Holiday summary from Barcelona airport

A phone-produced free-ramble as my holiday draws to an end.

The ‘day’ began at 2:45 am local time - a quick shower and hour in the car, driven by my lovely host @sulayr, to Seville airport. The good thing about travelling at unsociable hours is the lack of traffic, and the only obstacles were a diversion, a rabbit, and a mouse. All three were successfully navigated, but I don’t fancy the chances of the rabbit - popular in paella dishes on the east coast of Spain....

Two weeks has gone super fast, which I guess is a good sign as it shows that we have been keeping ourselves busy visiting places, playing sports, and occasionally hiding under an umbrella at the beach. It can be quite windy on the south coast of Spain and I did have to chase our sombrilla on one occasion. My spanish isn’t great and so I had no words to warn people as it tumbled across the sands faster than I could run - the guy who finally caught it didn’t seem too pissed off and lo siento senor was all I had to offer 😳

Padel, described accurately as a cross between tennis and squash by one Hive member, was my favourite activity of the holiday and we played multiple times at various clubs. It’s the first time I’ve given it a go but thought I’d at least be better than awful - I’ll let @sulayr comment on how this absolute beginner fared. We played yesterday evening and the temperature was 30 something 🥵 - my Amazfit watch with some stats:

I drank 2 litres of water In total during and just after the game, and still ended up with a mild dehydration headache. Nothing to do with being gamed and sent around the court before the impossible to return smash came in 🤬

One night we visited a bar in Cadiz with a pool table. Despite the surface not being flat and playing like an ice rink, I still managed to show off the results of a misspent youth and make up for the Padel lessons. Two euros a game though on a pretty crap table is not cool - you can still play for 50 cents in the UK!

There was also time for some live music during my trip and we attended a socially distant concert in which Fuel Fandango performed. We were led to our table by a masked security guard and were allowed to remove masks whilst in close proximity to this location - taking a leak or going to get a drink required the mask again. Fair play to the organisers though as it was not as bad as it sounds, just a bit surreal.

I packed a frisbee (purchased in Valencia) for the trip, and also hired a bike for the week. Surprisingly, playing frisbee turned out to be a decent calorie burner, for me more than @sulayr - make of that what you will 😛 The hired bike was I think the last available bike for hire in the whole of Spain. The seat had suspension making it easily the best part - I am not a fan of small tires, narrow handle bars, and rubber brakes. On the outward journey I earned 3/4 times as many PAI as @sulayr who very surprised with this data - but less surprised after I suggested I ride her fancy mountain bike on the way home 😀

El Puerto de Santa Maria, the location of my stay, reminded of Cala Millor - where my mum lives on the east coast of Mallorca. At this time of year, the Spanish flock to the coast here, along with the guys selling fake Adidas trainers, and the folks wanting money from people taking a glance at the sand towers they have created. It’s impressive to see the speed in which these traders (who aren’t paying the market stall tax) pack up their wares when a police car shows up. The trick is to use a large cloth as the stall so the shop can shut in the time it takes to grab the 4 corners, spin the material, and run!

I like the place, but I’m easily pleased when there are sporting activities, some sunshine, and a beach. I’m told it’s best to visit in the spring and autumn, and so a return could be on the cards before the year is out, Covid-19 permitting.

And speaking of the virus, I’ll end this ramble with a few observations of what it’s like travelling in Europe by plane at present. A mask If you are walking, but not if you are smoking. No mask if you are eating, but make sure you put it on when taking your cup to the bin.

Temperature tests and hundreds of markers on the floor showing you where to stand. Flight attendants don’t touch your passport or boarding pass, but every single person touches the majority of the seats when they go to the toilet / serve food, etc, mid-flight 🤷🏽‍♂️

‘Please maintain a safe distance...’ is the automated message being called out on the tannoy at Barcelona airport, it’s time to board and sit less than 1.5m from bunch of people 😎

Cheers!

Asher

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