Month: March 2020

25. ‘Lockdown’ within cave land – part 3.

~ cueva limon ~ Leave a comment

download-2It’s now day 12 of lockdown in our cave home.  

We have had days when we have been happy, sad, worried, bored, busy and thoughtful but thinking about it, can’t we say the same for our normal everyday lives too.

As some of you know, I am usually out and about working hard getting our rental cave ready for guests to enjoy and ensuring they are well maintained.  However, I have not visited the caves, Cuevas de la Paz, for 12 days and that’s a strange feeling!   I miss them!   If, like me, you are forward planning to take a short break when this strange time is over please take a look at http://www.caveholidays.com. There are other great rental properties within our area where you can stay and I highly recommend you take a look at the places you can enjoy and the new experiences you can have within the Altiplano.  You may get an idea of what our area has to offer from the website. It is a beautiful place.

So, my time has been spent, like many others, doing the jobs that get added to the ‘when I have time’ list which in reality, would normally stay unticked.  I’ve emptied drawers, batched cooked, cleaned, sorted out clothes and generally slowed down.  This is not a bad thing but I do wish I could have friends around to witness how clean and tidy our cave is now. 

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When our doors are once again open, the house will have returned to the ‘almost tidy’, ‘as clean as you are going to see it today’ and ‘more dog hairs then I care to think about’ cave then I would honesty like but…. If you are friends you will understand (I hope).

I have also taken more time to read posts on Facebook, which for us living in a small community, has been a vital source of information during our 12 days. It has also on occasions given me a few great laughs with the funny words and videos that are out there.  It has also been the biggest source of rubbish just like our newspapers can be on occasions.  We do have to consider each post with care and decided if we believe it or not ( looking at the source of the post is a good guide for me).

I found this on FB recently which for me epitomizes what I mean about false information and I absolutely love it.

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Just a heads up The Ministry of Defence have been told to be on standby for complete UK lockdown as of Sunday evening at 6pm… No one is to leave their home’s unless you work in Front Line Retail or the NHS and have brown hair.

I heard this directly from my neighbour Trigger who is best friends with a guy called Boycey.  Boycey knows a guy named Del who drinks down the pub with his uncle Albert.  Albert was in the Navy during the war so knows his stuff.

Please pass it on.

On the more positive side I do enjoy the posts that make me smile or perhaps make me think (I’ve been told that using my little grey cells is a good thing).  I  found this on FB today posted by a friend and its is just perfect – could not have put it better myself!

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           Do we say ‘we are stuck at home’ or

           should we say ‘we are safe at home’. 

         One word makes so much difference.

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Today on day 12 the Horton household have chilled out.  Not doing that much, just pottering about and smiling at all the good things we have around us.  John’s highlight was popping to the chemist for my hayfever pills and his own prescribed medication.  My day was made even brighter when I spotted the crowd gathering around our bottom gate. 

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Now it’s time for a spot of TV for even more relaxation.  Tomorrow is another day when I may get started on the painting of the dining room walls…… or not….. I may just make these for the garden.  My choice is endless.

Thats day 12 in cave land.   Take care everyone and stay smiling.

24. ‘Lockdown’ within cave land – part 2.

~ cueva limon ~ Leave a comment

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Today we are on ‘Day 8’ of our lockdown in cave land and … it’s Mothers Day.

My last blog was posted on day 4 when I wrote about how lucky I felt being in lockdown in such a lovely area with the room and space I have around me.  Now, 4 days later, my thinking has altered slightly.

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I am beginning to realise that it is not how big your castle is, how large your garden may be or the number of places you can hide in that makes lockdown more bearable.  On day 8 I am more inclined to say, although size does matter, it’s the state of mind we have that is my new number one.

As human beings we tend not to like being told that we cannot do the things that we have taken for granted all of our lives.  We all know that this lockdown makes total sense and may totally agree with the rules that we have been asked to abide by but…. deep in the back of our human minds we don’t like the thought of not being allowed to do the most normal of activities.  It is so easy to get into a negative frame of mind.  We are all human, it will happen, to some more than others.

