Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week that began with morning swims in the Mar Menor and ended with Wales qualifying for the World Cup, with family tree discoveries, kitchen renovations and long days at the computer in between.
Monday, 30th May
Morning swim, office work and a deep dive into family history
I woke around 07:00 and after pottering on my computer for a while I went swimming at about 08:45. I swam for around 40 minutes and included some water aerobic stretches. I can’t do these knee lifts on land, but the water helps and I hope it will keep me going forever.
After my swim I had scrambled egg on toast, then went to the ASSSA office near the Arches on my mobility scooter. I asked the lady if she could help me call the hospital’s online portal, as I haven’t been able to log in and they never reply to emails or answer the phone. She tried calling but couldn’t get through either. She took all the details and said she would keep trying.
I went around the corner to the office and arrived a little early. Martin and his dad arrived shortly after, and Bernard joined us briefly as he may soon be working with us. His interview went well, and even if he doesn’t get a full time job, he will get a few hours when we are busy. After work I stopped at Aldi for some shopping, then warmed up the Sunday dinner I brought home from Campbell’s yesterday. I fell asleep on the sofa for an hour, clearly more tired than I realised.
In the evening I did more research on my family tree. A cousin in New York contacted me recently, someone I never knew existed, and it has sparked my interest again. She is related through my granddad Albert’s Italian side, a difficult line to trace because the surname changed as the family moved around the world. I’ve already discovered several new cousins born in New York, some of whom later lived in Florida, close to where I spent time when I lived there. That’s what fascinates me about genealogy, the idea that somewhere on my travels I may have spoken to a distant cousin without knowing it.
Tuesday, 31st May
A rest day, supermarket run and more family tree discoveries
My legs were still sore this morning, so I decided not to swim. At 09:00 I went to Mercadona on my mobility scooter to get the shopping I missed yesterday. Back home I made scrambled egg with salmon on toast for breakfast, then worked on my family tree until lunchtime.
I worked with Martin and his dad for a couple of hours before heading home. I stopped at La Zona Terraza for a beer and something to eat, but the kitchen had closed and I was too late. I finished my beer and went home, where I made myself a cheese and egg burger. It was lovely, and I made a note to buy the same burgers again.
The afternoon and evening were spent working on my family tree.
Wednesday, 1st June
No swim, salmon breakfast and Amazon disappointment
My legs felt better this morning, so the rest day helped. I decided to skip swimming again today. Just after 10:00 I used up the last of my salmon and had it with scrambled egg on toast and a large café bonbon.
I had lots of old bed linen I no longer use, so I offered it to my friend Kate, who is a keen seamstress. She came to collect it while I waited for an Amazon delivery. The delivery arrived, but the camera lens hood I ordered didn’t fit my camera and will have to be returned.
The rest of the day was spent researching my family tree, following branches that left England for America or Australia.
Thursday, 2nd June
Family tree research, a peaceful swim and a new blanket
I woke around 07:00 and immediately got back to my family tree research, focusing on the Tincknell branch. At about 09:15 I went for a swim in the Mar Menor. The water was beautiful today, clear and calm, and apart from a few people in canoes it was empty, just how I like it.
After my swim I showered, had breakfast and settled back at my computer to wait for today’s Amazon delivery. Even though it’s getting warmer, I ordered a blanket for my bed. I want to get rid of the duvets, as I can never get the covers on properly. Sheets and a blanket will be easier.
The blanket arrived and it’s perfect, lightweight, soft and warm. I’ll probably get a second one before winter, depending on how it washes. The rest of the day was spent researching my family tree.
Friday, 3rd June
Fasting, kitchen clearing and a quiet afternoon
I didn’t wake until 07:45, unusual for me. Because I’m doing the fast and feast method, I can’t have breakfast until 10:00, not even a café bonbon because of the condensed milk. I had a large glass of water and settled at the computer.
I would have gone swimming, but my new tabletop oven was being delivered and I didn’t want to miss it. While waiting, I cleared the kitchen and disconnected the dishwasher, moving it into the hall ready to be thrown away. The pipework was a mess, so I spent time redoing it and cleaning the tubing.
The oven arrived around lunchtime. I put it on the dining table but didn’t unpack it yet. In the afternoon I walked to the chiringuito outside my apartment, had a bottle of water and read my Kindle for a few hours.
In the evening I continued my family tree research.
Saturday, 4th June
Swim, breakfast out and kitchen chaos
I woke early and went for my morning swim. After a shower I decided to have breakfast out, so I took the Sharky Mobile to Boochies. The breakfast was nice enough, but unlike other places it didn’t include tomatoes, mushrooms or potatoes. It was sausages, bacon, egg and beans. The sausages were very good, but I felt a bit let down, as I assumed a large breakfast would include the usual extras.
I went into Economy Cash and bought two Murciano pies, Greek yoghurt and a tin of pears. Dinner tonight would be something to look forward to. Back home I worked out how to remove the oven from the cabinets. It wasn’t plugged in but wired directly, a botched job. Luckily David had said he could help if it was wired like that. He came round and disconnected it safely, but the replacement socket he brought couldn’t be fitted because of the mess left behind. He made it safe and reconnected the hob. The old oven now sits proudly in my hallway next to the old dishwasher.
In the evening I watched England vs Hungary. England were abysmal, so boring I drifted off and eventually gave up. I went back to my family tree research before bed.
Sunday, 5th June
A long swim, kitchen progress and Wales make history
I woke early and felt good, so I went for my swim and managed to double my usual distance. I swam about 1 km and doubled my water aerobics. The water was lovely, like a mill pond.
After my shower I visited my neighbours Richard and Val for tea. Richard then helped me remove the cupboard in my kitchen. It wasn’t difficult, but too heavy for one person. He did the technical work while I held the cupboard. My hallway now resembles Steptoe and Son’s yard, with the oven, dishwasher and cupboard all lined up.
I cleaned the kitchen area, unpacked my new countertop oven and put it in place. After all the swimming and kitchen work I was puffed out, so I treated myself to a roast lamb dinner at Campbell’s in Roda, then stopped at Aldi for ice cream to enjoy while watching Wales vs Ukraine.
The match was a World Cup qualifier, winner goes to Qatar. It was a brilliant game, fast paced and full of effort from both teams. Wales held on to a 1–0 lead and qualified for their first World Cup since 1958. I’ll admit I got a bit tearful at the final whistle. I’ve always said I support England first, then Wales, but I get more emotional watching Wales. When they meet in Qatar, there’s a good chance I’ll be singing the Welsh anthem.
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