I started the week, by meeting friends and getting my push bike running again. Midweek was time to see an old friend who came to stay for a couple of days, and the week ended waiting to hand over keys to a neighbour's flat.
Monday, 27th March.
I had arranged for Dave to help me get my bike and pump to the local bike shop. I had bought a pump from it when the tyres went flat, and the store owner pumped the tyres up for me on the bike about a year ago. Because of the problems I have with swollen legs, I have not been able to use the bike much, and when I went to use it again, the tyres were flat. I had been trying to pump the tyres up, but I couldn't work out how to use the pump.
Feeling very stupid for not working out how to use the pump, I asked four people to look at it, but no one could help me. When Dave helped me get the bike and pump to the bike shop, the owner of the shop fixed the problem in seconds. A bit was missing from the pump, which meant it would not work. I explained that I had bought the pump from him and could not use it since he pumped the tyres up. He took the pump to the back of the shop, fixed the pump and got it working and I was on my way again.
When we left the bike shop, we went to Pizzeria La Sombre to meet Martin for a couple of beers before Dave then took me and the bike home.
Tuesday, 28th March.
I was in two minds whether or not to go out on my bike this morning now that the tyres had been inflated. Unfortunately, I hadn't checked the battery, and it was as flat as a pancake. I had bought the bike to help me get home when my legs were swollen, or my ankles or knees were not up to the job, but without the battery, the electric assistance wouldn't work. The bike remained locked to my kayak in the garage, and I took my disability scooter to meet Martin at Pizzeria La Sombre.
Martin and I chatted for a while and were joined by June, Dave and Viv before we all departed and went home. On my way home, I got a couple of rolls and stopped off at Rocco´s bar to see the owner, Rachid. He had given me some advice about my visit to Morocco, and I wanted to tell him about my trip to Tangier, which I enjoyed and Casablanca, which I hadn't liked so much.
After chatting with Rachid, I went home to my apartment and prepared for the arrival of my friend Chris tomorrow, I had to get the spare room cleared up so he could use it.
Wednesday, 29th March.
My friend Chris arrived for a couple of days today. I tidied up the spare room so he had room to get in and then waited for him to arrive.
Chris arrived just after 2 pm, and we chatted for a while before going to the Buena Vista restaurant on the promenade near my apartment. The meal was very good, and afterwards, we headed back to the Chiringuito El Lobo next to my apartment to sit in the sun and have a couple of beers.
We decided to head up to Rio Nalon for a pizza this evening. We were very disappointed to see that the majority of restaurants were not open and that we couldn't get a pizza anywhere. Many bars were closed, but The 19th Hole, a fairly new Irish bar, was open. We stopped in for a pint of Guinness before returning to the apartment. We had previously noticed that the Buena Vista restaurant had pizzas, so we stopped there for a pint and a pizza on the way. Once again, the food and service were very good.
Thursday, 30th March.
This morning, we decided to go to the Buena Vista restaurant for breakfast. The large breakfast and coffee were very nice and set us up for the day. In two days we had eaten there for breakfast, dinner and supper and it was good every time.
Lampranthus plant.After we had finished breakfast, Chris offered to drive me to the supermarket or anywhere else I needed to go. We went to the Mercadona store, where I got groceries and a few household items. We then drove to the Unica Garden Centre in San Javier. I bought myself a new Yuca plant to put in a large pot in the balcony garden at my apartment and a Lampranthus to put in a low pot to train to hang over my balcony.
This afternoon, we sat in my apartment chatting and drinking. Chris had bought a bottle of pink gin that I had never tried before. I have to say it was very nice and we drank most of the bottle of Gin and all of a bottle of red wine I had left from a Bodega tour I went on last year. We made a toast to Chris's wife, Carol, who passed away last year and that was how Chris and I became friends. I had worked with Carol for several years in the payroll department of British Gas. When they got engaged in Florida, they stopped at my apartment in Orlando overnight, and we all had a great night at the Church Street Station entertainment complex.
This evening, we walked to Rio Nalon and went into Roccos for a pint. We only meant to stay for a quick pint but stayed until closing time, chatting with lots of friends, including Amanda, Marie, Paul and Wayne. When we left, we went to the Square bar, but it was closed, so we all made our way home.
Friday, 31st March.
We woke up this morning and went to the Buena Vista restaurant for breakfast. After breakfast, we returned to the apartment, got some old stale bread, and sat in the Mar Menor, feeding the fish from our hands. The water was very cold, but I sat in the water up to my chest, feeding the fish for around an hour before getting out. We then sat at the chiringuito, having a drink for an hour or so before Chris had to leave to go to Benidorm for the last few days of his holiday. It was sad that Carol couldn't have been with you, but I enjoyed your company. Stay safe, my friend.
After Chris left, I had something to eat and went back to the chiringuito. After a while, I decided to walk down to La Playa bar for a quick pint, and as I got up to walk there, my friend Paul came by on his daily keep fit walk. I walked with him to the bar and physically dragged him in for a pint. When Paul left, I talked to many other people I knew, including Derek and Janet, John and Mags, Gary, Ady and Carla, Shelley, and anyone else who would listen. By the time I left, it was very late. I really should have left earlier. My legs were aching, but I walked the short distance home and got myself a sandwich before going to bed.
Saturday, 1st April.
Today was a washing and football day. I spent the day at home watching football on the television and doing all my washing. I watched Manchester City beat Liverpool 4-1 to cut the gap between themselves and Arsenal to 5 points at the top of the premier league.
The second game I watched was the Arsenal vs Leeds game. Arsenal beat Leeds 4-1 to increase the gap between them and Manchester City to 8 points again. It was great to see Gabriel Jesus playing for Arsenal again and scoring again. He affects the Arsenal team a lot with his style of play, and the rest of the team always seems to step up to another level when he plays. Today, he scored from the penalty spot and open play before being substituted after an hour.
Sunday, 2nd April.
I woke up early today and finished doing the washing I started yesterday. Emptying my laundry basket and stripping my bed and the bed in the guest bedroom. The guest room will now be ready for my next guest.
Because I have to wait to give a key to guests arriving at a neighbour's apartment today, I can't go to Sunday Lunch with my friend June as I would normally. The guests are supposed to arrive at 2 pm, so I have to forgo dinner. I have a bit of steak at home and will have that after they have arrived, I have given them the key and showed them around the apartment.
Unfortunately, they still hadn't arrived by 5:45 pm, so I put my steak on because I was very hungry. Sure enough, as I was plating my food, the guests arrived, and I had to let them into the apartment and show them around the apartment and the garage. After they had been shown around, I also showed them my apartment in case they needed to find me for anything. I then went back inside and reheated my meal. I had steak and crab salad, and even after being reheated, it was still very nice.
This evening, I binge-watched a program called Alaska Daily. It is quite good and an easy watch. Give it a try if you haven't seen it.