Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: This week I had a mix of quiet days, long chats with friends, freezing mornings, website work, genealogy breakthroughs and a lot of Blindspot binge‑watching. I also helped someone with a walking stick, enjoyed a couple of good meals out, and watched Arsenal continue their rollercoaster form.
Monday, 9th December
Today was a quiet one. I met Martin and Dave at the office, and after they left, I stayed chatting with Terry for a while before heading home. I spent the evening doing more family tree research and went to bed around 22:00.
Tuesday, 10th December
After coffee and Wordle, I walked to the main road to meet Dave. We picked up Martin and drove to Cartagena to visit the Mediterráneo Centro. Dave dropped me at MediaMarkt so I could look at coffee machines. My current machine is pre‑COVID and cheap, so I wanted to see proper machines in person and check mug clearance under the spouts.
I photographed a few models to research later and met Martin outside. Dave drove us back to Los Alcázares, and we stopped at La Sombre for a beer. After Martin and Dave left, I chatted with Sean and Terry, then with Jesse after returning his dropped passport. I stopped at Harry’s Bar on the way home.
As I do every Christmas, I quietly paid a stranger’s bar bill in memory of my generous parents. Tonight it was a young couple who seemed like they could use a treat. Back home, I put the heating on and watched TV, unable to sleep properly.
Wednesday, 11th December
I finally went to bed at 05:30 and slept until 10:00. It was freezing, so I declared a pyjama day. I watched Blindspot, had soup and a sandwich and waited for the Arsenal vs Monaco match. I got so engrossed in Blindspot that I forgot the game entirely and went to bed at midnight without knowing the score.
Thursday, 12th December
I got up at 08:00, put the heating on and watched Arsenal vs Monaco on catch‑up before anyone could spoil it. Arsenal won 3-0 with a mixed team. Bukayo Saka was excellent, and Myles Lewis‑Skelly was brilliant at left‑back on his Champions League debut at only 18.
I offered someone a spare walking stick and they arranged to collect it tomorrow. I cooked, tidied the kitchen and watched more Blindspot. I was happy to stay indoors all day.
Friday, 13th December
I needed tablets but stayed home waiting for the walking stick pickup. I cooked using the slow cooker and finished Blindspot. The final episodes weren’t as gripping, but overall I loved the series.
I received an email saying my vaccination appointment had moved from Cartagena to Murcia. I met George and Yvonne at Café Avenida at 17:30. George confirmed he could still take me on Monday. The person collecting the walking stick messaged to say they would come tomorrow.
I spent the evening adding details about my great‑grand‑uncles and aunts to my website.
Saturday, 14th December
I woke at 07:45 to the coldest morning of the week at 9°c. I stayed indoors with peach and jasmine green tea. I tried to nap but ended up doing more genealogy. Jim arrived at 14:30 to collect the walking stick.
I watched Arsenal vs Everton. Arsenal’s attack was dreadful again. Without a proper centre‑forward, we will only be fighting for a Champions League spot. I spent the evening doing genealogy and editing my website.
Sunday, 15th December
I woke refreshed, had coffee and cereal and did Wordle. I stripped my bed and made two double‑portion pear crumbles using almond flour instead of plain flour. It was an experiment, and I hoped it would work.
I walked to El Buen Sabor and bought a peppered pork steak with chips for €6. It was delicious. Back home, I watched a film called Carry‑On about a terrorist attack. It filled a couple of hours, but Die Hard was better.
I tried one of the pear crumbles. It was okay, but almond flour doesn’t make a good crumble. I will buy plain flour next time. I worked on my website, watched another film and went to bed around 23:00.
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