Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of broken sleep, coffees with friends, Photoshop tutorials, Spanish lessons, bike rides, quizzes, and the usual mix of sunshine, storms and small daily adventures.
Friday, 28th May
Broken sleep, rain showers, and a long overdue catch up with my sister
I didn’t sleep well again last night, I didn’t drop off until around 05,30 and was back up by 09,15. With light rain falling, I lay on the sofa surfing the internet for a few hours. Around 11,30 I walked to the chiringuito for coffee, but Andrew wasn’t opening because of the rain. He was there for a delivery, so we chatted before I walked to La Playa bar for a coffee.
I chatted with Shellie about the Guinness World Record walking event she’s organising for September, an attempt to get the most people worldwide walking or running 10 km at the same time. I signed up, and Ady made me laugh by saying he wouldn’t sign up but would still walk the 10 km with me.
While talking, I suddenly remembered I had an Amazon delivery arriving today and rushed home, only to discover it’s actually due tomorrow. For lunch I cooked chicken livers, then promptly fell asleep for two hours. Clearly I needed it. For tea I had curried salmon with rice.
In the evening I caught up with my sister on Skype for the first time in months. We chatted and laughed for about an hour and a half, it was lovely to see her.
Saturday, 29th May
A better night’s sleep, a new watch, and the Champions League Final
I finally slept well, thanks to a friend who sent kind words and happier thoughts after last week’s sad events. I had two chocolate pancakes for breakfast and waited for my new watch to arrive. At midday Amazon delivered it. I charged it, worked out how to use it, then went to the chiringuito for a pint with Andrew and John.
After that I moved on to La Playa bar, but they couldn’t put the football on, so after a pint I wandered around and eventually stopped at Piramide bar to chat with George and Yvonne. Alan Bond messaged me and we arranged to watch the Manchester City vs Chelsea Champions League Final at La Zona bar.
Alan picked me up at 20,00. I ordered a pizza and enjoyed the match, along with some banter with Jayne and Ben, both Chelsea fans. After the game we went to La Playa for a final beer before heading home.
Sunday, 30th May
Swifts, live music, and a pub running out of beer
I lazed around this morning watching the swifts darting around outside, catching flies mid air with incredible agility. After lunch I walked to La Playa bar to see La Cantinas play live. They’re a great band and I always enjoy them.
My cousin Jill and her husband Peter popped in for a quick anniversary drink. Unfortunately the pub ran out of beer, so I only had a couple of pints before walking home. On the way, I saw Gerry and Lorraine, who told me they’re leaving Spain and returning to the UK. After a chat, I crossed to the chiringuito outside my apartment and spent the evening with friends.
Monday, 31st May
Bacon delivery, Photoshop tutorials, and finally buying Spanish lessons
I lazed around in the morning and at midday cycled to La Sombra to meet Martin, who had got me a large pack of bacon. We chatted for a couple of hours, then I cycled home and divided the bacon into six packs for the freezer.
In the afternoon I watched a couple of Photoshop tutorials, then read a new murder mystery on my Kindle. I also finally bought a set of 50 Spanish lessons, something I’ve been meaning to do for ages.
Tuesday, 1st June
Storm clouds, market shopping, and Amazon troubleshooting
The morning started cloudy and rainy. I stripped my bed, washed the sheets, shaved, showered, had a 20 minute massage, then made scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast. I watched the introduction to my Spanish lessons, and with more cloudy weather forecast, I’ll probably start the course soon.
I took my recycling out and walked to the Tuesday market. Thunder rumbled overhead but no rain fell. Many stalls were packing up early because of the storm. I bought oranges, apples and potatoes and walked home. As soon as I got in, the rain came down heavily.
In the afternoon, George rang, he was having trouble ordering from Amazon. I went round to help but forgot my glasses and couldn’t read the screen. It looked like he needed to call Amazon about a login issue. I sent myself links to the items he wanted and ordered one of the books when I got home. The other couldn’t be ordered through Amazon Spain, but George managed to order it through his UK account after Amazon fixed his login.
Wednesday, 2nd June
Bike errands, padded shorts, and an afternoon of bar hopping
I slept well and woke at 08,30 to bright sun and blue sky. After tea, I cycled to the bank, then to La Encarnación for breakfast. Then I cycled to the bike shop to get my gears adjusted and a basket fitted. The owner told me to return in an hour, so I walked to Café Prensa for coffee and tostada.
Mike turned up and asked for help with his mobile. After breakfast I collected my bike, cycled to Mike’s and connected his phone to his home network. He rewarded me with a cup of tea.
A few weeks ago Jim sent me padded cycling shorts. I wore them under my normal shorts as he suggested. They help, but if you’ve never worn them, it feels like wearing a full nappy. Very disconcerting, but I’ll get used to them.
While resting on the sofa, George and Yvonne shouted up from below my balcony. I joined them at the chiringuito for a drink, then we walked along the beach to La Playa, then back to Piramide bar for another drink before I went home for food.
I made a ham, salami and cheese pizza and watched TV, including the last 20 minutes of England vs Austria, and based on that, I’m glad I missed the first 70.
Thursday, 3rd June
Waiting for Amazon, banana pizza, and a disastrous quiz performance
I slept badly again. This morning I waited for the Amazon delivery, a book for George. While waiting, I found the dustpan and brush I’d misplaced weeks ago, hiding under the sink. I left it on the balcony so I can find it tomorrow.
Donna messaged to say she and Debbie were going to the quiz at La Zona and asked if I wanted to join. I said yes, as long as the Amazon delivery arrived in time. It came at 13,00, so I arranged to drop it off to George before the quiz.
For lunch I made a pizza with cheese, ham, salami and banana. People think banana on pizza is weird, but it’s lovely, try it.
I cycled to George’s to drop off his book, then on to La Zona to meet Debbie and Donna. We did terribly in the quiz, joint last, I think. A combination of not hearing the questions, talking too much, and not knowing the answers.
After the quiz I cycled home, had curried salmon with rice, followed by mixed fruit and yoghurt, then stretched out in front of the TV before an early night.
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