Sunday, 13th July, 2025
Up early after a late night. Out early on what is forecast to be an extremely hot day. By 10.00 am, I had done an 8 mile walk and a 30 mins swim. I have earned the right to watch the morning political programmes on a day when I want to watch the Test Match and, maybe, the Men’s Tennis Final. A lot of sitting down needs to be compensated for.
I walked down to the deserted cove of Cala Piteras which, by 8.00 am, was 29C/84F without the hint of a breeze. A few early morning joggers drifted sweatily past me and a couple of dog walkers but, otherwise, I had it to myself.
We have noticed that the further we walk away from the residential area our villa is in, the scruffier surroundings become.
I was shocked to read of the chaos in central Spain yesterday. A real weather event with torrential rain and flooding. Originally, I had intended to drive to Spain in a trip which would have seen us breaking our drive half way between Santander and Murcia by staying in Zaragoza over night. Above the video shows the incredible scenes there yesterday. Quite astonishing compared with our coastal conditions.
What did I do on my holiday? I planned for my funeral. My Carer, who knows I haven’t got much longer, has told me I must seriously consider planning my funeral arrangements. Burial or Cremation? As a Historian, I have always thought a burial with headstone was important. But that was in times of limited dislocation of families. There is a private graveyard in Repton where members of my family are buried. I could be buried there but why? I don’t want people worrying about visiting a geographical spot, maintaining a piece of marble, feeling responsible. I am an atheist. I don’t want to be laid in consecrated ground.
I will be incinerated and scattered to the winds. I don’t want to inconvenience anyone although I will insist on forcing those who have featured in my life to live up to their responsibilities. No one will feel subsequently responsible. I have no children living. I do not want my wife to worry about my upkeep. All are invited to this fun party!
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Monday, 14th July, 2025
Up at 6.00 am and out at 7.00 on a sultry morning. Walking down to the sea, a lovely breeze got up. So refreshing. It’s strange how the more you do a route to walk, the quicker you cover it and feel like you do. Today, I was back before I began to feel properly tired.
Shower, swim, jacuzzi, shower, coffee & croissants and newspapers. Immediately, I was confronted by this news. Yesterday it was floods in central Spain and today it is quite a serious earthquake about 150 miles away from us. And still life goes on serenely here.
Actually, today is our last full one for this visit but we’ve already decided we will come back. This place is delightful and the property has been so comfortable. We will return for at least a month next time. We fly from Murcia International in mid-morning. A taxi is booked to collect us here at 7.30 am and it takes about an hour to the airport. We like to check in early and get through Security while it’s quiet. We get to Gatwick just after 1.00 pm and, with no bags to wait for and our car ready and waiting, we should be home just after 2.00 pm.
I’m watching the Test Match in its final day with England looking likely to win. Jofra Archer has returned to from a lengthy period of injury and made a major contribution. This morning he has taken a wonderful caught & bowled. My Housekeeper is working round me – probably to make me feel guilty. Cleaning, cooking, washing, ironing and packing – all her favourite hobbies.
We always treat properties and leave them the way we like to find them. Clean & tidy, bins emptied and with basic provisions restocked. We know the official cleaners will be in but it feels good to do the right thing and we will be back. We will be leaving quite a few things because of the airport restrictions. Liquids have to be contained in 100 mls bottles. Our Sun Screen and After Sun lotions will remain to benefit the next occupants. Lots of other things in the kitchen and bathrooms that we buy to make life bearable will do another month for someone.
This has been an absolutely wonderful time. Hard to remember a trip more satisfying for a long time, Dear Reader. And England won the Test. What more can one ask for? Life goes on …. for now.
Tuesday, 15th July, 2025
Up at 6.00 am on a hot and stuffy morning. Time to finish last minute packing, have a drink and pack away the property. My EasyJet App tells me our flight has a one hour delay which is annoying but at least we know before going to the airport. We won’t land at Gatwick now until 2.00 pm but it is not the end of the world. Life goes on.
Digital Newspapers downloaded to get us through the airport wait. Unfortunately, Murcia International is too small to have an Exec. Lounge but quiet enough to cope without it.
Arrived at the Airport around 9.00 am and went straight through Security while it was quiet. There isn’t much Airside so we ensconced ourselves in the very un-Spanish Costa Coffee. The good news is that our flight has clawed back time and we are now only delayed by 20 mins. It may be a homely airport but 2 cups of coffee and a bottle of water (all served with a delightful smile) still cost us an eye watering 12.35 euros /£10.70.
The flight home was really lovely. Short, comfortable and happy. Walk off the plane. Shuttle to Long Stay Carpark. Drive home with a Political Podcast playing to distract me. Glorious! Back home, the garden has survived wonderfully. Off to Sainsburys for milk and other essentials. Home for a bottle of iced Champagne to celebrate another successful trip. Our first meal of the day – Salmon and Asparagus with new potatoes from our garden. I’m thinking of those I have loved and missed.
