LOCAL AND NATIONAL news informed us that Monday morning at 8:00 we here in Spain officially go into lock-down. Unless, like me, you go out for your one last walk on Sunday (in the rain) before the lock-down begins. I was stopped by the local police and told to go home. I apologized and explained that I had read that the lock-down didn’t begin until Monday at 8. I was told, not very kindly, “No it starts today!” I again apologized for misunderstanding and said I was on my way home (which I was). I hate when I think I’m following the rules and get treated like that. San Geraldo checked again after I got home and learned that the start was changed Saturday night at 10!
So, we’re only allowed to leave our homes to buy food and medicine, commute to work, go to hospitals and banks, or take trips to care for the young and elderly. Red flags were raised yesterday on the beaches, which usually means swimming is not permitted (rough surf, jellyfish, poor visibility), but this time in addition to the flags, the entrances to the beach were all taped off.
The “man with the tan” (Friday’s blog post) was back on the beach Friday afternoon, as you’ll see below. His last chance for a while, I suppose. In close-up, he looks surprisingly like David Hasselhoff (or Mitch Buchannon, as you might know him). At least that’s what happened in the time it took me to get the photos from my camera to my computer and, finally, to you.
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LAS NOTICIAS LOCALES y nacionales nos informaron que el lunes a las 8 de la mañana, aquí en España, oficialmente cerramos. A menos que, como yo, salgas a dar tu última caminata el domingo (bajo la lluvia) antes de que comience el cierre. La policía local me detuvo y me dijo que me fuera a casa. Me disculpé y le expliqué que había leído que el cierre no comenzó hasta el lunes a las 8. Me dijeron, no muy amablemente, “¡No, comienza hoy!” Nuevamente me disculpé por el malentendido y dije que iba camino a casa (que era). Odio cuando creo que estoy siguiendo las reglas y me tratan así. ¡San Geraldo volvió a verificar después de llegar a casa y me enteré de que el comienzo había cambiado el sábado a las 10 de la noche!
Por lo tanto, solo se nos permite salir de nuestras casas para comprar alimentos y medicinas, ir al trabajo, ir a hospitales y bancos, o hacer viajes para cuidar a los jóvenes y ancianos. Ayer se levantaron banderas rojas en las playas, lo que generalmente significa que no se permite nadar (olas fuertes, medusas, poca visibilidad), pero esta vez, además de las banderas, se cerraron todas las entradas a la playa.
El “hombre bronceado” (mi blog del viernes) regresó a la playa el viernes por la tarde, como verá a continuación. Su última oportunidad por un tiempo, supongo. En primer plano, se parece sorprendentemente a David Hasselhoff (o Mitch Buchannon, como quizás lo conozcas). Al menos eso es lo que sucedió en el tiempo que me llevó llevar las fotos de mi cámara a mi computadora y, finalmente, a ti.
No realmente David Hasselhoff/Mitch Bucannan.
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It will all be okay, it really will.
David:
Like all things, this shall pass, but it sadly won’t be OK for many people. We’re doing fine.
You are ahead of us in N.S.
still trying to handle this global consciousness
with a calm heart
Be safe
Ron:
Today for us is much calmer. SO quiet around town. Haven’t been out for permitted chores yet, but will. I’m so excited to take out the recycling this afternoon.
Take care, sweeties! Guilt free holing up is the best 🙂 !
Deedles:
We’re doing fine and are settling into things today. The cats are blissed out because we’re home all the time.
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww to the beach guy. hope you and jerry and moose and dudo weather the “shelter in place”. our gov decided to close the state liquor stores – WTeverlovinF are we gonna do without booze?????
Carebear, you may have to pack up and go live with Maddie for the duration! I don’t think he and the houseboys will ever run out of gin 🙂
that gurl has booze delivered to underground storage tanks at the casa. she and the houseboyz will be fine.
anne marie:
If they DO run out, maybe I’d be permitted to send some (I’m sure it would be considered an emergency).
