I’ve stopped counting the days.

I don’t even know if we’re still in lockdown/quarantine/confinamiento. I don’t know what to call it at this stage. “Life?” We entered Phase 1 this week which means that bars and restaurants have been allowed to open and that we can meet in groups of up to 10. This seems like a bit much to me but I’m more of a one on one kind of person anyway. I don’t know if most people are now taking advantage of this and doing mostly as they please but I’m still very much at home. Until yesterday I didn’t realise that it also meant that shops could open without appointments. I went to the supermarket yesterday which means walking into the city centre and it was really bizarre to see that the window displays had changed and that the doors were actually open. Although the mornings are still relatively quiet and not too much has changed throughout the day on my street, the evenings are fullllllll of people having an evening stroll. It’s nice to see but I feel much more comfortable watching from my balcony rather than being amongst people. The government did change the rules on Thursday so that if a 2 metre distance can’t be maintained, a mask has to be worn and for the most part people seem to stick to it. Although I know I’m not “old,” I definitely see the difference between being in my 30s and the youth who seem to carry on without a care in the world. No wonder they think of people in their 30s as old. We’re judgmental (sensible?). I was told I looked like I was 22 the other day though so hey, that’s cool.

This past week I’ve just not had the ganas (desire) to do anything. It got pretty hot (30C) and although my flat stays relatively cool I’ve just not felt inclined… The only thing I seem capable of doing lately is watching tv and sleeping. And eating. I cannot seem to stop. I’m not sure why but maybe as life slowly returns to some normality I’m trying to clutch on to the safety of being confined to my flat. I really ought to pick up the tome of The Mirror and the Light that I bought at the start of all of this though. It’s just so physically heavy that I stop before I even start. Also I can’t seem to concentrate on anything and it’s a book that both requires and deserves concentration.

Although we can now go out for lunch, Lucía and I continue with our Sundays together. I love the ritual that we have developed. We both like to cook and we have the best view so it doesn’t make that much sense to go out. Last Sunday she blew my mind with torrijas which is the Spanish translation of French toast. They are not the same thing AT ALL. Today she’s making risotto and I’m in charge of salad and dessert. Shame that the permitted exercise hours have now passed and I’m still in my pj’s….

I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of May. And to leave you, here’s a picture I took when I went out the other morning, just to prove I’m still doing some exercise (even if just to myself). I love the absolutely madness of this plant’s structure….