Using 4G, mifi or campsite wifi means that one is never alone, or I’m not with my extended crew, and am very happy to be able to watch Line of Duty, Champions League, Federer playing the tennis opens, – currently Madrid – The Good Fight etc etc via Prime, BT or Sky Sports subscriptions (mine or others’ – thank you) and ExpressVPN where necessary.
No this is not a post about how one’s stress/urge incontinence is managed beyond the onboard toilet – still haven’t added the SheWee to the equipment set – but I want to note the simple pleasures that I on many occasions actually verbalise to myself given that I’m travelling solo for the most part. It is becoming abit of an unconscious habit, which can be somewhat embarrassing in the toilet block or when washing up. Anyway – have realised that that’s obviously a role that the blog gives – ie a willing listener, so here’s my starter for 10 paean of praise:
So fortunate – am I really doing this?
Have to pinch myself to say that yes, I am living in beautiful weather, in beautiful locations, and for example here on Cabanas campsite, with access to great showers, site swimming pool, lovely beach 1km down the road, restaurants and shops there, cheap trains along the Algarve coast 0.5 kms away, lovely Tavira a cycle ride away, wifi which supports Champions League streaming. Yes it could be seen as living on a carpark, but for 8.82eu per day – the cost of the cheapest car parking in Leeds, I’ll take it. Plus one of the shrubs in my little garden is blossoming. Into my 3rd day here – perhaps move along tomorrow or day after further along the coast.
The beautiful flowers and trees and in combination with the buildings
Getting up and just putting a tee-shirt and shorts on because it’s warm enough
Bacon butty and coffee Not eating very much meat these days, but still hanker after this plus the odd quality porky pie, or well-done sausage; this is my first bacon in almost 2 months; what could be better
Enjoy seeing the variety of travelling homes/hotels:
Landrover Defender – converted army ambulance for John & Donna’s 2-year epic
The Rolling Hotel – carrying a bunch of older than middle-aged Germans or Dutch. Never seen one of these before. Zoom in on the trailer. 🙂
Packs down to just a roofbox-type thing
Just the scale ……
Medium-sized Collie waiting to ride pillion in its box – seen it all now
Beautiful ‘Airstream’ classic
Whilst I would describe my preferred expression of christian communal worship as informal and contemporary, over the years I have gained an appreciation of the contribution ritual and tradition can make to spiritual life. So on encountering, completely unenvisaged, the Easter Sunday procession in Ubeda, I found that I was able to see past the ‘brotherhood’ outfits, which look too much to me like Klu Klux Klan, and the veneration of Mary, and be thankful for being caught up in the sounds and sights of this example of how Spain marks and engages with this festival. All ages, all seriousness. I was given the unexpected opportunity to stop, reflect, and express silent gratitude for all sorts of things, but it was very Good Friday sombre, whereas for me Easter Sunday is about joy and celebration – more a la Tommy Walker track ‘He Lives’.