Deedles:
Too bad anne marie can’t get into Spain now. We’ve got all the booze she needs. It’s sold in the supermarkets and those shops are open!
anne marie:
Dudo got a bit bent out of shape when I wouldn’t let him out in the hill yesterday. It’ll take a few days, but he’ll get over it… I think. One GREAT thing about Spain is that booze is sold in supermarkets, and they’re open!
Yikes! I’m glad, for you two, that you have that expansive view and beautiful terrace. I know you’ll go nuts staying inside and not getting in your walks… let alone, missing your restaurant visits! Maybe SG can teach you to cook a few things–ha!
Judy:
SG will NOT survive lockdown if he tries to teach me to cook. Honestly, I CAN cook and have. I just don’t enjoy it, so no longer do. I used to make the best eggrolls outside of Chinatown. I chopped everything, rolled them, and fried them in the wok. Bite size for parties!
Hug SG and your kitties. I am taking a lot of solace in a loving husband and my dog right now. I can’t see a total lockdown coming to Canada but it definitely could happen. We are not going to Mexico, our country has asked us not to so I am not. We may lose money, yet to find out as have spent hours on hold only to twice be cut off by the phone system. Not going to worry about it. My mother is so petrified she doesn’t want me to come over yet she can’t shower without me being there just in case so we need to have that discussion.
Cheapchick:
I am so grateful for SG (as usual). We love each other’s company and can get through anything together We’re much more fortunate than many and appreciate how easy we have it during this lockdown. Dudo, however, might just drive me crazy (although I love that, too).
I’m surprised the police didn’t intervene on tan man. Or was he hidden behind a barrier of some sort?
Steve:
I don’t think the police care much about that kind of exposure, nor does anyone else around here really. The beach was almost deserted and he wasn’t standing up. AND… the important bits were covered (well, important to HIM).
Now’s a great time to do all those little odd jobs and chores around the house! That’s what I’m doing to while away some time.
Debra:
Exactly! I should actually finish editing SG’s first book. I already today manually cleared all disk cache on my hard drive. (It didn’t take much time, either, and I’ve been putting it off forever.)
Our province of Nova Scotia has its first 3 confirmed cases of this virus. A lot are self-isolating…. as we are doing. We can still go for walks daily keeping to ourselves. If things get worse we will have our garden to walk around and around in.
I can see you ‘doing’ the staircases in your building? Better than nothing I guess.
You guys take and be careful.
Jim:
It’s so great that you have the benefit of your garden. I’m grateful for our terrace but spending time in my own garden would be idyllic. Stay well!
Thinking of you and SG, do take care. It will be boring for sure with everything shut down and restrictions on movements. Same here on PEI with only one case so far but I am sure we will get more. Too many people traveling abroad at the moment. PM Trudeau hinted at closing borders today and the Government is begging people to come home before more restrictions on flights to Canada. Already those in Europe are having difficulties getting flights to Canada. Be well and keep smiling and wash your hands too.
larrymuffin:
I miss my morning coffee at Mesón Salvador and especially miss seeing our friends and neighbors. But we’re very fortunate and really have nothing to complain about. You two stay well, too!
We don’t seem to be on “lockdown” yet, although there are recommendations to stay home except for all the reasons you mentioned. I found out yesterday that the châteaux have indeed closed, a blow to the local tourist industry. The zoo also just closed its doors for four weeks.
Walt the Fourth:
I really feel sorry for the business owners and workers who aren’t getting paid during this time. I just wrote to our housekeeper telling her not to come to work until further notice, but that we’ll pay her for the time anyway. People struggle enough every day without this terrible stress. We, on the other hand, will be fine (I hope) and save a fortune in the meantime.
I am reading these (as is my wont) in reverse. I am from the future – you are doing OK.
Urspo:
That is SO good to know. Thank you. Keep my posted!