Journal: Week 25, 2021

Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain

Summary: A week of long walks, daily swims, football marathons, Amazon deliveries, cocktails with friends, and the ongoing saga of balcony plants and Sharky Mobile adventures.

Friday, June 18th

A 6.7 km walk, a rescue lift home, and a disappointing England match

I woke early to a cool morning and decided to walk before it got too hot. I walked along the promenade to the military base, crossed the main road, and continued through Los Alcázares. After 3.7 km I stopped at El Callejón de las Brujas for water and a rest in the shade.

I carried on towards Los Narejos, but by the time I reached The Arches I was getting a headache, I’d stupidly forgotten my hat. I stopped at a café on the Oasis development for coffee, tostada and a large bottle of water. My friend Mike turned up, and after chatting for a while he offered me a lift home. With another 5 km still to go in the heat, I gratefully accepted.

Back home, I read my Kindle but quickly fell asleep for an hour. After a sandwich, I watched Sweden vs Slovakia, then met Keith and Dave at the chiringuito for a beer. We later walked back to El Callejón de las Brujas for beers and tapas before returning to the chiringuito for one last pint.

In the evening I watched England vs Scotland. England were terrible, Scotland were better, and England were lucky to get a 0-0 draw.

Saturday, June 19th

Noisy kids, cheese sauce triumph, and a brilliant Portugal vs Germany match

I didn’t sleep well because a group of kids sat outside from 01,30 to 05,00 shouting and playing music. Why are Spanish people so loud? Even without music they shout at each other.

After putting on some washing, I took the Sharky Mobile to Consum for shopping. I was overly excited to finally find cheese sauce mix, I bought two packets. I charged the scooter, weekend electricity is cheaper now, and did more washing.

For dinner I cooked pork ribs before watching Portugal vs Germany, the best match of the tournament so far. Germany won 2-4. Spain vs Poland finished 1-1 but was still better than England’s performance yesterday.

Sheila messaged asking me to order some items on Amazon for her, so I placed the order.

Sunday, June 20th

A peaceful swim, Amazon deliveries, and cocktails at Zarcos

I slept well, the rain and cooler air helped. I went for a swim for about an hour, watching fish and crabs dart under the rocks. Afterwards I had coffee and tostada at the chiringuito, then went home to wait for the Amazon delivery.

It arrived around lunchtime, and I let Sheila know. I watched Italy vs Wales, Wales lost but still qualified for the next round. After the match I went to the chiringuito, where Sheila and Bernard met me to collect their parcel. Bernard and I then headed to Zarcos for cocktails. Sheila drove and kindly gave me a lift home afterwards.

Monday, June 21st

A long swim, breakfast with friends, and a productive Amazon spree

I swam for about 90 minutes this morning, then had coffee with Keith at the chiringuito. We went to the Tipsy Thistle to meet Dave for breakfast. Afterwards Keith needed to shop, so I tagged along to buy carrots for tomorrow’s dinner. We returned to the chiringuito to meet Dave again and sat in the sun talking rubbish. I had a portion of baby squid before heading home to watch North Macedonia vs Holland.

Amazon had given me a €10 voucher, so I made several orders:

• three shelving units for my patio plants

• multivitamins, because I don’t eat properly half the time

• a leather water, wine skin to carry cold water on walks

• bulk toilet rolls, to avoid lugging giant packs home

All due Wednesday.

I watched the football and then read in bed until I fell asleep.

Tuesday, June 22nd

A blood test, a swim, beers with friends, and a well timed Chinese takeaway

I went for my regular blood test first thing, then to La Encarnación for coffee, tostada and orange juice. After reading for a while, I returned to the chiringuito, parked the scooter and went for a swim.

Afterwards I bought water and read my Kindle for an hour before heading to La Sombra for beers with Martin, Kate and Aria. I went home for food but couldn’t be bothered to cook, so I got a Chinese takeaway, enough for two meals so I wouldn’t miss tomorrow’s Amazon deliveries.

In the evening I watched England beat Czech Republic 1-0. Bukayo Saka was fantastic, I can’t understand why he hasn’t started every game.

Wednesday, June 23rd

A day of deliveries, giant boxes, and a disappointing Spain match

I checked my Amazon orders and discovered they’d been split into multiple deliveries. Good thing I bought extra food yesterday. I waited all day, one delivery at 13:00, another at 17:00, and the last at 19:30.

The funniest moment was the giant box, 120 cm by 62 cm by 23 cm. I assumed it contained the three shelving units. It was feather light. Inside? Forty two toilet rolls, padded with paper to stop them getting damaged. The box could have held 1,600 rolls. At least I’m stocked for any future lockdown.

I tried to watch Spain vs Slovakia but fell asleep, it was that boring. Spain missed a penalty and still won 5-0. I went back to reading my Kindle, I’m hooked on the Enora: Online trilogy.

Thursday, June 24th

Breakfast at La Encarnación, blood test results, and balcony improvements

I showered and went to La Encarnación for breakfast, reading while I ate. Then I went to the doctor for my blood test results, all good, clotting levels stable.

Back home, I waited for my friend Mark, who came to help me adjust the balcony table and assemble the shelving units. With all the packaging, I needed help just getting the cardboard to the recycling bins.

The shelves went together easily, and Mark helped me rearrange the balcony and plants. It looks great, and I might even grow herbs now for my soups.