Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A quiet week that began with a Doctor’s visit for swollen knees and ended with the Los Alcázares Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Most days were spent resting, working on my website, and watching the World Cup.
Monday, 28th November
Doctor’s visit and painful knees
I woke around 07:00, got a coffee, and worked on my computer before heading to the nurse. My knees have become very swollen and painful, and standing up is getting harder. The nurse was pleased with the healing of the wounds on my leg, but when I mentioned my knees she insisted I see the Doctor. Within ten minutes I was in his office. He examined my knees and prescribed gel and tablets for arthritic pain and swollen joints. I hope I am not developing osteoarthritis, my mum had it and I remember how painful it became for her.
I collected my prescriptions from the pharmacy, then went to Mercadona for food before heading to the office to chat with Martin. On the way home I stopped to say hello to my friend Alan who was running a bingo session, but my legs were sore so I continued home.
There were four football matches today. I watched bits of all of them but the pain in my knees meant I drifted in and out of sleep. I went to bed around 22:30.
Tuesday, 29th November
Walking frame delivered and England win
I woke around 06:00 and struggled to get out of bed because of my knees. After coffee I took my tablets and rubbed gel into my knees. The pain eased quickly, but I prefer to fix the cause rather than rely on painkillers.
After chatting on Farcebook, I found someone who could loan me a walking frame for a few days. I worked on my website until lunchtime, made a sandwich, prepared a pork joint for dinner, and then had a nap. The tablets make me sleep a lot.
Elaine delivered the walking frame in the afternoon. It helped, especially for getting out of bed before the tablets start working.
In the evening I watched Wales versus England. England were poor in the first half but scored three goals in the second half to win the game and the group. At 23:00 I joined a live Photoshop training course from America, but it was boring and mostly sales talk, so I went to bed.
Wednesday, 30th November
Website upgrades and dramatic football
I woke around 07:00. My knees still ached but were less painful. I used the walking frame to get up, then made coffee and worked on my website. After four hours I looked for new Joomla extensions to help with canonical links. I found a better one and purchased it, along with another extension for archived articles. The next few days will involve changes to the site, but it should improve things long term.
In the evening I watched Poland versus Argentina, played at the same time as Saudi Arabia versus Mexico. The group ended in chaos. At one point Poland and Mexico were separated only by disciplinary record. If they had been equal, FIFA would have drawn lots, which would have been ridiculous. I suggested a better method, such as shots on goal or goalkeeper saves, or if all else failed, choosing the team with the best looking supporters.
Thursday, 1st December
Knees improving and more World Cup drama
I woke around 07:30. My knees felt better and although I still needed the walking frame, it was easier than last week. I worked on my website all morning adjusting canonical links. The new extension works much better than the old one. At 11:00 I stopped for a bacon sandwich and jasmine and peach green tea before continuing work.
In the evening I watched Japan versus Spain. Spain were better in the first half and scored once, but Japan came out attacking and quickly went 2-1 up. This affected the Costa Rica versus Germany match because Germany needed a big win. The group positions changed constantly, but Japan won the group and Spain came second. VAR made some questionable decisions, but I was pleased for Japan and Spain.
Friday, 2nd December
Rainy day indoors
I woke to heavy rain. My knees felt much better and I could get out of bed without the walking frame, although I will keep it until Monday just in case. I stayed indoors all day because of the weather.
In the evening I watched Cameroon versus Brazil. Brazil were the better team but could not score, and Cameroon won 1-0 with a late goal. The scorer celebrated by taking his shirt off, earning a second yellow card and a red card. It did not matter in the end, but it could have been costly.
Saturday, 3rd December
Christmas lights and the town hall ceremony
I woke around 06:45 after a restless night. I worked on my website and typed up a memory of meeting Barbara Windsor as a teenager. I was waiting for an Amazon delivery of solar powered Christmas lights for my balcony. When they arrived I hung them up so they could charge in the sun.
I went to the supermarket for lunch supplies but stopped at the chicken shop instead and bought chicken and ham in pepper sauce with chips. Later I saw a message from Chris asking if anyone had an old laptop for sale. I had one and had been thinking of buying one of his Orgone pyramids, so we agreed to swap.
In the evening I collected a parcel from Euronics and then went to the town hall for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The tree looked perfect and there were singers and Disney style characters entertaining the children. I rode home along the beach and was disappointed that every bar was closed on a Saturday night.
Back home I watched Argentina versus Australia. Messi scored a brilliant goal and Argentina won 2-1. My new balcony lights came on beautifully and stayed lit for over six hours.
Sunday, 4th December
Editing videos and England win
I woke around 07:30, had coffee and porridge with blueberries and honey, and edited videos from last night for my YouTube channel. After doing my washing I spoke to Brett for a while before having lunch, which was half a stuffed aubergine with chips followed by a Murciano pie.
Chris arrived later to collect the laptop and show me his Orgone pyramids. I chose one with a lit base and we made the swap. After he left I settled down to watch England versus Senegal. England won 3-0, but I worry about their defence. Maguire seems unable to tackle without grabbing or pushing, and the back four are so slow that a team of snails could outrun them. I fear Mbappé will tear them apart. I ended the night with a Horlicks and went to bed.
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