Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of scorching heat, swims, stomach troubles, noisy nights, rude tourists, good friends and the usual mix of sunshine, chaos and small joys along the Mar Menor.
Friday, July 23rd
A long swim, scorching heat, and a midnight battle with Spanish dominoes and louder Spaniards
I woke feeling slightly better than yesterday, not a high bar, and went for a long swim before the sun became unbearable. After showering, I made camomile tea, updated my website and sat on the balcony.
Below me, the Spanish were playing dominoes with such ferocity it sounded like they were trying to smash each tile through the table. Even shuffling them sounded like a washing machine on rinse. I wondered if dominoes is considered a contact sport here, perhaps even an Olympic event.
It was far too hot to do anything. At 18:30 the thermometer still read 100°F, 38°C, so I stayed indoors watching a film. At 22:00 a saxophonist began playing on the stage outside, very good, but once again, no advertising. Only the artisan market wanderers and the surrounding apartments heard him. He finished at 23:45 and I went to bed.
At 03:00 I was woken by a Spanish neighbour across the street who had fallen asleep on the remote control. The TV volume kept rising until another neighbour shouted, then set off his car alarm to wake him. When that didn’t work, he threw a shoe at the window. That finally did the trick, and I got back to sleep.
Saturday, July 24th
A morning swim, screaming children, and discovering Deuce Bigalow
I felt a little better and swam for about an hour, roughly three quarters of a kilometre. After poached egg on toast, I went to see Sheila and Bernard on my way to Mercadona. The shops were chaos, peak tourist season, and I longed for the quiet months when queues don’t exist.
It was too hot to do anything in the afternoon, so I tried to read my Kindle, but the small children outside were having a screaming competition. Why do little girls stand next to each other and see who can scream the longest, loudest and highest? And how do they survive to adulthood without being mistaken for escaped howler monkeys?
I shut the windows, put on the air conditioning and watched both Deuce Bigalow films, very funny, and I can’t believe I’d never seen them.
The artisan market brought another night of chaos and mothers with 20 screaming children until 02:00, then teenagers on motorbikes with beer and boom boxes until 05:30. I don’t know how my neighbours tolerate it.
Sunday, July 25th
A collision at sea, a perfect roast beef, and another night of music
I didn’t wake early thanks to the noise, but once I did, I went for a swim. My luck continued, I was sideswiped by a fast moving Spanish “athlete” who crashed into my hip and shot off without apology or checking for damage. I continued my swim, did my water aerobics and returned to shore, mentally drafting an insurance claim.
At lunchtime I took the Sharky Mobile to Campbell’s for Sunday lunch. I tried the roast beef, the best I’ve had in a long time. After returning home I watched the film Last Call, then I walked to La Playa to hear Diana sing again. I sat with Jo, Michael and Rob, chatting and enjoying the music. On the way home I noticed speakers being set up again outside my apartment.
It turned out to be the saxophonist from Friday. I bought a pint at the chiringuito and listened for an hour before going home to watch TV and some Olympic events.
Monday, July 26th
Cloudy water, a flood at La Sombra, and a chance meeting with Elaine
I swam again, though visibility was terrible, wind and algae had clouded the water. After showering, I went to help Mike with his phone at Café Prensa, then joined Martin outside La Sombra. They’d had a flood overnight and were still cleaning up, so we went to LA’s Family Bar for a pint before returning.
I ordered a pizza, ate half and took the rest home. On the way back, Elaine called out from a small Spanish café. I stopped for a drink with her and the couple who own the apartment she’s moving into. After a nice chat, I went home, ate the rest of the pizza and watched TV until the noise outside died down.
Tuesday, July 27th
A swim, reflexology, and a peaceful day on the balcony
I swam for an hour, then had coffee, tostada and water at the chiringuito before heading home for my reflexology session. Julie arrived, worked her magic, and we arranged the next appointment. She suggested moving to fortnightly and then monthly sessions, apparently I’m improving.
I spent the afternoon and evening on the balcony reading until about 23,00. A very relaxed day.
Wednesday, July 28th
A rude Englishman, new swimming shorts, and a day hiding from the heat
I went to the doctor’s surgery to arrange a blood test. While queuing outside, an Englishman rudely pushed past everyone, including an elderly lady, a couple with a sick child, and me on my scooter, and barged inside, ignoring the one in one out rule. I let the parents with the sick child go ahead of me, hoping to restore some goodwill. If that man ever reads this, I hope he misses his flight or his appointment on August 13th.
After arranging my appointment, I went for a swim, lovely and flat at first, slightly windy by the end. Back home, the postman delivered a parcel from my sister, new swimming shorts with colourful turtles on them. Perfect timing.
I spent the rest of the day indoors reading, watching TV and staying cool.
Thursday, July 29th
A blood test, a long walk with friends, and a very social afternoon
I woke early, drank plenty of water and went to the doctor’s for my blood test. I was seen quickly and then walked to La Encarnación for breakfast, tostada with tomato, coffee and orange juice. A perfect start to the day.
After resting at home, I went for a long walk along the beachfront, then up towards Río Nalón. At Rocco’s I found Colin and Elaine, so I joined them for a beer. We later walked to El Callejón de las Brujas for beers and tapas, then on to La Playa bar.
Colin and I sat reminiscing about past years and our friend Kelvin, hoping he’ll visit this year. After he left, I walked back to the chiringuito for a final beer. Just as I was leaving, Jim and Shelley arrived and “forced” me to have another beer before they went to work.
I finally made it home, ate something, watched a couple of episodes of Deception, and went to bed.
Add comment