Location: Albacete & Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week that began in Albacete after seeing Texas live, followed by balcony gardening, a new solar fountain, fish feeding, jellyfish encounters, football, and the historic news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
Monday, 5th September
The final day in Albacete
This was the last day of my trip to Albacete to see the band Texas.
Tuesday, 6th September
A delivery day, sad news and a new fountain
I woke around 08:00 expecting an Amazon delivery. They had tried yesterday while I was away, so I couldn’t leave the apartment in case they came again. I had almost no food in the house apart from Spanish sausages, half a pot of ice cream and no coffee.
Today brought sad news. My friend Stevie “Bygones” had passed away last week, and today was his funeral and wake. I couldn’t attend because of the delivery, but even if I could, my leg pain would have made it difficult. RIP Steve, you won’t be forgotten.
I spent most of the day writing up my Albacete blogs, editing photos and catching up on website admin.
The water fountain finally arrived at 18:30. I unpacked it immediately and set it up on the balcony. It was simple to assemble, and once the solar panel was placed in a flower pot, the fountain started running beautifully. At dusk the lights came on automatically, and it looked fantastic.
For tea I had the Spanish sausages cooked in the air fryer and finished the ice cream. Kate is taking me shopping tomorrow, which is good because my leg is still sore.
I went to bed around 22:30 but struggled to sleep because of the pain.
Wednesday, 7th September
Shopping, balcony reading and 100°F heat
I woke at 07:15, checked my messages and worked on my website until Kate arrived at 10:00 to take me shopping. It was great to restock the apartment with food and coffee.
After putting everything away, I had a chicken burger for lunch and sat in the balcony garden reading my Kindle. My friend Martin Warman called from England and we chatted for half an hour. When I checked the temperature, it was 100°F on the balcony, no wonder I was sweating.
I finished my book and went inside to watch television. I flicked between football matches but couldn’t get into either game. I went to bed around 22:30.
Thursday, 8th September
A jellyfish sting, a fish pedicure and the death of the Queen
I woke around 07:30, took my tablets and made a coffee. While checking my computer, I realised it was 32 years ago today that doctors pronounced me dead after a car accident. For someone who has been declared dead three times, I feel remarkably well.
I took stale bread to the Mar Menor and fed the fish. They went into a frenzy, circling me and jumping out of the water. After the bread was gone, I swam to the rocks twice and bumped into a jellyfish. I stood my ground and it backed away. Bullies never have a backbone.
Back in the shallows, the smaller fish gathered around me and gave me a pedicure, nibbling the dead skin from my feet and legs. After a shower I noticed my elbow was sore and realised the jellyfish had stung me. I applied the cream the doctor gave me last time.
In the afternoon I had a siesta and woke in time for the Arsenal match. During the first half I saw the news that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away. At the start of the second half the announcement was made at the stadium, followed by a minute’s silence. Arsenal won 1–2, but the match was overshadowed by the loss of the Queen. RIP Queen Elizabeth, forever a Gooner.
I watched the news and other matches before going to bed at 22:30.
Friday, 9th September
A quiet day and memories of the Queen
I woke with a backache and decided not to swim, especially with the jellyfish rash still visible. I worked on my website while the news channels focused entirely on the Queen’s passing and King Charles III’s accession.
After a second coffee I cleaned the kitchen and continued adding descriptions to my China 2014 photos. My leg has been aching more recently, so I ordered a magnetic bracelet to help circulation, along with a medical emergency bracelet that states my name, that I speak English and that I am on blood thinners.
The magnetic bracelet arrived today, but I couldn’t figure out the clasp. I planned to ask one of the ladies at karaoke tonight.
For dinner I cooked a tuna steak with salad, using Martin’s cooking tips. At 20:30 I went to La Playa bar to see Alan Bond. It was too hot inside, so I sat outside with Mags, Debbie and John. I had forgotten the bracelet, but they said they’d look at it another day.
After a couple of beers I got up and sang “I’ve Got a Brand New Combine Harvester”. No one threw anything, so I consider that a win. I walked home along the beachfront and went straight to bed.
Saturday, 10th September
Washing day and binge‑watching Reacher
I didn’t wake until after 10:00. My singing must have taken more out of me than I thought. After coffee I stripped the bed and put the sheets in the wash. My leg has bled a bit this week, so I hope the stains come out.
With football postponed as a mark of respect for the Queen, I watched the TV series Reacher. It is far better than the films. Alan Ritchson is a much more believable Reacher than Tom Cruise.
I went to bed around 22:30 but struggled to sleep because of noisy revellers and kids on the beach.
Sunday, 11th September
Coffee with Donna and cruise planning excitement
I woke around 07:30 after a poor night’s sleep. I checked emails, wrote up my blog and waited for a message from my friend Donna. We were meeting for coffee so she could give me cruise tips.
We met at La Zona Terraza at 11:00. Donna gave me excellent advice and showed me useful cruise websites. I showed her my magnetic bracelet and she unclipped it and put it on my wrist for me. Jo joined us too, and it was lovely catching up with both of them.
Afterwards I went home, watched a couple of films and tried to sleep, but my mind was racing with cruise excitement. I ended up browsing the internet for things to do on the trip. A milky Horlicks helped a little, but it was around 04:30 before I finally went back to bed.
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