Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain.
Summary: A week of fresh fruit juice, curry experiments, e‑bike research, sunburn, films, breakfasts with friends, and plenty of afternoons spent bar‑hopping with Russ.
Friday, April 2nd
Fresh juice, lamb curry prep, and a quiet pint at La Playa.
I got up and did my usual routine, checking emails, tweaking my website, and losing track of time. It was gone 10:00 before I realised, so I forced myself to stop before the whole day disappeared. My get‑up‑and‑go is definitely returning, and juicing fruit again seems to help. This week’s juice was made from half a pineapple, six oranges, six apples, one lemon, and a large piece of ginger. After juicing and composting the pulp, I put two litres of pure juice in the fridge.
I cleared the kitchen, ran the dishwasher, put clothes in my newly cleaned washing machine, and started preparing today’s curry, my butter chicken recipe, but with lamb. It works with anything, though I might add some fruit before it finishes cooking.
For lunch, I had the leftovers from yesterday’s goat curry with a glass of fresh juice. Later, I worked on my website, and in the evening I went to La Playa bar for a pint.
Saturday, April 3rd
Scooter errands, beers in the sun, and a miserable Arsenal performance.
I went out for a whizz on my mobility scooter and took my rubbish to the recycling bins. At lunchtime, I met Russ at La Playa bar, and after a while we walked to El Callejón de las Brujas, where we sat in the sun for a few hours drinking beer and enjoying the free tapas.
My friend Alan messaged to say he was heading to La Playa, so Russ and I walked back to meet him. We sat in the sun, admiring the “wildlife” on the beachfront while enjoying a beer.
I left them to watch the football. Unfortunately, Arsenal were dire and were easily beaten 0–3 by Liverpool, not the ending the day deserved.
Sunday, April 4th
A lazy morning, bad beer, live music, and an early night.
I had a lazy morning watching Arsenal’s terrible performance again on MOTD, to confirm how bad they were. In the afternoon, I walked to the Alaska bar to meet Russ, but the beer was awful, so we moved next door to La Playa and had a few beers in the sun while listening to live music.
I tried my luck in the bar raffle but didn’t win a thing. I went home, watched a few films and had an early night.
Monday, April 5th
A full English, helpful friends, and two emotional films.
I was up fairly early and went out on my mobility scooter; my leg was aching from all the walking this week. I went to the Tipsy Thistle for a full English breakfast, the best in Los Alcázares in my opinion. Russ walked past and joined me.
After breakfast, I went to La Zona bar to see Jo about a letter from the town hall. She wasn’t there, but one of the Spanish ladies confirmed it was what I thought; I just needed to return it to confirm I still live in my apartment. I also saw my friend Sean, who offered to take me shopping in San Javier next week.
On the way home, I saw Gerry, who maintains mobility scooters. I asked him about tyre pressure, and he kindly checked and inflated them. The scooter felt much better, thank you, Gerry.
In the afternoon, I did some washing and changed my bed to light summer sheets. Then I watched a film on Amazon Prime called I Still Believe. It was emotional; if my tear ducts worked, my sofa would have been soaked. Only afterwards did I realise it was a true story about Christian music star Jeremy Camp.
Later, I watched Hell on the Border, about Bass Reeves, the first Black Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi: a brilliant film and an amazing story.
Tuesday, April 6th
Bacon, e‑bike research, beers with Martin, and a final pint with Russ.
I woke around 07:30, checked emails and had a pot of sweet cinnamon tea. Then I went to Consum for English‑style bacon and a bit of steak. After that, I went to look at electric bikes again. I’ve decided I need an e‑bike so I can get home if my legs cramp or my knee pops out. But the lady in the shop had two young children with her and was clearly busy, so I’ll return next week when schools reopen.
I popped in to see my cousin Jill, then met Martin for a couple of beers at La Sombra. His wife and daughter joined us, and we all headed to the beach to sit in the sun. On my way home along the beach, I met Russ heading to Rocco’s bar, and he talked me into joining him for a final beer.
I had good intentions of buying a bike today, but didn’t. I had good intentions of starting my new art project, but didn’t. There’s always next week.
Wednesday, April 7th
A sunburnt face, an overcast day, and signs of summer.
When I woke up, I immediately noticed how sunburned I'd got yesterday; my face was very red. Not sore, but a reminder to use sun cream. The day was overcast, with occasional rain, so I stayed in and watched films.
I did notice the chiringuito being delivered to its spot outside my apartment. Hopefully, it will open by the weekend, for me, that always signals the start of summer.
Thursday, April 8th
The Masters begins, slow banking, and another frustrating Arsenal match.
Today marked the start of The Masters, my favourite sporting event. For the next four days, I’ll be glued to the TV every afternoon.
After a shower, I logged into my American bank and transferred money to my CurrencyFair account. I’m always amazed that an online transfer incurs a bank charge; the American banking system is very backward. It takes at least three days to arrive. It’s supposed to be electronic, why isn’t it instant?
This afternoon I watched The Masters before switching to Arsenal in the evening. They played terribly again, leaving it until the last five minutes to score, then conceding with seconds to go for a 1–1 draw against Slavia Prague. The return leg will be harder now.
After the football, I switched back to the golf and saw one of my favourite golfers, Tommy Fleetwood, get a hole‑in‑one. Well done, Tommy.
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