Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of long walks, birthday celebrations, cooking, accidents, football, website work and the usual rhythm of coffees, friends and familiar places. Storms came and went, my finger caused chaos, and Arsenal kept my blood pressure high.
Monday, 10th March
I woke around 08:00, had coffee and tortilla, and walked to the doctor’s surgery for my INR test. Thankfully, the nurse used the finger prick method instead of a needle, and my reading was perfect. I went home for another coffee and worked on my computer for a couple of hours.
Late morning, I took recycling to the bins and stopped at a hardware store to ask about Japanese style toilets. They did not stock them, but a helpful staff member gave me the number of someone who could install one. Afterwards, I met Martin at The Corner Bar, then moved to La Sombre Pizzeria. Aria arrived from school, and we all chatted until it was time to leave.
I did not make it straight home. I drifted into Rocco’s, then Harry’s, then back to The Corner Bar. By the time I finally got home, I was merry enough to go straight to bed.
Tuesday, 11th March
I woke at 04:00, went back to sleep, and finally got up at 08:00. After coffee and Wordle, I rode my scooter to the post office to collect a parcel, then went to the Tuesday market for fruit and vegetables. I bought potatoes, oranges, bananas, sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, an aubergine and a butternut squash. I planned to cook soups and cottage pie later in the week.
The parcel turned out to be luggage tags I had ordered in October 2024. They arrived too late for Japan and too late for India, so now I need another holiday to use them.
At lunchtime, I met Martin for his birthday pint, then walked home for a rest before going out again in the evening. I installed a bus timetable app, Movit, and walked to the bus stop to catch a bus to Galin’s restaurant. The app insisted the bus had already gone, so I started walking. Thankfully, Martin phoned to say Kate was coming to pick me up.
Galin’s was small, dark and claustrophobic. I ordered seafood spaghetti, but it was disappointing, made with frozen seafood and lacking flavour. Everyone else’s meals looked equally underwhelming. We walked home afterwards, and the long walk left my legs aching. I watched the end of Liverpool vs PSG, which PSG won on penalties, then went to bed.
Wednesday, 12th March
I woke at 07:00 with aching calves but otherwise fine. After coffee and porridge, I juiced the oranges I bought yesterday, then peeled potatoes. I chopped four into chips and froze them in portions. The last two I sliced using a mandolin slicer, and that is when disaster struck.
I sliced the tip of my right index finger. It felt like a paper cut but bled heavily because of my blood thinners. No matter how much pressure I applied, it would not stop. I wrapped it, rewrapped it, and eventually fell asleep in my chair. When I woke, it was still bleeding, so I walked to the doctor’s surgery.
The receptionist saw the state of my hand and immediately called the nurse. She and the doctor worked together to stop the bleeding and wrap the finger properly. I was told to return tomorrow.
I got home just in time for Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven. Arsenal drew 2-2, winning 9-3 on aggregate. A comfortable qualification.
Thursday, 13th March
I woke at 07:00. My finger was sore but not leaking. I attempted to clean the kitchen, but the bulky dressing made it impossible. At 10:00, I met Liz at Buena Vista for coffee and a tostada, then walked to the doctor’s surgery for my appointment. A different nurse cleaned and rewrapped the wound and said it should now heal properly.
I spent the rest of the day working on my website and watching TV.
Friday, 14th March
I woke at 08:00 after a good sleep. My finger still throbbed, but the dressing stayed clean. I spent the entire day adding more India photos to my website, including albums for the British Residency in Lucknow, Bara Imambara and the River Ganges cruise.
At 14:30, I went to Buen Sabor and bought pork in pepper sauce with chips and a beef stew. I ate the pork dish for lunch and saved the stew for tomorrow. I watched Grimm until midnight.
Saturday, 15th March
My finger was still tender, but the throbbing had stopped. I risked a shower, and thankfully the dressing stayed mostly dry. After coffee, I walked to Buena Vista for more coffee and a tostada and sat in the sun reading my Kindle. I finished a book called The Will by Benjamin Laskin and emailed the author to tell him about a problem with his website and how much I enjoyed the book.
In the afternoon, I watched more Grimm and cleaned the kitchen a little. The dressing eventually fell off, but the cut looked like it was healing.
Sunday, 16th March
I woke at 07:30 and got ready to meet Tony at Buena Vista. He messaged to delay until 10:00, so I walked down early and read my Kindle in the sun. Øyvind and Theresa arrived unexpectedly and joined me for coffee. Tony arrived later, and we chatted until midday.
Back home, loud music from Plaza Espejo announced the annual dog show. I wrapped myself in a blanket and read until the Arsenal vs Chelsea match began. Arsenal won 1-0, not their best performance, but a win is a win.
Later, I received a lovely email from Benjamin Laskin thanking me for spotting the error on his website and offering me three of his books. I ended the evening watching the Liverpool vs Newcastle Carabao Cup Final, which Newcastle won 1-2, before going to bed at 22:00.
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