Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of sunshine returning, thoughtful encounters, swims in both the Mar Menor and the newly refurbished town pool, football highs, bank frustrations, balcony gardening and the familiar comfort of chiringuito coffees and Kindle reading.
Friday, September 10th
A morning swim, a kind fisherman, and a day of errands with friends
The sun was back after a few cloudy days, so I went for my morning swim. After reaching the nets and returning to shore, I sat in the water to catch my breath. A fisherman who’d been on the beach all week approached me. With my broken Spanish, I gathered he’d noticed the scars on my leg and might have been telling me he was a medic. He’d caught a Dorada and proudly told me so.
After drying off, I watched him catch another fish before heading to the chiringuito for tostada and coffee. As I sat there, he packed up and came over again. He introduced himself as Juan and handed me a small bag containing what looked like five bars of homemade soap. He mimed washing his leg and repeated “medico,” clearly suggesting the soap would help my leg heal. A thoughtful gesture.
Back at my apartment, I tried the soap, no blue skin or missing limbs, so a good start. Later, George picked me up to go shopping at Iceland in San Javier, with Jim already in the car. I only wanted porridge but still came home with a bag full of things, including Dr Pepper.
We stopped at LA Bar for a drink, then moved on to Spinosa to meet Jim’s son Steve, and finally to La Zona. Jo, the owner and Jim’s daughter in law, invited me to the newly refurbished outdoor swimming pool opening tomorrow. After lunch at home, I spent the rest of the day in the cool, watching TV and reading.
Saturday, September 11th
Remembering 9/11, trying the new pool, and a brilliant day of football
Today marked 20 years since the 9/11 attacks. I remembered exactly where I was, working at Alton Sixth Form College, watching the news unfold on the library TVs.
I skipped my morning swim and went to the new Los Alcázares pool for its invitation only opening at 11,00. The pool was lovely, with astroturf for sunbathing and a wide ramp for disabled access. The grounds were beautifully laid out, but getting to the entrance was another story, trees blocking pavements, overhanging bushes and decorative plant pots creating obstacles for scooters, prams and anyone with mobility issues. The town hall needs to rethink the access route.
After my swim and some Kindle time in the sun, I went home to watch football. Crystal Palace, managed by Patrick Vieira, beat Tottenham 3-0, with Zaha scoring and being named man of the match. Then Arsenal finally got their first win of the season, beating Norwich 1-0. I enjoyed both matches so much that I watched them again on Match of the Day.
Sunday, September 12th
A peaceful swim, breakfast with friends, and a relaxed afternoon
I woke early, stripped the bed and put the linens in the wash before heading out for my swim. Juan was fishing again and asked if I’d used the soap. I told him I had and thanked him. After my swim, I showered, shaved, put another load of washing on and made porridge.
Just as I sat down to eat, Sheila and Bernard called from the chiringuito, so I joined them for coffee. After an hour of chatting, I went home, charged my electric bike battery and had a tuna sandwich for lunch. The rest of the day was spent watching Leeds vs Liverpool.
Monday, September 13th
Bank battles, a missing breakfast, and a summit meeting with Martin
I went to the bank early after receiving a message asking me to come in. They wanted to update my details. The woman insisted my Spanish mobile number wasn’t Spanish because it didn’t start with a six, until she changed her mind. Then she demanded proof of where my funds came from, despite having taken copies herself months ago. She threatened an embargo if I didn’t provide them. I emailed the documents when I got home, only to receive a reply saying they were already attached to my account.
After that nonsense, I went for my swim. Juan wasn’t there today. When I returned, the chiringuito was inexplicably closed, and I watched at least ten people walk away disappointed.
Back home, Mike arrived with a broken phone. I told him to take it back to the man he’d paid €60 to “fix” it. After a camomile tea, I went to La Sombra to meet Martin. We solved the world’s problems, global warming, the Taliban, the economy, with a bit of football thrown in. I took a pizza home, ate half, saved half and fell asleep until 22:00. I got up and went to bed.
Tuesday, September 14th
A swim, balcony gardening, and a quiet Kindle day
I swam at 08:00, then showered and went to the chiringuito for coffee and Kindle time. Later I took the Sharky Mobile to the Chinese shop for another plant and pot. My balcony is starting to look quite nice with all the succulents and cactus. The rest of the day was spent reading.
Wednesday, September 15th
Rain showers, beef stew, and a Below Decks binge
It was overcast with light rain during my swim. The chiringuito didn’t open, so after my shower I made porridge with banana. I prepared a beef stew and put it in the slow cooker, enough for four meals.
The rain came and went all day, so I stayed inside binge watching Below Decks. Some of the crew are so full of themselves I’m amazed no one throws them overboard. Dinner was stew with dumplings, and I froze the remaining portions.
Thursday, September 16th
Scooter shopping, a good breakfast, and E45 delivered from England
I swam early, then showered just before Sheila and Bernard picked me up. We were going to look at a mobility scooter for Jasmin. The one she’d been told about was tiny, more suited to a child and small enough to fit in a handbag. We then visited the place where I bought my scooter, which had a decent second hand model and a new one that would be ideal. I sent Jasmin photos so she could decide.
We went to Timeout for a late breakfast, my first visit in ages, and I’d happily go back. After being dropped home, I continued binge watching Below Decks.
In the afternoon, Tess popped round with E45 cream she’d brought from England. We shared a pot of camomile tea before she headed home. I read my Kindle before going to bed.
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