Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of breakfasts out, swims, website work, business ideas, curry nights, helping friends with tech, noisy nights in the plaza, storms, football, and a great end to the week with Arsenal beating Manchester United.
Monday, 28th August
I woke around 08:00, had a coffee and worked on my website. At 10:00, I went to the Tipsy Thistle for an English breakfast. I enjoyed it, sat reading my Kindle and had another coffee.
At 11:30, I met Martin at Pizzeria La Sombra. My favourite waitress saw me arrive and immediately brought me a beer. I read until Martin and Aria arrived. Dave joined us, and we chatted until 15:00.
For dinner, I used leftover pork from Sunday’s roast, made homemade chips in the air fryer and a pepper sauce. It was fantastic, and I’m starting to enjoy cooking again. I don’t know how Martin works in a hot kitchen all day in this weather.
I spent the evening relaxing on the sofa watching TV.
Tuesday, 29th August
I woke at 07:00, had a coffee and started researching a business idea. I watched YouTube videos and lost track of time, realising just before 10:00 that I was supposed to meet Liz. I rushed downstairs, and we walked to Buena Vista.
As we arrived, Martin was leaving, so I had a quick chat with him about my idea. Liz and I sat talking for about an hour and a half, watching a Eurofighter perform an impressive display over the beach.
After breakfast, I saw my neighbour Yuan briefly, then went to the bank. Back home, I continued website work. Some tasks are slow because of Google’s limits, but I enjoy the routine.
At 18:45, Pat rang to say he’d be late picking me up for curry night. I was glad he called, as I was about to leave and didn’t want to stand in the heat.
While waiting, I took cardboard to the recycling bin. I watched a policeman stop two girls riding a scooter without helmets. He checked everything thoroughly, then left, narrowly avoiding a car pulling out without looking.
Pat picked me up, and we met the others at La Ola bar before going to Casa India. The meal was good, and the staff appreciated our feedback about hot plates and keeping dishes warm. I also saw my neighbour Juan working there.
Pat dropped everyone home, and I finished the night watching TV. Bernard messaged us with the date for the next curry night.
Wednesday, 30th August
I woke at 08:00, had coffee and checked messages. Jacqui arrived at 12:30 for help with her computer. I set up a new email account for her and advised her to get an external hard drive for her videos.
After she left, I worked on my website until 17:00, then watched Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. I liked the way they blended young and old Harrison Ford. I went to bed at 23:00.
Thursday, 31st August
I woke at 06:00, had coffee and went for a swim at 07:30. The water is cooling down now, and I wonder how long I’ll keep swimming before it gets too cold. I swam two laps and went home for a shower.
I went to Economy Cash for shopping, then had pâté on toast for lunch. I must have fallen asleep, waking mid‑afternoon with a stiff neck. I blame the heat.
I watched Mob Land in the afternoon, which had an ending I didn’t expect. In the evening, I worked on my computer and went to bed at 23:00.
Friday, 1st September
I was woken at 04:00 by shouting and fighting outside. Youths have been gathering in the plaza for weeks. At 04:55, I’d had enough and used the Alert Cops app to send a video to the police. A patrol arrived within minutes, and the noise stopped. I went back to bed at 06:00.
I woke again at 08:00, had coffee and worked on my website until midday. I fell asleep on the sofa and spent the rest of the day between naps and TV. Last night’s noise caught up with me.
Saturday, 2nd September
I woke at 07:30, had coffee, stripped my bed and put washing on. I checked messages and did my daily indexing work.
I was supposed to meet Kelvin, but a delivery was due. I waited all day, messaging him updates. Vince called from a bar and came over to watch football with me. We had a couple of beers, and my parcel finally arrived at 18:00.
We went to Buena Vista for a curry. I tried garlic chilli chicken after seeing Kelvin’s photo earlier in the week. It was fantastic. A storm hit while we were eating, so we stayed for more drinks until it eased.
When we left, the streets were rivers. I offered Vince the spare room, but he decided to walk home, leaving his bike with me. I lent him a waterproof coat. The rain got heavier, and I hoped he made it home safely. I waited for a message but fell asleep.
Sunday, 3rd September
I woke at 08:00 and saw Vince had sent a thumbs‑up at 06:00. I hoped he’d just forgotten to message earlier.
We met at San Antonio’s for breakfast. I took his bike and swapped it for my coat. After breakfast, I collected my flag from Clara at La Playa bar, though she still hadn’t sewn the eyelets.
Back home, I watched the sky turn orange and yellow from sand in the clouds.
In the afternoon, Vince came over to watch Arsenal vs Manchester United. United scored first, 0–1, but Ødegaard equalised within 37 seconds. Late in the game, Declan Rice scored his first Arsenal goal to make it 2–1, and Gabriel Jesus sealed it with a superb third. Arsenal won 3–1.
We celebrated by walking to Rio Nalon for beers. We visited Harry’s, Rocco’s and The Celt before heading home. I stopped at Buena Vista for a takeaway pizza.
I ate the pizza while watching MOTD, enjoying the highlights of Arsenal’s win again. A perfect end to the week.
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