Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: This week I finally started feeling much better. The swelling in my legs went down, I stopped taking painkillers, and I slowly got back into my normal routine of website work, meeting friends and getting out and about.
Monday, 13th March
I woke early at around 06:00 after a good night’s sleep. I worked on my website for a few hours and had muesli with kiwi yoghurt for breakfast. At around 08:45, I went to my doctor’s surgery for my regular INR blood test. I didn’t have to wait long, but the new nurse took a while to find my vein before painfully extracting the blood.
After leaving the surgery, I went to Economy supermarket for a few groceries. Back home, I worked on some photos for my website before heading to Pizzeria La Sombre at midday to meet Martin. Kate, Dave and Lesley were also there. I wasn’t ready for a beer today, so I stuck to water while they enjoyed their drinks. We chatted until around 14:30.
Back home, I had a couple of chicken rolls for lunch and spent the afternoon resting on the sofa with my legs raised. Later, I worked on my computer again, downloaded my blood test results and sorted my tablets for the next four weeks before going to bed.
Tuesday, 14th March
I woke around 06:30 and continued updating my website. I worked on the navigation for my photo albums, which all need updating to match the new system I’ve created. Hopefully, over the next week or so, everything will start showing correctly again.
At 09:15, I went out on my disability scooter. Some mail had arrived for my old neighbour Russ, who died in May 2021. The new tenants didn’t know him and left the letters on top of the mailboxes. I crossed out his name and address, wrote that he had died and circled the senders’ addresses before putting the letters back into a postbox.
I then went for a ride along the seafront and stopped at the Los Alcázares indoor swimming pool to ask about prices. It’s €3 for a single swim, €23.40 for 10 swims, or €36 for 20 swims valid for three months. I told myself I would start swimming every morning until the sea warms up.
On the way home, I stopped at a pharmacy to collect the IDEOCalm tablets for my tinnitus. They cost €27 for 30 tablets, and I need to take them for three months before expecting any improvement. It could end up costing €81 with no guarantee of success, but tinnitus stresses me out so much that I’ll try anything.
After dropping the tablets off at home, I went to La Sombre to see Martin. Lesley and Dave were there too. When Martin left to pick up Aria, I noticed he had left his Bluetooth earpieces on the table, so I took them across the road to his house before heading home via the beach.
Back home, I ate something and napped on the sofa. In the evening, I watched Manchester City vs RB Leipzig. Haaland scored five goals before being substituted. I hoped City wouldn’t continue this form in the Premier League, as it would make things difficult for Arsenal.
Wednesday, 15th March
I woke around 06:45, got a ginseng coffee and some muesli, and worked on my website. I remembered that Bob Dylan tickets for his June concert in Alicante went on sale today, so I logged on and bought myself a front‑row ticket. They’re not cheap, but I’ve always wanted to see him live. I booked a night at Hostel La Lonja and a bus to Alicante for the day of the concert.
At around 11:30, I received a message from Kathy and Tony, whom I met on my cruise. They were in a store near my home and wanted to meet for a drink. I walked over to ATime4AChange, where their son Chris works. We then walked to Buenavista, the new beachfront bar near my apartment. I showed them my apartment on the way.
Kathy and Tony had something to eat at Buenavista, but I just had a drink. The menu looked good, and I’ll definitely return. The short walk tired me out, so I napped for an hour when I got home. I watched television before going to bed at around 22:00.
Thursday, 16th March
I woke around 06:15, got a ginseng coffee and muesli, and worked on my website. I concentrated on editing my holiday photos. In the afternoon, I went to Dia for some shopping. On the way back, George and Yvonne called me from Pyramide bar, so I stopped for a small beer and a chat before finishing my shopping.
Back home, I had chicken and salad for dinner. In the evening, I watched Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon. Arsenal took the lead, Sporting equalised with a fantastic goal, the match finished level, and Sporting knocked Arsenal out on penalties. A disappointing night.
Friday, 17th March
I had planned to go out for a pint for St Patrick’s Day, but my legs still ached and the wind along the beach was cold, so I stayed home. I worked on my website, typed up more holiday blog pages and edited more photos.
Saturday, 18th March
I didn’t leave the apartment again today. I rested my legs and worked on my website. I ordered a few kitchen bits from Amazon, a new glass measuring cup, an egg poacher and a cheese grater. I love poached eggs, but my old poacher didn’t work on my induction hob. I was in bed by 22:00.
Sunday, 19th March
I woke around 06:30 and worked on my website. Jacqueline messaged asking to meet for coffee at 11:00. I was about to take some old clothes to the charity bin when she messaged again at 10:30 to say they were already at La Encarnación.
I got on my disability scooter, dropped rubbish in the recycling bin and clothes in the charity bin, then went to meet Jacqueline and Michael. After coffee, we went to my apartment so I could show them around. We then walked to Buenavista for a drink before parting ways.
When I got home, I saw a message saying my Amazon delivery had been attempted. They said they would try again tomorrow. I had dinner and watched Arsenal vs Crystal Palace. Arsenal won 4‑1 with great goals from Saka, Xhaka and Martinelli, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points.
Alan Bond was due to play at La Playa Bar, so I walked there, but he was unwell and had to cancel. Thousands of disappointed fans wished him well. While I was there, Amazon phoned to say they were at my apartment again. I explained I was out because they said they’d deliver tomorrow, and they agreed to try again then.
I walked home, watched MOTD and the Arsenal highlights, and went to bed happy that Arsenal remain top of the league.
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