Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A quieter, wetter week spent learning Adobe Lightroom, sorting out Amazon returns, catching up with friends and ending on a high as Arsenal beat Liverpool to return to the top of the Premier League.
Monday, 3rd October
A slow start and the first Lightroom lessons
I woke around 05:30 but went back to sleep until it was light. After coffee and two bacon rolls, I checked my emails and waited for the office to open. Martin messaged at 11:30 to say he would be late, so I finished some work before heading in around 13:00.
Martin eventually arrived at 13:30, but Lottie and Alison kept me company until he did. After leaving the office I stopped at Plaza de Día for ice cream and two types of cheese, a very manly shopping basket.
Back home I had grilled turkey with cheesy chips and ice cream for dessert. In the evening I started my Adobe Lightroom training videos before going to bed around 22:30.
Tuesday, 4th October
Lightroom training, Amazon chaos and a kitchen upgrade
I woke early and finished yesterday’s Lightroom videos before coffee. I then spent far too long trying to get Amazon to change my phone number. After four different people told me it couldn’t be done, one lady finally updated it for me.
Because of the training I couldn’t go to the office, which worked out well as Bob was coming to refit a kitchen shelf. He arrived in the evening and the shelf looks great. My kitchen is finally starting to function properly, apart from the combi oven, which keeps tripping the fuse.
I went to bed early but couldn’t sleep, so I made a warm Horlicks with honey and watched more Lightroom videos until I felt tired.
Wednesday, 5th October
A broken oven, a refund and a productive afternoon
I stayed up working until 02:45 but was awake again at 08:00. After coffee and cereal I began investigating why my oven kept tripping the fuse. I checked Amazon for a manual and found a chat helpline. Within ten minutes the agent offered a full refund and arranged collection. I was delighted.
I boxed up the oven, took rubbish to the recycling bins and bought a French stick for lunch. After eating, I ordered a new oven, smaller, cheaper and with more functions. A flash sale knocked another €40 off the price, so I saved €100 overall.
In the afternoon I continued my Lightroom training and watched television before bed at 22:30.
Thursday, 6th October
Heavy rain, more training and a Europa League win
I woke around 08:30 to the sound of heavy rain. Plaza de Espejo was full of puddles and thunder rumbled in the distance. I made coffee and continued my Lightroom training while the courses were still free.
Amazon collected the trousers that were too big, and later SEUR collected the faulty oven. The refund appeared instantly. Now I just have to wait for the new one to arrive.
In the evening I watched Arsenal beat Bodo Glimt 3–0 in the Europa League. Despite eight changes to the team, the players did well. Nketiah, Holding and Vieira scored.
Friday, 7th October
Shopping, Lightroom breakthroughs and an evening with friends
I woke around 06:45 and got up for coffee. It looked dry outside, so at 10:30 I went to Mercadona for a few bits before returning home to wait for my monthly CBD oil delivery.
After a bacon, cheddar and mushroom baguette, I worked on some photos. Thanks to my Lightroom training, I discovered a much quicker way to add GPS locations, simply dragging images onto a map. This will save me hours in the future.
In the afternoon I arranged to meet friends at Hotel Costa Narejos at 17:00. I fell asleep and woke at 17:02, quickly got ready and walked along the beachfront. I sat with Debbie, Kevin, Kim and John until after 21:00. Kim and John kindly gave me a lift home. I made a sandwich, poured a cold mango tea and watched television before bed.
Saturday, 8th October
Football, rum and a great film
I woke around 08:30, had coffee and checked messages. At 10:00 I went to the bank to withdraw cash and update my EuroBillTracker page.
After lunch I walked to La Playa bar to watch the football, but they had run out of beer again. I had a rum and coke, chatted with Sophia and went home to watch Manchester City win 4–0. The Spurs match was so dull I switched to a programme about drying paint.
In the evening I watched Mr Harrigan’s Phone. It was brilliant and I highly recommend it.
Sunday, 9th October
Arsenal vs Liverpool and a painful walk home
I woke excited for Arsenal vs Liverpool. After coffee and a bacon roll I stripped the bed and put the washing on. I spent the morning sorting and dating photos and adding GPS data.
At 16:00 Wayne called to see if I wanted to watch the match with him. He picked me up and we went to La Petit Bistro for a pre‑match drink before heading to Harry’s Bar.
We sat with Stuart and moved inside just in time to hear a huge cheer, Martinelli had scored after 58 seconds. Liverpool equalised, but in first‑half stoppage time Martinelli crossed for Saka to make it 2–1. Liverpool equalised again in the second half, but Arsenal piled on the pressure and Jesus won a penalty. Saka scored and Arsenal held on to win 3–2.
Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester City back to the top of the Premier League. I walked home happy, but the long walk and celebrations took their toll. My knee popped out several times and was throbbing by the time I got in. I took a painkiller and went to bed feeling like I had played the match myself.
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