Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: This week I walked more than usual, battled cold mornings, cooked plenty of homemade food, met friends for coffees and chats, and made big progress on my genealogy research. I also had a bizarre bus journey, dealt with banking frustrations, enjoyed some good films and booked myself another event for next year.
Monday, 18th November
I woke up and discovered a crisis. I had no coffee left. I took my tablets with water, did Wordle and carried on with my genealogy research. Just after 11:00, I walked to Economy Cash to buy coffee capsules and some chicken thighs.
I had time before the bus arrived, so I sat outside Café Parking with an Asiatico. The bus arrived from the wrong direction, picked me up and then went on a completely unexpected route. It went through La Serena, Las Lomas del Rame and even stopped in Bahía Bella. I decided to enjoy the mystery tour. Eventually, the driver dropped me at my stop, an hour later than expected.
I met Martin and Dave at La Sombre. After Aria arrived, I walked through the estate, past the old Marrakech bar, which is being gutted again. I stopped at La Ola for a beer. Salvador, the owner, came over to greet me and sent out more olives, peanuts and cheese biscuits. I later stopped at Buena Vista for another beer before walking home.
I cooked a chicken thigh with salad for dinner. The long walk and fresh air caught up with me, and I kept dozing off. At 21:00, I gave up and went to bed.
Tuesday, 19th November
I woke at 01:30 and could not get back to sleep, so I got up at 02:00. I had coffee, did Wordle and edited photos for my Hiroshima album. At 06:00, I cooked a big breakfast of sausages, bacon, egg, beans and tomatoes.
I prepared a potato and leek soup in the slow cooker, adding fried red onion and chorizo. I peeled apples and stored them in lemon water for later. At 14:45, I met Gerry at Alaska Bar for coffee. Bob and Connie arrived too, and I reminded Bob he had forgotten to check my scooter. He promised to come on Saturday.
I walked home along the beach, checked the soup and watched Hotel Mumbai. I blended the soup and froze portions. I then watched The Da Vinci Code before going to bed.
Wednesday, 20th November
I woke at 07:00, had coffee and did Wordle. My coffee tasted strange again, and I realised I had accidentally bought decaf. Never again. It was cold outside at 16°c, but my apartment was a comfortable 22°c.
I portioned and froze yesterday’s soup, then cooked another big breakfast. After showering, I worked on my website. Alison called to say she could not take me to Cartagena, so I rescheduled my appointment for 16 December.
I phoned Nationwide again. After three months, I still cannot access my account because they cannot send the correct debit card. I laughed when the woman said they might write to me about my complaint. I contacted JustYou, and they extended my payment deadline. I booked an appointment with my Spanish bank for tomorrow.
In the afternoon, I rode my scooter to check the tyres and drop off recycling. The air machine at the garage made my tyres flatter, so I gave up. I took Liz’s shopping up to her, then cooked a chicken thigh with salad. I watched films and went to bed at 21:00.
Thursday, 21st November
I woke at 06:00, had coffee and leftover apple and raisin crumble for breakfast. After Wordle and a shower, I went to the bank for my 08:30 appointment. They transferred money between my accounts but could not make the holiday payment without an IBAN.
Back home, I messaged JustYou, got the IBAN and now have to wait for the transfer to clear. I updated my website with details of my journey from Kawaguchi to Kyoto. I had a lazy evening with my feet up and watched films before going to bed at 22:00.
Friday, 22nd November
I had coffee and decided to sort out the mess of cables behind my computer. It took an hour and a half because of my lack of depth perception, but I eventually got everything working again. I had porridge with banana, blueberries and walnuts.
I tried using the Fitbit app to track food, but it only recognised American items. After changing the database to Spain, it worked perfectly. For lunch, I cooked a chicken thigh with potatoes, peas and sweetcorn.
Nationwide’s complaints department called but offered no solution. I joked that I might still be waiting in ten years. I met George and Yvonne at Avenida Café and warmed up with two Asiaticos. I placed a €1 accumulator bet, although the machine printed random matches.
Back home, I relaxed in my massage chair and watched TV. Before bed, I checked an Ancestry hint and ended up researching until 01:00.
Saturday, 23rd November
I woke at 07:30, had coffee and poached eggs on toast. I worked on genealogy and typed up notes about Kyoto and my journey to Osaka.
Bob arrived at 13:30 to check my scooter. He found a small dink in one wheel, which explains the knocking. He pumped up the tyres and reassured me it was nothing serious.
I cooked a chicken thigh with potatoes, peas and sweetcorn before watching Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest. Arsenal won 3-0, with Ethan Nwaneri scoring the third goal. He is going to be a star.
I stayed home in the evening, warm and comfortable, and worked on my family tree. I added census details to several relatives’ pages. I went to bed at midnight after putting fresh linen on my bed.
Sunday, 24th November
I had my last decaf coffee and blamed it for struggling with Wordle. I went to Aldi for proper coffee and tested the Fitbit app by scanning items. I bought fresh beer rolls and a poinsettia plant.
Back home, I reheated leftover crumble for elevenses. I peeled a potato for chips later and placed the poinsettia near my computer. It feels like the start of Christmas.
I messaged Donna, who told me Lionel Richie tickets were on sale. I booked a VIP ticket and an apartment for the night. That makes two things booked for next year: India and Lionel Richie.
I phoned my uncle Dave for a long chat, then cooked fish and chips for dinner. I watched some football and a film. The evenings are getting colder now, and I will soon need the heater. I went to bed early.
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