What do I personally do to combat my own images-1human failings – especially on this particular mothers day?  Please remember, I am not saying my way is the right way but sharing what appears to be working for me …. so far.

1.   I am taking it day by day.  I am not looking towards the end of lockdown (now extended to the 12 April) as for me that appears to be too many days away from today.  In reality it’s not but…

2.  I am not planning my day’s activities.   Instead I give myself something to aim for.   Today images-4for example I would like to spring clean my bathroom.  You notice I said ‘like to’ and not ‘must do’.  This gives me a get out clause if I decided to do something else.  There is always tomorrow!

3. I am actively researching places I would like to visit when this is all over. images-12 It may be several months away but I am getting excited about the not so far off future when I can tour around.  I enjoy planning where to visit, where to stay, what to see, history of the different areas etc.  It doesn’t have to be far from home.  There are so many beautiful places to visit within Spain and I would love to see as many as I can.  A night here, a weekend there…. sounds good doesn’t it?

4.  I am trying to keep in contact with the outside world.  I try and talk as often as I can to family and friends by messages or phone.  I have images-6also enjoyed the many live events hosted on Facebook over the past few days.  I have watched exercise classes to great music sessions from people coming together, (not literally of course), from all over the world.  People are talking, performing, sending jokes, sending recipes – simply communicating with strangers.  One particular event yesterday moved me to tears reminding me that we were all in this together.

5.  For me personally, I do not want to stagnate.  Yes, it is great to have a sofa day but I images-7know that the more sofa days I have the less positive I get.  I need to see and feel that things are getting done.  It may be painting the dining cave walls or simply sorting out a drawer. Whatever the task – I do need to feel a sense of achievement.  Others may not need this but, I know that I do.  

6.  There is a lot of bad press out there.  We have all read it and have been affected by it.  However, there is also a lot of great news out there to.  images-9  Speaking to my son Chris today by phone – he commented how positive it was that people are thinking about others and offers of help are spreading far and wide.  I couldn’t agree more. The different ways that people are offering help and sharing with others is amazing and seriously makes my eyes leak.  It doesn’t need to be much.   A simple text to someone you have not spoken to for a while saying ‘hi’ may be all it takes to make that person’s day a better one.  We often have no idea what other people are going through, and  we may never know, so I try to be kind and reach out whenever I can.  But, again, we are all human and we must not forget to consider our own personal well being.  We should never be afraid to ask for help.  Don’t forget that. 

7.  I remind myself of the things I do have and not what I don’t.  My life is good and I don’t need to be reminded of that fact very often.  To whomever it may concern – A little less curve balls thrown in my direction would be good though – please.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, keep positive and keep planning for the future.  Most of all keep talking.  images-11

Hugs to everyone especially to all moms on this very unique Mothers Day.

23. ‘Lockdown’ within Cave Land

~ cueva limon ~ Leave a comment

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The Corona Virus is affecting everyone all over the world.  The majority of people have had and will have more restrictions placed on their everyday activities as the days go by.  Some more than others.  We are presently on day 4 of our lock down in Spain.   ‘It’s not been that long’, you may say.  I would agree but it is harder for some than it is for others and we have to be prepared for the original 15 days enforced restrictions to be extended further.   This is not going to be a quick fix.

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We sit here in our cave discussing how this is affecting our lives and what hardships we will have to endure.  We will not be able to visit friends and family for a while, won’t be able to go for a meal at the local swimming pool in Los Carriones or a coffee at Emilio’s.   We won’t be able to go to the garden centre or my favourite mall in Granada.   We will not be able to go for a drive out to the lakes or explore nearby towns and villages or chat with the friendly postman as he sorts through the packages in the back of his garage.   Ok, so that is how it is going to be, for us.   Not to bad you might say.  Yes we are confined to our home boundaries (with the exception of going food shopping, vets, bank, fuel, (only one at a time and strict regimes in place when you get there)), but we are truly lucky to have what we have around us.  Our own personal hardship is not that great – so far.   