I have continued the tradition of sending myself a postcard. It will go in the lifelong collection. I sent them to others in the hope of continuing the connection. Some are pleased and some not. My dear friend, Caroline from Saddleworth made me cry with her reply. She has been to Newquay where a failed marriage proposal marked the rest of her life. Poor girl. I feel for her and her plight. It destroyed her life. Life is cruel – full of cruel people!
Wednesday, 16th July, 2025
Lovely warm and sunny morning. I’m out early for my Biannual PSA/Hormone blood test. I have a review on Tuesday with the Oncology Department at Worthing Hospital. A lovely girl at the surgery took an armful of blood. I will have the results in my app by tomorrow morning. I have to book another blood test next week to cover my INR. I feel very healthy but I sound like I’m on my way out.
I hope I live because I would like to repeat the experience I have just had abroad. I was surprised how much I loved it. The only problem is going to be when to fit it in. I booked via the Booking.com platform this time. I’ve used them many times before and get a considerable discount on that basis. They flatteringly call people like me who have used them many times a Genius and I am currently a Genius Level 3. They can flatter me as much as they like. I only care about the discount it affords me and the guarantee of the quality I get.
The lovely property we rented and which made the whole experience so enjoyable is actually managed by a company called Casas Holiday Mediterraneo SL. I have no particular allegiance to any of them other than ones which help me. I will consider directly contacting Jennifer – the girl from the Management Company – to see if she can offer me a further discount on the Booking.com one. I made sure I got her card before leaving and I will be using it as we plan our return.
However I proceed, I’m going to be spending a lot of money on travel over the next 12 months. I am already committed to time in the North of England and a month in Tenerife. I am currently planning a Thessaloniki – Athens – Sifnos – Athens trip in the next Summer time and so it goes on. It’s not a cheap business.
Inflation has risen again this month to 3.6% partly on the increased costs of travel. Fortunately, interest rates are still positive even though a large number of mine are maturing from a 2 year fixed rate of around 6.1%. I got home from Spain to a series of maturity notices that had made me £25,000 which is better than a poke in the eye and will help next year’s bookings.
A rise in inflation is more likely to keep interest rates higher for longer which is good news for people looking to lock in long term savings. Economists expect the inflation rate to fall back to the Bank of England target rate of 2% over the next year so a fix will continue to make positive contributions to my travel plans and, maybe, a new car in another year.
It was a wonderful time away but it is lovely to be back home. The July garden is bountiful and it will take us a few days too collect things in- today in a delightfully warm 24C/75F and sunny conditions we have picked more than 3kgs of Green Beans with double that to come. When they’ve all been picked, the bushes will be desperate to flower and fruit again and again until the frosts. The Basil will make more Pesto tomorrow than we can ever eat and the Parsley has gone so mad I may have to open a market stall.
Thursday, 17th July, 2025
A warm night and a very warm morning. Up early because there is so much to do. It’s one of the downsides of going away. There is always so much that builds up to get done. Tomorrow is committed completely to the funeral of Pauline’s sister. Today, we are scrabbling around to complete jobs. First the car needs valeting but I just haven’t got time to do it myself so I’ve gone out to have it done for me. It feels lazy but has to be done. It looks great when I pick it up. Better than I can do.
I’m loving this car which I’ve had for almost 10 months now but I’m keeping my eye on developments for the next range. They are quite radical and totally electric. They are exciting but need acclimatising to. I expect I’ve got another year before I move.
Before going out, I found time to break the Shark Vacuum for the second time and scan in a few more photos for the ceremony’s display tomorrow.
Before the end of the day, I have to do my exercise, mow all the lawns down the street, tidy up the back garden, reset the auto-watering system and cut all the Basil for my Housekeeper to make Pesto. I also have to lift some potatoes and harvest the Parsley for washing, chopping and freezing. So, a quiet day really.
EE, my mobile provider, gives me full use of my contract in Europe – with one exception which I forgot. They charge for the use of emojis and photos in texts. I sent my friend lots of emojis in texts which cost nothing in UK but 87p each in Europe. Now I am left with a bill to explain. Fortunately my Housekeeper has run up another bill by contacting her English relations on their USA phones and that has cost her a fortune. We are equal.
My Patients Know Best contact has told me that my blood test found my Testosterone reading is at the top of the range for my age. I knew it. Don’t want to boast but I just had a feeling …. Dear Reader.
