South Of Normal
A very occasional fluffy cloud shuffles impatiently across what is
otherwise a clear sky of cloudless infinity.
Butterflies flutterby, lizards skitter, the ground a hot plate of bugs,
detritus and dialled in heat. No breeze to cool, no sirocco. No respite.
Sunglasses not a thing of fashion, but of necesity.
To sit and sunbathe is somewhere south of normal.
Dear reader,
Time on my hands indeed, retired from Britain's railways for almost 16 years, while some former work acquaintances had already passed on. Without even enjoying a mere few weeks of retirement bliss.
Some tell me I did the right thing.
Almost by tradition, many rail staff worked from 15 to 65 and then nothing, I believe there are still such individuals, fearing a plunge into the abyss of alcohol or hospital, or both.
Thus, I read, take pictures, and try continued education in just about anything, especially in life, with time on my hands.
Have you missed me? Not really, but I thought some worthless words (as opposed to priceless) should be written.
So what to say.
COVID thought I was going to kick the bucket. By good fortune, I had a COVID test the following day before minor surgery was programmed for a few days later. Trying to explain to my Spanish hosts that I was already infected, despite having had three times vaccines, and that I knew it would cancel my test and subsequent surgery....blah de blah.
You get the picture.
Got it sorted out eventually, and I suppose presumptuous of me to suggest I knew what was wrong with me while surrounded by medical people.
But, believe me, I knew.
More of this exciting life soon......
Watching from the edge of paradise.
Here in the mountains, between plataneras and papas, the soil as fertile as Kent but the weather a little kinder. No Jack Frost to kill off early season agriculture, the lemons and oranges flourish as sadly do the weeds.
But I seem to have found a little piece of paradise, not just the stretching beaches under a bikini clad sun but the challenging trails of nature, tarmac an abandoned afterthought, where tiny lizards trumpet to one another, or a passing squadron of honey bees buzzzz their salutations.
The wind may blow and even deliver a teardrop of rain, but pale skinned tourists beware: don your sun screen, the climate will cheat you into payment by blister.
As I watch from the edge of paradise.
Los gaviotas han vuelto, volando arriba la casa de Tenisca. Con alas blancas como los colores del equipo favorito. El cielo también, nuboso, protegiendo el Virgen de las Nieves pero al mismo tiempo invitando la afición, ven señores ven...podemos lograrlo, podemos ganar pero todo el mundo tenemos que apoyar nuestros once guerreros.
