Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of fasting, massages, meals with friends, cruise preparation, broken glasses, windy walks, website work, and a dramatic end to March with football and stormy weather.
Monday, 1st April
I woke early and, still fasting, made a ginger and lemon tea before publishing last week’s blog. I checked in for my cruise on the NCL website and was impressed with how organised they were.
After breakfast and a massage, I took rubbish out and rode to the opticians, forgetting it was a bank holiday. They were closed, as was the pharmacy. Even the beautician was open, but not the places I needed. I rode home along the beach and chatted briefly with Andy.
I cleared some plant rubbish from the balcony and took it to the bin on my way to meet Martin at La Sombre. Dave and Sean joined us, and later Mike arrived trying to sell his e‑bike. By 15:30, everyone had drifted off.
On Rio Nalon, I saw Andy at Rocco’s and joined him and his friends for the quiz. I ordered a lamb tagine, which tasted great but had more bone than meat. The waitress brought extra lamb after I showed her the pile of bones. We tied for last place in the quiz but had a good afternoon.
Back home, I fell asleep while putting on my pyjamas and kept waking throughout the night.
Tuesday, 2nd April
I woke early and gave up trying to sleep by 05:30. I downloaded all my cruise tickets and documents. At 10:00, I walked to Buena Vista with Liz for coffee. I didn’t feel great and needed a painkiller for my shoulder and knee.
As we returned home, the Guardia Civil were talking to builders outside. They turned towards us but then turned away again. Back in my apartment, I took another painkiller and fell asleep repeatedly throughout the day.
In the evening, I watched Premier League football and went to bed at 23:00.
Wednesday, 3rd April
I woke at 07:30 and waited for my fast to finish before eating. Liz asked if I wanted to go to Carrefour, but I needed to visit the pharmacy and opticians first.
On the way, I saw Richard and Val and learned what had happened yesterday: police, fire brigade, ambulance and Guardia Civil had all attended a property opposite. A neighbour had sadly taken his own life. Very tragic.
At the optician’s, I showed my broken glasses. He said he could repair them and asked me to return in twenty minutes. I didn’t expect them to be ready, but when I returned, they were repaired, polished and handed back with no charge. Outstanding service from Parra Optical.
Liz then drove us to Carrefour. I bought everything except milk, which I forgot. For lunch, I had a ready meal of meatballs and potatoes and nearly had a heart attack when I misread the calories. Thankfully, I had read it wrong.
In the evening, I watched Arsenal vs Luton. Arsenal won 2–0 and went back above Liverpool. Manchester City also won. The title race is tight.
Thursday, 4th April
I woke just before my alarm at 07:30, checked messages and saw my new watch strap would arrive between 15:00 and 18:00. After fasting, I had porridge with walnuts, raisins, banana and blueberries.
At 11:00, I went to Buena Vista with Liz. When we returned, I could see people gathering on the beach for Rick’s 75th birthday party, but I couldn’t go until my delivery arrived.
The driver phoned at 18:30 saying he was “outside”, but he was actually sitting around the corner in his van. Lazy bastard. I collected the parcel and fitted the new strap to my Fitbit.
Later, Liz sent a voice message explaining the incident from Wednesday: one apartment had been robbed, and another neighbour had committed suicide. Very sad news.
I watched Liverpool vs Sheffield United. Liverpool won 3–1 and went back to the top of the league.
Friday, 5th April
I woke at 07:00 and cancelled the Omo app trial. It was useful, but not for an all‑you‑can‑eat cruise. For breakfast, I had muffins with avocado and fried egg, which were surprisingly good.
I visited Richard and Val to tell them about the neighbour who had died, in case they saw his wife. Afterwards, Jayne messaged asking me to meet her and Diane at Boochies. I joined them, Jacquie and Paul for coffee. Their breakfasts were disappointing, and I won’t be going there for breakfast again.
I went to Economy Cash for groceries and then home for lunch. Later, I watched The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds. It was funny, sad and full of great songs.
In the evening, I connected Bluetooth earbuds for the cruise and played a game until 23:30.
Saturday, 6th April
I stripped my bed and put the linen in the wash. My washing line had fallen off the wall, so I’ll need better rawl plugs.
After porridge, I indexed more website pages and walked to the pharmacy, which was closed. I continued to La Playa bar for a coffee and to read my Kindle, but the coffee wasn’t great and my Kindle battery died, so I went home.
I watched football and played The Bard’s Tale. Arsenal beat Brighton 3–0 and went back to the top of the Premier League.
Sunday, 7th April
I woke at 07:00, had coffee and two massages, then porridge. I indexed more website pages and played a computer game, losing track of time until 14:30.
For dinner, I had steak and chips, but the steak was tough. I’ll go back to the cheaper ones next time.
In the evening, I watched Manchester United vs Liverpool. It finished 2–2, which kept Arsenal top. With seven games left, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are separated by just one point. Arsenal have the best goal difference, so if they keep winning, they can win the Premier League for the first time in twenty years.
Add comment