Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain.
Summary: A week of chocolate pancakes, long chats with friends, bike rides, gardening, sunburn, football marathons, and a wonderful return to eating out after more than a year.
Friday, May 7th
Chocolate pancakes, sunburn, and a day spent drifting between swims and friends.
I tried some premade chocolate pancakes I’d bought yesterday, two minutes in the microwave from frozen, and they were lovely. It was a lazy day spent within a few metres of my apartment. I went swimming in the morning and met Mike at the chiringuito for coffee; he’d come to pick up a couple of old mobile phones I no longer needed.
I’d arranged to do some printing for Theresa and waited all day for her at the chiringuito, occasionally going for a swim but always making sure someone kept an eye out for her. She never turned up, Mike had told her I’d gone out on my bike. In the afternoon, I was joined by Matt, Mark, Keith, Jo and Michael at various times and ended up getting sunburnt. Plenty of after‑sun went on before bed.
Saturday, May 8th
A full English, broken sunglasses, wine tasting, and a gentle evening.
I was up early and walked to the Tipsy Thistle for a full English breakfast at 09:00. Russ joined me, and afterwards we went to Café Parking for an Asiatico. While I was sitting there, the arm of my sunglasses fell off. Luckily, Optica Optima was the opposite; they fixed them in two seconds. Brilliant service.
After walking home and resting, George called asking for help with his computer. I was heading to ATime4AChange for a wine‑tasting event, so I said I’d pop in afterwards. I tried three wines, all nice, though I know nothing about wine.
I then went to George and Yvonne’s apartment to help him order a shirt online. Afterwards, we walked to El Callejón de las Brujas for beers and tapas, always a lovely bar with great service. I left them there and walked home via the chiringuito for one beer, but my leg was aching from all the walking, so I didn’t stay long before heading home to watch the evening football.
Sunday, May 9th
Mum’s birthday, a 15 km bike ride, and a full day of football.
Today would have been my mum’s 82nd birthday. I still find myself talking to her sometimes, and I imagine many people do the same with loved ones they’ve lost. If so, you’re all in my thoughts today.
I woke at 05:00 and decided to go for a bike ride once it was light. At 08:00, I headed towards El Carmolí. By the time I got there, my legs were aching, so I turned back. As I reached Los Alcázares, my bum ached, my legs ached, and rain clouds were gathering; definitely the right decision to head home. I’d cycled just under 15 km in just under 50 minutes. After resting, I had a poached egg on toast.
While I was sitting, an Avatel customer service representative called to help me access their website. I’d emailed them only 30 minutes earlier, on a Sunday, and they’d already fixed the issue. Very impressive.
My legs ached more than expected, so I spent the rest of the day watching football: Portsmouth vs Accrington (0–1), Aston Villa vs Man United (1–3), West Ham vs Everton (0–1), and finally Arsenal beating West Brom 3–1, which relegated West Brom.
Monday, May 10th
A sore back, drain‑cleaning noise, and a day of helping friends.
I woke with a sore back and the noise of a lorry cleaning drains outside, not the best start. I went out for a bit of shopping and to escape the noise. I had coffee with Steve at Café Prensa, then checked on Mike, then went to La Sombra for a beer with Martin. His family joined us, and his daughter Aria wanted a ride on my mobility scooter. She quickly figured out the speed dial and kept telling me to go faster.
On my way to see Frouk, I came across another friend who needed help getting into her home. I unlocked her door and tried to help her inside, but her husband arrived and took over. With all the excitement, I completely forgot to go to Frouk’s, sorry, Frouk.
Tuesday, May 11th
Pharmacy errands, padded cycling shorts, and a quiet day indoors.
I went to the pharmacy for my tablets, then to Lidl for some rolls. On the way home, I stopped at a Chino shop for key rings. I had too many keys on one ring and wanted to separate them.
Back home, I made bacon, mushroom, and egg rolls for Russ and me. Later, the postman arrived with a parcel from my friend Jim in the UK, two pairs of padded cycling shorts to make my rides more comfortable.
The rest of the day was spent reading my Kindle and watching films.
Wednesday, May 12th
Shin splints, tea with Bernard, balcony gardening, and a surprise Arsenal win.
I woke to pain in my right leg, shin splints, as my UK doctor used to call them. It was excruciating, making walking difficult. But the sky was blue, which always lifts my mood.
I rode my scooter to Café Prensa for coffee and to check on Mike. He wasn’t there, so I went to his house. He was fine, chatting to me through his gate. On the way home, I passed Bernard’s house; he waved me in for a cup of “Liverpool tea.” It was lovely catching up. We joked about starting a tea morning while the ladies have their coffee mornings.
I stopped at the Chino shop and bought a new flower pot for my Schlumbergera (Christmas cactus). At home, I repotted it, along with my Sansevieria (Mother‑in‑Law’s Tongue). I also cut back my Poinsettia, leaving one small stem, repotted it and hoped it would revive. After pottering on the balcony, I was worn out and rested. It will look lovely once the plants fill out.
In the evening, I watched Chelsea vs Arsenal, and remarkably Arsenal played very well, nicked a goal from a Chelsea mistake, and won 0–1.
Thursday, May 13th
Feeding fish, Kindle time, and a wonderful evening at Massala Cottage.
This morning, I walked into the sea to feed the fish bread. They swam all around my feet in the clear water, but the wind was cool, and it wasn’t warm enough to swim. Afterwards I had tostada and coffee at the chiringuito, where Bernard and Sheila joined me. When they left, I sat in the sun reading my Kindle for a few hours. After getting burnt earlier this year, I covered myself in factor 50, but eventually went indoors to avoid overdoing it.
For lunch, I had a protein shake. In the evening, I met friends at Massala Cottage, my favourite restaurant in Los Alcázares. Before the meal, I had a pint at Chiringuito El Lobo, then Pat picked me up, and we met James and Bernard at Trebol sports bar for a beer.
As always, the food at Massala Cottage was excellent: prawn puri to start, papadoms, naan, side dishes, beers, homemade Indian ice cream, and Baileys. It was my first proper meal out (other than breakfast) since before COVID began, and I loved every minute of it.
I hope evenings like this become more frequent as we all adjust to life after lockdown, sensibly, of course.
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