Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of video editing, travel planning, doctor visits, vaccinations, stomach trouble, new software, football, long walks, late nights with friends and the opening of a new bar. You also made big progress on your Alaska videos and continued preparing for your Japan trip.
Monday, 2nd September
I woke at 08:30 after going to bed late. I had coffee, checked messages and watched DaVinci Resolve tutorials before starting a video about my day at Icy Strait Point in Alaska. At lunchtime, I had pork rolls and was relieved my stomach behaved.
I called my Uncle Dave on Skype to check on him. His laptop is being repaired, so we will talk more easily soon. I messaged June to arrange for her to pick me up from Alicante after my Japan trip, then booked my bus to the airport. With transport sorted, I am almost ready for the holiday.
I worked on my video all afternoon. In the evening, I ran link checks on my website, fixed broken links and image paths and went to bed after midnight.
Tuesday, 3rd September
I woke at 08:30, took my tablets and worked on my Alaska bear‑search video. As I left my building, I met an English couple who had just bought an apartment here. I warned them to check the unpaid community fees and the remedial work needed.
I went to the post office, then to the doctor’s surgery to make appointments for tomorrow and next Monday. The young receptionist seemed unsure, but he booked them. I stopped at Economy Cash for shopping.
Back home, my printer refused to accept new ink. The extended warranty had expired two years ago, so I ordered a new printer on Amazon with a 35 percent discount and three years of free ink. I finished my video and published it on YouTube, then watched more tutorials before bed.
Wednesday, 4th September
I worked on my images until 11:00, then went to the doctor’s surgery. Rosa was working, which reassured me. I waited nearly an hour to see the doctor. She prescribed my Typhoid tablets and arranged for the nurse to give me a Tetanus jab. She also booked an appointment for my ingrown toenail to be cut out next Thursday.
The nurse, who is stunning, gave me the Tetanus jab and said they did not have the Hepatitis A vaccine. She took my number and said she would find out where I could get it. I went to the pharmacy for my Typhoid tablets, Sintrom, Omeprazole and mosquito repellent.
As I walked home, the nurse rang me. I could not understand her, so I went back to the surgery. She gave me an address in Cartagena, but it was the same vaccination centre that had sent me to my doctor. I suspected a mix‑up. I asked the pharmacist, who ordered the vaccine for me to collect tomorrow. I returned to the surgery, and the receptionist confirmed I could bring it in tomorrow. I worked on my website and watched YouTube before bed at 22:00.
Thursday, 5th September
I woke at 05:00 with a sore arm from the Tetanus jab. I had coffee, did Wordle and worked on my images. At 10:00, I collected the Hepatitis A vaccine from the pharmacy and took it to the surgery. The nurse injected me and asked where I was going on holiday.
I went home, hoping Amazon had not tried to deliver my new printer. At 14:00, they called to say they were outside, but they were not. A few minutes later, the van arrived. I collected the printer and set it up. The installation process was ridiculous, requiring a mobile app, but I eventually got it working.
I had a massage in my recliner and fell asleep. I woke later, watched TV and went to bed at 23:00.
Friday, 6th September
I woke at 06:00, had coffee and cereal and spent the morning editing my Alaska bear‑search video. I had a cheeseburger with mushrooms, onions and egg for lunch, then decided to get out of the apartment.
I walked to J and G Cocktails, a new bar opening tomorrow. I was their first customer. I chatted with Rob, an Arsenal fan, and played pool for the first time in years. Later, my friend Gary arrived, and we played more games. I also chatted with Steve, who I had met before at La Playa bar.
Steve returned later with his family, and we talked while watching pool games. I left around 02:00 after an 11‑hour session of beer, pool and conversation. I walked home slowly, had water and watched TV before bed.
Saturday, 7th September
I woke at 08:30 feeling fragile after yesterday’s marathon. Alison messaged to arrange picking me up for dinner later. I edited photos for my website and posted my Skagway album on Farcebook. They removed it for “violating terms”, probably because of the word “brothel” in the Red Onion Saloon description. I appealed.
I dozed in front of the TV watching The Rings of Power. At 19:00, I showered and got ready. Alison and Lottie picked me up at 19:30, and we went to Restaurante El Señorío in Santiago de la Ribera. The courtyard was beautiful as the lights came on. We had baby squid, ali oli and steak. Lottie recommended solomillo, and it was the best steak I have had in Spain.
We toasted Alison’s birthday and shared travel stories. After dinner, Alison dropped me home. I watched more Rings of Power and went to bed at midnight.
Sunday, 8th September
I woke at 07:15, had coffee and spent a quiet day at home. I watched TV and caught up on The Rings of Power. For dinner, I had chicken with mixed vegetables and almond ice cream. I ran the dishwasher and went to bed at 22:30.
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