Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain; Murcia City
Summary: A week of early swims, heatwaves, peppers from Gina, long chats with friends, a trip to Murcia to see Rod Stewart, editing videos, Amazon deliveries, and keeping cool indoors. I also continued my family tree research and enjoyed plenty of time in the Mar Menor.
Monday, 17th July
I woke around 06:45, had a coffee and checked my messages. Gina had picked up some peppers for me and would drop them off. I went for my swim at 07:30, taking bread to feed the fish. The wind made the waves choppy, but the fish still took all the bread. When Gina arrived on her morning walk, she handed me a bag of peppers.
I swam out to the rocks and straight into a huge floating group of jellyfish. As I rounded the rocks, I saw two men fishing from tiny kayaks, straight out of Jaws: “I think we’re going to need a bigger boat.” With the waves getting bigger, I swam back and returned to my apartment.
After a shower, I updated my website and had cereal, coffee and orange juice. At 11:30, I met Martin at the office. We chatted for hours about life, the world and what we’d do if we won the lottery. After leaving Martin and Aria, I went home and had a pizza.
Later, I heard shouting outside, a group of kids fighting. One boy with bright blue hair was pushing another around, but it broke up quickly and they all disappeared.
Tuesday, 18th July
I woke at 05:00 and couldn’t get back to sleep. The demolition order on the apartment block was on my mind. I got up, checked messages and had a coffee.
I went for a swim at 06:45. I was the only person in the sea, and with hardly any waves, I could avoid the jellyfish easily. I managed five laps to the rocks and back, 2 km, and was very pleased, if a bit worn out.
After a shower and breakfast, I worked on my family tree until 11:30, then packed an overnight bag and headed off to catch the bus to Murcia to see Rod Stewart.
Wednesday, 19th July
I returned from Murcia around 11:30. I got off the bus early to escape two young Mormons who had spent the entire journey loudly discussing how to recruit more people. It was like listening to a sales meeting. Whatever respect I had for the Mormon church evaporated quickly.
I walked home along the beach in the rising heat and immediately put the air conditioning on. My new thermometer peaked at 48°C in the afternoon, no wonder the town hall keeps issuing heat warnings.
I rested my legs all afternoon and went to bed around 23:00.
Thursday, 20th July
I woke around 07:30 and went for my morning swim. On the way, I saw my neighbour Liz and asked if she wanted to attend next week’s AGM about the demolition order. I’m hoping it isn’t as bad as it sounds.
I felt lethargic after all the recent exercise and the heat, so I only swam one lap. After breakfast, I edited video clips from the Rod Stewart concert and posted them to my YouTubeChannel.
By lunchtime, I felt more awake and had a trout wrap. I edited my website and watched the opening match of the Women’s World Cup, Australia vs Republic of Ireland. I wanted Ireland to win, but they lost 1–0.
In the evening, I had a small steak with mushrooms and a fried egg, then spent the night watching TV and chatting with Gail, who has booked the same Brazil cruise as me in November.
Friday, 21st July
I woke at 05:00, too hot to sleep. I browsed Amazon and ended up ordering a food mixer, a leather wallet, zip repair kits and new cases for my glasses. Waking early can be expensive.
At 07:00, I went for my swim. It was peaceful at first, but by the time I’d done four laps, the Spanish ladies were in the water forming their usual barrier. Even underwater with my snorkel, I could still hear them shouting.
After a shower, I got ready for Kathy and Tony to pick me up at lunchtime. We went to San Pedro del Pinatar for the afternoon and then watched the Arsenal U21s play in the evening. When Tony dropped me home, I went straight to bed.
Saturday, 22nd July
I woke around 08:00, had coffee and cereal, and worked on my website adding videos and photos from yesterday’s trip. At 11:00, I put washing on.
My Amazon delivery arrived, the food mixer and zip kit were great, but the glasses cases were awful. They felt like cardboard covered in felt. I returned them immediately at a drop‑off point in Rio Nalon, then went to Economy Cash for rolls and tomatoes.
I stayed indoors in the afternoon and watched a film called God Is a Bullet. It was violent but moving, based on a true story. In the evening, I watched Arsenal vs Manchester United. Arsenal lost 0–2, but it’s only a friendly.
Sunday, 23rd July
I woke around 07:00 and went for my swim. I managed two laps before my legs started aching. After a shower, I put washing on, set the dishwasher going and got a drink.
I met Jacqueline for coffee at 09:30 at the chiringuito. We chatted until 11:00, then I returned home to check my washing.
My Amazon delivery arrived, the new wallet was perfect. I spent the afternoon researching my family tree and found information on my 3rd great‑grandparents William Wilson and Mary Harding.
For dinner, I had a tuna steak with sweet potato fries
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