Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of errands, coffees, deliveries, friends, football and a royal coronation. I ordered a new computer table, dealt with delivery chaos, enjoyed meals out, met friends for drinks and finished the week with a great Sunday lunch and an important Arsenal win.
Monday, 1st May
I woke around 07:30 and had some orange juice. I checked that one of my bills had been paid and then searched online for a new computer table. The one I ordered last week arrived damaged, and the company emailed to say they would cancel the order so I could reorder. My current coffee table is too low, and my posture has been causing leg pain. I checked several places before remembering the company I bought my laptop from. They had the type of electronic table I wanted and could deliver by Wednesday, so I ordered it and crossed my fingers.
At around 09:45, I went to see the air balloons that were supposed to take people up along the beachfront. The queues were huge, and the balloons were only going up a few feet. As I’ve been on a real hot‑air balloon ride, I decided not to bother. I returned home, dropped off my camera, grabbed my Kindle and went to Punto y Coma for breakfast. I had a coffee and tostada and read for a while before heading to meet Martin.
As I approached the office, Martin messaged to say the company secretary had closed it for the bank holiday. He was in a café on the beach, so I met him there to give him a parcel for Kate. I spent the rest of the day reading my Kindle.
Tuesday, 2nd May
I woke around 07:00, had a coffee, showered and went to my doctor’s surgery for my regular blood test. The nurse struggled to find a vein but eventually managed it. Afterwards, I went to Buena Vista for a coffee and read my Kindle. On the way home, I bumped into my neighbour Liz, who bought me a coffee at the chiringuito next to our apartments.
At around 11:40, I left Liz and went to see Martin for a pint. Dave joined us, and we discussed what we’d do if we won the €141 million lottery. Dave hadn’t bought a ticket, so I offered to get one for him. When we left at around 14:30, I went to the lottery shop, but it was shut, so I sat outside Pearles Plaice reading my Kindle.
While I was sitting there, an angry man arrived on a push bike, threw it on the floor and threatened people outside the bakery with a knife. The police arrived quickly and dealt with it. It looked like they made him go away, which seemed odd, he should have been arrested.
When the lottery shop opened, I bought Dave’s ticket and went home. I had chicken salad for dinner, napped and then watched Arsenal beat Chelsea 3‑1. A shame they hadn’t played like that in the previous three games where they dropped six points. They returned to the top of the Premier League, but Manchester City still had two games in hand.
Wednesday, 3rd May
I got up around 07:30 and cooked a full English breakfast. I got ready to meet Jackie at 10:30, but when I checked my messages, I realised I had the wrong day. I was supposed to meet her tomorrow and had a bank appointment today. I contacted the bank, apologised and rearranged the appointment. I also checked the delivery time for my new table and saw an email saying it would arrive a day early, today.
I spent the morning watching videos about cultivating succulents and growing vegetables in old plastic bottles. They were fascinating, and I might try growing tomatoes from seeds using eggshells.
I waited all day for the delivery, but it never arrived. At around 22:00, I checked again, and the delivery date had changed to tomorrow with no explanation.
Thursday, 4th May
I woke early and had scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon and tomato with a ginseng coffee. I messaged Jackie to say I couldn’t meet her because of the rearranged delivery. I checked my email and saw a message from the company who cancelled my previous table order saying they hadn’t cancelled it. I sent them a copy of their cancellation email. At this rate, I’ll end up with two tables.
The delivery company phoned at lunchtime asking for my address. I couldn’t believe they didn’t have it. I sent them my address and a Google Maps link. The table finally arrived at 16:30 and was left in my hallway.
I checked my blood test results online, but they still weren’t uploaded. I walked to the surgery, and one of the nurses checked my records. The surgery didn’t have them either. She phoned the lab and told me to check again tomorrow.
In the evening, I watched Brighton beat Manchester United 1‑0 with a very late penalty in the 99th minute. I laughed.
Friday, 5th May
I woke around 06:30, pottered around and walked to the bank for my 10:00 appointment. I arrived early and stopped at La Favorita Gastro Café for a coffee. It was delicious, and the service was excellent. I messaged Jan and Vince and arranged to meet them afterwards.
At the bank, Dolores helped me buy holiday insurance for my upcoming cruise. My phone rang several times while I was there, and I had to stop Jim’s call. When I left, I rang him back and arranged to meet him after seeing Jan and Vince.
Vince met me on the street and said Jan had gone to a coffee bar near where I had just been, so we walked back. We couldn’t find her, so we sat at the café I had visited earlier. Jim joined us, and eventually Jan arrived too. After chatting, Vince and Jan left, and Jim and I walked back towards my apartment. We stopped at Bar Espejo, which had recently reopened, for a drink. At around 14:00, I went home, and Jim went his way.
In the afternoon, Bob came round and assembled my new electronic desk and hung a map that had been sitting on my floor for years. I can now work comfortably at my computer, which will help my back and legs. At around 16:20, I walked to the main road to meet Deana, who picked me up to go to La Zona bar to hear her sing.
I had a great night listening to her and catching up with friends I hadn’t seen in a while, Mick, Bob, Matt, Stuart and Fi. After her set, she dropped me home around 20:30. I checked in for my cruise online but couldn’t print my ticket or luggage labels yet.
Saturday, 6th May
I woke around 05:30 and worked on my website until 07:30 when I got a coffee. Today was King Charles III’s coronation. I didn’t watch all the coverage, but I watched the actual crowning in Westminster Abbey. I think he will be a good King. He has trained for it his whole life, and I respect the work he has done. Long live the King.
To those who criticise him and the Queen Consort, I say look at your own lives before attacking people you’ve never met. They are in their mid‑70s and deserve to enjoy the rest of their lives together.
In the evening, June took me shopping at Mercadona. She prefers the one in San Javier, even though she lives closer to the Los Narejos store. I got most of what I needed but not everything. After she dropped me home, I took a painkiller, I had twisted my knee while shopping. I spent the evening with my feet up watching films. One of them, Mafia Mamma, was very funny and worth watching.
Sunday, 7th May
I woke around 05:45 and edited some photos before getting ready for lunch at Campbell’s. June picked me up at 12:45, and we collected Jim on the way. I had my usual lamb dinner, June had roast chicken and Jim had roast beef. All were excellent.
Afterwards, we went to La Ola bar in Los Narejos for a drink before June dropped us both home. In the evening, I watched Newcastle vs Arsenal. Arsenal needed at least a draw to secure second place. They played brilliantly and won 2‑0. I was delighted and went to La Playa bar to celebrate with Alan Bond.
A large group of Welsh ladies were celebrating a birthday and sang most of the night. It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves. I also chatted with my friend Vince, who is back for a while after returning to the UK a few years ago.
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