Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain.
Summary: A week filled with sunshine, friends, bar‑hopping, football frustration, and the big decision to order an electric bike, finally.
Friday, April 16th
Coffee at the chiringuito, a long sunny wander, and an evening of misplaced neighbours.
Late in the morning, I sat at the chiringuito outside my apartment having a coffee with Andrew, who owned the bar, and my neighbour, Russ. At lunchtime, I walked along the promenade to Casa Julián (formerly Mementoes Bar), where I sat for an hour reading my Kindle and enjoying the sun and quiet. After a small beer, I wandered through the shops behind La Encarnación to buy a new face mask, one supporting the Mar Menor.
I then walked to La Playa bar for a bottle of Coors Light, which took me back to my days living in America. After some Kindle time, I moved on to El Callejón de las Brujas, a favourite little Spanish bar where I enjoyed tapas and chatted with George, Yvonne and Jim.
I headed to the doctor’s surgery for my 15:30 ear‑syringing appointment, only to find the surgery closed between 14:00 and 16:00. I waited next door in the café with an Asiatico until it reopened. At 16:00, the receptionist made me an appointment immediately, and soon my ear was cleaned, and I could hear again.
Walking home, I found Russ still at the chiringuito where I had left him five hours earlier. We had a beer and potato tapas, then walked towards Río Nalón for another drink. Russ darted into the Play Bar for the loo, and I bought us both a drink, but he never returned. After three unanswered calls, he finally replied to say he was at Rocco’s bar. How he missed me and his beer, I’ll never know. I joined him at Rocco’s and enjoyed an evening with friends, even managing a game of pool before heading home.
Saturday, April 17th
A grey morning, a sunny afternoon, and beers along the beach.
It was overcast and dull in the morning, but I hoped the rain would stay away. I took the Sharky mobile to the supermarket for cheese and eggs, then stopped at Chiringuito El Lobo for tostada and coffee.
The sun came out in the afternoon, and I joined Russ and John at the chiringuito for a couple of beers. As the afternoon turned into evening, the three of us walked along the beach to La Playa bar for a few more. We stayed until closing time and walked home just before curfew.
Sunday, April 18th
Films, VAR frustration, and a last‑minute Arsenal equaliser.
It was a lazy day of films, with a quick trip to Chiringuito El Lobo for a pint between movies. I watched Arsenal vs Fulham, and once again Arsenal were disappointing, only managing a 1–1 draw.
VAR ruined the game, two Arsenal goals were ruled out after long delays, Fulham was awarded a dubious penalty after a Swan Lake‑style dive, and toenails decided offside decisions. Fulham’s goalkeeper even faked a shin injury to waste time, only for the referee to add eight minutes of stoppage time. Arsenal scored with the last kick of the game.
VAR worked, but the rules needed changing. If it took that long to decide an offside by millimetres, it shouldn’t have been offside.
News also began to break about Arsenal joining a European Super League, though details were scarce.
Monday, April 19th
Ordering an e‑bike, memories of Florida, and celebratory beers.
In the morning, I took the Sharky mobile to a bike shop in Los Narejos and finally ordered an electric bike. I wanted more exercise, but with my knee popping out and breathing issues when walking, an e‑bike made sense. I could pedal when I was fine and switch to electric assistance if needed.
The bike cost almost six times as much as my first car in 1985. I used some of the money from selling my home in Tampa last year. Every ride would remind me of the homes I had owned in Florida and the good times I had there.
In the evening, Russ dragged me to Rocco’s and The Celt to talk rubbish and celebrate the purchase.
Tuesday, April 20th
Padrón renewal, sunshine at El Lobo, and the collapse of the Super League.
In the morning, I did very little except have coffee at the beach bar and read. At lunchtime, I met Jo at her new office in the CISSMU building to sort out a form from the Town Hall. Many people had given me different explanations, but Jo confirmed it was simply to renew my Padrón, which I did immediately. It proved that well‑meaning advice about Spanish bureaucracy was often wrong.
I also made an appointment for Thursday to deal with a letter from Traffico about a car I had sold 14 years earlier.
In the afternoon, I sat in the sun at El Lobo talking to Andrew and reading my Kindle. Russ was nowhere to be seen after several days of indulgence, and we hoped he was okay.
News broke that Arsenal and five other English clubs were withdrawing from the European Super League after a massive backlash. Without knowing the full details, it was impossible to judge, but it certainly looked like a project designed by the rich for the rich.
Wednesday, April 21st
Laundry, concern for Russ, and preparing paperwork.
In the morning, I did two loads of washing and put them in the dryer before heading to the chiringuito for coffee and Kindle time. As no one had seen Russ again, I sent him messages on WhatsApp and his phone. If he hadn’t replied soon, Andrew and I were ready to break in to check on him; he had been waiting for insulin, and we were worried.
Thankfully, Russ replied shortly after, so we called off the air‑sea rescue.
In the afternoon, I confirmed I had all the paperwork for the next day’s appointment regarding the car I hadn’t owned in 14 years.
Thursday, April 22nd
An early start, a lucky break, and a stormy afternoon indoors.
Probably because I didn’t want to miss my appointment with Jo, I woke at 05:00 and couldn’t fall back asleep. I checked my email, updated my website, and made a pot of camomile tea. I hoped the forecast thunderstorm wouldn’t arrive; I wanted to use the Sharky mobile.
The storm held off, but I walked to my 10:00 meeting just in case. The website Jo needed wasn’t working, but by coincidence, her daughter Olivia was visiting the office we needed. Jo called her, got the correct website, and we managed to make an appointment. Olivia would take me the following week to translate.
After leaving Jo, I walked to La Zona bar for a coffee and chatted with my friend Steve. I got home just before the storm swept in, thunder and heavy rain hammering down.
Not wanting to get soaked, I settled in to watch a TV series I hadn’t seen before, Keeping Faith. The first series was so good, and the lead actress so mesmerising, that I watched the entire thing in one long session before going to bed.
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