madrid & Barcelona, Spain
Summary: High‑speed train from Madrid to Barcelona, a lost walking stick, a difficult Metro journey, disappointment with a poorly located budget hotel, and a decent meal in Poblenou before returning to an uncomfortable room.
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Summary: A frustrating hotel breakfast, exploring Barcelona from the beach to Las Ramblas, an overpriced tapas stop, failed attempts to find new accommodation, a visit to Montjuïc Castle by cable car, and an unexpected reunion with Paul on a bus before returning to Poblenou for dinner.
Location: Montserrat & Barcelona, Spain
Summary: An early start for a tour to Colònia Güell and Montserrat, worsening leg pain, missed trains, a difficult climb to the top station, a medical scare, and an evening spent in Barcelona University Hospital before finally learning the issue was not thrombosis.
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Summary: Waking up in hospital after the Montserrat ordeal, dealing with pain, boredom and difficult ward‑mates, followed by a reflection on how this trip changed my life forever due to necrotising fasciitis, sepsis, and the loss of my mum.
