Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A stiflingly hot and humid week spent mostly indoors, with early swims, bike repairs, family tree research, noisy beach events and the start of the new Premier League season.
Monday, 1st August
Bike trouble, office work and a Sara Martins evening
I woke just after 08:00. Martin was coming to look at my bike, so I didn’t go for my swim in case I missed him. Kate arrived first and we went down to the chiringuito for a coffee while waiting for Martin. When he arrived he tried the pump but couldn’t get it to work. He photographed the tyre valve and took the pump with him.
At about 11:30 I met Martin at the bike shop in Los Narejos. The man checked the pump and, although he said it was the correct one, I noticed him switch a valve inside it. He tested it on a similar valve and it worked fine.
We headed to the office and caught up on paperwork. Kate and Aria joined us briefly before heading home. After finishing the last bits of work, I went home, switched on the air conditioning and promptly fell asleep.
For supper I had chicken wings, then watched television. When I saw that Death in Paradise was on, I watched a couple of episodes purely because Sara Martins is in it, in my opinion the most beautiful woman ever. I finished the night with a late film until the noise outside died down enough for me to sleep.
Tuesday, 2nd August
A calm morning swim, a surprising post office visit and a quiet night
I woke around 07:30, checked my emails and went for a swim at about 08:30. The sea was calm and clear and I swam to the rocks and back three times before returning home for a shower, coffee and cereal.
I prepared a parcel to return and walked to the post office. Only one person was working, the Wicked Witch, and the queue was long, so I left. I walked through the Tuesday market looking for my old fruit seller but couldn’t find them. It was too hot to search, so I went home to the air conditioning.
At 14:00 I returned to the post office. The Wicked Witch was still there, still alone, but when I reached the front she was polite, helpful and even smiling. She must have had an attitude transplant. I returned home to escape the humidity.
My leg ached later, so I used the circulation machine and put my feet up. It was quiet outside tonight, so I went to bed just before 23:00.
Wednesday, 3rd August
A relaxing swim, a new man bag and planning a catch‑up
I woke around 06:00 but fell asleep again until 08:30. I went for my swim and managed three laps. As I was getting out I saw some friends and sat in the water chatting for half an hour. It is so relaxing sitting in the clear water watching the fish swim around you.
Back home I had cereal and coffee and looked on Amazon for a new man bag. I chose a brown leather one with a strong strap, far better quality than the one stolen last year. It will arrive tomorrow.
While working on my website I saw that my friend Frouk was online, so I arranged to go out with her and Reinder next week. It will be good to catch up.
The afternoon was extremely hot and humid, so I stayed inside and worked on my family tree research. My subscription ends soon and I won’t be renewing it as it is too expensive.
Thursday, 4th August
An early swim, genealogy work and an overheated walk
I woke around 07:00 and went for my swim at about 07:30. After a shower I had coffee and a bacon sandwich and settled at my computer. I had an Amazon delivery due today and another that could arrive anytime in the next week.
With only a week left on my Ancestry subscription, I spent the morning digging through my genealogy. My new leather man bag arrived at lunchtime and I was pleased to see it was real leather and excellent quality.
In the afternoon I decided to go for a walk. Bad idea. The heat and humidity were too much. I only made it as far as La Playa bar before stopping. I went inside where it was cooler, had a glass of water and then several beers while reading my Kindle and chatting to locals.
I didn’t leave until just before closing. I walked home along the beachfront, thought about a nightcap but decided against it. I put the air conditioning on for an hour and went to bed.
Friday, 5th August
A dodgy pâté disaster and Arsenal’s first win
I didn’t swim today. I had coffee and a bacon sandwich, worked on my website and then had pâté on toast for lunch. That was a mistake. By 15:00 my stomach was rumbling and for the next three hours I kept running to the toilet.
At 18:00 I messaged Pat to say I couldn’t go for the curry tonight. It was the right decision, as my stomach continued to protest all evening.
At 21:00 I watched Arsenal vs Crystal Palace. Arsenal started strongly, scored early, then Crystal Palace came back into the game. A late own goal made it 2–0 to Arsenal. A much better start than last season.
A saxophonist had been playing in the square all night, but at 23:45 it finally went quiet and I was able to sleep.
Saturday, 6th August
A parade, a static bike nightmare and Premier League chaos
I woke around 07:00 feeling much better and went for a swim. There was a parade along the beach this morning and a temporary bar was being erected between the two chiringuitos.
After my swim I sat at El Lobo chiringuito with a coffee and water. As they arrived, so did the horses and carts of the XXIII Route Huerta al Mar. The parade travels overnight from Murcia and passes right by my apartment.
After watching it I sat reading my Kindle for a few hours, then went home to read on my balcony. It soon became clear why the extra bar and fencing were in place. A static bike event was being set up with huge speakers and dozens of bikes. The music was loud, repetitive and full of bass. It continued until after midnight.
I watched several Premier League matches in the afternoon. Some results were surprising and a few teams already look shaky.
In the evening I measured the noise from the bike event. It reached over 90 decibels at times. It went on far too long and was far too loud. I hope future events are held somewhere less residential, perhaps the old airport, or Mars.
Sunday, 7th August
A quiet day, some shopping and Haaland’s arrival
I woke later than usual after a poor night’s sleep thanks to yesterday’s noise. I had coffee and went to Economy Cash for shopping. I like the store as some things are cheaper than Mercadona, but I can’t get everything I need in one place.
Back home I enjoyed the peace and quiet on my balcony. In the evening I watched the football. After seeing West Ham vs Manchester City, I can only admire Erling Haaland. His acceleration and movement are incredible. He will score a lot of goals this season.
After the football I put the air conditioning on, watched a bit more television and went to bed once the apartment had cooled down.
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