Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A lively week of birthdays, blood tests, lunches out, deliveries, long walks, St Patrick’s Day fun, website work and football. Plenty of socialising, plenty of laughs and plenty of Wordle.
Monday, 11th March
I woke around 06:45, had coffee and published last week’s blog. After Wordle, I showered, shaved and took the rubbish out before going for my regular blood test.
The nurse struggled to find a vein. She even tried the “baby fangs” on my wrist but still couldn’t get anything. I pointed out the vein that usually works, and after a couple more painful attempts, she finally got her “sweet red reward”. She apologised so much that I felt sorry for her.
Back home, I phoned NCL about the cancelled flight message from KLM. They said the flight was still operating under a different airline, Privilege Style. KLM later confirmed this, so my worry was over.
I downloaded ten new books from The Fussy Librarian and then took the bus to the office. The driver recognised me and told me not to rush. I wished Martin a happy birthday, and we toasted him with a beer served by Rosa. Dave and Kate joined us, and Aria arrived singing Happy Birthday to her dad.
Back home, I saw that my friend DeeAna was singing at The Royal Oak in Orihuela. I messaged her, and she picked me up at 16:00. Before meeting her, I stopped at Chiringuito El Lobo for a beer, and the owner sent me a free one. I had to down it quickly to get to my pick‑up point.
DeeAna sang brilliantly. Her confidence and voice have improved so much. After her set, she drove me home, and we had a great catch‑up. I watched TV for a while before bed.
Tuesday, 12th March
I woke at 07:30 feeling refreshed. After coffee and messages, I met Liz at Buena Vista for coffee and tostada. We chatted until midday.
At 12:30, Jim picked me up, and we collected Lottie and Ali before heading to San Marino in Campoverde. I had bolognese, breaded pork with mushrooms and a banana in chocolate sauce. We had wine, laughed for hours and then drove to Torre de la Horadada for coffee overlooking the sea.
Back home, I collected a DHL parcel from Liz. In the evening, I watched Arsenal vs Porto. Arsenal levelled the tie 1–1 and won on penalties thanks to David Raya saving two. My nerves were shredded, and I barely slept.
Wednesday, 13th March
I had to wait in for two deliveries today. After coffee, I cooked sausages in the air fryer for breakfast. I checked my blood test results online and was pleased my INR was perfect.
I worked on my website all morning and decided to start tracking my sleep, steps and swimming distance once the weather warms up. My Fitbit will help with the first two, and Google Maps with the third.
DHL arrived at 14:30 with a spare battery for my video camera. Amazon arrived at 16:00 with a chest harness. I tested it by filming outside my apartment, and the video quality was excellent.
The temperature dropped quickly in the evening, so I put the heating on, got into my pyjamas and watched TV before going to bed early.
Thursday, 14th March
I woke early with ideas buzzing in my head. After ginseng coffee and Wordle, I had cereal and decided to tidy my living room. I flattened boxes for recycling and took them out, but my knee popped painfully.
I took more recycling and a return parcel to Euronics, then rode to the beachfront. I chatted briefly with Jo and Michael, then stopped at La Playa bar to see Yuan. The bar is being refurbished and looks much better.
Back home, George phoned offering to take me to Mercadona. I needed shopping, so he picked me up within ten minutes. After lunch, I tried to take a siesta but ended up watching a film instead.
In the evening, I flicked between football matches. Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Ham all progressed in Europe. Brighton and Rangers were knocked out. I received an email from KLM apologising for their earlier mistake. A rare, excellent apology. Maybe they’ll upgrade me.
Friday, 15th March
I slept well and got the Wordle word “erupt” in four guesses. Hopefully not a sign of things to come when I visit Volcano National Park.
I went to Dia for ingredients for bolognese, then met Liz at Buena Vista for coffee and tostada. We talked about installing a clothesline in my bathroom, so I ordered one on Amazon. Mick agreed to install it.
I bought sintrom tablets and a Vicks inhaler from the pharmacy, then worked on my website. Frouk messaged asking if I wanted lunch with her and her boyfriend next Tuesday, and I agreed.
While making bolognese, I realised I didn’t have enough tinned tomatoes. The neighbours had none, so I walked to the spice shop. Once everything was in the slow cooker, the smell was amazing. It tasted great, and I froze it in portions.
In the evening, I updated the Structured Data on my genealogy pages, changing them from “Article” to “Person”.
Saturday, 16th March
I woke, did Wordle and put washing on before having cereal. It was sunny and already 20°C by 09:00, so I walked along the promenade to La Encarnación and then to the café near the Town Hall. Halfway through my coffee, I remembered I had a delivery coming, so I hurried home.
I worked on my website until 13:00, then made a cheese and ham toastie. My delivery arrived at 14:00. I watched some football but couldn’t get into it because Arsenal weren’t playing, so I watched a film instead. American Dreamer was enjoyable enough.
In the evening, I updated photos on several website pages and went to bed early.
Sunday, 17th March
I woke with backache from too much sleep. After coffee, Wordle and cereal, I put on a green shirt and a St Patrick’s Day hat and walked along the promenade. I got strange looks from the Spanish but plenty of greetings from others. One Irish lady said I was having my own parade.
My back hurt badly by the time I reached Rio Nalon, so I rested outside Harry’s Bar. I then went to The Celt for a pint of Guinness and read my Kindle. Kristen arrived and hugged me before starting work. The bar was filling up fast for the celebrations.
After finishing my pint, I returned to Harry’s for a lager and people‑watching. One man insisted his team had different players on another channel. The most Irish thing I heard all year.
My back hurt again on the way home. I made a chicken sandwich because I couldn’t stand long enough to cook properly. After a painkiller, I binge‑watched The Gentleman. It was brilliant, and I watched the entire first series before bed.
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