So long Covid

We booked to stay for seven nights in Camping Giralda in Isla Cristina. They offer a deal where if you stay for a week you get one night for free. By our standards this is tantamount to becoming long term residents, it is rare that we stay anywhere more than three nights.Nevertheless I am pleased we have stopped for a while, for some reason I am feeling a bit weary, lacking in energy and motivation. I am not sure why.

While we have been here the Spanish authorities have relaxed some of the Covid rules, masks remain mandatory inside public buildings but not in outside space. Up until now everyone has been scrupulous about adhering to the rules, now it's a bit confusing. Are the washing-up sinks inside or outside? They are attached the the outside walls of the sanitary block, but underneath an overhang. By some mysterious process a consensus has emerged, no mask necessary if there is an empty sink between you another washer-upper, mask on if you are pan scrubbing next to each other. On the whole most humans have an impressive capacity for consideration and cooperation. Apart from the idiots who by making a nuisance of themselves appear much more numerous than they actually are. 

Like our PM., as most of Europe takes baby steps towards easing restrictions, Boris, obsessed with being first, has decided to make a dash for the exit, ending all measures in England by the end of this month. However, irrespective of whether restrictions are lifted step by step or summarily abandoned it does appear we are entering some kind of end game so far as the pandemic is concerned, at least here in the West. 

Nevertheless, I don't think we shall simply return to life as it was, though the physiological and psychological effects of  Covid will diminish, some societal changes might be more permanent. Working from home could remain the norm for many, most of us will probably continue to use plastic rather than cash for most purchases, and who knows what the long term consequences will be for children and young people whose education has been disrupted over the past two years?

Then there are the long term effects on health and wellbeing. In this respect I am in a funny situation. As far as we know neither of us succumbed to Covid. We did catch a fluey cold at the beginning of November from our eldest. Though all three of us took numerous lateral flow tests none were positive. 

Gill and I suffered intermittent symptoms for the following two months, yet always tested negative. In my case I also felt fatigued and listless. I still do, I snoozed most of the time on the ferry crossing and even now feel quite content to stay put for a week. This is very unlike me, but I can't really seek medical advice concerning long non-Covid. I wonder if the fatigue is psychosomatic, that that I am simply worn out from living through two very strange years.  

Still, it is a very beautiful day today, mid afternoon temperatures notching beyond the mid-twenties, deep blue sky, a wisp of a warm breeze. The kind of day that demands you do nothing. Maybe this is what I need, instead of wanting a quick fix, an instant cure, I just need to give myself time and space to heal. I am lucky to be in a position to do that, and if I cannot manage to stay still perhaps I can content myself with making slower progress. To that end we are moving on tomorrow, but only by thirty miles across the border into Portugal to spend a few days in Tavira 

If you need to relax Isla Cristina is ideal. It is pleasant, undemanding, practical - Lidl and Mercadona are easily accessible from the campsite down a cycle path. 

There are lovely walk ways through the pines at the back of the beach which stretches away far as you can see in both directions.

We have cooked outside most nights, though quite often the person looking after the Cadac has needed a quilted jacket. At this time of year cloudless skies mean plummeting temperatures after sunset.

As for the town itself, it's a working fishing port, quite modern in the main, but pleasantly mid-rise, each block with a few shops and restaurants well used by the locals. 

The characterful old centre is still very much inhabited, a working town with a a thriving tourist trade not a resort.

I love this old street, palm lined with the front doors opening up onto the pavement. During siesta time the big blue benches fill up as the residents head out for a chat. You can tell it's a lively neighborhood. 

Two storey terraced houses with a patio on the roof have been a feature of cities in the Mediterranean and the Near East since to the bronze age, why do we need more? It feels like a civilised way to live with a balance between privacy and conviviality.

The place's easy going relaxed vibe ensures Camping Giralda fills up over the winter months with Northern Europeans. They too form communities, albeit transitory ones. 

Arrivals are greeted as old friends. The receptionist even recognised us. The site is populated mainly by German, Dutch and French motorhomers. There are a couple of Brits apart from us, but the usual Scandinavian contingent is missing altogether. I presume travel restrictions must have made crossing the Baltic as tricky as crossing the Channel. Perhaps a Viking invasion is happening right now as travel becomes easier, and France is awash with Swedes and Norwegians heading this way, they just haven't got here yet.