Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of medical admin, cooked breakfasts, swims in the Mar Menor, football joy, runaway scooters, neighbourly chats and the comforting rhythm of chiringuito life.
Friday, September 24th
Blood test results, tablet juggling, and a quiet day at home
I walked to the doctor’s surgery to collect the results of my anticoagulant blood test, then continued on to La Encarnación for breakfast. Back home, I worked out my new anticoagulant dosage using the two apps on my phone, one calculates the correct dose based on my INR reading, and the other keeps a full history and reminds me to take the tablets each morning. Once I’d sorted out the next few weeks’ doses, I filled my monthly pillbox. Sometimes I wonder why I don’t rattle when I walk.
Saturday, September 25th
A craving for breakfast and a lazy afternoon
I woke craving a cooked breakfast and, having forgotten to take anything out of the freezer, walked to The Tipsy Thistle for a small English breakfast. It really is the best breakfast in Los Alcázares. I read my Kindle with a pot of green tea, then walked back to the chiringuito and sat reading for a few hours before heading home to watch football.
Sunday, September 26th
A spontaneous swim, a perfect roast lamb, and a brilliant Arsenal weekend
It was a beautiful morning, so I went down for coffee and tostada at the chiringuito. As it got hotter, I handed my belongings to Andrew and dived into the Mar Menor. The water was perfect, and I had it all to myself.
After a shower, I took the scooter to Campbell’s for a roast lamb Sunday lunch, delicious, especially with a pint of cider. On the way home I stopped at Aldi for dessert supplies, mixed fruit, ice cream and a few bits for the week. Back home, I ate the fruit and ice cream and promptly fell asleep on the sofa.
The Arsenal vs Tottenham match was brilliant. Arsenal won 3-1, turning around their early season disaster while Tottenham’s form collapsed. Then Arsenal Women beat Manchester City Women 5-0, taking them to the top of the WSL, above Tottenham Women. A perfect weekend for Arsenal fans, less so for Spurs.
Monday, September 27th
A cheeky poster for Mike, a catch up with Martin, and a quiet evening
After my morning swim, I found the chiringuito closed, so I went home for cereal with dried fruit and Greek yoghurt. Then I made a lovely poster showing the Arsenal vs Tottenham score and slipped it onto the driver’s seat of Mike’s van, he’d left the window open, so it was too good an opportunity to miss.
I went to Café Prensa for coffee and tostada, then on to Pizzeria La Sombra to meet Martin for a couple of pints. We hadn’t caught up in weeks, so it was good to chat before he left to meet Aria at the bus stop.
On the way home I stopped at Mercadona and bought half a chicken with potatoes. I ate what I could and saved the rest for tomorrow. In the evening I watched an American TV series and some of the Crystal Palace vs Brighton match.
Tuesday, September 28th
A runaway scooter, two pints for the nerves, and a lucky escape
I updated my website in the morning and had fruity muesli for breakfast. At lunchtime I met Martin at La Pizzeria Sombrera, then headed home, or tried to. My scooter suddenly developed a mind of its own. Instead of turning left toward my garage, it carried straight on into Los Alcázares, weaving through back streets before stopping outside La Playa bar.
Shaken, I dashed inside. Luckily Shellie knows me, she sat me down and got me a pint to steady my nerves. After an hour and a Kindle session, the scooter seemed fine, so I tried again.
Near my apartment, it veered off course again and pulled up at the chiringuito. Thankfully Keith and Dave were there and brought it to a controlled stop. They got me another pint, and after a chat the scooter behaved long enough for me to park it safely in the garage. I’m hoping it behaves for the rest of the week.
Wednesday, September 29th
A restless night, more football joy, and a relaxed day
I didn’t sleep well, noise outside and a mosquito kept waking me. I finally fell asleep around 03:30 and didn’t wake until after 09:00. After muesli and some website updates, I tidied the kitchen and spent the afternoon reading while waiting for the Arsenal Women vs Tottenham Women match.
Tottenham scored after two minutes, which horrified me, but Arsenal quickly equalised and went on to win 5-1. Another satisfying north London derby.
Thursday, September 30th
Paperwork, cleaning day, and homemade soup
I was up early to get a copy of my padrón for next week’s NIE to TIE appointment. After picking it up, I returned home before Lesley arrived to clean the apartment.
While she worked, I caught up on paperwork and updated my budget. I went downstairs to the chiringuito to get coffee for both of us, then returned to finish my admin.
After Lesley left, I made a big pot of butternut squash and carrot soup, enough for six portions, most of which went into the freezer. I had some for tea, updated a bit more paperwork and had an early night.
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