Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A mostly quiet week spent working at home, resting my knees, and updating my website, before being led astray at the weekend by Stuart and Graham who encouraged me to have one shandy too many.
Monday, 5th December
Shopping, scooter troubles, and Brazil brilliance
I woke around 07:00, got a coffee, and worked on my computer for about ninety minutes before getting ready to go shopping. George picked me up at 10:00 and took me to Mercadona and then Consum. I got almost everything I needed and he dropped me home. After unpacking I had another coffee and took my disability scooter to meet Martin.
We met at La Sombre Pizzeria and spent a couple of hours chatting. Because of the tablets I am taking I could not have a pint, so I enjoyed a bottle of still water. After Martin collected Aria I headed home. My scooter battery is getting worse and barely holds a charge. It died as I drove into the garage after only 6 km. I will have to find a new battery online and get a friend to help me fit it.
Back home I made spicy panko chicken fingers and then watched Brazil versus Japan. Brazil were brilliant and won 4-1. Japan worked hard but were not at the same level.
In the evening I received confirmation of my Simply Red concert tickets for next year in Murcia. I also booked a hotel so I can spend the day in the city, go to the concert, stay overnight, and get the bus home the next day.
Tuesday, 6th December
Website work and aching knees
I woke around 07:30, got a coffee, and typed up one of my memories for my website. Mid morning I had a bacon and egg roll before continuing my work. My knees were aching again and I hoped it was just the cold, wet weather.
I had planned to go to a charity fete in Los Narejos but discovered the local bus does not run on Sundays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays. I hope this is only due to the Spanish holidays this week. If my scooter battery is not replaced by Monday I will need the bus to get to my meeting with Martin.
I spent the whole day working on genealogy images for my website. Time flew by and before I knew it, it was after 17:00. I switched off the computer and watched football and Police Interceptors. I cannot understand how criminals get away with so much when the police have video evidence. It must be demoralising for the officers.
Before bed I ordered three sets of pyjamas from George at Asda. Buying clothes in Spain is difficult for a larger gentleman. I often wonder if Spanish men have legs because I cannot get mine through most of the trousers sold here. I went to bed around 23:00.
Wednesday, 7th December
More genealogy work and a mild curry
I woke around 06:30, turned on the heating, got a coffee, and took a shower. After cornflakes and another coffee I continued adding photos to the genealogy section of my website.
At 10:40 I walked to the chiringuito for some fresh air and a cappuccino before returning home to work. I lost track of time again and stopped around 17:00 to make dinner. I cooked a mild chicken curry with basmati rice and had enough left for tomorrow.
With no football on, I watched Police Interceptors and then Titanic. After my cruise last month I realised how small the Titanic was compared to modern ships. The Costa Toscana would have dwarfed it.
Thursday, 8th December
Battery hunt and lunch at San Juan
I woke around 07:50 after going to bed late. I got a coffee, had a foot massage, took a shower, and had cereal for breakfast. I worked on my website until Bob arrived to help me identify the batteries I need for my disability scooter. Because of my eyesight I cannot even find the battery compartment, so I am grateful for friends who help me.
I emailed three companies for quotes. I expect the batteries to cost around four hundred euros, but they are essential. The current ones are over three years old and the scooter is my only transport.
Bob later messaged to ask if I wanted lunch at San Juan with him and Connie. He picked me up and we had toasted bacon sandwiches and coffee before going to Lidl for shopping. I worked on my computer again in the afternoon and went to bed around 22:30.
Friday, 9th December
Memories, Casablanca dreams, and a new cruise booked
I woke, got a coffee, and worked on my website. More celebrity encounters and travel memories came back to me, so I wrote them down before they fade. I used to go to America two or three times a year and some memories merge, so I need to check details with friends.
I could not stop thinking about the size of the Titanic compared to the Costa Toscana, and about wanting to visit Casablanca one day. As if reading my mind, the Internet showed me an advert for a cruise to Tangier and Casablanca. After comparing prices I booked it directly with MSC. Something to look forward to next year.
I had planned to go out for a pint but the temperature dropped and it started raining, so I stayed home and researched things to do on next year’s cruise. I went to bed around 22:30.
Saturday, 10th December
Carol singing confusion and one shandy too many
I woke, got a coffee, and worked on my computer. I have more energy in the mornings and like to get things done early. In the afternoon I went out to hear what I thought was Kate’s Christmas carol group. I took rubbish to the bins and walked to Rio Nalon. I saw Colin at Rocco’s and chatted with him before heading to Perlitas bar.
I met Bernard and Christine there and sat with them. I messaged Kate and discovered I had mixed up her group with another one and she was not performing. I stayed to listen anyway, but Bernard and I were told off for talking too much. Sorry ladies.
Afterwards I walked to Harry’s bar and joined Stuart and Graham for a pint and some football. After not drinking for a while it went straight to my head. They dragged me to The Celt to watch the England game. After one pint I decided to head home.
Back at my apartment I sat on the sofa with a blanket and the next thing I knew it was 03:00. I was warm and comfortable so I went back to sleep.
Sunday, 11th December
England out and a new TV obsession
I woke again, got a coffee, and searched for a replay of the England versus France match. France won 2-1 but I remembered little of the game. After watching the highlights I think England were unlucky and the referee was incompetent. The younger players will form a great team in the future if the manager focuses on them.
In the afternoon I discovered a show called The Peripheral on Amazon Prime and binge watched it until about 02:00 before going to bed.
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