Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: This was another cold week, with meals out at three different restaurants, a night listening to a friend sing, and ending the week celebrating my friend Alan Bond’s birthday at La Playa bar.
Monday, 13th February
I woke up and got a coffee at around 08:00. I worked on my website until around 11:00 and then took a big bag of rubbish to the bins. After that, I went to the Euronics store to drop off one of the pairs of trousers I needed to return. Amazon returns confuse me, two pairs to return, one collected by SEUR and one I have to take to the shop.
I stopped at the doctor’s surgery to make an appointment for a blood test and to see the doctor now that I have my MRI results. I got both appointments for 09:00 tomorrow. Then I headed to Pizzeria La Sombre to meet Martin for a couple of beers. It was very cold, so I was glad of the warm layers and the windbreakers around the terrace. Dave joined us for a chat until the school bus arrived with Aria, and then we all headed home.
I planned to stop at D’Pollo for food, but they were closed. I went home, sat in the warm and decided to get a Chinese takeaway later. At around 17:45, Martin rang to say he and Kate were going to a Chinese restaurant in San Javier and asked if I wanted to join them. I gladly agreed. We ate at Yamami’s, which was very nice, and afterwards stopped for Martin to buy trainers before Kate dropped me home. I watched television for a while before going to bed at 23:00.
Tuesday, 14th February
I set my alarm for 07:30 but woke up before it at 07:00. I got a coffee and made porridge with banana, raisins, blueberries and Greek yoghurt. I worked on my computer until 08:45 and then left for my doctor’s appointment.
I saw my usual doctor, but he couldn’t advise me about the tinnitus, so I still need to see the specialist. After that, the nurse took my blood for my INR test. It was the nurse I prefer, she always gets my blood first time. I then booked an appointment with the specialist and was lucky enough to get one for 20:00 this evening.
I went to Economy Cash for an apple pastry and then home to work on my website. At around 19:10, the surgery rang asking if I could come in earlier. I went straight there with my MRI results. I was seen at around 19:40. The specialist said the scan looked good and there were no tumours. He prescribed tablets I must take for three months.
I collected the tablets from the pharmacy, €27 for 30 tablets, and went home to check my blood test results online. I adjusted my Sintrom dose and sorted my pills into my monthly dispenser. I realised I was a few days short on Sintrom and would need more tomorrow.
Wednesday, 15th February
I had a coffee and a bacon roll when I woke up, then worked on my website for a few hours. I was meeting Frouk and Reinder for lunch, so at around 12:30 I took a slow walk along the beachfront to La Casa de Papel.
When I arrived, the restaurant was shut with metal grills across the doors. I checked the opening times and they should have been open. When Frouk and Reinder arrived, we decided to go to Ramon’s instead.
None of us had been there for Menu del Día before, but it was excellent. We shared a fresh salad, then I had seafood soup, fish and chips, and chocolate cake. The meal, including wine, was €10.95, very good value. After lunch, I walked home along the beachfront. My legs ached a bit as I haven’t walked far recently. The wind had picked up and the waves on the Mar Menor looked great.
In the evening, I watched Arsenal vs Manchester City. City won 1‑3. Arsenal were better in the first half, City better in the second. Arsenal’s lack of squad depth showed, especially up front. City went top on goal difference but have played a game more. I hope Arsenal find their scoring touch again soon.
Thursday, 16th February
I woke around 06:30 and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I got up, made coffee and worked on my website. At around 11:15, George and Yvonne picked me up to go to Espacio Mediterráneo in Cartagena.
I looked in Primark for trousers in case my UK order didn’t arrive in time, but everything they had was awful, joggers with no zips, drawstrings instead of belts, and strange materials. I went to C&A instead and found navy and khaki cargo trousers, which I prefer because of the pockets. I also bought a new belt. At least I now have something other than shorts for my cruise.
After shopping, George dropped me home. Jacquie asked for help with her email, so after dropping my trousers off, I went to her place. I adjusted her notepad settings and showed her how to delete old images and videos that were filling her storage. I promised to return tomorrow.
Back home, I put the heating on and worked on my website before cooking turkey fillets, jacket potato and mixed vegetables for dinner. I watched more Homestead Rescue before going to bed.
Friday, 17th February
I woke at 07:00, got a coffee and worked on my computer. I had a few small jobs to do, but they annoyed me — simple tasks that still make my back ache. I went out at around 11:00 to get the pills I needed. In Spain, they only make two sizes of the tablets I take, which means I often have to cut them in half. They are tiny and easy to drop or cut wrong.
After buying the tablets, I popped into ATime4AChange for a look around. They had a mirror I liked, but it will have to wait until after my cruise. I headed home and trimmed my beard over the sink without thinking. The hair blocked the plug hole, and it took me half an hour to unclog it. While in the bathroom, I cleaned the sink, bidet and toilet. It looked much better afterwards, even if my back didn’t appreciate the bending.
Deeana messaged to say she was singing at Boochies tomorrow, which gave me a good excuse to go out. I also managed to reconnect my smartwatch to my phone and get all the fitness apps working again. They do motivate me, and I hope to start walking more when the weather improves.
Saturday, 18th February
I woke around 07:00, got a coffee and worked on my website until around 13:30, when I stopped to watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal. It was a great game and Arsenal won 2‑4. The fifth goal was my favourite, Martinez had been time‑wasting all game, and in extra time Jorginho’s shot hit the bar, bounced off Martinez’s head and went in. The fourth goal came when Martinez went up for a corner and Arsenal broke away to score into an empty net. Later, Manchester City drew with Nottingham Forest, putting Arsenal back on top with a game in hand.
In the evening, I went to see Deeana sing at Boochies. It was very busy, so I sat outside where I could still hear her and watch the Newcastle vs Liverpool game. Ady joined me, then Bob and Connie arrived. After a while, I left for a quick pint at Rocco’s. I was about to leave when Helen came in, so I stayed for a chat. On the way home, I popped into Perlitas Bar when I saw Bob and Connie again. Only then did I realise it was 01:15, I had misread my watch earlier.
As I approached my apartment, I saw two young men looking through my neighbour’s ground‑floor window. They ran off when they saw me. The apartment opposite had a group of youngsters having a party, so they may have been connected. I knocked on my neighbour’s door but got no answer. I decided to check on her in the morning.
Sunday, 19th February
I woke around 08:00 but stayed in bed until 09:30. After getting up, I had a coffee and worked on my website until lunchtime. I then went downstairs and knocked on my neighbour’s door again. She answered and said she had heard someone at the window last night but hadn’t opened the door. I explained what I had seen, and she said she would check her car.
I went outside to meet June, who was taking me for Sunday lunch at Campbell’s. I had roast pork with all the trimmings, but my GERD stopped me finishing it, so I had it boxed up. June and I had a good chat and lots of laughs. She dropped me home so I could put my leftovers in the fridge and grab my walking stick before dropping me at La Playa bar for Alan Bond’s birthday party.
I enjoyed chatting with Alan and Gary and saw a few people who will be on the same cruise as me next week. There was lots of singing, some very good, some good, some not so good. I didn’t want to ruin the fun by singing myself, so at around 18:30 I walked home.
Once home, I had crab salad on toast and watched the Aston Villa vs Arsenal game again. Arsenal being back on top of the Premier League was the perfect end to the week.
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