Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A scorching week of swims, flamenco, live music, long lunches, unexpected encounters, stomach troubles, quizzes and the slow return to normality after the shock of the previous weeks.
Friday, July 9th
A morning swim, a surprise flamenco show, and a balcony concert with spiced rum
After my morning swim, I had tostada and coffee at the beach and chatted with Andrew at the chiringuito. He told me there would be a free gipsy flamenco show on the stage outside my apartment that night.
Throughout the day I watched the stage being built, lights and sound installed, and a fenced off seating area created for “invited guests”, though I’d seen no advertising at all.
When the show started at 22:30, I walked around the fenced area but decided it was too busy. I could see and hear everything perfectly from my balcony, so I poured myself a spiced rum, settled into my reclining chair and enjoyed the music and dancing. The show finished around 01:00, and the crowd disappeared surprisingly quickly.
Saturday, July 10th
A lazy morning, live music at La Playa, and a worrying moment on the walk home
I slept very well after last night’s balcony concert and didn’t get up until after 10:00. After a swim and breakfast at the chiringuito, I saw that my friend Alan Bond was singing at La Playa bar that evening, so I decided to go.
It was a great night, Alan sang brilliantly, and I had a comfortable seat with a perfect view. After the bar closed, I walked along the beachfront with Shellie, leaving her at her door before heading home.
As I walked up the narrow road to my apartment, I sensed someone behind me. When I turned quickly, a very young lad dressed in black swerved past me on an electric scooter, narrowly missing me. I don’t know if he intended anything, but after my recent mugging, I’m far more alert. People really do need to stay vigilant at night.
Sunday, July 11th
A roast lamb feast at Campbell’s and an afternoon of films and naps
I woke early and pottered on my laptop before deciding it was too hot to cook. I headed to Campbell’s Bar in Roda for Sunday lunch. I took my time on the disability scooter, enjoying the sun. Mike and Martin were there, and I ordered a pint and roast lamb.
The meal was fantastic, so good I stayed for another pint and then ordered bread and butter pudding. Afterwards I went home to watch a film and, unsurprisingly, fell asleep on the sofa before restarting it later.
Monday, July 12th
A chat with Martin, a retired doctor’s surprise, and another afternoon nap
I had breakfast at the chiringuito, then went to see Martin at La Sombra. We chatted for a few hours before I headed home. On the way, I stopped at the chiringuito for a pint and met a Spanish man and his wife. He used to be a doctor and, seeing the scarring on my leg, asked about it. When I told him, he said I was very lucky to be alive, necrotizing fasciitis is extremely serious. To celebrate my survival, he bought me a drink or two.
Back home, I had a sandwich and promptly fell asleep in front of the TV before going to bed early.
Tuesday, July 13th
Paying the cleaner, bar hopping with Amanda, and a light hearted film
I met the cleaner who had cleaned my apartment after the mugging, she’d told me to pay her once I had my bank card back. We met at Café Prensa, where I’d already been having coffee with Mike. I paid her, but communication was difficult, so I decided I’d need a cleaner I could communicate with more easily.
I then went to La Sombra to chat with Martin until he left to shop with his family. After that I met Amanda at LA’s Family Bar & Grill. We had a drink, then walked to La Zona, with a detour to show each other our old homes. After a pint at La Zona, we moved on to Rocco’s. It was a great afternoon catching up. After making sure she reached her friend’s house safely, I headed home.
I watched My Spy, a silly but very funny film with great chemistry between the tough soldier spy and the little girl. I really enjoyed it.
Wednesday, July 14th
A day of stomach trouble and a quiet evening
I got up early but had a lazy morning. I was supposed to have a reflexology session but postponed it, my stomach was making strange noises. I spent most of the day either sitting on or rushing to the toilet.
Late afternoon I cooked steak and mushrooms with potato salad, which settled things enough to stop the constant trips. I had a quiet evening and an early night.
Thursday, July 15th
A haircut, breakfast with friends, a quiz collapse, and a sunny afternoon
I woke feeling much better. After tea, I went to the local barber for a haircut, then stopped at the chiringuito for coffee. Sheila and Bernard messaged to say they were having breakfast at Chiringuito Principado and invited me to join them. We had a lovely chat, and they invited me to dinner next week.
I had a salmon burger for lunch, then went to meet Debby for the quiz at La Zona. I arrived just as she and Keith were finishing lunch. Pat joined us for the quiz. We did brilliantly in the first three rounds, easily top two, and then completely collapsed. Only three answers in the next round, and wiped out in the last. Classic.
After the quiz, Ken joined us for a while. It was a great afternoon, sunshine, laughter and catching up with old friends. I went home, had another salmon burger, watched an American home remodelling show and went to bed.
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