Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of sunshine, genealogy, good food, friendly faces, fresh juice, and the unforgettable moment of watching Perseverance land on Mars.
Friday, February 12th
A genealogy report sent, a sunny balcony, and an afternoon doze.
This morning, I sent off a genealogy report to a family member for his branch of our family tree. Hopefully, he can read it and fill in some of the missing details. At lunchtime, I went for a short walk and then stopped for a small beer and tapas at Bar Carzola around the corner from my apartment. After lunch, I went back home and relaxed by sunbathing on my balcony. I read my Kindle, enjoyed a can of beer and dozed off in the sun.
Saturday, February 13th
A hot February afternoon, lasagne by the sea, and a Welsh win.
I had a quiet day today. I did a bit of genealogy, tagged more images in my collection, and for lunch went to a local beachfront bar for lasagne, chips and salad with a pint. There were quite a lot of people out and about, so I went home. Once there, I stripped down to my boxer shorts, grabbed my Kindle and went onto the balcony to sunbathe and read. It was so hot I put sun cream on, so I wouldn’t get burnt, not bad for a February afternoon.
In the afternoon, I flipped through the channels, watching football and rugby, and was pleased to see Wales win a very close match against Scotland.
Sunday, February 14th
Washing, ribs, genealogy, and a strong Arsenal performance.
I spent the morning catching up on washing and tagging more images in my photo collection. A bit of genealogy research was broken up with trips to the utility room or scavenging in the kitchen for food. I managed to track and kill a large pack of pork ribs hiding in my freezer. It was big enough for lunch and the remainder for my evening meal while watching Arsenal play Leeds.
The weekend ended well: Arsenal beat Leeds 4–2, and Wales won in rugby.
Monday, February 15th
A treat‑yourself morning, a beach‑side cake, and more genealogy.
I know it’s not Christmas and I’ve only just had my birthday, but I thought I’d treat myself this morning. I had a lie-in. After a lie‑in, I got up, showered and shaved before going out to get my monthly medication and book a blood test. The sun was shining, and there wasn’t much wind, so it looked like a lovely day. My legs were aching, so I dusted off my trusty steed and took the Sharky mobile out for a tour.
After getting my tablets, I went to the bakery for a pie for lunch and some bread rolls for later in the week. I then sat along the beach and ate the cream cake that had somehow found its way into my bag. On the way home, I saw my friend Angelia, who physically dragged me, kicking and screaming, on my scooter back to La Encarnación for a coffee and a chat. It was nice to catch up and see a friendly face again.
The evening was spent doing genealogy research, downloading and attaching census records to different people in my tree.
Tuesday, February 16th
A market trip, fresh juice, and a new digital artwork.
Today I popped out to the doctor to make an appointment for my blood test. I meant to do it yesterday, but the cream cake caused a temporary lapse of memory. I went to the doctor on my way back from the market.
After booking the appointment for tomorrow, I picked up my friend Mark from his apartment. He had only moved in a few weeks ago and didn’t know the lay of the land, so I took him along. At the entrance, we had our hands sanitised and our temperatures scanned before being allowed in. I bought apples and oranges for juicing, potatoes, tomatoes and very hot chorizo. I then took Mark to La Encarnación for tostada, coffee and orange juice.
When I got home, I made juice with my juicer, six oranges, six apples, a mango, four sticks of celery, and a large piece of ginger. It made around two litres, which I mixed with water for a refreshing drink. I also prepared a piece of pork for tomorrow, marinating it in honey, crushed garlic and coconut water.
In the afternoon and evening, I produced an image of the Spanish Eagle Patrol flying in a cloudy sky. I liked it so much when printed that I will get it framed for my house.
Wednesday, February 17th
An early start, a new graphics tablet, and an afternoon of sunshine and beers.
I awoke just before 05:00 and couldn’t fall back asleep. With my blood test at 09:00, I worried I might fall asleep and miss it, so I got up. I did some online shopping on Amazon, buying an all‑singing, all‑dancing digital tablet for my digital art. Many years ago, I did Adobe training in London and became a certified Adobe professional, but I’ve never taken my hobby to the next level. I’m hoping the new tablet will help.
I had a tostada and a pot of tea at home before watching YouTube videos on drawing and sketching exercises. I went for my blood test and was back home by 09:20. It was cold outside, so I warmed up before going out later to see my friend Mike. He is a Tottenham fan, and I like to check on the poor old chap now and then. I was taught to keep an eye on older, senile, grumpy geriatric people, even those with Totteringhamitus.
After seeing Mike in Los Narejos, I just made it home before the mobility scooter battery died.
In the afternoon, my friend George called and invited me for drinks at a bar I hadn’t been to before, El Callejón de las Brujas (The Alley of the Witches). It was a nice little local bar within walking distance, and I sat in the sun enjoying a beer with George and Yvonne. When the bar closed, we stopped at Cafeteria Avenida for an Asiatico or two.
After getting home, all the fresh air and excitement made me fall asleep almost immediately, only waking up to watch some football before bed.
Thursday, February 18th
Fog, deliveries, Mars, and Arsenal in Rome.
I woke up to a thick fog, as if I were back in the UK. I had two deliveries arriving today and hoped they could find my house.
My first delivery, some CBD cream, arrived at about 09:15. One down, one to go. The second delivery strangely arrived at midday. Im not sure why they arrived separately.
In the evening, I watched Perseverance land on Mars. I was quite excited, as I’m too young to remember the moon landing. I’m looking forward to seeing the images and data that come back.
I also watched Benfica vs Arsenal, played in Rome due to COVID restrictions. It was disappointing that Arsenal didn’t make the most of their chances, but hopefully they will progress next week when they play the second leg in Athens. The game finished 1–1. Benfica scored a penalty after the ball hit Smith Rowe’s arm, and Saka scored Arsenal’s goal. He seems determined to drag Arsenal forward all by himself this season.
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