I had seen that Simply Red were performing at the Bullring in Murcia, and being a big fan when I was younger, I got myself a ticket to go and see them. I decided to go to Murcia earlier in the day, have a look around, see the show, stay overnight in Murcia and go home the next day.
Journey to Murcia and Hotel.
I left my apartment around 2:10 pm to walk to the bus stop near me to catch the bus to Murcia. When I arrived at the bus stop, I only had to wait for around 10 minutes for the bus. I was glad it was not late as it was very hot standing waiting for the bus. I settled in my seat on the air-conditioned bus, got out my Kindle and read until we arrived at the bus station in Murcia.
I got off the bus at the station and set off on the short walk to the Hotel Hesperia in the centre of Murcia. It was easy for me to find because I remembered the walk from my visit to see Rod Stewart a couple of weeks ago. When I got to the hotel, there was a queue of people waiting to check in, but I didn't have to wait long before I was checked into a lovely room on the fourth floor.
I left my baggage in the room and then walked to the restaurant I had been in the last time I was in Murcia. It was more of a local bar than many of the apparent tourist bars by the Cathedral. I again had the pork cheeks with potato for dinner and a pint to wash it all down. It was gorgeous, and I enjoyed this meal so much that I would consider getting a bus here from Los Alcazares just for dinner.
When I had finished my dinner, I walked to the bullring to remind myself of the way there. Once I was sure I would quickly find it again, I took the 15-minute walk back to the hotel, stopping only to buy some bottled water to take to the show with me tonight. Bottled water at the show was €2 a bottle, and I bought six bottles in a supermarket for €1.50. I was pleased to get out of the heat for a while when I got back to my room, and I had a siesta before getting up for a shower and going back out to see Simply Red.
I arrived back at the bullring at about 8:15 pm, and after queuing for a short time, I went inside and went to the same spot I was at a few weeks ago to see Rod Stewart. I was in the front of the stage area, and some seats that were part of the fencing allowed me to sit down for a while. I drank one of the bottles of water I had taken with me and watched other people coming in. As I sat there, my friends Lynda, David, Gaynor and Kevin, who are all from Los Alcazares, walked in and joined me.
We all got ourselves a drink from the bar and chatted while waiting for the show to start. Simply Red started on time at 9:30 pm, and thankfully, the temperature had dropped a little before they started to play. Mick Hucknall sounded as good today as he ever did, and I really liked the way that he mixed the set-up, playing newer and older songs throughout the night. Simply Red has always been one of my favourite bands, and I can honestly say that of all the bands and singers I have seen live all over the world, they were one of the best. In terms of the set, live music and Mick Hucknall´s singing, it was a great show. For their final song, after they had come back on for an encore, Mick paid tribute to Tina Turner and sang Nutbush City Limits. It was a great tribute to Tina, and he sang it really well.
After the show finished, we sat inside the bullring and had another beer while waiting for the crowds to leave before we all left. I left my friends at the bullring and walked to the Monkira Apostles bar, where I had gone after the Rod Stewart show a couple of weeks previously. I ordered a Pina Colada and sat down to rest my legs for a while before then continuing back to the hotel.
I slept very well and woke up at around 9 am the morning after the concert. I lay in bed until around 10 am, when I got up and took a shower before going down to the buffet breakfast that I had ordered. I was disappointed to see there was no bacon this week; it had been replaced with cheap cocktail sausages, and the scrambled egg was horrible. I did enjoy the cappuccino, the meat and cheese selection, and the fruit, toast and pastries. I sat there until around 11:30 am, reading my Kindle, and then I went back to my room, backed up my bags, and left the hotel.
It only took me about 10 minutes to walk to the bus station, and as I had arrived an hour before my bus was due, I sat reading my Kindle and hydrated myself with a bottle of water. I got on the bus as soon as it arrived, sitting near the exit door halfway up the bus, ensuring I could get off quickly when we arrived in Los Alcazares. I opened my Kindle back up and continued to read the book I started a few days ago. The time shot past, and before I knew it, I was back in Los Alcazares, and I got off the bus at the Town Hall.
My Video of Simply Red at the Murcia bullring.
Summary.
I really enjoyed seeing Simply Red, and I will definitely see them again if I get the chance. I like the hotel I stayed at in Murcia; it is an excellent place within walking distance of most of the city centre, and I will stay there again when I book to see my next show. The buses that go from Los Alcazares are cheap, clean, air-conditioned and run on time. They are an excellent way for someone like me, who hasn't got a car, to travel.