Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: The final week of 2022 began with a Boxing Day swim in the Mar Menor and ended with a relaxed New Year’s Day. In between, I dealt with stomach issues, adjusted my diet, booked travel for my February cruise, enjoyed plenty of football, and treated myself to a new beard trimmer.
Monday, 26th December
Boxing Day swim and Arsenal victory
I slept well and woke around 08:00. Although I did not feel brilliant, I decided to take part in the Boxing Day Swim at Playa Carrión. I pottered on my computer until 11:30, then rode my disability scooter to the beach for the event. You can read about my swim here.
After the swim I realised it was only 13:20, so I headed to Los Narejos to see if I could get some work done with Martin. He had already left, so I stopped by his home to wish him a happy Christmas and check the working hours for tomorrow.
Back home I showered, changed into pyjamas, and settled under a blanket for the football. Arsenal versus West Ham kicked off at 21:00. West Ham went 0 - 1 up from the penalty spot, but Arsenal were excellent and won 3-1. With better luck the score could have been much higher. Arsène Wenger was at the Emirates for the first time since leaving, and I think he would have enjoyed the performance.
After the match I went straight to bed.
Tuesday, 27th December
Early morning research and a change of diet
I woke at 04:30 with stomach ache and a thumping headache. Unable to sleep, I searched online for possible causes. It seems my GORD may be the culprit, especially when lying flat. I will raise my head at night and adjust my diet. Coffee and tomatoes are likely triggers, so I will avoid them for a while.
I met Christine, Theresa, and Mike for a morning drink in Los Narejos and switched to green tea. Afterwards I met Martin at La Sombre Pizzeria and stuck to water instead of alcohol.
At home I cooked a turkey breast and had it simply in a sandwich. After being awake since 04:30 I had no trouble falling asleep on the sofa with my head raised.
In the evening I watched videos from the Boxing Day swim on Farcebook and went to bed early. Manchester United were on television, and they always make me sleepy.
Wednesday, 28th December
Travel planning and saving money
I woke at 06:30 feeling better. I had green jasmine and peach tea with honey and worked on my website before breakfast. Later I looked for taxi prices to Alicante for my February cruise. The cheapest return fare was €240, which shocked me.
I checked hotel prices instead and found a nice one near the port for €68. I then found a coach company offering a return trip for €19. By travelling a day early and staying overnight I saved more than €150, enough to pay for two of my cruise excursions.
In the evening I watched Leeds versus Manchester City. City won 1-3, closing the gap on Arsenal, but Arsenal remained five points clear at the top. I went to bed afterwards.
Thursday, 29th December
Soup making and sad football news
I slept well and woke at 06:30. I made tea and worked on my website until 10:30, then had poached egg on toast for breakfast. After more work I made a large batch of butternut squash and carrot soup. I ate one portion and froze the rest.
Later I took a break on the sofa, then returned to my computer in the evening. While working I saw the news that Pelé had died. He was a genius with a football. I saw Brazil at Wembley in 1981, but he had already retired by then. RIP Pelé.
Friday, 30th December
Concert tickets and a long walk
I woke around 08:00, made tea, and worked on my website. Over breakfast I saw an advert for a Rod Stewart concert in Murcia next year. I bought a VIP ticket right at the front for €125 and booked a hotel so I can travel by bus, see the concert, stay overnight, and return the next day.
At 11:30 I went for a walk. I have not walked far recently and want to build up my stamina. I managed about one kilometre. It took a while and I was puffed out, but I need to keep trying.
Back home I looked for a new beard and hair trimmer. My old ones are useless and expensive to run. I found a good all in one trimmer and ordered it for delivery tomorrow.
The afternoon and evening were spent working on my website and watching football. I went to bed around 23:00.
Saturday, 31st December
New trimmer and Arsenal finish the year top
I woke at 04:45 with a blocked nose and felt wheezy. I made a lemsip and worked on my website. At 10:00 I had breakfast and put on my washing. At 11:00 the Amazon driver arrived with my new beard trimmer. After charging it I gave my beard a trim. It works brilliantly and cuts far better than my old one.
I showered at 12:00 and had crumpets with pâté for lunch. While eating I received a Skype call from my Uncle Paul. We caught up and wished each other a happy new year.
In the afternoon I went to D’Pollo for lunch and watched football, including Brighton versus Arsenal. Arsenal scored after 66 seconds and led 0 - 2 at half time. They scored again early in the second half. Brighton were better after the break but Arsenal won 2 - 4 and finished the year seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
I tried to stay awake for midnight but was asleep by 22:30.
Sunday, 1st January
New Year’s Day breakfast and a good start to 2023
I woke at 07:00 but went back to sleep until 08:15. After coffee I put my bed linen in the wash and read new year messages from around the world. I shared a lovely message I saw online about letting go of the old year and embracing the new one with strength and hope.
I went to The Tipsy Thistle for a full English breakfast with green tea. While eating I saw that Campbell’s bar was open, so I messaged June to see if she could pick me up for Sunday lunch. She could, and I enjoyed roast lamb with all the trimmings. Afterwards I showed her my apartment before she headed home.
In the afternoon I watched football. Tottenham lost 0 - 2 to Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest drew 1 - 1 with Chelsea. Neither result affected Arsenal, but Tottenham’s poor form gave me extra bragging rights over my cousins.
In the evening I watched The Fellowship of the Ring. My new television and sound bar make the film look and sound incredible. I went to bed around 22:30.
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