I was supposed to have a perfectly on purpose lunch with my friend Lucy, since our birthdays are a day apart and we haven’t seen each other in ages. But when we arrived at the bar I’d chosen (a new place being run by my friend chef Javi Abascal) it was fully booked. Should have known as it was the first Saturday since the January sales started, and also the first non-rainy day all week. After checking out a couple of other places (all fully booked) Lucy and I decided to postpone our birthday lunch for another day, preferably mid-week. To be honest, I have only been going out to eat during the week and at an early hour so I get to places before they get busy.

Anyhow, since I was already dressed and outside I decided to take a river walk, something I haven’t done in far too long. And it was lovely. Meanwhile, my friend Peter had been in touch so I told him I’d be in the Alameda in about half an hour if he wanted to meet for a beer. Then, while I was waiting for Peter (by chance I’d stopped to check my phone in front of Al Aljibe) I saw a couple of women at a table in the terrace paying up (it was 3 pm by this time) and so I took possession of the table and told Peter where I was.

When my friend Julie (who is now on UK lockdown) saw my lunch photos she commented that going out to eat was “brave” of me and it made me think. I mean, okay, we were sitting outside and there was proper distancing, plenty of ventilation, and of course I always make good use of my pocket hand sanitiser. But perhaps it’s time to put myself back on a stricter self-isolation routine, at least for the next couple of weeks. Especially because the new COVID strain is here and it is much more infectious. By a LOT. Something I need to stay very aware of.

On the way home I had to pick up a couple of things at the supermarket and noticed one lonely free-range chicken left on the shelves, so decided to get it and prepare it for lunch tomorrow. Again to share with ovenless Peter – it’s a good system we have going.

On Monday we will have new “post holiday” restrictions in Andalucía, which will actually be the same as the “pre holiday” ones, which  means bars and restaurants have to close at 6 pm again, and the curfew will be from 10 pm to 6 am., no travelling between regions. Until January 25th, when it will be reviewed. Thing is, we all know COVID didn’t go on holiday, so in the next two weeks we are going to see a big spike in the numbers of deaths and those infected.

BUT, could still do the river walks. I mean, look what I did today! And I could do this totally safely while combining it with essential errands if I forfeit the usual post-walk Cold Beer O’clock .