Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of settling back into life at home after your long trip. Coffee with friends, website work, football, markets, new luggage, and even booking another holiday. Jet lag, a lingering cough and a busy social life made for a lively return to normality.
Monday, 13th May
I woke around 07:00 still coughing a little but feeling more refreshed. At 10:00, I met Liz and we walked to Buena Vista for breakfast. I had a small breakfast and a few coffees. It was lovely to hear both Liz and her friend say they had missed my company while I was away.
I went to meet Martin at La Sombre, but he wasn’t there yet, so I walked across the road and bumped into him as he was leaving home. We returned to La Sombre and were later joined by Dave. We stayed until about 16:00 with Aria.
On the way home, I saw Colin on Rio Nalon and stopped at Rocco’s for a beer. When the quiz started, we left. Colin went home, and I went to La Petit Bistro to see Alan. He was calling bingo, and afterwards we sat outside with Jackie chatting for a few hours. I went home, had a sandwich and an early night.
Tuesday, 14th May
I woke at 08:00, had cereal and coffee, and worked on my website, adding photos to the NCL Spirit cruise album.
I stopped at Mercadona on the way to meet Martin and bought groceries and a takeaway burger. I ate the burger at La Sombre before joining Martin and Dave. We chatted until Aria arrived from school and left around 15:00.
Back home, Lisa sent me a link to a carry‑on bag on Amazon. My luggage was worn out after my trip, so I ordered it. It would arrive tomorrow.
In the evening, I watched Manchester City vs Tottenham. City won and returned to the top of the Premier League. With one game left, Arsenal must win and hope West Ham take points off City.
Wednesday, 15th May
I woke at 08:00, had coffee and worked on adding more cruise photos. At 10:00, I walked to Buena Vista to meet Jim for breakfast. He had just completed the sale of his apartment in Los Narejos, so we talked about that and old times. I told him about my upcoming trip to Marrakech, and he offered to take me to the airport next week when I fly to the UK.
I spent the afternoon working on my website and waiting for my Amazon delivery. The new carry‑on bag arrived at 16:00. Shortly after, Vince messaged asking to meet at La Encarnación.
I walked along the promenade and noticed La Playa bar was closed again. Friends outside the Alaska bar said the previous owners had already left and Alaska’s owners had taken it over.
I met Vince at La Encarnación just after 17:00. We hadn’t seen each other for six months, so it was great to catch up. We chatted until 19:00 before heading home. I ate something and watched TV before bed.
Thursday, 16th May
I had a quiet day, apart from walking to the shops for milk. I spent the whole day working on my website photo albums, especially the ones from Kauai.
Friday, 17th May
I woke early, showered and walked to Estribor near the Town Hall to meet Vince and Jan. The walk was tough, and I arrived coughing and spluttering. Service was slow, but we eventually got our tostadas and coffee. Jim walked past, so I called him over and introduced him to Vince and Jan.
After breakfast, Jan left first, followed by Vince. I paid for mine and Jim’s drinks, and after he went to the bank, he gave me a lift home.
Because my laptop is heavy and I often travel with hand luggage only, I ordered a Google Pixel tablet. The official cases were expensive, so I ordered a case and pen from Amazon instead. The tablet would arrive Monday, and the case and pen tomorrow.
I thought about going out in the evening but stayed home with my feet up and watched TV.
Saturday, 18th May
I woke at 04:00, showered, had coffee and worked on my website. At 09:20, I walked along the promenade to meet Lisa at Buena Vista. After a coffee, we drove to Torre Pacheco market. I preferred it to the Los Alcázares market because it was more spacious.
We stopped at a café for a beer, watched the world go by, and continued shopping. I bought tomatoes and cherries; Lisa bought shoes and vegetables. After dropping the shopping at the car, we went for another drink and then lunch, chatting about our upcoming Marrakech trip.
Lisa dropped me home around 15:00. I watched TV and cat‑napped until bed around midnight.
Sunday, 19th May
I woke just after 09:00 feeling more rested. I had cereal and coffee and worked on my website, adding photos to the Waimea Canyon album and editing category descriptions.
I watched the final Premier League matches. Arsenal beat Everton 2–1 but couldn’t overtake Manchester City, who beat West Ham 3–1. It was a close season, and Arsenal did well, but they need a clinical striker, a defensive midfielder and another winger.
After the game, I walked to Rio Nalon for a drink. The Celt Bar was full of very drunk Manchester City fans celebrating, so I moved to Rocco’s and then to Harry’s. The karaoke noise from another bar was awful, so I returned to the Celt.
I sat at the bar with Kristen and Paul. A friendly tourist recognised my East End accent and started chatting. As more drunk tourists arrived, I left and went back to Rocco’s, where I saw Mick and Nita. I had a drink with them before heading home around midnight.
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