Spain in level 4 restrictions!

Well here we are nearing the end of our first week in level 4 restrictions and we're managing fine. But the local businesses are certainly facing their biggest challenge yet and our hearts go out to them all 🤗  So....what are our new restrictions?  In a nutshell, we can no longer eat or drink inside any cafes/restaurants/bars - only on their terrace at 70% capacity.  And those same businesses must shut at 6pm on Fridays, Saturdays and bank holidays (although they can continue to provide take away food until midnight).  This is impacting hard at such an important time of the year in hospitality; and of course the same is now happening in a large part of the UK.  Locally only today we heard that Little Italy on the Pine Walk will not be re-opening again which is very sad.  But we just somehow have to keep going - I believe the vaccination programme is shortly to be rolled out here so as I see it, this is a push towards that and the beginning of the end 🤞

Personally I have been affected in that my teaching job finished suddenly in the middle of the week in much the same way as it did back in March which was pretty sad.  One minute I was in the classroom with some great Christmassy lessons planned, the next - at home and putting it all away 😒  This is because the Balearic government declared that all extra-curricular activities from football to English were to finish forthwith.  Given how careful we had been at school this was more than frustrating but hey - again, it is what it is and it won't be forever.

The weather is still lovely out here compared to the UK on the whole, but it definitely is more wintery here now.  As I recall this seems to be a little earlier than usual but that would be typical in a year where we will be eating Christmas dinner outside on Stay's terrace; currently the forecast is scheduled to be fairly chilly and with a good chance of some rain - deep joy 😂 but it matters not, we are determined to have a great time come what may 🎉

In the meantime, the Port has never looked lovelier and here are a couple of views of it over the last week:

   

                                                                                       

In local news, the Pollensa area has been very hard hit by a big increase in cases of coronavirus with a large number of them sadly in the care home in the Port (the one in Pollensa is apparently absolutely fine).  The cause of this is being looked into, but in the meantime we all have to abide by the rules and do our bit.  And to be honest, it really isn't that difficult when you can stop, as I did the other day, for a morning coffee with this for a view 😍

So, as we enter Christmas week, I'd like to wish every one a very happy and safe Christmas 🎄🎅  

Hasta el próximo domingo!