Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of Black Friday bargains, good food, football highs and lows, small victories at home and the steady return of normal routines, all supported by friends, neighbours and the comfort of familiar cafés.
Friday, November 26th
Black Friday bargains, a fantastic lunch, and a magical mystery tour
Liz took me to MediaMarkt in Cartagena for the Black Friday sales. I bought a coffee machine, I’ve missed my morning chiringuito coffees and with the colder weather I don’t want to walk far for one.
I got a great deal, the machine was normally 109€, but if you bought 19€ of coffee they knocked 40€ off. After shopping, we went to my favourite restaurant, Toscana in Roldán. Liz has helped me so much since I came out of hospital, so dinner was my treat.
I had the roasted lamb, fantastic. The 13€ Menu del Día included a huge salad with tuna and ham, cheesy garlic bread made on a pizza base, the lamb and a lovely tiramisu. A glass of red wine and coffee were included. The service was brilliant as always.
On the way home we missed a turn and ended up on a magical mystery tour before finally getting back. I was exhausted and spent the rest of the day resting with the heating on.
Saturday, November 27th
A new radio, a solid Arsenal win, and an early night
I set up the radio I bought yesterday, then settled in to watch Arsenal vs Newcastle. After last week’s hammering by Liverpool, I was worried, but Arsenal won 2-0. Both keepers made world class saves, and Aubameyang somehow missed an open goal.
After all the walking yesterday, I fell asleep during a film and went to bed early.
Sunday, November 28th
Coffee machine chaos, slow cooked ribs, and a sleepy afternoon
I tried to set up my new coffee machine but failed miserably, the coffee wasn’t mixing with the water and I ended up with a glass of hot water. After dropping the capsule and getting annoyed, I made a bacon and egg sandwich instead.
I put pork ribs in the slow cooker and did very little else. Liz popped in later and showed me how to use the machine properly, I hadn’t closed the handle far enough to puncture the capsule.
I did some washing, watched football and ate the ribs, which were delicious. The excitement of the week caught up with me and I drifted in and out of sleep all evening.
Monday, November 29th
A productive morning, a business meeting, and a reminder of how lucky I am
I didn’t sleep well and woke several times. After showering, I cleaned the wound on my stomach and left the plaster off to let it dry.
I finally went to the ferretería to get a washer for my hose connection. The man behind the counter helped me immediately, two washers in seconds.
It was a nice morning, so I stopped for a cappuccino at the café where Jim once bought me one when I was ill. Then I remembered it was Monday, business meeting day. I rushed to La Sombra Pizzeria, where Martin had already started without me. I caught up quickly and the meeting ran a bit longer than usual.
On the way home I stopped at Mercadona for shopping. David arrived just as I got home to give me a quote for some work, replacing shutter cords, installing curtain rails, hanging photos and drilling a hole for the balcony hose. He helped me carry my shopping in, gave me a quote and set a date.
It was a great day, busy, social and full of small reminders of how lucky I am to live here with so many friends nearby.
Tuesday, November 30th
A successful café bonbon, balcony gardening, and a quiet evening
I woke early and tried the coffee machine again, success. A large café bonbon to start the day. After porridge with banana and blueberries, I fitted the washer into the hose and watered the balcony plants.
The succulents looked fine, but the lavender needs a trim. I’ll replant a few things soon and maybe buy a couple more plants.
Liz dropped in for tea in the afternoon. In the evening I watched Newcastle vs Norwich (1-1) and wished I had watched the England Women’s match, they beat Latvia 20-0, a record win.
Wednesday, December 1st
A sunrise bacon roll, a long walk, and a pint in memory of a friend
I woke at 5:30, couldn’t get back to sleep and sent my sister her “Pinch and a Punch for the first of the month” message. By 7:00 I was hungry and made a bacon and egg roll.
It was a lovely sunny day, so I walked along the promenade and up to Río Nalón. By the time I reached Rocco’s bar I was puffed out, so I stopped for coffee and Kindle time. Colin arrived and we had a couple of beers, though our conversation was repeatedly interrupted by a very loud man.
To escape him, we moved to Boochies for a beer in the sun. After Colin left, I returned to Rocco’s for a pint in memory of my good friend Paul Hooper, who loved sitting there watching the world go by.
I walked home along the promenade, the temperature had dropped sharply and I felt the cold. I put the heating on as soon as I got in, had chicken wings for tea and watched football.
Thursday, December 2nd
A shopping trip, a good butcher, and a frustrating Arsenal match
I worked on my website in the morning until George picked me up at 11:00 to go shopping at El Kilo y Medio in San Javier. I waited at the butcher counter until George pointed out the ticket machine I hadn’t seen. Thankfully I didn’t lose my place.
I bought a kilo of boned chicken, some lasagna and a few other bits. George dropped me home.
In the evening I watched Arsenal lose 3-2 to Manchester United. It was a good match but full of dodgy refereeing decisions. Ronaldo scored twice, brilliant player, but tonight I hated him.
Arsenal played well but desperately need a striker. Aubameyang is a shadow of his former self, Lacazette can’t last 90 minutes and several players need to be sold. Arsenal need a clear out and a big signing in January. That’s my Arsenal rant done, board members, take note.
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