When
we retired to Spain 14 years ago we established a very pleasant weekly
routine. We divide our time between
hill walking and wargaming. Both take
up a considerable amount of time, and provide a good balance between energetic
and restful pursuits.
For
the past five years our weekly routine has been quite full with these two
hobbies. On Monday and Thursday we lead
a day long walk for our local U3A. On
Tuesday and Friday I prepare a blog on each walk. That takes up the best part of four days.
Running
my 1813 campaign, and gaming the battles from it, take up a large part of the
remaining three days.
Last
Saturday this pleasant life style came to an abrupt end with the Spanish
government declaring a state of emergency to fight the Coronavirus. With immediate effect all bars, restaurants
and non food shops were closed. In
addition everyone
in Spain was ordered to remain within their home for two weeks. The only exceptions were
Emergency workers to and from their place of
work
To visit a food shop
To visit a doctor or chemist
To walk a dog within a short distance of your
home
Each individual has to carry out the
above on their own. Only one in a car, only one to
the food shop or doctor. Even partners
were not allowed to travel together, except in an emergency
All outside leisure activity was banned,
including walking or other exercise
We were warned that anyone breaking any of the
above rules would be fined. In the week
since then 31,000 people have been fined for breaking the restrictions.
This is a wargame blog, and I do not usually
post anything not related to the hobby.
But I wanted to explain why I will be increasing my weekly posts to two
a week whilst the emergency lasts. The
reason is that we are doing a lot more wargaming.
Obviously I am not posting on our twice weekly
walking blog, instead I will be posting on the progress of the Lockdown and its
effect of our life here in Spain. If you
would like to follow those posts you will find them here
Hi Paul, I hope you and Jan are healthy and I'm happy to hear you're taking the lockdown seriously. Here in the Netherlands people are still flocking to parks and beaches now that the sun is coming out, sadly.
ReplyDeleteI'll be looking forward to more frequent wargaming posts. A happy side-effect of a very serious situation!
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI expect that we will be following suit in the UK at some point over the next few days,
I have just seen that Spain is extending the lockdown for another 15 days, which does not bode well.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
Paul and Jan - very sorry to read this, I know from friends out there just how life changing things have become. The Spanish lifestyle I know is very much based on social activities and outdoor living so must be very hard, I don't really understand why the expansive beaches and activities such as yours have been banned.
ReplyDeleteHope you both stay safe and get through it, I still find it difficult to comprehend just what has happened over the last couple of weeks.
All the best,
Lee.
Hi Yuri
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments and best wishes.
We are very envious of the Netherlands. One of our walking friends is Dutch, and returned home a few weeks ago. Whilst we are forced to remain indoors, she posts of Facebook every day about the long walks she enjoys!
I don't blame her, as she is allowed to do so. And to be honest it seems like a good idea to be able to exercise. But I do fear that in the coming weeks it may prove to have been a mistake not to impose really strict retrictions such as the Chineese did.
The other problem is that she is experiencing unseasonal sunny weather. Here in Spain we also have unseasonal weather, but it is wet and cold!
Keep safe
Paul
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments and good wishes
The extension of the state of emergency here in Spain came as no surprise to anyone. The rates of infections, and unfortunately also deaths, has continued to climb throughout the first week. The current expectation is that it will reach a peak next week, though I don't think anyone knows really. If that is the case restrictions might be reduced by mid April. But I am quite expecting it will be summer before they are relaxed. I might be wrong, I certainly hope so.
Keep safe and keep well
Paul
Hi Lee
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments and best wishes
It was quite frightening how quickly the restrictions were imposed, and how strictly they are enforced. On Friday afternoon all was normal, by midnight on Saturday a state of emergency was declared. The whole population, with very few exceptions, were forced to remain indoors by law. Bars and non food shops were closed. Anyone breaking the restrictions was subject to 300 euro fine, and that was applied with a real determination.
However because the effect has been so terrible here in Spain, almost everyone accepted the loss of freedom without complaint. All the more difficult for a population who are used to an outdoor lifestyle.
It is sometimes really hard to believe it is really all happening. We feel like we are living in a Stephen King horror novel. And the entire transisiton happened within 24 hours.
I hope that all goes well for you all in the UK. Certainly at present you are well below our infection and death rates. But it does worry me that so many seem to be ignoring the relatively light restrictions imposed so far.
Keep well and keep safe
Paul
Hi Paul, also just gone into lockdown here in New Zealand, though I will keep working being in health system. Your philosophy in your latest post sounds sensible. Stay safe and best wishes to you and your partner and family!
ReplyDeleteMore wargaming posts; the silver lining to this cloud!
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and Jan, Paul.
James
Hi Chasseur
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post, and for your comments
It must be a very trying time for anyone working in the health system. I can only admire them and wish them all well. The situation here in Spain gets worse day by day, and a large number of the casualties are medical staff. All of Spain is in shutdown, with everyone confined to their home except to shop. But each night most people come out on their balconies and beat pans and play musical instruments to honour the medical staff.
At present it is only a big inconvience for us. To be honest we are quite prepared to avoid any contact. And fortunately the Spanish take the 2 metre distance very serious. There are queues for the shops, but everyone keeps the correct distance.
Do take care of yourself and your family.
best wishes
Paul
Hi James
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments and best wishes
We have been playing so many wargames that I can't keep up the administration of the campaign. For the first time in years we are playing a non campaign game. Not even taking photos of each move! It feels very, very strange.
All of our frieds, most of whom are regular walkers, really envy us having such a time consuming hobby. Many are bored and desperate for something to do. All DIY and hobby shops are closed here, so it is not even possible to do any work around the house or garden.
Hopefully it will not be long before we can return to our normal life
In the meantime take care and be safe
Paul