Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week marked by the sad loss of a friend, long hours at the computer, a little swimming, new furniture, keyboard chaos, jellyfish avoidance and a concert right outside my apartment.
Monday, 27th June
Broken sleep, a morning swim and Memory Pro
I couldn’t sleep last night and ended up working on my website until about 03:00. I woke again around 08:00, had a coffee and went for my swim in the Mar Menor. I wore my snorkel mask again to spot any jellyfish. I only saw one Barrel Jellyfish and avoided it easily.
As I sat on the wall drying off, my cousin Jill walked past with a group of ladies taking advantage of the cooler morning air. We had a quick chat before they continued their walk.
After a shower I went to Mercadona for groceries. I bumped into Jo, my friend Mat’s fiancée, and she helped me look for a few items. We couldn’t find what I needed, but she suggested another place to try. I did, however, find a supplement called Memory Pro. With my memory being so bad, I bought some. I just have to remember to take them.
Back home I sorted my tablets into my monthly pill dispenser. I was short of a couple, so I’ll get those tomorrow. The afternoon was spent with my feet up, relaxing.
Tuesday, 28th June
A sore shoulder, recycling and a new sofa delivered
I woke with a pain in my shoulder and decided not to swim today. I took some cardboard and plastic to the recycling bins, then started tidying my spare room, which now houses my computer equipment. I shredded old paperwork and sorted through cables, many of which I no longer recognise.
My computer keyboard had stopped working, and after failing to fix it, I ordered a new one from Amazon.
For lunch I had Spanish omelette with salad and pâté. I then sat on my balcony with a cold cider and my Kindle. The cool breeze fooled me into thinking the sun wasn’t strong, and I ended up a bit sunburnt.
While I was outside, the delivery lorry arrived with my new sofa. The delivery men offered to buy my old one, so I sold it to them. They took it away, brought in the new one and set it up.
After they left I made dinner, chicken with melted cheese and salad. I lay on the new sofa and promptly fell asleep for two hours, proving it is very comfortable. In the evening I had a Skype call with my sister, watched some TV and went to bed.
Wednesday, 29th June
Sunburn, family tree progress and too many beers
I didn’t sleep well because of the sunburn. I got up, watched some TV until I drifted off, then went back to bed. I woke again around 08:30, had a coffee and logged into my computer. Strangely the keyboard was working again, so I cancelled the Amazon order.
I worked on my computer until lunchtime and found new information on the Morris branch of my family tree, which has always been the hardest to research. For lunch I had a protein shake.
In the afternoon I phoned my American bank and finally spoke to someone competent. He changed my address to my Spanish one, something they’ve told me for seven years couldn’t be done. He said the outstanding three dollars would be mailed to me. I won’t hold my breath.
Later I walked to La Playa bar with my Kindle for a quiet pint and an early night. That didn’t happen. I had several more beers than planned and chatted with friends far too late.
Thursday, 30th June
A bad cramp, sad news and keyboard chaos
I got up late and immediately had a bad leg cramp. My keyboard wasn’t working again, so I went through every check I could think of. Nothing worked, so I ordered a new one from Amazon.
In the afternoon I received the sad news that my friend John, who lived a few blocks away, had been found dead in his apartment. The bar we both drink in posted that the quiz night was cancelled due to the passing of a customer, but didn’t name him. Because of that, I received messages, calls and even knocks on my door from people checking I was alive. It was very kind of them.
It highlights how important it is to check on people who live alone. A quick knock on the door can make all the difference.
In the evening I unplugged my keyboard and tested it on my laptop. It worked instantly. When I plugged it back into my computer, it worked again. I assumed a Microsoft update had fixed it and cancelled the Amazon order.
Friday, 1st July
Keyboard failure, concert setup and live music outside
I woke around 08:00, had coffee and worked on my family tree. The keyboard stopped working again. This time it didn’t work on the laptop either, so I concluded it had an intermittent fault. I reordered the new keyboard.
Outside my apartment, lighting and sound equipment was being set up. I checked the town hall page and saw that two groups were performing tonight. I looked them up on YouTube and they both seemed good.
For tea I had an almond and chicken curry with rice. Before the show I took a couple of bottles of cider down to the square and sat on the wall watching people walk by. It was cooler tonight with a nice breeze.
The first group, two ladies called Kuve, were excellent. The singer had a great voice and lots of energy. The second group, Nunatak, were also very good, though I preferred the two girls.
After the concert I went back to my apartment and watched a late night film until 02:00.
Saturday, 2nd July
A new keyboard and Italian family tree discoveries
I woke around 07:30 but stayed in bed until 08:30. I spent the morning researching my family tree while listening to football transfer news.
The new keyboard arrived in the afternoon. I plugged it in and it worked immediately. My computer is much faster than the laptop, so it’s good to be back on it.
In the evening I continued my research, focusing on the Italian side of my family. I found many more relatives in New York. The spelling of Italian surnames varies wildly, which makes the research harder.
Sunday, 3rd July
A good swim, weight loss progress and remembering John
I woke around 08:00 and went for a swim at 08:45. I haven’t swum much this week because of my shoulder and leg, but I felt better today. I swam to the rocks and back twice, watching the fish. Some are getting big enough to make a nice dinner. No jellyfish today, thankfully.
After a shower and shave I weighed myself. I’ve been doing the fast and feast diet for six weeks and have lost 1.5 kg, 5 cm from my waist and 5 cm from my hips. My chest has increased by 1 cm, even though my man boobs are shrinking.
I had a coffee and a protein shake, then worked on my family tree until it was time for Sunday dinner. I took the Sharky Mobile to Campbell’s and had a lamb roast. On the way home I stopped at Mercadona for bananas, ice cream and milk.
Back home I fell asleep during a boring film and woke up in time to see the end of the Formula 1 race. There had been a big crash at the start, but everyone was released from hospital later.
In the evening I went to La Playa bar to listen to Diana sing and remember my friend John. As I waited for her to sing his favourite song, my neighbours rang to say they had locked themselves out. I told them I’d come after the memorial song. Shellie said a few words and Diana, joined by John’s friends, sang Swing Low Sweet Chariot.
I toasted John’s memory, then walked home to let my neighbours into their apartment. I finished the evening watching Saturday Night Fever, one of my favourite films.
I end this week remembering my friend Norwegian John.
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