#StaySafe #StayIn
Like myself, I bet under normal circumstances we all crave to have a few days off, switching off from the outside world and doing nothing. Well those of us that are still working do and if you cast your mind back to when you had that daily hamster wheel commute to work, also wished it. However, the saying ‘Be careful what you wish for’ springs to mind now… although these are certainly NOT the circumstances I would be wishing that I was staying at home under. Unfortunately, or maybe it is fortunate, the weather is so awful that you don’t actually want to go out but the strict stay home policy here in Spain is working.
On Saturday, I needed to venture out to stock up on fresh produce – the first time since the previous weekend. Normally I’d be popping out almost daily with something I’d missed off from the shopping list I’d forgotten at home, then play a game as to how many items I could remember… invariably hardly any yet still come back home with yet another carrier bag full of ‘stuff ’.
I decided that as I am press I would first drive into Benidorm and was prepared for being stopped at police check points. The first one was close to Villamar and conducted by the Benidorm Policia Local. I wound my window down slightly to the masked officer and told him I was ‘prensa’ showing him my pass. He nodded, smiled and waved me on. Every car in both directions was being stopped – many I noticed were showing the required letter of authorisation… obviously they were workers. The next police stop was in the Rincon, on the roundabout opposite Round Town Travel but by the National Police… he wasn’t quite as friendly. “What are you doing here” he asked – obviously in Spanish. I held out my press pass and told him I was working. “Where do you live” – La Nucia. “Where is your office” – Finestrat… technically correct. “So what are you doing here then”… I explained that ‘my area’ for reporting purposes was Benidorm
to which he asked me what exactly was I planning on doing here. I said take some pictures, from the safety of my car to show readers that everyone is indeed abiding by the restrictions to show empty streets etc. He grunted… although a rather sexy, husky grunt and instructed me not to stay too long and to leave straight after. Goodness, that was an experience! So I did a quick drive around and it really was eerily quiet which was good to witness. Stopping at a set of red traffic lights on the Avenida Mediterraneo – even though there was no other traffic but rules are rules, I saw one gentleman walking his dog and waving up to someone. I looked up at an apartment block opposite and a very elderly gentleman was looking out and waving back. It really hit home that there are probably hundreds or more likely thousands of people, isolated on their own and made me appreciate that I have two other adults at home with me – my husband and son to talk to.
Mercadona in Albir was a delight – I was there around 1pm. Everyone was staying a respectful distance apart and the shelves and fridges were fully stocked. What a difference from the shocking scenes we have all witnessed in the media from back in the UK, where it looks like supermarkets have been literally looted.
So the rest of my weekend, like the week was spent indoor apart from one daily walk with London, my chow. It’s amazing how many offers I have had to take her out! I actually decided to tackle my kitchen cupboards and have a sort out, assisted by Anton. Everything came out, inspected and if good, wiped and replaced. At this point I have to admit that I was shocked, embarrassed and ashamed in equal measures that I threw out 2 bin liners of stuff. Never one to take much notice of ‘Use by” dates as you can always tell if something is past its best, I did have a number of items dated 2015 and 2016! Yikes. Well like Old Mother Hubbard… my cupboards are now bare. Sunday afternoon I spent a relaxing and fun – yes fun afternoon playing Monopoly, something I’d never normally have time to do. I think if I have learnt anything from this period of restriction, it is to take time to spend some quality time together with my boys, creating memories. I have got a huge pile of ironing that still needs tackling and even found myself glancing at it but pulled myself together quickly and decided I am not yet that bored.