Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: This week was cold, busy and full of walking, deliveries, friends, films and food. I spent Christmas mostly indoors, battled a broken TV box, enjoyed some good company, did plenty of website work and genealogy, and ended the year with a long walk, a few beers and a new saucepan.
Monday, 23rd December
I woke early and felt cold straight away. After coffee and Wordle, I rode my disability scooter to Café Prensa to meet friends. As I passed Mike’s house, I noticed his gates were closed, which was unusual. At the café, I learned he had fallen two weeks ago and was in hospital, but no one knew which one. I hope he is being looked after.
Steve invited me for a drink on Christmas Day, so I said yes. I went home to wait for deliveries and tried resetting my TV box, but it was completely dead. I ordered a new one from Amazon for €129.
My slippers and kitchen compost bin arrived later. I watched The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime and got a Chinese takeaway. I ordered a meal for two so I could split it over two days, and they even gave me a bottle of wine. I ate the starters and saved the rest for tomorrow. I spoke to my sister and went to bed at 22:00.
Tuesday, 24th December
I woke at 03:00, went back to sleep and got up at 07:00. I thawed out some bread for toast and worked on my website while listening to Radio Two. My TV box arrived around midday, followed by my meal from Mio Café.
Wayne phoned to wish me a happy Christmas. He sounded terrible with a cold, which made me glad I stayed home this week. I set up the new TV box, but it only showed a “no subscription” message. I messaged the provider several times but got nowhere.
I watched more of The Wheel of Time and went to bed at 23:00.
Wednesday, 25th December
I woke at 02:15 because a group of kids were having a loud party in the square. The police must have arrived because the noise suddenly stopped. I got back to sleep and woke again at 07:00.
I did Wordle, struggled with it and got it on the sixth attempt. Christmas always feels worse in Spain because I have to endure it twice, once on the 25th and again for Three Kings. I tried the TV again, but it still didn’t work.
At 11:45, I reheated the rest of Monday’s Chinese meal. I then walked to meet Steve and Darren at La Esquina. It took me 40 minutes, and I was exhausted when I arrived. After a coffee and a beer, we all left.
I tried La Ola, Drums, Harry’s and Rocco’s, but everything was closed or empty. My legs were aching badly, so I walked home and got in at 16:00. I watched The Wheel of Time and went to bed at 22:00.
Thursday, 26th December
I slept well and woke at 07:00. After coffee and Wordle, I checked my TV and found the box was finally working. After three days without TV, I was thrilled.
My mood lifted throughout the day. I watched the final episode of Gavin and Stacey, which was emotional. For dinner, I had my Christmas meal from Café Mio, which was delicious. I watched some football but switched back to The Wheel of Time and finished season two before going to bed early.
Friday, 27th December
I woke just before 07:00, had coffee and Wordle and set off for Mercadona on my scooter. Lawrence phoned and asked to meet for coffee, so I changed direction and met him at Café Prensa. Christine and Steve were there too.
Lawrence asked me to order something from Amazon for him, so he came to my apartment later. I ordered his TV stand and showed him around. We agreed to meet in the new year for a beer.
I watched TV, had a kip and woke in time for Arsenal vs Ipswich. Arsenal dominated but only won 1-0. I hope the new year brings a proper striker.
Saturday, 28th December
I woke at 07:00, had coffee and Wordle and asked Liz if she wanted a coffee. We walked to Buena Vista and had a tostada. Amazon told me my parcel was close, but it arrived three hours later.
I unpacked my new saucepan and used it to make scrambled eggs. It was perfect. I spent the day watching films. I watched About Time, which always makes me cry, and then Kinky Boots, which was heartwarming and funny.
I asked on Facebook where to buy Worcestershire sauce, and June phoned to say she would take me tomorrow. I also chatted with Mel from my China trip. I finished the night with Notting Hill and went to bed at 01:00.
Sunday, 29th December
I woke at 07:30, had coffee and toast and met June at 10:30. She drove me to Cabo Roig, where I bought porridge and Worcestershire sauce. She dropped me home, and I rested before peeling apples and carrots.
I made apple crumbles, leaving one out and freezing three. I watched West Ham vs Liverpool. Liverpool won 0-5, which wasn’t good for Arsenal but great for my fantasy team because Salah was my captain.
In the evening, I added a new page to my website — Hobbiton — to my bucket list section.
Monday, 30th December
I woke early feeling cold and could not get back to sleep. After coffee and Wordle, I edited a few pages on my website and had porridge for breakfast. Feeling restless, I went out on my disability scooter and stopped at Café Prensa to see friends before meeting Martin and Kate at Number 16 for lunch. I gave Kate one of my apple crumbles for her birthday.
Afterwards, I stopped at Annie’s Bar with Andy just as heavy rain arrived. I sheltered my scooter and later stopped at Harry’s Bar before heading home. I checked J&G about New Year’s Eve, but they were charging an entrance fee, which I refused. I took a taxi to The Celt, chatted with Mick and Nita and then went home.
Tuesday, 31st December
It was raining heavily, so I stayed home all day. I watched films and listened to the occasional firework outside. The council cancelled the official display due to weather warnings. I went to bed at 22:00.
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