Location: Los Alcázares, Región de Murcia, Spain.
Summary: A busy week with visitors, long walks, dental pain, antibiotics, water shortages, website work, football, and the arrival of Markus after Peter’s visit. I dealt with DHL confusion, tank cleaning, mouth ulcers, and a lot of socialising, all while trying to rest and recover from the root canal.
Monday, 20th October
I woke up around 7:00 when my alarm reminded me to take antibiotics. I took the tablets, listened to the enews headlines, washed, and had cereal. I published last week’s blog and sat down to do the Wordle puzzle, but the site wouldn’t let me log in. I hoped it would return soon so I didn’t lose my streak.
I remembered I needed money for Dave for my TV box, so I took rubbish to the bin and went to the ATM. After entering the bills on EurobillTracker, I had tea and tried Wordle again, but still no luck.
I went to Mercadona for water, salads, a chopping board, and Fairy Liquid. Then I went to EconomyCash before meeting Martin at Pizzeria la Sombre. Dave arrived shortly after. While we were chatting, DHL messaged to say they had attempted to deliver my new disability scooter and would leave it at a depot. I was not happy, as they hadn’t told me it was coming a week early.
I ordered a takeaway pizza and took it home. After eating, I collected a spare key from Liz to give to my cousin Peter. My alarm reminded me to take antibiotics, and I fell asleep for an hour.
I worked on my website and waited for Peter. His flight landed on time, and he messaged me from the taxi. When he arrived, he was standing outside a house at the wrong end of the street. I laughed and walked down to get him. We sat talking for hours. We hadn’t seen each other since my sister got married 17 months ago.
Tuesday, 21st October
I woke at 7:00. Peter was already up. I made tea, and we walked to the health clinic for my blood test. The young man doing the test looked about 12, overseen by a nurse who looked barely older. My INR was 3.4, probably due to antibiotics and painkillers.
We walked to Rio Nalon, but the breakfast places weren’t open yet, so we went to NoName Cafe for coffee and tostadas. Martin joined us briefly. Then we walked to Cafe Prensa and saw Christine, Bev, Theresa and Oyvinnd.
We sat at the Corner bar until midday, then went to Pizzeria la Sombre. I had a shandy, and Dave joined us. When Aria arrived, she surprised me by chatting happily with Peter. She is usually very shy, so it was lovely to see.
Kate offered us a lift, but I wanted to walk, so she dropped us at Rio Nalon. Harry’s bar was shut, so we walked to Buena Vista, where Dan bought us a drink. We walked home afterwards.
Peter went out exploring in the afternoon while I rested. In the evening, we went to Buena Vista for a curry. Peter finished his quickly, but I struggled because of my dental surgery. We got home in time for Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid. Arsenal won 4-0 with four goals in 13 minutes.
Wednesday, 22nd October
I had to go to the health clinic for my leg dressing. Peter went kayaking on the Mar Menor. When I arrived at the clinic, the nurse wasn’t there. I was told to wait in another area. I waited an hour and a quarter while everyone else was called in before me. I felt sick and left without an appointment.
Peter had already returned from kayaking. After resting, we walked along the promenade to La Encarnación, then to Estribor for coffee. Peter asked the waiter twice to wind up the sunshade, and the waiter replied “tranquilo, tranquilo,” which made me laugh.
We walked to Ramón’s restaurant, but it was full of Spanish pensioners, so I suggested a tapas bar. As we walked out, I felt sick again, so we went to the takeaway shop. I got peppered pork and chips, and Peter got fried fish and squid.
Back home, I couldn’t eat until later because of the heat and sickness. It was 43°C on my balcony. Peter went out again and later returned with a pizza. We spent the evening talking about travel. He wants cultural tours but doesn’t want cruises, public transport, or organised trips. I suggested India, China, and Peru, but none appealed. I think his cultural travels will be based on the Isle of Wight.
We chatted until around 23:00.
Thursday, 23rd October
I felt better this morning. Peter and I walked to Rio Nalon for breakfast. He demolished a large English breakfast while I struggled with a small one. The walk tired me out, so I rested while Peter went to the wetlands with his camera.
I tried to eat a salad, but mouth ulcers made it impossible. Peter got a pizza from Buena Vista. My German friend messaged me with his arrival time for tomorrow. Peter checked his taxi booking, and I went to bed at 22:30.
Friday, 24th October
I woke early and did the Wordle puzzle. Peter packed and chatted with me until his taxi arrived. After he left, I went to EconomyCash for water.
Liz messaged again, complaining about everything as usual. She told me the tanks had been cleaned, unaware that I had already dealt with the management company and let the water company in myself. She constantly complains about the neighbours, the building, and Los Alcázares. I don’t know why she doesn’t move.
I collected a parcel from the lottery shop from the disability scooter company. It contained a mug and pen as an apology for the delay.
Markus messaged to say he was on his way. I met him at the bus stop and took him to my apartment. We walked to Buena Vista for a beer, then to Rio Nalon. After checking menus, we chose Milo Gastronomica. The food was good, though the “cheesecake” was a deconstructed mess.
We went to Roccos, then to the 19th Hole for karaoke. Markus sang Molly Malone. We finished the night at Harry’s bar watching Leeds vs West Ham. Twice on the walk home, my knee gave way, and I had to rest on the beach wall. We got home around 23:30.
I took painkillers and went to bed.
Saturday, 25th October
I woke feeling good. Markus and I walked to Buena Vista for breakfast. While checking my Amazon app, I saw a message from the chippy coming to quote for my new kitchen. We walked back, and Lez arrived at 11:00. He took measurements, made suggestions, and said he would send a quote.
I walked Markus to the bus stop for his trip to Murcia and then Turkey. As I got home, Amazon delivered my new teaspoons. I made a pot of Himalayan green tea.
I noticed Amazon had marked my disability scooter as delivered. I contacted customer service, who confirmed it was an error and that my warranty would start when I actually received it.
I spent the afternoon watching Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and resting. I went to bed around 00:45.
Sunday, 26th October
I woke early and made green tea. I worked on my website, then had cereal with Greek yoghurt. I rested all day, watched TV, and watched Arsenal vs Crystal Palace. Arsenal won 1-0, finishing the week four points clear at the top.
My eyes and mouth ulcers were still sore, but I stayed up late because the clocks went back an hour tonight.
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