Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of early swims, balcony gardening, photo sorting marathons, football highs and lows and a colonoscopy that brought equal parts discomfort and comedy, all wrapped in the familiar rhythm of chiringuito coffees and Kindle reading.
Friday, September 3rd
A calm morning swim, new plants, and a quiet day of reading
The sun was out and there was no wind, so I went for my morning swim. Afterward I had an omelette for breakfast and spent a few hours reading. In the afternoon I went to the local Chinese store and bought another flower pot, four small cactus and a bag of compost. Back home, I transplanted some lavender into the new pot before retreating indoors to cool off. The rest of the day was spent reading my Kindle.
Saturday, September 4th
Washing, wildflower scented laundry, and a deep dive into photo organisation
I swam early, then had coffee and tostada at the chiringuito. After a shower, I put a load of washing on and returned to the chiringuito with a bottle of water and my Kindle. When the machine had done its job, I went back up, put in a second load and sat on the balcony reading while the laundry emerged smelling like wildflowers in a spring meadow.
The afternoon and evening were spent finishing the facial recognition work on my photo library. Once that was done, I began sorting, tagging locations and deleting duplicates or out of focus shots. I had a surprising number of burst mode photos of birds flying, most too distant to keep, so they were deleted.
Sunday, September 5th
A good swim, football all afternoon, and a late night of highlights
I slept well and woke around 08:00. After a swim, I sat at the chiringuito with Andrew for coffee before returning to my air conditioned apartment to read. Lunch was chicken and salad, then I went back to the chiringuito for a pint and more Kindle time.
I saw Mark and Matt Magee there, but when it got too hot I went home to watch Arsenal Women beat Chelsea Women in the opening WSL match. After that I watched England vs Andorra, delighted to see Bukayo Saka score and assist in the 4-0 win. I stayed up late watching the rest of the day’s football highlights before heading to bed.
Monday, September 6th
A swim, missing cats, and a pharmacy run
After my morning swim and breakfast at the chiringuito, I went home for a shower and then to the pharmacy for my monthly tablets. The extra concoction I needed for this week’s colonoscopy had to be ordered, so I’d have to return later.
I went to see Martin, but he wasn’t in, so I continued to Sheila and Bernard’s. Their cat had gone missing, and they were understandably worried. I hoped my rambling distracted them a little. After tea, I went to Mercadona for ribs and potatoes.
After lunch, and the usual half hour nap, I returned to the pharmacy, but the order hadn’t arrived. They said it would be there at 10:00 tomorrow. I stopped next door for an Asiática coffee with George and Yvonne before heading home to watch some TV and go to bed.
Tuesday, September 7th
A hungry day of preparation and no snacking allowed
I woke early and waited for enough light to swim. At 08:00 I went down for my now regular one kilometre swim. The chiringuito wasn’t open afterward, so I showered at home before returning for coffee and tostada.
I then walked to the pharmacy, where they finally had the Pleinvue powders I needed for tomorrow’s colonoscopy. After paying, I returned to the chiringuito for water and Kindle time before heading home.
Lunch was tuna pie, my last food until after the procedure. The rest of the day was spent watching a TV series and trying not to think about eating. Not snacking was hard work.
Wednesday, September 8th
Colonoscopy day, powders, hunger, and three nurses who didn’t even offer breakfast
My alarm went off at 05:45. I mixed the first powder into 500 ml of cold water. It smelled nice but tasted awful. I had to drink it over half an hour, followed by another 500 ml of water. Afterward I went back to bed until 09:45, when it was time for the second drink, mango mixed with liquorice. I dislike liquorice at the best of times, and this combination was vile. Within minutes, my bowels opened and the evacuation began.
I could drink water until 12:00, then nothing until after the colonoscopy.
At 13:30 the hospital called asking me to come at 16:40 instead of 18:00. I explained I needed transport, but they asked me to try. Lesley could just about manage it.
We arrived at Virgen de la Caridad hospital and found the right department. I was about to have a camera inserted where the sun doesn’t shine, surrounded by my translator and three very young beautiful nurses, not the moment to be shy. The nurses explained everything, one in English, and the anaesthetist injected a sedative. I was asleep within seconds.
The next thing I knew, I was being woken, handed my belongings and a letter with the results and told I could go. I was mildly offended, three gorgeous nurses had had their wicked way with me and didn’t even offer breakfast or a cuddle.
Lesley helped me to the car and made sure I got home safely. My stomach was sore, and I kept falling asleep while trying to watch Poland vs England. After a protein shake and lots of water, I gave up and went to bed.
Thursday, September 9th
A slow recovery day and a quiet coffee with Mike
I woke around 09:00 feeling much better than the night before. After a shower and shave, I took the scooter to Café Prensa to see Mike. We had tostada and coffee before I headed home.
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