Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A quieter week spent recovering from my cruise bug, meeting friends for coffees and meals, swimming in the Mar Menor, sorting out insurance and deliveries, and welcoming my sister and her family to Los Alcázares.
Monday, 29th May
I woke around 07:00, got a coffee and some orange juice and worked on my computer before heading to meet Martin later. I felt better today, the rest over the last few days has helped, and whatever bug I picked up on the cruise seems to have gone. I’m now looking forward to seeing my sister at the end of the week.
On my way to meet Martin, I dropped rubbish at the bins and continued to La Sombre Pizzeria. Today we were joined by Martin’s sister, Lesley, who is here for a week’s holiday, and by Martin’s dad, Dave. We had a good chat before heading home around 14:15.
Back at my apartment, I put my feet up and rested for the rest of the day. I still feel lethargic after the cruise, even though I’m eating better.
Tuesday, 30th May
I worked on my website until around 11:45, then met Martin for a shandy. Lesley joined us again, and we chatted until around 14:00. On the way home, I stopped at Mercadona for groceries.
At home, I made an appointment with my bank advisor because I couldn’t work out how to make a claim on my holiday insurance. The appointment is for Friday. I worked on my website again but felt very lethargic this afternoon and drifted in and out of sleep before going to bed early at around 22:00.
Wednesday, 31st May
I walked to Buena Vista for breakfast. The service was excellent as always, and the food was very good. I read my Kindle for a while before returning home.
I spent most of the day working on my website, adding photos from my Mediterranean cruise. At 16:00, Jim phoned to ask me out for dinner and picked me up at 18:45. We ate at a Nepal Indian restaurant near the Arches in Los Narejos. The meal was okay but nothing special, I wouldn’t rush back.
Afterwards, we went to the chiringuito outside my apartment for a coffee. Jim headed home to pack for his return to Scotland and left me some beard butter to help keep my beard looking good.
Thursday, 1st June
I woke around 06:00 and worked on my website before deciding to see if the Mar Menor was warm enough for a swim. I went to the beach at around 08:30 with some bread to feed the fish. I sat in the water feeding them, and once I got used to the cold, I swam out to the rocks about 200 m from the shore. I sat there watching joggers and walkers before swimming back.
In the shallow water, I sat watching the fish swim around me. The small ones nibbled at the dead skin on my feet, a free fish pedicure. My cousin Jill walked past and stopped briefly to say hello. After she left, I got out, dried off and returned home.
After a shower, I continued editing holiday photos. I also ordered shelving for my utility room, a shelf for my lounge and a beard‑grooming set. Many people have told me the beard suits me, so I may as well look after it properly.
Friday, 2nd June
I woke around 06:00, worked on my website and then went to the bank for my 08:30 appointment. My advisor helped me with the holiday insurance claim and said she would handle everything for me. She took copies of my documents and will contact me when it’s resolved.
On the way home, I stopped at my doctor’s surgery. They had just opened, and the receptionist made me an immediate appointment. The new doctor read the notes from the ship’s doctor, listened to my symptoms and said she wanted blood tests. I have to return Monday with two stool samples and a urine sample.
Back home, I worked on my website until the lethargy hit again. I had a pizza for lunch and fell asleep almost immediately. I woke up for an Amazon delivery, the beard kit and utility‑room shelving. Later, another delivery arrived: one of the shirts I ordered before my holiday. It fits well, and I like it.
At around 17:00, the second part of my Amazon order arrived, a bookshelf for my lounge. I plan to rearrange the furniture soon. I spent the evening drifting in and out of sleep before going to bed.
Saturday, 3rd June
I woke around 06:00 and worked on cruise photos before walking to Buena Vista for breakfast at 09:30. Light rain started, so I moved inside. After breakfast and another coffee, I returned home.
At around 11:30, my sister Karen, her partner Brett and their daughter Holly arrived. They were picking up the key for the apartment they’re renting below mine, but the owner hadn’t delivered it yet. We went to the chiringuito for drinks while Brett contacted the owner. Eventually, at around 14:45, the owner arrived with the keys.
I watched the FA Cup Final, Manchester City beat Manchester United 2‑1, meaning the Charity Shield next season will be City vs Arsenal at Wembley. I made steak and salad for dinner and noticed Karen and Brett had left some groceries in my apartment, so I took them down.
While chatting, Karen gave me a parcel she had sent me three years ago that was returned undelivered. Inside was a new shirt, perfect timing, as I plan to throw out many old clothes soon. I watched some television before bed at around 01:00.
Sunday, 4th June
I woke around 07:00 and finished the work on my website for my May cruise. I went downstairs to check on my sister, they had issues with door locks, so I told them to inform the owner immediately.
I walked to Buena Vista for a tostada and coffee, read my Kindle and returned home to wait for June. She picked me up at 12:45 for Sunday lunch at Campbell’s. I had the lamb, and June had the chicken, no surprises there. The food and service were excellent as always.
Back home, I watched The Godfather of Harlem, based on a true story about a crime boss in Harlem, New York. It’s well worth watching.
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