Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of pain, rest, Christmas reflections, swollen legs, football joy, a trip to Murcia, curtain shopping and the quiet arrival of a New Year, all wrapped in gratitude, loss and hope for better days ahead.
Friday, December 24th
Christmas Eve thoughts, strong Asiáticos, and a swollen leg
Christmas Eve has never excited me, not as a kid and even less now. What should be a religious festival has been hijacked by big companies pushing people to buy things they don’t need. I’m not religious in the traditional sense, but I do believe Jesus existed, just not the blonde haired, blue eyed version we were taught.
Despite my cynicism, I do like how people help others at this time of year. I donated to a friend’s business that feeds the homeless and hoped it would help someone in the New Year.
At 13:30 I met George and Yvonne for coffee. My Asiático was so strong it made my eyes water, delicious but one was enough. Afterwards I walked to La Playa Bar, bumped into friends and stayed late chatting, drinking and listening to singers and enthusiastic customers.
My leg stiffened badly and wearing jeans didn’t help, they make my tree trunk legs swell even more. By bedtime I couldn’t get them off and had to sleep in them until the swelling went down.
Saturday, December 25th
A painful Christmas Day and the world’s worst ribs
I woke with a sore leg and took painkillers with my coffee. I rested all morning with my feet up. I was supposed to go to La Playa for Christmas dinner, but by 14:00 I knew I’d be terrible company. I messaged Shellie to cancel and raided the freezer.
My Christmas dinner ended up being pre cooked, microwaved ribs, absolutely awful. I’ve eaten strange things in China and Peru, but these would have been perfect for a Bush Tucker Trial.
The rest of the day was spent watching Christmas films. In the evening Liz messaged me, Santa had left something on my door. She’d given me thermal socks with non slip beads for my marble floors. Perfect for my cold feet and swollen legs. Thank you, Santa.
Sunday, December 26th
Boxing Day football and a five goal feast
Boxing Day is my favourite part of Christmas, the football is back. After breakfast and some washing, yes even on Boxing Day, I worked on my website and then watched Norwich vs Arsenal.
Arsenal were superb, winning 0-5. The young players attacked brilliantly and defended well. It could have been more, Lacazette and Martinelli missed good chances. Across the six Premier League games today, 28 goals were scored. This is why people love Boxing Day football.
Monday, December 27th
A sleepless night, a trip to Murcia, and IKEA shopping
I slept terribly and ended up watching a Christmas film at 02:00. After finally falling asleep around 04:30, I got up at 08:30, showered and had coffee.
Liz had a dental appointment in Murcia and needed someone to drive her home afterwards, so I went with her. We parked, visited a pharmacy for painkillers and walked to the dentist, only to find the dentist had called in sick. We had coffee and churros instead.
We walked past a Spiderman climbing a wall mural, then drove to IKEA. I priced up curtain rails and curtains, bought two Christmas cacti and some bathroom mats and we headed home.
My leg was aching again, so I took a painkiller and watched football all evening.
Tuesday, December 28th
Curtain shopping, a drink at La Zona, and a quiet evening
With the business meeting cancelled, I spent the morning ordering curtains online. I chose an olive colour for both bedrooms and the patio door, but delivery won’t arrive before the fitting date, so I’ll have to rearrange.
By 14:00 I still hadn’t been out for milk, so I took the scooter to Mercadona. I bumped into Martin’s wife, who told me they were at La Zona bar. I joined them for a drink, though getting the scooter through the half open gates is always a challenge. They really should open them fully in the mornings.
Back home, I unpacked my shopping and spent the evening watching films and football. My leg was improving and I massaged it with E45 cream to help the skin heal.
Wednesday, December 29th
A mistaken early start, a long walk, and a new jar of honey
I woke at 06:00 thinking it was Thursday, it wasn’t. My TIE appointment was tomorrow. I made tea and worked on my website.
At 09:30 I walked along the promenade to La Encarnación for breakfast, then continued towards the military base before looping home. Later I visited a new health food shop I’d seen online and bought a jar of honey. Back home I made a protein shake with it, delicious.
In the evening I watched two Christmas themed films, Last Train to Christmas, funny, sad, thoughtful, very good, and Silent Night, dark, predictable, not one I’d watch again.
Thursday, December 30th
A successful TIE trip, a lovely lunch, and booster jab chaos
I woke at 07:00, had coffee and got ready for my trip to Murcia. Liz kindly drove me. We arrived early and the security guard waved me through. I didn’t have the paperwork they wanted, I was never given it, but the man behind the desk was in a good mood. He checked my passport, took my old card and handed me my new TIE. We were back in the car before my appointment time.
Back in Los Alcázares, Liz took me to the sports centre to try for a booster jab. The queue was enormous and people without appointments were being turned away, so I didn’t wait.
I treated Liz to lunch at La Casa de Papel. The Menu del Día was excellent, salad, white bean and mussel stew, a ham and chicken crusted fillet with homemade crisps and a profiterole covered in chocolate. Lovely service too.
Later, the town hall posted that boosters would not be given without appointments, contradicting their earlier message. At least I hadn’t queued for hours.
I fell asleep after the big meal, woke for some football, then went to bed.
Friday, December 31st
Fog, waiting for a delivery, and a quiet New Year’s Eve
I woke to thick fog. After coffee, I waited for a delivery, no idea what it was, possibly the curtains. It never arrived.
With COVID cases rising and lots of people flying in from the UK, I decided against going out for New Year’s Eve. I didn’t feel safe celebrating with strangers. If the delivery had arrived, I might have gone out for a pint or an Asiático, but it didn’t.
By 22:20 I was in bed and saw the New Year in from behind closed eyelids.
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