Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of medical tests, family time, swims in the Mar Menor, meals out, deliveries, furniture rearranging and football. I also welcomed my sister and her family, enjoyed time with friends and dealt with a few aches, leaks and sunburn along the way.
Monday, 5th June
I woke around 07:00 and worked on my computer until 08:00, when I had to prepare for my visit to the doctor. First was the urine sample, easy enough. Then came the stool samples. At 56 years old, I had never collected one before. How was I supposed to get a walnut‑sized piece of poo into a pot the size of a small coffee cup?
I considered several methods, none pleasant, before Googling it. The NHS suggested using the “hat” provided. I hadn’t been given a hat, and I wasn’t about to use one of mine. Another suggestion was cling film over the toilet bowl, but mine was too narrow. Then I had a Eureka moment: the bidet. I lined it with cling film, did what I needed to do, and then disinfected it within an inch of its life.
With my samples safely bagged, I travelled to the surgery on my disability scooter, avoiding bumps to prevent an ecological disaster. The nurse labelled everything and put it in the fridge, hopefully not the same one they keep their sandwiches in.
Next came the blood tests. The vial was enormous, but the nurse listened when I told him where my best vein was. The blood flowed slowly at first but eventually filled the large vial and six smaller ones.
Afterwards, I headed home and saw my sister Karen and Brett swimming and feeding the fish. I chatted with them before going to Buena Vista for breakfast. They were only just opening, so I dropped off recycling and went to Economy Cash for groceries before returning for a cooked breakfast and coffee.
Later, I went to the office to see Martin. Dave joined us, and then Viv arrived with Sean, Vicky and two grandchildren. With Aria and Kate arriving soon after, the office was overflowing. Eventually, everyone left, and Martin and I made a few final “high‑level business decisions” before heading home.
Outside my apartment, I chatted with neighbours John, Richard and Val. My sister arrived, so I introduced her. Then Jan walked past, and I introduced her too. In the evening, I visited Karen, Brett and Holly in their rented apartment for a drink before heading home for steak and an early night at 22:00.
Tuesday, 6th June
I woke around 07:00, had cold tea and worked on my computer. At 09:30, I took stale bread to the Mar Menor to feed the fish. After feeding them, I swam out to the rocks and sat there for a while before swimming back and sitting in the shallow water with fish circling around me.
After a shower, I went to the office. Dave joined Martin and me, and we chatted for a few hours. Afterwards, I went to La Playa bar to deliver some jellyfish sting gel to Paul’s wife, Wendy, who had been stung during a charity swim across the Mar Menor.
In the evening, I went to El Patio II with Karen, Brett and Holly. We shared croquettes, garlic prawns, baby squid, potatoes in garlic and vinegar and a salad. I had lamb shoulder for my main, delicious but huge. We had rosé wine and then stopped at Rocco’s for a drink. When I got home, a large box of coffee was waiting for me. After all the walking, I went straight to bed.
Wednesday, 7th June
I woke around 07:30 with no energy. My test results were online, but I didn’t understand them, so I’ll go to the doctor tomorrow. I stayed home waiting for a delivery.
In the evening, Brett came over and helped me move furniture around. My apartment is starting to resemble a proper man cave now. My Amazon delivery arrived at 19:00, a year’s supply of toilet rolls. I watched the Fiorentina vs West Ham Europa Conference League Final. It wasn’t the best match, but West Ham won their first trophy in 43 years. Declan Rice came through uninjured, good news for Arsenal.
Thursday, 8th June
I woke around 08:00. It was overcast and clammy. I had a ginseng coffee and worked on my computer before going out on my disability scooter.
I went to Dia for muesli, then to the doctor’s surgery to make an appointment to discuss my test results. I then collected a small bread maker from ATime4AChange and went to Bodega Mar Menor to buy Gulf, a brandy‑based version of Baileys, for a friend.
Back home, I filled in an Amazon return form for some pads I didn’t need. While online, I ordered a new dishwasher to replace my broken one. It will be delivered and fitted on Tuesday. I dropped rubbish at the bins and attempted to go to the post office, but my scooter wouldn’t make it. Brett kindly drove me there and helped me drop off an old cupboard.
Later, I ordered a bed from a friend and some kitchen baskets. In the evening, we all walked to Buena Vista for dinner. I had prawn puri and a Roghan Josh curry. The others had a mix of Mexican, Indian and Italian dishes. Everything was excellent. After dessert, we walked home, and I watched an episode of The Godfather of Harlem before bed.
Friday, 9th June
I woke around 07:15, had a ginseng coffee and went for a morning swim at 08:30. Brett was already in the water. Karen arrived with bread so I could feed the fish. After feeding them, I swam to the rocks and back.
After a shower, I walked to the chiringuito for coffee and tostada but was ambushed by my sister and ended up sitting with her for a couple of hours. Even after eight years here, I still burn easily, my nose looked like a red Belisha beacon.
In the evening, I planned to go out with Karen and Brett, but sun cream mixed with sweat ran into my eyes and stung like crazy, so I stayed home.
Saturday, 10th June
I woke around 07:00 and swam in the Mar Menor at 08:30. Karen arrived with bread, and I fed the fish again. People walking along the promenade even stopped to film me feeding hundreds of fish.
After swimming, I showered, applied sun cream and sat on the promenade with Karen, Brett and Holly. A posh horse and trap arrived with a newly married couple who posed for photos in Plaza de Espejo.
I chatted briefly with neighbours Richard and Val before returning home to eat. I sat on my balcony and finished reading a book about Colombian drug cartels, The Cali Cartel Beyond Narcos by Shaun Attwood. It’s shocking how corrupt the American government and law enforcement agencies are.
My sister and her family left for England this evening. I walked to La Playa bar to meet Vince and watch the Manchester City vs Inter Milan Champions League Final. We chatted more than we watched. Vince had to leave suddenly because Jan had fallen and likely broken her arm.
City won 1‑0 and completed the treble, Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. After the match, I walked home and went straight to bed.
Sunday, 11th June
I didn’t wake until around 09:00. I had a coffee and checked my messages. I missed my morning swim because I lost track of time. At 12:45, June picked me up for Sunday lunch at Campbell’s. I had the lamb, and June had the chicken, as always. The food and service were excellent.
Afterwards, June drove me to a pharmacy in San Javier to get my tablets for the month. When I got home, Vince messaged to say Jan had broken her elbow. I hope she gets the treatment she needs.
I planned to go to La Playa bar, but I twisted my knee and it was very sore, so I stayed home and watched films instead.
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