Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: This was another fairly quiet week. It began with coffee at the Las Claras Centre and ended with a lovely Sunday lunch at Campbell’s Bar in Roda. In between, I had an MRI appointment in San Javier and spent most days keeping warm, cooking, and working on my website.
Monday, 6th February
I woke up feeling pretty good. My cold is slowly going and I only have a small cough left. I had a coffee and worked on my website for a few hours before heading to the Las Claras Centre for more coffee and a chat. There were only a few people there, but I sat outside talking with Steve and Mandy.
After finishing my coffee, I went to Stuart’s house to collect the shark wine glasses he bought me years ago as a joke. He was the first person to call me Sharky and helped start the whole shark‑bite story. The glasses have a shark on the stem that appears as you drink the wine.
Afterwards, I went to Mercadona for some shopping. Outside the store I bumped into Jacqueline and Michael and had a quick chat before heading inside. It was quite cold today, so I was glad to get home, put the heating on and spend the rest of the day under a blanket watching films.
Tuesday, 7th February
I woke around 08:00, got a coffee and worked on my website. I got carried away and didn’t stop until Sandra messaged me at around 15:30. I stopped to get something to eat and watched television for a couple of hours.
At around 20:00 I went back to working on my website and finished at around 23:00. I checked the weather for my upcoming cruise and realised it will be cooler in some places. As I only have shorts that fit me well, I ordered two pairs of trousers from Amazon in different colours. Both are in stock, both are coming from Amazon, but they will arrive on different days unless I pay extra. I will be home anyway, so two free deliveries will do.
Wednesday, 8th February
I slept well and didn’t wake until around 08:45, which is late for me. I worked on my website for a few hours before making chicken and mushroom pies in the afternoon. They were fantastic. I ate one and kept the other for lunch tomorrow. It reminded me how much I enjoy cooking, although I will wait until after my cruise to do more as I am trying to empty my fridge and freezer.
Jim came round to borrow my tuxedo. Luckily, we both have sculptured granite bodies, so it fit him perfectly. He looked like he was auditioning for the next James Bond. You’re welcome, Jim Bond.
Thursday, 9th February
I woke up, got a coffee and worked on my website. The update is nearly complete, and soon I can focus on content rather than navigation. At around 12:30, George picked me up to take me to San Javier for my MRI appointment.
I am used to MRI scans, but they must be nerve‑racking if you haven’t had one before. You strip off, put on a paper gown, lie on a table with your head in a brace, get earplugs, hold a panic tube, and then they put what feels like a hockey mask on you. The machine is tight, my shoulders scrape the sides, and even with earplugs the noises are loud and unpleasant. I was done within half an hour and told to collect the results tomorrow.
When I came out, George was nowhere to be seen. I briefly wondered if the MRI was actually an alien abduction. I went to Mercadona to ponder my next move. Eventually George returned, he had gone to check on an order for a new car and didn’t realise I’d be out so quickly. So, no aliens after all.
Back home, Amazon delivered one pair of trousers, but again the size was wrong. The labels must be incorrect. I arranged to return them and went to bed early, exhausted from my “abduction”.
Friday, 10th February
I woke just before 09:00. The alien abduction must have worn me out. I worked on my computer before George picked me up to collect my MRI results. In Spain, they give the results directly to you, not the doctor, which makes far more sense to me.
We stopped for coffee at Cafe Pyramide. A German man sat next to us and started talking. I recognised his Spanish companion, he swims at the same time as I do in the warmer months. At first he didn’t recognise me, but when I told him I normally have a shaved head and no beard, he realised who I was. I now have a new friend.
Back home, I wrapped up warm and put the heating on. I ordered more trousers and a couple of shirts from George of Asda for my holiday. Hopefully they arrive in time. After today’s excitement, I had another early night.
Saturday, 11th February
I woke at 05:00 but eventually got up, got a coffee and worked on my website before putting the washing machine on. After that, I took a shower and went out on my mobility scooter. It looked dark earlier and I didn’t think the rain would hold off, but it did. It was very cold though, and the wind felt like icy spears.
I rode along the beachfront looking at the storm clouds before turning back at Club Nautica. I thought about breakfast but it was too cold to sit outside. I stopped at the pharmacy to get double the amount of tablets I normally take on holiday, one set in my case and one in my carry bag. Then I went to Economy Cash for bread and headed home.
My second pair of trousers from Amazon arrived, even though the order had been cancelled. The measurements were wrong again. Both pairs will be returned. I spent the rest of the day wrapped up in my warm apartment. Arsenal drew 1‑1 with Brentford and the VAR decisions were farcical. Afterwards I binge‑watched Homestead Rescue. Some of the places people live off‑grid look amazing, others make me question their sanity.
Sunday, 12th February
I woke around 05:00 but got back to sleep until around 09:00. I got a coffee, worked on my website, trimmed my beard and took a shower before getting ready to go out for dinner at Campbell’s in Roda with June.
Dinner was fantastic. I had roast beef with all the trimmings and a couple of glasses of red wine. Afterward, June stopped at Lidl so I could get some ice cream, then dropped me home. I spent the evening binge‑watching Homestead Rescue before going to bed at around 22:00.
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