Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A quiet week spent close to home, with office visits, bank frustrations, long swims, scorching heat, air conditioning experiments and a lovely farewell meal for friends emigrating to New Zealand.
Monday, 13th June
A late start, familiar faces and a noisy night
I woke up late today, probably because of the long conversations at La Playa bar last night. Luckily Martin had already said that today’s office hours would be later than normal, as he had a meeting at his other office first.
I arrived at the office around 13:15. While we were there an Irish lady called Maggy stopped by looking for the bus stop. As we were sitting right next to it, we were able to help. Her bus wasn’t due for a while, so she got some lunch while Martin and I were joined by Viv and Dave. Later Kate and Aria arrived and we all chatted before heading our separate ways.
On the way home I cut down Rio Nalon and saw two ladies I had met last night at La Playa. I stopped for a chat and a drink. They told me about a lady they had helped earlier, an Irish woman called Maggy. Small world, it was the same lady who had joined us at the office.
For dinner I had an open sandwich of roast chicken with melted cheese. I must have sprinkled sleepy powder on it because I fell asleep in front of the TV straight after. I woke around 20:00, watched a bit more television and went to bed early. Unfortunately I was woken several times by late night revellers, motorbikes, car doors and even a screeching cat.
Tuesday, 14th June
Jackhammers, bank chaos and a sunburned office day
I was woken early by the sound of a jackhammer outside. There was no chance of getting back to sleep, so I worked on my website for a while.
I had an appointment at the bank at 11:30, so I left with plenty of time. As I waited, my account manager walked out of the bank. She returned half an hour later and asked if I was waiting for her. I told her we had an appointment, and she explained that although the bank sends confirmation emails, they don’t actually tell the staff about the appointments. Possibly the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. After another half hour she finally saw me and sorted everything quickly.
Because of the delay I was late for work. I throttled up the Sharky Mobile and practically flew to the office. When I arrived, Martin informed me that his secretary wanted to go to the beach, so we were moving to a new office. I did a bit of paperwork and headed to the beach office, where I sat with my friend Suzi and her sister. Later Martin, Kate and Aria joined us, along with Neil.
I spent too long in the sun and went home to cover myself in after sun gel. In the evening I watched England vs Hungary. England lost 0–4 and were dreadful. Southgate’s decisions were terrible, players were out of position and looked lost. When England had a man incorrectly sent off, he replaced an attacking player with Harry Maguire, England’s worst outfield player in years. Hungary immediately passed around him to score their fourth. Not a good sign for the World Cup.
Wednesday, 15th June
Euro Fighters, sunburn and Jurassic Park
I got up after a broken night’s sleep due to the heat and went for my swim. I had just reached the rocks and finished my aerobics when four Euro Fighters flew over the Mar Menor in tight formation. They spent the next half hour making practice bombing runs over the airport. It was incredible to watch them fly directly overhead.
Behind them, over La Manga, Spain’s Eagle Patrol were performing acrobatics, barrel rolls and loops with coloured smoke trailing behind. It was an amazing display, but it made me think how terrifying this would be for people in places like Ukraine right now. My biggest complaint is a jackhammer waking me up, nothing compared to what they endure daily.
After a shower I went to the pharmacy for my tablets. My face had too much sun yesterday and was still very sore despite lots of after sun. I decided to stay indoors today. Instead of playing petanque on the beach in the full heat of the afternoon, I watched Jurassic Park films.
Someone gave me advice yesterday on the best air con setting to keep cool. With a magnifying glass and a torch I found the correct setting and cooled the apartment before bed.
Thursday, 16th June
A morning swim, a full English and hiding from the heat
I woke at a normal time and went to the Mar Menor around 07:45 for my swim. After a shower I made myself a full English breakfast, two scrambled eggs, two rashers of bacon, two sausages, plum tomatoes and baked beans, all washed down with coffee.
The afternoon was spent keeping out of the oppressive heat. I went to D’Pollo for peppered pork in creamy sauce with chips, then picked up ice cream and bananas for my protein shakes. I stayed inside with the air conditioning on for the rest of the evening.
Friday, 17th June
A warm swim, indoor day and 40°C heat
I woke later and didn’t swim until around 10:15. The water was lovely and warm. It was going to be another very hot day, so I stayed indoors after my swim, working on my website and letting Peggy hoover the apartment.
At 19:00 I tried sitting on the balcony to read, but it was 40°C, so I came back inside and put the air con on.
Saturday, 18th June
A long swim, clear water and a perfect breakfast
I woke around 07:00, put a load of washing on and went for my swim. I had heard conflicting stories about whether the jellyfish nets had been put out this year, so I swam past the rocks and out to the buoys to check. The nets were not up.
The water quality this year is a huge improvement. I could see all the way to the bottom, fish everywhere and only one jellyfish, which I accidentally swiped with my hand. I did my aerobics by the buoys and swam back.
After a shower I made a full English breakfast in my new oven, bacon and sausages done perfectly in ten minutes. I spent the rest of the day working on my website and keeping cool indoors.
Sunday, 19th June
Snorkelling, a pint at El Lobo and a farewell dinner
I woke around 07:30 and went for my swim, taking my snorkel to explore the rocks. The water was warm, clear and full of life. I saw sea cucumbers, a jellyfish, spaghetti bryozoan, cockles, an oyster, hermit crabs and many fish including Dorada, Sardines, Bass, Bream and Mullet. I’ll try to find my underwater camera soon.
In the afternoon I went to Chiringuito El Lobo for a pint and read my Kindle until the heat became too much. Back on my balcony it was cooler, shaded on three sides with a sea breeze.
In the evening I went out with Bernard and Sheila, who are emigrating to New Zealand next week. We had dinner at Veni restaurant, then moved to Zarcos for a cocktail. Bernard wasn’t feeling well and went home early, but Sheila and I had a lovely evening. She dropped me home and I wished them both all the best in their new life.
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