Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: This week I travelled to Murcia for my vaccination appointment, spent time with friends, did a lot of walking in the cold, worked on my website and genealogy, booked yet another concert for next year and enjoyed plenty of football. I also dealt with banks, parcels, cooking experiments and a few sleepless nights.
Monday, 16th December
I woke before my alarm at 07:30, showered, dressed and had two coffees before walking to George’s apartment. He drove me to Murcia for my 10:00 vaccination appointment. Finding the building was easy, but getting inside was not. A policeman eventually opened a door for me.
I filled out a form with help from a staff member and then saw a doctor who spoke excellent English. She told me I did not need any extra vaccines for India but should have an antibody test six to twelve months after my hepatitis A jab. Another lady gave me general health advice for India. The Murcia centre was much nicer than the Cartagena one.
I met George outside by chance, and he drove me home. I bought potatoes, a French stick and tortillas from the Indian shop and made a ham and cheese baguette for lunch. I sent Jacquie Lawson e‑cards and then booked yet another concert for next July — Journey at the Murcia bullring. I now have three concerts in July.
I spent the afternoon doing website admin and watched Bournemouth vs West Ham before going to bed.
Tuesday, 17th December
I woke early, had coffee and muesli and did Wordle. At 08:30, I went for my INR blood test. They now use a pin‑prick machine, which is great news for my veins.
I met Martin at Café Parking at 10:30 and had an Asiatico. After he left, I went to Mercadona and then home along the promenade. I saw Rod and June on the way.
I spent the afternoon doing genealogy and website work and watched Venom: The Last Dance. It was easy to watch, and I doubt it will be the last one.
Wednesday, 18th December
I woke early, had coffee and walked to the bank with a US dollar cheque from my old Florida property managers. My advisor paid it in for me. It cost €12, but after waiting four years for the cheque, I was happy to get it sorted.
I walked to the Town Hall for my Padron, but they had no appointments left. I will go back tomorrow. I bought more tablets from the pharmacy, and they gave me a Poinciana plant for Christmas. I now have one on each side of my TV.
I added a section to my website for my India trip and watched Arsenal vs Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. Arsenal won 3-2 after a poor first half. Gabriel Jesus scored his first hat trick for Arsenal. I hope it boosts his confidence.
Thursday, 19th December
I woke early, had coffee and Wordle and walked to the Town Hall again. I waited 1¼ hours but finally got my historical Padron. I stopped at Espressarse Café for coffee and a tuna tostada before going to the health centre.
Clara could not come, so I went alone. Thankfully, the receptionist understood my poor Spanish and processed everything. My health card will be ready on the 7th, 8th or 9th of January.
After resting my legs, I collected parcels from Economy Cash. They were only accepting card payments today. I went home, warmed up and made a sweet chilli stir fry with ham and veg. It was lovely.
Friday, 20th December
I woke at 06:00, got up at 07:00 and met Martin at Café Parking. Jacqueline walked past and joined me for coffee. After leaving, I bought cleaning products and went home.
My tooth started throbbing, so I took a painkiller and fell asleep. The pain eased slowly. I spent the afternoon writing up my Japan notes, especially the day I travelled from Osaka to Okayama and visited Himeji Castle.
In the evening, I reset a notepad I plan to sell. It is €89 new, so I will ask €55. I watched TV and went to bed at 22:00.
Saturday, 21st December
I woke at 05:45, had coffee and cereal and did Wordle. I worked on my Hiroshima notes for the website. I watched Brentford vs Nottingham Forest and then the Crystal Palace vs Arsenal match.
Arsenal won 1-5. Gabriel Jesus scored again, and Ethan Nwaneri scored too. The only downside was Bukayo Saka going off with a suspected hamstring injury.
In the evening, I watched the Usyk vs Tyson Fury fight. I thought Fury edged it, but the judges gave it to Usyk 116-112. I went to bed straight after.
Sunday, 22nd December
I woke at 08:00, had coffee and did Wordle. I went to Aldi for groceries to make a pork stew and to get ingredients for apple crumbles. I typed up the last of my Japan notes.
The Los Alcázares Christmas swim was today, but I skipped it to avoid catching a cold. Instead, I ordered new slippers and a compost bin from Amazon. I want to turn my balcony into a little reading sanctuary next year.
My TV stopped working around 21:30. Restarting it didn’t help, so I will test it again tomorrow. I went to bed at 22:00.
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