Location: Barcelona → Costa Favolosa → Cádiz (at sea)
Summary: A week of blood tests, website work, photo editing, breakfasts out, knee management, last‑minute holiday prep, and finally setting off for your long‑awaited cruise to Brazil aboard the Costa Favolosa.
Monday, 6th November
I woke around 07:00, had a coffee and worked on my website until 08:30. I then took my disability scooter to the doctor’s surgery for my regular INR blood test. The receptionist was new and misunderstood my translated message, telling the nurse that my leg needed treatment. The nurse approached me with alcohol wipes before realising the mistake. Thankfully, she listened when I told her which vein to use and got the blood first time.
Afterwards, I went to Café Espressarse for coffee and a tostada, reading my Kindle before returning to the surgery. Once the test was done, I went to my cousin Jill’s to collect my spare key, but only gardeners were there. I messaged her and went home via Economy Cash for a few bits of shopping.
At 12:15, Jill messaged to say they were home, so I returned to collect my key, then stopped at Dia for butter. The rest of the day was spent working on my Chinese photo albums, including a new album from the Sichuan Opera and Folk Arts performance in Chengdu.
Tuesday, 7th November
I woke at 08:00, had coffee and continued working on my website. At 10:00, Liz knocked, and we walked to Buena Vista for tostada and coffee. We chatted until 11:30 and then returned home.
I spent the rest of the day adding more photos to the Chinese section of my website, including the welcome ceremony in Xi’an and the tea‑drinking ceremony in a Chengdu park.
Wednesday, 8th November
I woke at 08:00 and decided to look up an old game I used to play, The Bard’s Tale. I found the trilogy available for €12.49, so I bought and installed it. It was a great distraction, and I played it all day.
In the evening, I watched Arsenal vs Sevilla. Arsenal played very well and won 2–0, staying top of their Champions League group. I put washing on overnight and went to bed after the match.
Thursday, 9th November
I woke at 07:30, put away the washing and did a few jobs around the apartment. At 10:00, I went to Buena Vista with Liz and had a medium English breakfast. We talked until 11:45.
Back home, I printed all my holiday paperwork, sorted my electrical leads and organised my medication for the trip. I played my new game until 20:00, then returned to Buena Vista for dinner. I had a Chicken Korma, nice but not hot enough. I read my Kindle for a while before going home to bed.
Friday, 10th November
I woke before my 07:30 alarm, had coffee and stripped my bed. After a second coffee, I gave myself my holiday haircut, shaved, showered and packed my case ready for June to pick me up at 13:00.
I walked to Buena Vista for breakfast, where Liz joined me. We chatted until 11:30 and then walked home. I packed the last few bits, watered my plants and waited for June’s message to start the journey to Barcelona.
Saturday, 11th November
I woke up in Barcelona and joined the Costa Favolosa for my cruise to Brazil. The excitement finally began.
Sunday, 12th November
I woke in my cabin onboard the Costa Favolosa, cruising towards Cádiz. The adventure is underway.
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