Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A quiet start to the week with poor sleep, website work and errands, followed by a visit from my sister and a brilliant Arsenal win that put a grin on my face and the team back on top of the Premier League.
Monday, 12th September
A tired start and a day of doing very little
I slept terribly last night and didn’t get out of bed until after 10:00. Luckily the office was closed today as the boss was helping his wife clean the garage.
I walked to Dialprix for a few bits of shopping and was quickly reminded why I rarely go there. The prices are higher than anywhere else and they never have what I want. I bought a few things and walked home along the beach. The humidity was awful and, combined with lack of sleep, I had no energy at all.
I spent the entire day in front of the television with the air conditioning on, trying not to fall asleep so I would sleep properly tonight. I went to bed around 23:00.
Tuesday, 13th September
A difficult blood test and a COVID certificate chase
I slept much better and woke around 07:00. After a coffee I walked to the doctor’s surgery for my regular blood test. The nurse struggled to get a sample and had to try several times in both arms.
I asked about getting an updated COVID booster certificate but was told I needed to go to the main medical centre.
Afterwards I walked along the beach to Chiringuito El Lobo for coffee and a tostada. I read my Kindle and chatted with an English couple who asked about buying property. I warned them that riding bikes on the promenade is illegal and can result in a €300 fine, something rental shops never tell people.
I then walked to the medical centre to ask about the COVID certificate. They gave me a website to register on. I received a text message with a code but decided to sort it out at home on my computer where I could translate anything I didn’t understand.
I spent a couple of hours at the office with Martin and Dave before heading to La Playa bar. I asked my friend Cara about the code and she confirmed it was just for logging in. After a few beers and chats with people, I went home and watched some television before bed.
Wednesday, 14th September
A cooler day and balcony reading
I woke around 09:00, had a coffee and went online to get my COVID certificate. It was easy enough and I now have a printed copy and a digital version on my phone.
The weather was overcast and cooler, so I turned on the fountain in my balcony garden and spent most of the day reading my Kindle outside. With the Spanish neighbours gone home, I can sit out there in just my boxer shorts without scaring anyone.
I stayed outside until after dark when the fountain lights came on, then went indoors around 22:00. Despite being tired, I didn’t fall asleep until around 05:00.
Thursday, 15th September
A rude awakening and a trolley dumper strikes again
I woke at 09:45 when some idiot trying to get into the building rang every doorbell. For the record: ringing a second bell cancels the first one. Ring one bell and wait. Better still, ring only the person you’re actually visiting.
I worked on my website until 15:00, adding maps and descriptions to the photos from my Huangpu River Tour. I then went to Economy Cash for milk and fell victim to a shopping trolley dumper. I came home with milk, four chocolate doughnuts, two chocolate pastries, four croissants, a Murciano pie and ice cream. I will admit to the milk, the rest must have been dumped in my trolley by someone else. Obviously.
In the evening I watched the West Ham match, as Arsenal vs PSV had been postponed. West Ham won 2–3 but didn’t look convincing.
Friday, 16th September
A peaceful swim, website progress and a night out
I woke feeling better and went for a swim with my snorkel and mask so I could avoid jellyfish. With the summer crowds gone, the beach was quiet and I enjoyed my swim, managing three laps to the rocks and back.
After a shower and coffee I worked on my website again. It’s a lot of work but I’m finally seeing my pages appear in Google searches, so it’s worth it.
After lunch I carried on working until I got fed up of staying in. I took the tourist train to Río Nalón for a drink. I chatted with an Irishman in Rocco’s, then met an old friend, Jim, who I hadn’t seen in years. We had a beer there, then went to Perlitas for another. I later joined David and Paul, who were on an unofficial stag night. After a final beer at Rocco’s I caught the last train home at 23:15. A great night out.
Saturday, 17th September
My sister arrives and a lovely evening out
I woke around 08:00, excited because my sister Karen and her partner Brett were arriving today. The owner dropped their apartment key off at 10:30 and they arrived around lunchtime.
I showed them around their apartment and then we went to mine for coffee. After catching up we went to Chiringuito El Lobo for lunch and drinks. They went shopping afterwards while I watched football and had a siesta.
At 18:30 we walked to Massala Cottage for dinner. It was still very hot and I was puffing like a steam train by the time we arrived. Thankfully the air conditioning was on. I ordered the Masala Cottage Special with vegetable rice and Punjabi raita, very nice.
After dinner we walked to Río Nalón and had Pina Coladas at Zarcos before taking the tourist train home. I watched Match of the Day and went to bed at 01:00.
Sunday, 18th September
A windy morning and a brilliant Arsenal win
I woke around 07:30 and planned to swim with Brett, but the wind was strong and the waves made it impossible to see the fish, so we postponed it.
I had a coffee and worked on my website until lunchtime, then cooked a pizza and settled down to watch Brentford vs Arsenal. Arsenal were superb and won 0–3. They even brought on a 15‑year‑old substitute, the youngest player in Premier League history. The Arsenal fans sang, “You’re going back to school in the morning.”
I enjoyed the match so much that I watched it again on Match of the Day at midnight before going to bed.
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