Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A quiet week of website work, morning swims, fish feeding, films, football and the sad news of losing a kind friend. Arsenal continued their strong start to the season and returned to the top of the Premier League.
Monday, 22nd August
A missed workday and Monday night football
I woke fairly early and sorted my tablets into my monthly pill box. With a coffee beside me, I worked on my website and lost track of time until it was time to go to the office.
When I reached the garage, I realised I hadn’t charged my disability scooter. That meant taking the bike, but I couldn’t get the pump to inflate the tyres. I messaged the boss for a day off and put the Sharky Mobile on charge for tomorrow.
The afternoon and evening were spent working on my website until the Monday night football came on. Manchester United beat Liverpool 2–1, lifting United off the bottom of the table and leaving Liverpool still winless.
Tuesday, 23rd August
A blood test, breakfast by the beach and a locksmith visit
I woke around 07:00, took my tablets and headed to the doctor’s surgery for my blood test. A new nurse questioned why they always take full blood samples instead of using a finger‑prick machine. The surgery doesn’t have one, so she plans to ask her boss to get one. It would make things easier for everyone.
Afterwards I walked along the beach and stopped at La Concha for coffee and a tostada. I noticed one of my Spanish neighbours sitting with her daughter and we exchanged greetings. As I left, I saw Diane and her husband at the other chiringuito, so I stopped for a chat.
At 11:30 I went to the office to see Martin. I took the long route to continue my “ornithology studies”. The extra distance was worth it, I saw some very pleasant birds this morning, many of them moulting in the heat.
After a couple of hours chatting with Martin, I stopped at D’Pollo for a lamb shank with chips and a three‑layer chocolate tart. Back home I had a siesta.
At 15:30 a locksmith arrived to fix my door lock. He removed it in seconds with an electronic screwdriver, sprayed it with WD‑40 and reassembled it. Five minutes of work for €40, but better than being trapped inside. At least now I know how to fix it myself.
In the evening I watched the film Jack Reacher and enjoyed it. Before bed I checked my blood test results online and sorted my pills for the next few weeks.
Wednesday, 24th August
Feeding the fish and a relaxing day
I woke around 07:30, took my tablets and worked on my website for half an hour before taking stale bread to the Mar Menor to feed the fish.
I sat in the water completely surrounded by fish in a feeding frenzy. They were jumping out of the water and hitting me as they scrambled for the bread. Four rolls disappeared in minutes, but the fish still circled me waiting for more.
After a short swim I chatted with Diane and her husband at the chiringuito, then returned home for a shower, coffee and a tostada with tomatoes.
I went to Economy Cash for rolls and a Murciano pie for lunch, then worked on my website for the rest of the afternoon. In the evening I watched the second Jack Reacher film. It was OK but not as good as the first.
I went to bed at 23:00 and listened to the saxophonist in the square until I fell asleep.
Thursday, 25th August
A snorkel swim and a lazy afternoon
I woke at 07:30, had a coffee and checked my messages before going for my morning swim. I took my snorkel and swam a full circuit around the man‑made reef. The water wasn’t crystal clear but visibility was good enough to see the bottom and plenty of fish.
After a shower I made a bacon and egg roll and ate it at my computer. I spent a few hours on my balcony reading my Kindle with a couple of large glasses of cold white wine with gaseosa.
In the afternoon I had a siesta, then a steak sandwich for supper. I watched television and went to bed at 23:00.
Friday, 26th August
A strong swim, website work and sad news
I woke at 07:00, took my tablets and went for my swim. I managed three laps to the rocks and back. After a shower and shave I made myself look presentable and had a bacon, egg and mushroom sandwich.
I spent the morning working on my website, indexing pages with Google and adding descriptions and map locations to photos. Claire sent me information about a taxi tour in Naples, so I started planning a trip to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii for my cruise later this year.
I also found out that a lovely man I knew had passed away earlier in the week. I had missed his funeral and wake. He was a kind, genuine man and will be missed by everyone who knew him. RIP Jim.
In the evening I had a cold meal of ham, potato salad with mixed veg and three types of cheese. I watched the football news and saw that Nicolas Pépé had gone on loan to Nice. A polite way of saying he wasn’t in the same league as the rest of the squad.
I went to bed at 23:00, planning an early swim.
Saturday, 27th August
A morning swim, new deliveries and a dramatic Arsenal win
I woke at 06:00, had a coffee and updated my website until it was light enough to swim. I took bread to feed the fish and swam three laps to the rocks and back.
After a shower I downloaded eight free Kindle books and put on my first load of washing. I treated myself to a bacon, mushroom and egg sandwich and worked on indexing more pages and adding details to my photos.
All my Amazon parcels arrived, including the one due Monday. I now have new leather sandals for my holiday and new swimming shorts.
The football was fantastic. Manchester City came from 0–2 down to win 4–2, Liverpool beat Bournemouth 9–0, and Arsenal beat Fulham 2–1 after going behind. Arsenal returned to the top of the league. My voice was croaky from shouting at the television, but the red wine helped.
Sunday, 28th August
A short swim, a relaxing day and karaoke at La Playa
I only managed a short swim this morning as my arms were aching. After a shower I had coffee and a tuna and tomato tostada.
I spent the morning and early afternoon reading my Kindle on the balcony, finishing both my book and yesterday’s bottle of red wine.
I watched Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham. Tottenham won 0–2, Harry Kane scored twice and missed a penalty. Forest played well and could easily have won with a bit more luck.
In the evening I walked to La Playa bar to listen to my friend Alan Bond hosting karaoke. It was a great night and I didn’t destroy anyone’s eardrums this week. As I walked home I passed the remains of a foam party in Plaza de Espejo.
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