Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A wonderful week spent with my sister Karen and her partner Brett, with morning swims, fish feeding, meals out, family time and a few technical adventures. A warm, memorable visit after nearly four years apart.
Monday, 19th September
Morning swims, fish feeding and a long lunch
I slept well and woke around 07:00. Once the sun was up, I took bread and croissants to the beach to feed the fish. Karen and Brett joined me and we sat in the Mar Menor with fish circling us for half an hour.
When the bread was gone, we swam out to the rocks and sat there for a while before swimming back. Karen and Brett returned to their apartment, and I swam out again for a second lap. The tide was picking up, so I finished my swim and went to the chiringuito for coffee and tostada. Karen and Brett joined me, and Brett and I finished breakfast with an Asiatico.
They went to see the flamingos at San Pedro del Pinatar while I headed to the office. Walking along the beachfront, I saw plenty of birds, so I suppose ornithology runs in the family.
At the office we were joined by Martin’s sister Lesley. Work was cut short and we all went to Jardin III for lunch with Kate and Aria. We ordered far too much food, orange duck, teriyaki chicken, BBQ ribs, mussels, sushi, tempura prawns and a mountain of garlic prawns. After lunch I walked home and fell asleep on the sofa.
Later Brett messaged me, so I met him and showed him where my kayak is stored. Back home I watched the Arsenal match again to confirm I hadn’t dreamt the score. I went to bed around 22:45 and fell asleep quickly.
Tuesday, 20th September
Kayaking, fish feeding and a Kindle mystery
I woke at 06:30 and worked on my website until sunrise. I met Brett outside the garage and helped him carry the kayak to the water. Karen joined me in the sea and we fed the fish until Brett returned.
After our swim, Karen and Brett went to the Tuesday market while I visited my friend Colin to help with his Kindle. The issue turned out to be with the Kindle Store, not the device. I arranged to return tomorrow to check if the book had downloaded.
In the afternoon I met Karen and Brett and we walked to El Callejón de las Brujas for lunch, but it was closing due to a family bereavement. We moved on to Avenue Café for an Asiatico, then to La Playa bar for food. After eating we all returned to our apartments. I was exhausted from the swimming and walking, but it was a good day.
Wednesday, 21st September
Fish feeding, Kindle detective work and balcony drinks
I woke around 07:00, had a coffee and went for my swim. Karen and Brett joined me and we fed the fish again. Three large fish joined the usual swarm of smaller ones, all eating bread, cake and cornflakes straight from our hands.
At 11:00 I visited Colin again. His Kindle still wouldn’t sync the book he bought from Amazon Germany. With his Amazon account in Spanish and no working computer, it was difficult to diagnose. We went to the computer repair shop near the Arches, but they don’t work on Kindles.
We stopped at Rocco’s for a beer, and I told him to bring the Kindle to my apartment so I could check his Amazon account properly. After lunch at Café Parking, a fantastic burger, I went to meet him, only to find he had solved the mystery. The book was a pre‑order and not yet available for download.
Later I took a bottle of wine to Karen and Brett’s balcony. We finished it quickly, so Brett fetched a bottle of Bombay Sapphire from my apartment. After a few drinks Brett fell asleep on the sofa, and Karen and I continued chatting before I went home for a sandwich and bed.
Thursday, 22nd September
Morning swim, shopping at La Zenia and a painful knee
I woke early, had a coffee and went for my swim. Karen and Brett joined me and we fed the fish before swimming.
After showering, I joined them for a trip to La Zenia Boulevard to look for shorts and trousers. I found some that fit my waist but were far too tight around my calves and thighs. Not designed for muscular legs or swollen ones.
I looked at televisions too, but the one I liked was over €1600, so it can stay in the shop. I hope mine lasts until the January sales.
We bought some groceries and I stopped at the Tea Shop for green tea with jasmine and peach, plus a new tea box. Back home I had a sandwich and rested my legs while Karen and Brett went out for their last evening meal.
My knee was painful, so I kept my feet raised and watched television before going to bed around 22:30.
Friday, 23rd September
Final swim together, goodbyes and karaoke night
I woke around 07:00. My knees still ached, but I went to the Mar Menor with bread to feed the fish. Brett took the kayak out for one last paddle while Karen and I sat in the water feeding the fish before swimming.
Afterwards Brett and I had coffee and tostadas at the chiringuito. When I returned home, a deliveryman recognised me and handed me a parcel, my medical bracelet. I put it on and went back downstairs to see Karen and Brett before they left.
They brought me their leftover groceries and we said our goodbyes. At 13:15 I wished them a safe trip home and wondered if it would be another four years before we saw each other again.
I used my foot massager for an hour, ate a cheese and ham croissant and fell asleep for two and a half hours.
When I woke, I read an email from my cruise company confirming that from 8th October no antigen test will be required. I can check in online before I go.
In the evening I went to La Playa bar to see Alan Bond hosting karaoke. Due to a lack of people willing to stop me, I sang three times, “Combine Harvester”, “Rabbit” and “Friends in Low Places”. My apologies to anyone who had to endure it. My sister was clever to leave before karaoke night.
Saturday, 24th September
Ordering clothes and a lazy day
I woke around 09:00 and realised I would have to order clothes from Amazon, as nothing in Spain fits over my calves or thighs. I ordered four pairs of shorts and two pairs of trousers.
I procrastinated over doing my washing and eventually decided it could wait until tomorrow. I spent the day reading, watching television and chatting with family in Wales, England and Australia via Messenger.
I went to bed at 22:30 but couldn’t sleep, so I watched television and fell asleep on the sofa around 02:00. I woke at 04:00 and went to bed.
Sunday, 25th September
Washing, storms and new shorts
I woke around 08:30 and put my washing on straight away. For breakfast I had crumpets with Nutella and a pot of green mango tea.
When the first load finished, I put on a half load with the last of my clothes. It was overcast and windy, and AEMET had issued a weather warning, so I stayed indoors.
My new shorts arrived around 13:00. I tried them on and was delighted that they all fit and were good quality. I hope the trousers arriving next week are just as good.
In the afternoon the rain arrived with thunder and lightning. It was nice to be indoors listening to the storm while everything cooled down. Thankfully I had no damage from the weather.
Add comment