Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of blood tests, breakfasts out, website work, jabs, power cuts, football highs and lows, and catching up with friends as you slowly recovered from your post‑holiday cold.
Monday, 11th December
I woke around 06:00 feeling better, though still coughing with a blocked nose and congested chest. I worked on my photos until 08:45, then went to the doctor’s surgery for my regular INR blood test. It was a strange morning, with a constant stream of beautiful women arriving in fancy outfits, almost like a fashion show.
After the test, I asked about my flu and COVID jabs. Rosa, the receptionist, said she would try to book them for next week and would call me. I rode my disability scooter along the beach to the office. There were still tourists sunbathing as I passed.
I arrived at 11:45. Rosa saw me and brought me a drink with her usual big smile. I read my Kindle until Martin arrived, and we worked slowly until Aria arrived on the school bus. Martin took her home, and I returned to my apartment. I watched a couple of films and checked for my blood results before going to bed at 22:00.
Tuesday, 12th December
I woke around 07:00, had cereal and sorted my tablets, realising I needed more. At 09:00, I went to the pharmacy. The lady gave me my tablets and then handed me a beautiful poinsettia as a Christmas gift. It reminded me of my time living in Orlando.
After taking the plant home, Liz called and asked if I wanted coffee at Buena Vista. We walked there and chatted for a couple of hours over tostadas and coffee.
Back home, I worked on my website until the doctor’s surgery called to say they had booked my flu and COVID jabs for tomorrow at midday. In the evening, Pat messaged asking if I wanted fish and chips on Friday, so I booked us a table at Campbell’s.
I watched Arsenal’s final Champions League group game. They drew 1–1 with PSV. Both teams had already qualified, but I think Arteta should have given more youth players a chance.
Wednesday, 13th December
I woke around 07:30, had coffee and a bacon sandwich, then worked on my website until it was time to go for my jabs. I arrived at 11:55 and was seen almost immediately. Both jabs were done quickly.
I went to La Playa bar for a coffee afterwards and chatted with Juan before heading home. My arm began to ache in the afternoon, so I lay on the sofa watching TV until bed at 22:00.
Thursday, 14th December
I woke at 06:30 with my arm still aching. When I tried to turn on the kitchen light, nothing worked. A quick check showed a power cut across the whole area. The electric company sent a text and email saying power would return at 10:35.
My neighbour called up to ask if my electricity was off too. I told her it was and that the whole area was affected. The power flicked briefly but went off again until exactly 10:35, just as promised. I was impressed by how accurate their timing was.
I spent the rest of the day typing up notes from my Brazil holiday and working on photos from the Costa Favolosa.
Friday, 15th December
I woke around 07:30 feeling much better. After coffee and cereal, I worked on my website until Pat picked me up at 17:00 for fish and chips at Campbell’s Bar. We had a great meal and chatted for a few hours.
On the way home, Pat dropped me at La Playa bar. Only four people were there, Shellie, Yuan and Steve. We chatted until the bar closed at 21:00. Yuan lives near me, so we walked home along the beach. It was getting cold, and I was glad I had left the heating on.
Saturday, 16th December
I woke around 08:30 feeling better again. I worked on my website until midday, then turned the computer off. I checked my phone and saw a message from Marcus with photos of us in Salvador. They were nice memories, but the quality wasn’t good enough to use on my website.
I spent the afternoon and evening watching football before going to bed at 22:00.
Sunday, 17th December
I woke around 07:00, had coffee and continued adding photos to my website until 13:30. I then ate, turned off my computer and walked to Rio Nalon to watch Arsenal vs Brighton at Harry’s Sports Bar.
Arsenal played brilliantly and won 2–0 with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. I even found myself singing, “£65 million down the drain, Kai Havertz scores again.”
After the match, Neil and Suzi arrived. We sat outside chatting until it got cold, then moved inside. It was great to see them again. I left around 20:00 and walked home. I watched TV until MOTD came on so I could watch the Arsenal game again before going to bed.
Add comment