Freedom is Relative ( continued)

 I want to break free  ;.... but freedom from what ? We have had our second jab , so soon we would be Covid free ( potentially ); and now travel is a possibility . So we will be on the road again. Ah , steady , we are not totally free, there is the new kitchen garden to consider . First  a replacement waterer was trained; then we were free to go . But where to ? Covid restrictions are still in place , and keep changing ; freedom is proscribed . 

Reading the small print , we were within the 35 km French / Spanish border area with free travel , Covid test not required .  35 degrees of freedom . Google maps defined the area , so we departed for the bay of Roses . The border check was perfunctory , we were home free . The car enjoyed its newly discovered unrestricted speed (  within the legal speed limit ) ; propelling us to freedom’s limit .

Empuria Brava was our destination , liberty to renew friendship . Early morning and the enormous beach is deserted , apparent infinite space to indulge unrestricted activity . The broad expanse of sand, sea and sky , an explosion of opportunity . My ageing limbs limited possibility and distance covered . Sea temperature discouraged further exploration . 

A ‘cafe con lèche’  provided recuperation , relaxation and then reflection. Freedom to think and enjoy . Parrots squawked in the adjacent palm , the sky their space . Above, a plane droned upwards then discharged their passengers in free fall , enjoying freedom from gravity’s  constraints ;  only for a few minutes until parachutes deployed .

I was at liberty to consider and enjoy all these , and debate politics with my adjacent drinkers without fear of police intervention . So lucky to live with this freedom . Contemplating my situation I concluded that freedom was always relative ; but  most important was internal calmness , to enjoy  what was available and achievable 

Strolling along the coastal path gave magnificent views of the freedom the Costa Brava had to offer. A Cristal clean sea, intimate coves, tumbling cliffs . The path itself was a construction marvel , opening up new vistas at each turn . Access to these coves available to all, not just for the local resident. One couple were determined to enjoy to the full this new found liberation . Vodka, peach snaps and cranberry juice are the cocktail ingredients. Theirs was the name in action; much to the embarrassment of the passing author.

Warning Flags

The day was warm and sunny , a gentle sea breeze cooled the sun worshipers . The beach was ,for the first time this year, festooned with white flesh . We all could now travel for a day at the sea side, and Argeles Plage was thronged with excitement and gaiety . A green flag flew over the lifeguard station , giving reassurance that it was safe to enter the water; and that someone may be watching over us. 

Pausing to reflect ; this safety is relative . You need to be able to swim , stay within your capabilities , eaten and drunk sensibly and avoid thermal shock . An orange flag : the risks and precautions have just increased. Red flag : you have been warned , and now on your own ; although there may be an emergency rescue attempt. These are just facts of life that we have learnt to live with. No great issue.

It is , and will be ,the same situation with Covid. Leaving the relative safety of our homes, we will be entering a world where the potential for virus infection will exist . A green flag , then we are vaccinated , the waters will be smooth with little risk of infection . As with swimming , a degree of risk will remain .It will be personal choice, rather than governmental, as to how we respond.

We are not there yet as the country is not vaccinated and ,as important , in vast swathes of the world , a red flag is clearly flying . The world death toll from Covid is forecast as 1 million in May alone ; a storm is truly raging. Venturing into these waters attracts an unacceptable personal risk and the possibility of importing, on return, yet another new variant of the virus. We need a vaccinated world for a green flag to fly at home.

Flags will continue to be part of our lives , for both swimming and Covid.

Awakening senses.

   AWAKENING SENSES

How do I capture that special fleeting moment , when all comes together in what seems perfection . Can I recall it in sufficient clarity ,  my prose do it justice , to recreate those feeling and emotions . Well, I can but try .

That day started with overnight rain , vaguely impacting on my semi-consciousness through noise on the terrace . The rainfall was bypassing the windows , thus there was no wind accompaniment . For me, the day proper started with an enthusiastic dawn chorus , dragging me into wakefulness; it was time to emerge and see what was causing all that excitement. 

Stepping out onto the grass all my senses came alive to create a picture , an experience almost too special to believe . The rain had stopped, leaving  trees , grass , everything, freshly washed ; bursting to celebrate this special day. Leaves were dripping with joy , and wet grass was urging exploration . The wetness was not dank , but uplifting ; encouraging all to go forth into a joyous world . 

There is something memorable , especially in this dry part of the world , of walking over wet grass. It must be recalling England’s greenness and a childhood when rain was only fun. But here ,an intense sun  burst from behind the clouds, turning water droplets into jewels and streaking this picture with shafts of light,and strong shadows  . A morning stillness and silence completed the perfection . I stopped, breathing the freshness and trying to keep hold of  this exceptional moment . The simplest things are often the best .

Oh no!  the grass has been recently rotovated , sanglier had broken their way through the electric fence ; our grass must be greener ourside of this  fence. This needs a prompt response or our greensward will soon turn into the Somme. A wire fence alone will not keep out these mobile bulldozers. Investigation determined that it was now possible to replace our placid electricity with something fierce : 15,000 volts instead of 8,000; with shocks lasting twice as long . That should certainly stimulate their senses. Perhaps they will arrive ‘bien cuit’. I can but hope.

 

But the day has more to offer . Scents from rose displays , wild flowers,  and newly cut grass with wild fennel . A picture of days gone-by , the cutting done by hand with vintage ' faux avec pierre d'affûtage ' ( sythe ). Its owner nearly the same age !