Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A cold week with meals out, hospital visits, the start of my new kitchen installation, the arrival of December, long scooter rides, sad news from home, and plenty of Whiskerwood and football.
Monday, 1st December
When I got up this morning, I made a coffee and sat at my computer. I was horrified to discover that my sister Karen had got me with the old pinch and a punch for the first of the month trick. I almost always get her first, but I had forgotten this month. Well played, Karen. Revenge will be sweet.
I went out for a coffee and a tostada with tomato at Cafe Prensa. I saw Christine and we chatted for a while. Steve joined me after she left. I left around 12:20 and went to La Sombre to show Martin and Dave my new disability scooter. I did not stay long, then went home and put it away in the garage.
At 13:30, I went outside to meet Jim. He is always on time, so when he had not arrived by 14:00, I was worried. I messaged him and started walking back to my apartment. As I reached my block, he came around the corner. He apologised and said he had lost track of time. I know how easy that is when working on the computer.
He took me to a restaurant in El Carmoli that he had been told was very good, but he drove straight past it. After turning around, we found it, but it was closed on Mondays. We tried another place in Los Urrutias, but they only had paella. After Jim used the bathroom at Padhi Singh’s pub, we drove back to Los Alcázares and went to El Delfin. We had the plate of the day. Jim ordered calamari to share, and I had chicken and chips. The food and service were excellent.
Jim dropped me home. The temperature was dropping quickly, so I turned on the heating. I fell asleep, woke later, watched TV and went to bed around 22:00.
Tuesday, 2nd December
I got up at 6:45 and made a coffee with a pinch of cocoa powder added to the grounds. It tasted okay, but I will not bother doing it again. I went to the health centre just before 8:00 for my blood test. It was so cold that the security guard let people queue inside. The queue blocked the INR room, but nobody said anything as I walked past and waited outside the correct door.
My INR test was done quickly, and the result was good at 2.1. I went home for an hour, then headed to Los Arcos hospital on my disability scooter. It took about 40 minutes. I checked in easily and did not have to wait long. The nurses cleaned and redressed my leg and made me an appointment for the 18th December.
After leaving the hospital, I went to La Sombre to meet Martin, then to Harry’s bar for a drink. I waited until the Chinese takeaway opened, bought something to eat and went home. I put the food on the counter intending to eat it later, but I fell asleep in my armchair. When I woke up, it was too late to eat, so I went to bed.
Wednesday, 3rd December
I woke around 8:00, made coffee and finished clearing out my kitchen cupboards. I had arranged for a new kitchen to be fitted, and today was the day the work would start. Jez arrived at 11:30 and began removing the old cabinets, hob, sink and extractor fan. He worked slowly and carefully, taking everything apart rather than smashing it. I liked that, as it meant less damage and more recycling. He finished around 16:00. I gave him a key in case I was not in tomorrow.
In the evening, I watched Arsenal beat Brentford 2-0 and ate the Chinese takeaway I had bought yesterday.
Thursday, 4th December
I got up around 7:00, had a coffee, did the Wordle puzzle and got ready for my 10:00 appointment at the health clinic. As I left the garage on my disability scooter, Jez arrived. I checked he had the key, then continued to the clinic. I was seen quickly. The nurse redressed my leg and made me an appointment for next week.
I went to the bank to withdraw the money to pay for my new kitchen. I thought I might have trouble taking out more than €500, but I had no problems. Back home, I made Jez and myself a cup of tea. He continued working while I worked on my website. When he went for lunch, I went to Buen Sabor and bought three meals for €17. I ate the pork fillet and chips when I got home. It was freezing, so I turned the heating on for an hour.
In the afternoon, I researched the places I will be staying in Australia and New Zealand. I looked at hotels, nearby restaurants and tourist attractions, and added details to the Australia and New Zealand pages on my website. I played Whiskerwood until around 22:00, then went to bed.
Friday, 5th December
I got up around 7:00, made a coffee, did the Wordle puzzle and waited for Jez. When he arrived, he finished loading the old kitchen units into his van. He told me the granite worktop suppliers would not be calling today, and with two bank holidays coming up, the worktop probably would not be fitted until next Thursday. It annoyed me, but there was no point getting annoyed with Jez. This is Spain, and you get used to the manana lifestyle.
Jez left, and I was left with cabinets but no worktop, no sink and a microwave in the lounge. I will be pinging meals until the kitchen is finished. In the evening, I had a message from my cousin Wayne to say his mum, Janet, had passed away. I had not seen her in years, but I always enjoyed her company. RIP Janet.
Saturday, 6th December
I slept well and got up around 9:00. I did the Wordle puzzle, had coffee and porridge, then worked on my website. I put a few things away in the kitchen drawers but did not want to put everything away in case the cupboards had to come out again.
I reached my Uncle Dave today and spoke to him for over an hour on WhatsApp. I told him about Janet, but he already knew. While talking to him, my phone rang. It was my old neighbour Helen, who had tracked down my number. She told me her father, Fred Rowe, had passed away. Fred had known me since I was about four years old and always treated me like a son. RIP Fred. You will be missed. After the call, I continued talking to Uncle Dave. He remembered Fred as well. Helen had given me her mum’s contact details, and I sent her my condolences.
Two deaths in two days made me realise how lucky I am to still be here after all my health problems and how I should keep travelling while I can. Arsenal then played poorly away at Aston Villa and lost 2-1 with the last kick of the game. Manchester City gained three points and cut our lead to two. Villa moved into third, only three points behind us. I kept warm at home and played Whiskerwood until the early hours.
Sunday, 7th December
I got up late, had coffee and did the Wordle puzzle. I put a few more things away in the kitchen. I did my weekly weigh in and was pleased to see I had lost weight for the second week in a row. My weight is heading in the right direction. I spent the rest of the day watching films and playing Whiskerwood.
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