Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week dominated by knee pain, cold weather, coffees with friends, a long awaited health card, and the countdown to my India trip. I spent most days juggling rest, painkillers, website work, and football, with a few bright moments of good company and good food.
Monday, 27th January
I woke early, checked my messages and did Wordle before heading out with my neighbour Liz to the health centre. After weeks of waiting, my Spanish health card was finally ready. It felt like a small victory. Liz dropped me near Estribor, and I walked to Café Prensa to see friends before meeting Martin and Dave at The Corner Bar.
My leg began to ache as I walked along Rio Nalon, so I stopped at Harrys' bar for a couple of beers and a chat. The golf tournament on TV was ridiculous, a computer generated course where professionals hit balls into a screen. I could not believe people were being paid to play golf in a room smaller than the pub I was sitting in.
On the way home, my knee gave way completely. I hobbled into the 19th Hole and messaged Kate, who kindly came to collect me. She walked me to her car and drove me home. I took a painkiller and went straight to bed, hoping it would ease by morning.
Tuesday, 28th January
I barely slept and woke with my knee still throbbing. After a painkiller and Wordle, I went out to wish Steve a happy birthday. I bought a pot plant for Kate to thank her for rescuing me yesterday. I found Steve at Number 16, had a drink with him, then joined Martin and Dave at The Corner Bar.
Later, I met Wayne at Annie’s, then moved to Harrys' and Roccos' with Andy and Mark. By the time I got home, the pain was unbearable. I took another painkiller and went to bed, but sleep was difficult.
Wednesday, 29th January
I woke in pain again and took another tablet. Sitting, standing, lying down, nothing was comfortable. I forced myself out to see Steve at Café Prensa, then stopped at The Corner Bar where I met Martin. When he left, I chatted with a couple I thought I recognised. We could not work out where from, but I made two new friends, Steve and Debbie.
I picked up three meals from Buen Sabor, knowing I would not be cooking much while my knee was like this. I ate the grilled squid for lunch and spent the afternoon binge watching Crossing Jordan with my feet raised. I drifted in and out of sleep thanks to the painkillers. In the evening, I watched Girona vs Arsenal. Arsenal came from behind to win 1-2, and I went to bed hoping for a better night.
Thursday, 30th January
I barely slept again, so I decided to stay indoors all day. I took painkillers, dozed, watched TV, and reheated the meals I had bought yesterday. It was not a comfortable day, but at least I did not have to cook. I went to bed early.
Friday, 31st January
My knee felt slightly better, so I went for my blood test. My INR was high, no surprise after all the painkillers. I used an online calculator to adjust my Sintrom dosage. I picked up rolls for Liz, then went to help George and Yvonne with their laptop. George kindly drove me to Mercadona afterwards so I could get the milk I needed.
After lunch, I worked on my website, then walked to Buena Vista to book the Sunday buffet for five of us. Back home, I rested my leg and watched more Crossing Jordan. Dinner was the last of my homemade cottage pies. I went to bed around 23:00.
Saturday, 1st February
I slept well and woke at 06:45. Because of my high INR, I skipped my Sintrom and only took my other tablets. I made coffee, did Wordle, and spent the day working on my website while keeping my feet raised. I dozed off a few times while watching more Crossing Jordan. The second season was much better, and some episodes were real tear jerkers.
In the evening, I spoke to June to confirm she could still take me to catch my train on Tuesday. I was relieved when she said yes. I finished my washing, watched TV, and went to bed around 23:30.
Sunday, 2nd February
I woke at 07:30 with my legs finally feeling pain free. I stripped my bed and put the linens in the wash, then had coffee and a bacon sandwich. I spent the morning deleting broken links from Google’s index pages for my website.
Just before 13:00, I walked to Buena Vista for the Sunday buffet. Martin, Kate and Aria arrived at the same time, and Lawrence joined us shortly after. I tried a Mango Lassi, expecting something wonderful, but it was only okay. The buffet was excellent though, and I will definitely go again.
Back home, I worked on my website until the food made me sleepy. I set an alarm and had a nap before the Arsenal vs Manchester City match. I woke just in time, and what a match it was. Arsenal were magnificent, winning 5-1 with goals from Odegaard, Partey, Havertz, Myles Lewis Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. The fifth goal was my favourite, a beautiful finish from Nwaneri after a long ball from Declan Rice.
I watched Crossing Jordan until MOTD came on, then watched the highlights all over again. I went to bed around midnight, a very happy man.
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