Sunday 13th September 2020
Betty’s hand lights....
Monday we had a walk into town, went into the Tourist Info and collected a couple of bus timetables, it was pretty much deserted in town at about midday. Still hot 🥵 so we came back home for a cold drink and to sit in the air con. Weigh day today and we both continue to lose weight steadily which is good news. Couldn’t do Mr Motivator and all the walking so just did one in the evening. We spoke with Chris and Carolyn on WhatsApp, made plans to see them in a couple of weeks as they’re busy this week and we’re busy the week after. The local government decided today that present sanctions will be in force in Valencia region for another three weeks, so still no singing or groups of more than ten people getting together.
Tuesday we caught the bus to Carrefoure, we felt safe enough, everyone wearing masks and spaced out. I got a pair of Birkenstock’s re soled at Mr Minit, the very first pair I bought, probably about 6 years ago, they’re good to go again now. We also got some more rechargeable batteries, we don’t hardly use any other type now which I’m pleased about. We bought some drinking glasses, tumblers, that can go in the dishwasher, we’ve broken three of the ones we inherited with the apartment by putting them in the dishwasher....only got a couple left. Fairly busy in Carrefoure but well organised and not really any queues. We had a drink sitting outside in a cafe before catching the bus back.
Wednesday we had an Amazon delivery for Alan of a new hair trimmer (for ears, nose etc). Alan got a text message from the R.A. Clinic giving him an appointment for next Wednesday so we had a walk to the doctors to make an appointment for blood tests, got one no problem for Friday. We dropped into the Spa for some shopping on the way home.
Thursday the builders came about 10.00 to do some odd jobs for us. They wired up the hand lights and fitted them to the wall ( the bulbs are from Prisma Lighting), tried to fit a new door lock to the back door but failed, we need a locksmith. They also chatted to us about various sound proofing options. They’re coming back in a couple of weeks to repair the roof over the balcony, then we can get it painted and finished off out there. We’re sitting outside for breakfast each morning now it’s a little cooler and it’s really lovely.
Friday morning at 8.28 Alan had his blood test appointment so we walked down there, waited about 25mins, delays due to coronavirus as usually they have at least eight nurses doing them and they’re really fast, now it was only two, in two separate rooms, so it was much slower. A lady stood behind Alan in the queue too close and one of the nurses told her to back off. Very clean and organised. We went into the chemist opposite and picked up our prescriptions and some nail clippers. At 5pm we had a video chat with Alan’s parents and sister really nice chat, they’re all well. Linda and Nigel have just come back from Edinburgh which they enjoyed. There was a small earthquake (3.6) in Leighton Buzzard this week which Mum and Dad felt, pictures rattled and the building shook, their first one, scary stuff. We had a film night with a bottle of wine, Dubois Cava, I think it’s my favourite and only 2.49€ a bottle. We watched Nightcrawler, we both thought it was good and gave it a score in the high eighties.
Saturday we cleaned the apartment as usual then Alan went upstairs and had a quick chat with Marco and Veronica about our builders coming, they will need some access to our roof from their balcony, they were OK with that. We had a walk into town to Andres for some cold meat, we’ve got fed up of eating the supermarket stuff. Then we went into Dialprix for a bottle of wine for tomorrow and some more bread squares. Finally we called into our chemist for the last item on my prescription that we couldn’t get the other day and I got two more free masks. It seemed to be a very noisy day, people in the new block over the road were playing loudish music, next door had either a loud TV or salsa music and Marco was in and out all day long, the dogs were woofing and scuffling about and there was hammering and banging intermittently. I expected a noisy night but then about 11ish it all went quiet, apart from the odd loud car going by. We have downloaded a free white noise app (my noises) and it works brilliantly, you can choose from many different noises, white noise, ocean, rain etc etc, I prefer white noise as it’s less distracting, sounds just like our air con is going. When we have that on and ear plugs in it blocks out everything, apart from the very loudest of loud motorbikes going by or something similar, it’s a brilliant find.
Sunday we sat outside for a very leisurely breakfast, we didn’t have to be anywhere so we sat reading and chatting for ages. We did Mr Motivator then relaxed some more. After lunch we shared a bottle of wine and watched a couple of films, a double matinee, they were Rounders and Phantom Thread, they were both good and we rated them in the 80’s. Later we had a snack and then I gave Alan a haircut and we played games and read.
We have either been doing Mr Motivator twice a day or going for a walk and one Mr M. We are still eating less and are very motivated to keep going, all cravings for chocolate and crisps have gone now thankfully and when we’re shopping we don’t even look at them. Sometimes a day seems to go slowly but the weeks are flying by. Alan has been writing every day, his third short story is now done, just needs checking over and polishing then it will be ready to be sent off. The October edition of Writers Forum came out on Saturday and Alan’s first ever story was listed as being Highly Commended, how brilliant is that for a first attempt, I’m so proud of him. As the story wasn’t published in the top three it can be sent off to another competition so he is now looking where to send it next. I have been sewing together all the ties I got to make a skirt, I’m just waiting for the last three ties to come from Linda and then I’ll get it Finished. Still doing our daily challenges and playing Moonlight Lite Mahjong most days.