Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week that began slowly as I recovered, then burst into life with long days at the office, sunburnt arms, hot cross buns, a brilliant curry night, a coach trip to Murcia and Calasparra, and far too much walking for my concrete pillar legs.
Monday, 16th May
A return to work, a borrowed phone fix and a disappointing Arsenal match
I woke around 07:00, had my usual coffee and checked my messages. At 10:30 I set off on the Sharky Mobile to see Mike at his local café. He didn’t show up, the one day I go to see him, but I chatted with Christine and Theresa instead. Someone phoned his house to check on him, he was fine, just busy. While there, I switched my SIM card to a different slot to see if it fixed my phone issues before going back to Avatel.
After coffee I went to the office. Martin was pleased to see me, the paperwork had piled up while I’d been unwell. With help from Martin’s dad, David, we worked through a mountain of forms until 14:00. On the way home I stopped at La Zona Terraza to finish some paperwork, and Martin popped in from Mercadona to sign the last bits. Then I went to D’Pollos and bought pork in pepper sauce, fantastic, and definitely somewhere I’ll use more often.
In the evening I watched Newcastle vs Arsenal. Arsenal were dreadful and lost 2-0, handing Champions League qualification to Tottenham. Before bed I covered my sunburnt arms in aftersun cream.
Tuesday, 17th May
A sleepless night, a productive morning and cake worth living for
My sunburn kept me awake all night. By 04:00 I gave up, applied more aftersun and started working on my computer.
After coffee I finished a menu for Shellie and dropped it off at 10:00. Then I went to Euronics to collect a new polo shirt from Amazon before heading back to the office. The paperwork had grown again overnight, so I helped Martin get it under control.
By 14:00 we were happy to leave. I stopped at D’Pollos again, this time for lamb shoulder in sauce with chips and a slice of cake. The lamb was lovely, but the cake... a three layer chocolate masterpiece. If I could live on cake alone, this would be the one.
I fell asleep on the sofa in the afternoon, drifting in and out while watching home improvement shows before going to bed at 23:00.
Wednesday, 18th May
Hot cross buns, website work and a brilliant curry night
I woke at 07:00, applied more aftersun, had coffee and showered. At 09:00 I headed out to pick up hot cross buns from Stuart. I narrowly beat Linda there, good thing, or she’d have eaten mine. I chatted with her and Fi before heading home to enjoy a bun with tea. Thanks, Stuart, they were great.
I tried to see Peter for an internet number but missed him at first. When I heard him call my name from his car, he offered to take me to Dos Mares later to visit the kiosk for his provider.
Most of the day was spent adjusting code and sorting images for my website.
In the evening Pat picked me up for curry night. We met the others at Trebol, Paul, James, Michael, Gary and Bernard, and after a few beers we moved next door to Massala Cottage. We took our usual round table, King Arthur style. I had Prawn Puri followed by Dahi Wali lamb curry, shared Keema rice and Peshwari naan and enjoyed a night full of laughter. Pat dropped me home just before 23:00. A great night.
I went straight to bed, I had a day trip in the morning.
Thursday, 19th May
A coach trip to Murcia and Calasparra, pine forests and terrible service at La Sombra
I woke at 07:15, showered, had coffee and cycled to meet Martin. He kept my bike at his house while I went on the coach trip. The pickup point is 3 km from my apartment but close to his.
At 09:30 the coach arrived. Our first stop was Murcia, where I had two hours to explore. I wandered around the cathedral area, picked up a tourist map and walked along the river taking photos. It was already mid 30s and very hot.
Next we travelled to Calasparra to visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Hope. The pine forest smelled beautiful, and the only sounds were birds and the river below. I visited the small museum, which displayed items people had sent to be blessed, including wedding dresses and matador costumes.
In the chapel I lit two candles for Mum and Dad. Several of us looked for the statue of the Virgin of Hope, only to be told she was “on tour” around Spain. It would have been nice to know that before we travelled there.
Lunch was excellent: salad, chicken noodle soup, chicken and chips, crème caramel and coffee. Afterwards I sat outside breathing in the pine scent and listening to the river. I’d love to spend a whole day there.
On the way back we stopped at IKEA and Murcia city centre to pick people up. I was dropped off in Los Alcázares and went to La Sombra Pizzeria for a drink while waiting for Kate and Martin. The service was dreadful, the staff hid inside, avoided eye contact and ignored customers. After 30 minutes I gave up and went to collect my bike.
By the time I got home, my legs felt like concrete pillars. I’d walked nearly 10 km and cycled 6 km. I watched some football and went to bed exhausted.
Friday, 20th May
A cold swim, screaming children and a warped picture frame
I woke at 07:00, had coffee and went for an hour’s swim in the Mar Menor. The water felt cold at first but soon warmed up. When I got out, 40,60 screaming children were on the beach, encouraged by teenage monitors shouting through megaphones. Do Spanish schools not require adults on school trips?
At 10:00 I collected my large Tiger Woods print from the framing shop. The frame was still warped and wouldn’t hang straight. I took it back, and they apologised. I told them I could wait until next week so they could fix it properly.
I dropped off some shorts at the charity bin, checked the opening time for Pearls Plaice, then went to Rocco’s for a pint and Kindle time. Afterwards I bought cod roe and chips, something I haven’t had since childhood.
Back home my legs began aching again. Soon they cramped, and I had to stand on the cold marble floor to ease them. I watched a film, had a small supermarket curry for dinner and went to bed early, hoping rest would help.
Saturday, 21st May
A street art tour, takeaway chicken and a day of unbearable noise
I woke at 06:30 and made green tea with mango, part of my new intermittent fasting plan. At 09:30 I rode to the tourist office for a guided street art tour.
The tour was brilliant. We visited new murals being painted and older pieces around town. The guide was knowledgeable and passionate. The final piece he showed us was one he’d described in great detail, then revealed he was the artist. The tour lasted three hours and was completely free.
On the way home I stopped at D’Pollo for chicken in mushroom sauce with potatoes, only €4.80 and delicious.
The rest of the day I stayed inside with the doors shut. The music in the square was horrendous, groups of men shouting over heavy bass from 16:00 until 00:00. The walls vibrated. I actually found myself wishing for screaming children instead. When the music finally stopped, the silence felt like deafness. I fell asleep quickly.
Sunday, 22nd May
A quiet day, football and tired legs
I woke at 07:00 with my tinnitus ringing loudly, no doubt made worse by yesterday’s concert. After tea and checking messages, I stripped the bed and put the linen in the washer.
I spent the day working on my website until the football started. Arsenal beat Everton 5-1, but it wasn’t enough, Tottenham secured fourth place by beating Norwich 0-5. Manchester City won the league, Liverpool finished second.
My legs felt slightly better by evening. Resting today helped, I definitely overdid it this week.
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