Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week centred around hospital visits, frustrating admin battles, early morning swims, football highs and lows and the ongoing dance between August heat and Kindle powered relaxation.
Friday, August 20th
An MRI in Cartagena, empanadas, and an Amazon battle you didn’t ask for
I got up early intending to swim before my hospital appointment, but I mixed up the time and didn’t go, even though I actually had plenty of time. Breakfast was porridge with banana before Lesley arrived to take me to Cartagena. The wait for my MRI was only about five minutes, and the scan was done quickly.
On the way out, Lesley stopped at a café where we had empanadas with a spicy sauce. I ate two and took the rest home. Back at my apartment, she came in to read a letter for me and then tried to help unblock my Amazon account. After the mugging, I’d removed all payment cards, which immediately triggered Amazon to block the account for “suspected fraud.” Since then, I’ve been unable to access it because the security number they gave me was in Spanish.
Lesley called the number, they hung up on her twice, before she finally got an English speaker who insisted on talking only to me. They claimed my postcode didn’t match, refused to check where my orders had been delivered and repeated that the account was blocked for fraud. They wouldn’t help further and said they’d “contact me when they knew more.” So, no Amazon shopping for me anytime soon.
In the afternoon I read on my balcony, then took the mobility scooter out in the evening just to see some real people. Passing Zarcos, Elaine and Colin called me over, it was happy hour, so I joined them for a cocktail. Later Mat arrived, and I had another. When the bill came, I’d been charged full price again. Not a fortune, but enough to put Zarcos on my “avoid” list when there are so many other bars around.
Saturday, August 21st
A morning swim, empanada leftovers, and the Vuelta flashing past in 15 seconds
I swam early before the crowds arrived, then had coffee and Kindle time at the chiringuito. Back home, I finished the last of yesterday’s empanadas.
After lunch I called George to see if he was watching the Vuelta a España as it passed through Los Alcázares. We met at a café on the main road and got a perfect roadside seat. The lead cars passed an hour before the cyclists, and when the peloton finally arrived, the entire field flew past in about 15 seconds.
I noticed protesters about the state of the Mar Menor being moved along by police. They weren’t blocking anything, I suspect they were moved so the TV cameras wouldn’t catch their banners.
After the race I went home, watched football and went to bed.
Sunday, August 22nd
A swim, a cooked breakfast, and Arsenal vs Chelsea, predictably painful
I swam early, then went to the Tipsy Thistle for a small English breakfast. On the way home I stopped at the chiringuito for coffee and read for a few hours.
In the afternoon I sat behind my sofa to watch Arsenal play Chelsea. With players out due to COVID and injuries, I wasn’t hopeful. I’d predicted 0-4 to Chelsea, so 0-2 felt almost merciful. Despite the loss, I enjoyed watching some of the younger players get a chance. The pundits calling for the manager to be sacked were just doing what they do best, shouting for attention.
After the match I retreated to my balcony recliner with my Kindle.
Monday, August 23rd
A swim, a banking nightmare, and an afternoon that ended in a nap
I swam early so I could get to the bank before it got busy. I wanted to know why money I’d sent 10 days ago hadn’t arrived. The lady checked, no hold, no payment, nothing.
Back home, I contacted the sending bank. They’d put a hold on the transfer because they wanted proof of where the money came from, even though they’d already had that proof earlier in the year. They hadn’t informed me, of course. Banks today have too much power and too little accountability. They charge us to use our own money while making money from it. Industrial sized leeches, the lot of them.
After that ordeal, I went to The Office to meet Martin for a pint. On the way home I stopped at Aldi for carrots for soup. Two pints hit me harder than expected, I hadn’t drunk in a while. Back home I ate a homemade frozen pizza and promptly fell asleep on the sofa. Later I read on the balcony, I’m deep into a nine book detective series set in Acapulco and can’t put it down.
Tuesday, August 24th
A lethargic morning, a long delayed bank transfer, and a new computer on the way
I woke feeling lethargic, with stomach aches again. I worked on my website for a while, hoping I’d perk up.
The bank transfer I’d scheduled 11 days ago finally went through. With that sorted, I looked for a new computer, my laptop has issues, though I’ll keep it for travelling. I found one I liked, and to my amazement it was scheduled for delivery tomorrow.
I spent most of the day curled up on the sofa hoping my stomach would settle.
Wednesday, August 25th
A new computer, a faulty new computer, and Arsenal finally win a match
I got up early because the delivery window was originally 08:00 to 21:00, but it later changed to 11:40 to 12:40. The computer arrived at lunchtime, and I set it up within an hour. The new chair took another hour and still needs the arms attached.
When I turned the computer on to change the settings to English, I discovered a problem, all windows opened minimised, making it impossible to use any programs. I filed a complaint with PC Components and waited for support. Not what you expect from an expensive new machine.
In the evening I watched West Brom vs Arsenal. Both teams fielded weakened sides, but Arsenal won 6-0. Aubameyang scored a hat trick, and Ramsdale impressed on his debut. It cheered me up.
Thursday, August 26th
A better morning, a swim, and a computer that magically fixes itself
I slept badly and didn’t wake until after 09:00. I swam, then had porridge with banana. Feeling better, I sat down to investigate the computer issue, and the problem had magically vanished. Everything worked perfectly.
I spent the rest of the day transferring software, updating accounts and installing virus protection.
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