We then started thinking about how it could be affecting other people near and far who may not have the things we have.  

Why do we feel so lucky?

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We have a large cave in which we can spread ourselves around.   As our rental cave next door is empty we are free to use that space if necessary.  By adding both caves together we have in total 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens 3 lounge areas, one dining room, an office,  a gym, 2 garages, numerous patios and a huge wood store.   That’s enough space to find a quiet spot if you need one.

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There are many people in Spain who live very happily in their smaller apartments or homes.  However, being confined within that space can be hard for some, especially now.  In normal times people live their lives and everything is generally ok especially when you are happy and content with what you have and with the person(s) you are living with.  But, what if you are already in an unhappy relationship or the thought of not being able to leave the confines of your home is very limiting and depressing?  I cannot imagine how difficult that must be.   There must be many people in this predicament who, on day 4, are counting every second with dread.  All I can say to anyone who may be in that situation is to use friends via any communications method you have, find something to do that you enjoy or think about things that make you happy.  From me to you – I send you all a huge virtual hug.

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We have our own land around our cave so we and and our three dogs can freely roam and potter in the fresh air.  We also have the added bonus of lovely scenery all around us. 

Many people do not have that luxury and have little or no outside space in which to escape.  We have sometimes thought the land we have is a little problematic regarding upkeep and trying to think of ideas of what to do with it but … I am, on day 4, so pleased we have it.  Weeds and all.

With today’s communications network we can keep in touch easily with family and friends far and wide.  We use WhatsApp, Messenger, Skype etc etc which is all becoming increasingly more important as the days go by.  They keep us in contact with the outside world and obviously with our family and friends.

Some people do not have these luxuries.  They may have a mobile phone and tv but little else.  Don’t get me wrong, that is enough to keep in contact with people but we feel spoilt for the choices that we have.

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We live in a sparsely populated and rural area where few cases have been reported.  In fact, we have had no reported cases within our immediate area to date.  So far, we are healthy (relatively of course.  John still has his heart problems and I seriously need to lose  the weight which has piled on recently).  So why are we as worried as we are?  That is the question being asked by some back in the UK.   

Because we are!

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How many times have I heard ‘but it’s just like the flu’! For me it’s the same as people’s attitude to smoking ‘dope’.  For many it’s a case of feeling good for a short time while you enjoy your homemade joint.   Good for you!  That is your choice and you are free to do what you want with your life.  However, for others, and there are many, it causes mental health issues. hallucinations, horrid nightmares and paranoia.  I have seen it happen so many times to so many people around me over the years.  The same attitude is being applied to this virus.  This virus may just be a walk in the park for some but for many it has and will continue to be painful, disruptive due to being hospitalised and even in the worse case scenarios causing loss of life.

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We like most families have people we deeply care for who have a medical condition which this virus poses a great risk to.  We have good friends who need hospital treatment but cannot get it now as the hospitals have no beds or are closed to regular appointments.  It is causing such distress to those who need to carry on with the treatment they were receiving and now are in limbo not knowing if the lack and delay of treatment will cause them to get worse or halt their own recovery.   It’s not a happy position to be in.   I don’t want to lose any one of these people due to others not taking precautions and treating this virus as ‘the flu’.    I’ve just been watching on TV the scenes at a popular coastal area of Spain where Brits are acting as idiots and only interested in drinking themselves stupid while they happily socialise in the streets.  It does get to me.

Getting back on track,  we are lucky to be locked down where we are, but I do ask everyone to consider the consequences of what they do especially in the next few weeks.  The UK may not yet be in lockdown, but it is coming I am sure.

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So, day 4 comes to an end and I’ve planted the flowers I purchased last week, watered the trees, moved 3 pallets that you apparently can see on Google Earth, brushed the dogs, done the usual housework and washing and now I am going to sit down with a cold drink.

Cheers everyone and please please please keep safe.  For you and everyone around you.