Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: I spent the week battling the heat, walking more, dealing with clinic visits, sorting out investments, helping friends, and doing a huge amount of work on my website and family tree. I also had some lovely meals, a couple of worrying moments with the heat, and some great news from my niece. My ankle continued to heal, and the summer weather truly arrived.
Monday, 16th June
I woke at 07:00 and it was already hot and sticky. Summer has definitely arrived. After coffee and Wordle, I showered and cooled myself down. Lawrence messaged and picked me up at 09:45 to go to Café Prensa. I took the tablet I was giving to Kate, hoping to see Martin, but he wasn’t there. I had a coffee and tostada and chatted with Lawrence, Theresa, Christine, Darren and Oyvind.
At 11:45, I walked to La Sombre to meet Martin. I ordered water, and soon Martin, Dave and a couple of Martin’s friends arrived. A local drug dealer was sitting nearby, being loud and annoying. I call him “Shania Twayne” because he don’t impress me. Aria arrived, and then Kate, so I gave her the tablet. Dave gave me a lift home.
After lunch, I worked on my website and dealt with emails from my investment company. I instructed them to cash in one of my investments to pay for my next trip and a new kitchen. Later, my sister messaged asking if she could give my number to my niece. Holly then messaged me with wonderful news — she and Reece are expecting a baby girl in November. I suddenly felt old. Congratulations to them both.
I had chicken with peas and sweetcorn for dinner and tried to watch the Club World Cup, but it was dreadful. I went to bed at 22:30.
Tuesday, 17th June
I woke at 06:45, showered and got ready for what I thought was a blood test, only to realise it was actually on Thursday. My ankle dressing appointment was tomorrow. After Wordle, I went to the market while it was still cool.
I bought oranges, apples and bananas — except I accidentally bought plantains, which were expensive. I took everything home and checked messages from my investment company. They needed ID, so I sent a photo, then my passport, and completed the DocuSign forms.
Later, I went out to get my head shaved, but the barber no longer shaved heads or trimmed beards. I left and went to Café Prensa, where I saw Lawrence. After coffee, I went to La Sombre to meet Martin and Dave. Flies were bothering me, so I used mosquito repellent from my scooter. Terry told me people were worried about me because I’m banned from Farcebook. Funny how nobody thought to knock on my door.
When we left, I realised I didn’t have my wallet. I retraced my steps — La Sombre, Café Prensa, the barbershop — nothing. I went home, and there it was under my computer desk. Relief. My investment company confirmed everything was processed.
I got a pork fillet in pepper sauce from Buen Sabor for dinner, fell asleep afterwards, then juiced all the oranges and apples. I did some family tree research and charged my scooter before bed.
Wednesday, 18th June
I woke at 06:45 and realised the plaster on my ankle had fallen off during the night. I had juice instead of coffee and went to the clinic. The trainee nurse checked my appointment and discovered it was actually for the 11th, not the 18th, but they saw me anyway. The wound had shrunk again.
Afterwards, I contacted Nationwide to get my ID number for my card reader. My card was locked, so they are sending a new card and PIN. I’ll be amazed if it arrives within three weeks.
I went to Economy Cash for shopping, then home for a sandwich and a nap. I watched TV and an old Romesh Ranganathan documentary. Theresa phoned to check I had found my wallet — the café owner had asked her. Very kind.
I did more family tree research in the evening.
Thursday, 19th June
I woke before my alarm, showered and went to the clinic for my blood test. I was seen quickly. The nurse pricked my finger, got my INR reading and told me I could collect the results later.
I tried to go shopping, but everywhere was closed, so I went to Café Prensa. I saw Martin at the bus stop and he joined me later. Lawrence arrived, then Theresa, Steve and Oyvind. When I went to leave, someone had blocked my scooter in with a three‑wheel tricycle. I picked it up and moved it. The owner came out shouting, but I ignored him.
I bought salads at Economy Cash and went home. Later, I tried to collect my blood test results, but the clinic was closed. I visited Liz and chatted for an hour and a half. While I was there, the investment company phoned asking for recommendations. I told them their service was subpar. Liz nearly burst out laughing.
I watched TV and checked football news before bed.
Friday, 20th June
I woke at 07:00, did Wordle in two tries and walked to the clinic to collect my blood test results. The sheet they give you is brilliant — a full calendar showing exactly what dose to take each day.
I walked to No Name Café for breakfast, then home as the heat increased. I read my Kindle on the balcony until the sun moved, then worked on my website. I downloaded new Kindle books and had salad for lunch.
In the afternoon, I discovered that my third great‑grandmother wasn’t who I thought she was. Richard Wilde remarried after Elizabeth Prescott died, and his new wife, Elizabeth Davies, was my biological ancestor. I updated my website.
In the evening, I walked to Thai Aroi and had a Panang curry with a banana milkshake. Delicious. I walked home along the beachfront and worked on Bing Webmasters while listening to Sky Sports News. Still no Arsenal signings.
Saturday, 21st June
I couldn’t sleep because of the heat and noise from El Lobo chiringuito. I gave up at 01:00 and did family tree research until 05:00. I spoke with a woman in Canada who shares many distant relatives with me. Fascinating story.
I woke again at 09:30, had juice and toast with peanut butter, and put the bed linen in the wash. I meant to go for a walk but got absorbed in research. Later, I shaved my beard and hair off because of the heat.
I watched Rooster Cogburn, had sardines, then cooked a whole chicken in the air fryer. I divided it into three meals. After dinner, I put the air conditioning on for the first time this year. It cooled the apartment nicely.
I added a Grand Canyon information page to my website and went to bed.
Sunday, 22nd June
I slept really well thanks to the air conditioning. After coffee, cereal and Wordle, I put laundry on and continued my genealogy research. Lawrence rang asking if I wanted Sunday dinner, but I already had mine planned.
I got carried away with research and didn’t realise it was 17:00. I had roast chicken, sweet potato mash, sweetcorn and peas. Lovely. I put the dishwasher on and continued researching.
I made several discoveries and contacted new relatives on Ancestry. It was a productive but lazy day. I stopped at 23:30 and went to bed.
Add comment