Friday, 18th July, 2025
Up early on a hot and humid morning. Didn’t sleep well last night. Woke at 3.30 am and listened to a political podcast from the Newsagents. Up early this morning because we are driving to Surrey to attend Phyllis’ funeral. We will have to drive through rush hour traffic on the M25 so need to add lots of time.
I tried my dark suit on yesterday and, to my horror, it is far too big. I look like a shrunken, little old man in a large, dark bag. Nothing I can do about it but it’s not about me so few will notice. First time I’ve worn shiny, leather shoes for months. I live in trainers. And a tie? Haven’t worn one for so long. What a day to pick to start again – hot, humid, sweaty, uncomfortable 32C/90F. At least the car is clean.
Although it was a day of dark suits and sad memories, it was also a chance to meet again lots of contacts. Super-slim Richard was there with his daughter. Colin’s sister-in-Law and her son and grandchildren – lovely people. It was nice to be with young people again. I chauffeured two of them in the back of my car and it was quite rejuvenating. They know nothing about anything but everything about nothing. I have forgotten what a delight kids can be and how funny, idealistic and bonkers they are. They made me feel old. They made me want kids.
It was incredibly hot out there after the service particularly in a suit and tie but that was the order of the day. I had a long drive ahead of me home so I was restricted to sparkling water which did me good.
Mandy & Kieron did an excellent job of arrangement and management. They could not have been more able in their planning and execution of the day. They are lovely, thoughtful and intelligent people who have taken their responsibilities very seriously and they haven’t been easy to juggle. Mandy gave a heartfelt assessment of her Mum’s contribution to her life – not an easy thing to do under extremely emotional circumstances. Kieron wrote and delivered a thoughtful summary of Phyllis’ Life. I actually found myself moved by both. It reminded me how important it is to make peace with those you love, Dear Reader.
Saturday, 19th July, 2025
Rain, rain, glorious rain. I love it. The garden loves it. The world loves it. It’s going to be a good day. The garden has been drinking greedily all night. I’ve got jobs to do. I’ve always got jobs to do.
I reported a couple of days ago that I had broken the Shark Vacuum for the second time. Anyone who knows me will know I have virtually no practical ability at all. We have 4 vaccuum cleaners. The two robots are my responsibility because that is my expertise – setting up the programmes and activating them. Everything of real importance is done by my Housekeeper.
We have a corded, Henry Hoover which she swears by because she loves old things – just as well really. I bought the Shark Vacuum because I refuse to use corded anything or any old technology. As in the illustration, it flexes in the centre of the wand and folds in half for storage and charging. It has a detachable handset I use for cleaning the car. There are buttons for detaching and buttons for folding. I can never remember which is which and find brute force usually does the job. Not in this case. Twice, I have forced the wand to flex and fold the opposite way and, you will not believe this, Dear Reader, but on both occasions it broke.
Fortunately, I am good at ordering replacement parts and they come next day delivery so no great crisis. Just £30.00 and a new one arrived while we were out yesterday. My Housekeeper fitted it for me this morning. My new garden strimmer arrived yesterday as well from Gtech. Unfortunately, even though I paid £150.00 for it, the machine arrived in 4 separate pieces and needed assembling. After trying unsuccessfully to force two bits into the wrong places (Story of my life.), my Housekeeper finished her Breakfast and completed the job.
I started to make coffee in my newish coffee maker when it flashed up on the screen that it needed de-scaling. Got the message but how to do it? The on-screen instructions were quite confusing but my Housekeeper seemed to cope and I was soon making gorgeous cappuccinos again until my online calendar flashed up that I needed to change my shaver’s cutting heads.
I love my shaver. It has transformed my life. It is controlled by an app on my phone which monitors my technique and guides me to be a better person. I aim to achieve at least 90% of the perfect shave according to Philips every morning and then use the cleaning machine immediately afterwards every day. The app instructs me when to change the cleaning fluid and when to change the cutting heads. The fluid is every 28 days and the heads are every 2 years. I’ve learnt how to change the fluid. It’s easy.
There is no chance that I would ever manage the fiddly cutting heads. Fortunately, my Housekeeper loves things like this and worked it out in no time. She likes to make me feel totally out of my depth.
Well, it’s 11.00 am and the rain has stopped. We’ve sent it to the North. The sun is out. I’m not sending that to them. I’m going out for a walk. Missed it yesterday and my body knows it already. Got to get going. Yesterday was tiring so exercise will help to refresh and to re-establish routines today. On the walk, the sun was so strong and the atmosphere so steamy that it felt like the jungle – not that I’ve ever been in a jungle.
This afternoon, my expertise is called for. The car has told me their is a full, system update to perform via the internet. I have had to connect the car to my home wifi download the software update and then install it. It went quicker than I anticipated. After that was done, the sat nav. told me their were map upgrades to download which will be good. The roads around here seem to change every day at the moment.