Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A strange but eventful week with doctor visits, a dying scooter battery, cruise preparations, karaoke, live music and plenty of football. A mix of frustrations, laughs and small victories.
Monday, 17th October
Doctor confusion, insurance errands and a quiet evening
I woke around 07:30, had a coffee and checked my emails before heading to the doctor’s surgery to make an appointment for my regular blood test. A new receptionist insisted I had to see the doctor first, so I booked an appointment for Wednesday and didn’t argue.
After a quick stop at home, I went to my health insurance office to ask about booking a COVID booster. The lady there kindly offered to call for me and invited me back on Wednesday for their open day with free food.
I then went to the office to work with Martin. Dave, the local TV provider, came in so I paid my subscription. Kate arrived and offered to take me to Cartagena tomorrow to look for sunglasses. After work I passed Rocco’s and Andy called me in for a pint.
Back home I watered the balcony plants and watched Hacksaw Ridge before bed.
Tuesday, 18th October
New sunglasses, tablet shopping and a painful knee
I woke to find an appointment had been made for my COVID and flu jabs on Friday. I went to the chiringuito for coffee and tostada and was joined by Martin and Tony. When Kate arrived, she took me to Cartagena.
At Hawkers I bought two pairs of sunglasses for €40 thanks to their usual two‑for‑one offer. We then went to Media Markt so I could look at tablets for travelling. My laptop is too heavy and temperamental to take on the cruise.
My knees were playing up and my left kneecap popped out twice while walking. Thankfully Kate had a painkiller. We stopped for a Coca‑Cola in La Aparecida before returning to Los Alcázares.
Back home I rested my legs and binge‑watched This Is Us. Before bed I checked Amazon and found a tablet on offer with an extra €10 coupon. It will arrive tomorrow, giving me time to learn it before the cruise.
Wednesday, 19th October
A painful blood test, a dying scooter battery and cruise confirmation
I woke at 07:30, showered and went for my blood test. More confusion, but eventually I saw the doctor, who immediately called the nurse. She struggled to find a vein and it brought tears to my eyes, but she got there in the end.
I stopped at the chiringuito for coffee and tostada before heading home to wait for my new tablet. It arrived at 11:30, but I left it boxed and went to the ASSSA office for their open day. Sofia confirmed my jab appointments and handed me a beer and food.
On the way to Mercadona my scooter battery began to die, so I pulled into La Zona bar. Jo kindly let me charge the scooter there. Kate picked me up so I could fetch my charger, then dropped me back. I stayed for the music quiz, which I actually enjoyed.
When the scooter had charged enough, I went home. Later I received a call confirming my cruise pick‑up time at The Arches. I asked my friend Bernard for a lift so I wouldn’t be dragging a suitcase through town at 05:30. He agreed, which was a relief.
Thursday, 20th October
Missed training, pharmacy run and another Arsenal win
I woke around 08:00, had coffee and used my circulation machine while working on my website. I missed two online training courses today, one due to login issues and the other because it clashed with the Arsenal match.
I went to the pharmacy to stock up on Sintrom and Omeprazole for after the cruise. Omega‑3 tablets were too expensive locally, so I ordered them online along with multivitamins.
In the evening I watched Arsenal beat PSV Eindhoven 1–0. Arsenal controlled the match and qualified for the next round. One more point will secure a bye to the round of sixteen.
Friday, 21st October
Jabs, deliveries and cruise excitement
I woke at 06:30 and checked my website. A Joomla extension kept crashing the site, so I uninstalled it again and notified the developer.
At 11:15 I went for my flu and COVID jabs. Both were quick and painless. When I got home, deliveries started arriving, adhesive hooks for the kitchen and later some vitamins and glasses straps. The straps were cheap plastic instead of leather and will be returned.
My left eye swelled slightly after the jabs, so I rested on the sofa. Then I received my cabin number for the cruise, deck 9, front and centre of the Costa Toscana. Perfect for filming arrivals into Marseille, Savona, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palma and Valencia.
I booked excursions for Marseille, Savona, Rome, Pompeii and Palma. I will need a long rest when I get home.
In the evening I went to La Playa bar to see Alan Bond’s karaoke night. I sat with Jon and Gary. Becky and her daughter arrived and somehow convinced me to sing a duet, “Islands in the Stream”. A couple even got up to dance, which is rare when I sing.
A Spanish woman later asked me to buy her a drink while rubbing herself against me. I declined politely. Shellie gave me a lift home and I ended the night on the sofa before eventually going to bed.
Saturday, 22nd October
Strange news stories and a brilliant night at Campbell’s
I woke after 09:00, made a sausage sandwich and read the news, aliens, giant cabbages and political chaos. All nonsense, but entertaining.
I watched football in the afternoon. My fantasy league position improved slightly thanks to a couple of results.
At 19:25 my friend picked me up to go to Campbell’s Bar in Roda, where she was singing. I ordered the steak pie special, pie, chips, peas and a pint for €10.50. Excellent value. The music was brilliant and I had a great night. After being dropped home I watched MOTD before bed.
Sunday, 23rd October
A frustrating draw and an early night
I woke at 08:00, had coffee and cereal and worked on my website. My leg was aching from a bad cramp, so I stayed in.
Arsenal drew 1–1 with Southampton. Arsenal started well but faded in the second half. Playing every Thursday and Sunday is taking its toll. They remain top by two points, and Tottenham losing to Newcastle helped brighten the mood.
I went to bed around 22:30, trying to get my body clock ready for next week’s early cruise departure.
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