Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week that began with worry about friends, brought sad news, involved errands, deliveries, repairs and coffees, and ended with Sunday lunch, football and an unexpected karaoke performance.
Monday, 8th May
I didn’t sleep well and woke around 05:30. I pottered on my computer for a while before watching the news. At around 10:00, I realised I had forgotten to charge my disability scooter and couldn’t go out. I messaged Dave to see if he could pick me up on his way to the office.
While waiting, June messaged asking if I was with Martin because she couldn’t reach him. She needed help lifting some boxes and offered to pick me up. At around 11:45, she collected me. Neither of us had been able to contact Dave or Martin, so we were both worried.
We went to Martin’s house but got no answer. We checked the office, but he wasn’t there either. I stayed at the office while June went back to his house. Just as she was about to try again, Martin appeared, completely unaware that we had been worried. They unloaded the boxes, and Martin returned to the office. Dave later messaged to say he wouldn’t be coming in. June said she would take me home later.
While at the office, I received a message from my friend Pat saying his wife, Sandra, had taken a bad turn and didn’t have long left. It’s heartbreaking when family are in another country and have to rush to be with someone before they pass.
I also received a call from the local PSOE office saying they had a parcel for me. I arranged for delivery after 15:00. Before leaving the office, Martin told me there would be no work tomorrow as he was going out with his wife and daughter. June picked me up around 14:15 and took me home.
In the evening, the PSOE delivered my parcel, a T‑shirt, bottle opener, key fob and shopping bag. The T‑shirt was too small, so I will ask to swap it.
Tuesday, 9th May
This morning, Pat messaged to say his lovely wife Sandra had passed away last night. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, especially me. She helped me when I was ill and always checked on me if she hadn’t heard from me. My thoughts are with Pat and his family.
Today would also have been my mum’s 84th birthday. She and Sandra were both wonderful women who helped others. I hope they are both at peace now. I told Mum to look after Sandra, but not to gossip about me too much.
The PSOE team phoned to say I could swap my T‑shirt for a bigger size, so I arranged to go after 17:00. At lunchtime, I went to Economy Cash for a few bits. Back home, I had lunch and spent the afternoon researching my family tree.
While researching, I received a call from the DWP saying they had finally authorised the payment they owed me. It should arrive in the next couple of days, which will help me make some improvements to my kitchen.
At 17:00, I went to the PSOE office to collect the larger T‑shirt. The lady there insisted I didn’t need a bigger size. I patted my stomach and told her I did, which made everyone laugh. I don’t usually do political posts, but the local council have worked miracles in Los Alcázares in recent years, flood defences, COVID organisation, improvements all over town. I will vote to ensure Mario Ginés Pérez Cervera continues his work.
In the evening, I watched Real Madrid vs Manchester City. It finished 1‑1. I hoped the extra midweek effort might weaken City at the weekend and give Brighton a chance to help Arsenal.
Wednesday, 10th May
I woke around 07:00, got a coffee and put some washing on. When the first load finished, I put a second on and walked along the beach to Buena Vista to meet Jackie for coffee. I ordered a tostada and coffee and read my Kindle. Jackie didn’t arrive, she had forgotten. She messaged later to apologise and rearranged for tomorrow.
At midday, I checked the washing and discovered my tumble dryer had finally died. I brought it from England eight years ago, so it had done well. I went on Amazon and found a combined washer‑dryer I liked. It could be delivered and fitted on Monday, so I ordered it. My credit card is taking a beating this month.
In the afternoon, I emptied cardboard boxes from my storage cupboard and decided to throw out two cabinets I would never use, an old beach chair, and to sell my golf clubs and two air‑conditioning units. I contacted charities about the washing machine, but no one could collect it quickly.
I found an old washing line and hung my wet washing on the balcony. Later, I worked on my website, rearranging photo albums. At around 20:30, I checked my bank account, the DWP payment had finally arrived, just in time to pay for the new washer‑dryer.
Thursday, 11th May
I must have been exhausted because I didn’t wake until 09:00. I got up, had orange juice, checked emails and got ready to meet Jackie for our rearranged coffee date. We met at Buena Vista, had coffee and tostadas and chatted about cruises we had been on. I asked if she knew anyone who needed a washing machine, she did. She was looking for one herself. I told her she could have mine if she collected it before Monday.
After coffee, Jackie came to my apartment to look at the washing machine, and I also showed her a coffee table I wanted to give away. She took both and said Alan would collect them tomorrow.
In the afternoon and evening, I worked on my website, adjusting photo album navigation until around 23:30.
Friday, 12th May
I was up at 06:00 and worked on my website until Alan and Matsy arrived at 08:30 to collect the washing machine and coffee table. After they left, I cleaned the utility room floor and continued working.
By 11:30, they hadn’t returned for the cupboard they were taking, so I went to the hardware store on my disability scooter. The staff were very helpful, and I got everything I needed for under €9. Back home, it took me half an hour to fit the new sink connection. It was hard work getting under the sink, and I was breathless afterwards, but pleased I managed it.
In the afternoon, I worked on my website until 15:30, then showered and took a short nap. I was woken at 17:15 by Jim shouting up from the street. I quickly got ready and went to Roda Bar to meet Dave and Jayne. We had a few beers before going to Campbell’s for fish and chips. The wildlife at Roda Bar was impressive, some birds had remarkable plumage.
We all had fish and chips at Campbell’s. I was the only one who had garden peas, the others, being from up North, had mushy peas. The meal was fantastic, and I finished with a slice of Bailey’s cheesecake. We chatted until around 21:45, and Jim dropped me home.
Saturday, 13th May
I woke around 07:00 and worked on my website before checking the plumbing repair. There was a slight leak, so I will need to tighten one of the connections. In the afternoon, I worked on my balcony, replanting a plant into a new hanging pot and tidying the furniture ready for Monday’s delivery.
In the evening, I worked on my website until MOTD came on. I watched the football and went to bed around 00:30.
Sunday, 14th May
I woke around 08:00, had orange juice and worked on my website’s photo album layout. At around 10:30, Vince came round. He looked at the leaking sink and said he could fix it next week by replacing a washer. As it’s only a tiny drip, I can use a bowl under it for now.
We went to the chiringuito for coffee and chatted for half an hour before he left. I Skyped my sister Karen in the UK about her upcoming visit. At 12:45, June arrived to take me to Campbell’s for Sunday lunch.
We enjoyed our meals and chatted for a few hours before June dropped me home. At around 17:00, I walked to La Playa bar to watch Arsenal vs Brighton. Arsenal were terrible and lost 0‑3. Luckily, Vince joined me, and we chatted and laughed through most of it.
In the evening, Alan Bond arrived for karaoke. There were some excellent singers, and it was a very enjoyable night. Unfortunately for everyone else, the beer loosened my singing voice, and I sang three times. For that, I apologise.
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