Another comfortably hot day at 29C with a light sea breeze. I collected Patricia at ten thirty to drive to San Pedro for the regular church coffee morning. Interesting to hear of the problems cause for ex-pats by the new post brexit visa rules. People can't stay in homes they own for more than 90 days in any 180, so the idea of coming south for four or five wintery months is ruined unless people apply for residency, which may not always be so easy. Some residents are long term over-stayers without residency, and if they leave the country may not be allowed back in, even to sort out their affairs. Brits have been huge contributors to the Costa economy for the past half century. If new rules get in the way of longer staying visitors, then the coastal economy is going to suffer in the long run. People obliged to return to the UK will find the cost of living that much higher with much larger outlay on energy costs dragging down their standard of living.
I've been corresponding with Emma in HQ about how the new rules impact on locum clergy. It seems you can accumulate in as many trips as you require up to 90 days within 180. Then six months from your first date of entry, the cycle reboots, and you have another 90 days como quiere. It's not totally inflexible, the Schengen website has an inbuilt stay calculator, or there's a smartphone app to help you keep track if your comings and goings are many. Anyway, I'll just have to wait and see what comes up and if it'll be possible to agree to do more. With Clare's eyesight deteriorating and her back problems, the future looks different from the past.
Having got six meals out of the 500gm piece of frozen beef from the freezer, I decided to cook with chick peas for a change today. I seem to have made enough to last the weekend, with a little tweaking each time. Lunch was later because it was gone one when we returned from San Pedro. After a post-lunch siesta it was gone five. I went for a walk along the sender littoral starting from the rio Guadalbon end. I saw a grey heron fishing in the charco. Shoals of small fish were visible, also some larger ones, plenty of choice for a hunting bird. Tucked in among the reeds the remains of one, possibly two dead birds were visible - the wings of of big grey gull recognisable, but the body of what might have been an egret locked into each other. A turtle was pushing the floating mass around in the water, as if inspecting it. Very curious.
The part of Playa Seghers closed off at the moment has seen pipeline work carried out today, as a large area of sand has been disturbed and pipes stacked on the beach have disappeared, presumably as far under as it's possible to go. No idea what the pipes are for. After walking through the Marina, I walked up hill and took a look at the area containing old fishermen's cottages, now done up nicely. Not far from this little barrio is the Plaza de Toros, dating from the seventies. Its exterior design isn't in a traditional Spanish style. It's entirely white painted, and the lines of all its walls are smooth flowing curves with a minimum of ironwork embellishment. It was designed by Juan Mora Urbano, the first asymmetric bull ring in the world. The overview shown on the tourism website says it all. It's possible to use the place for a much more varied functions, sports, concerts, exhibitions etc. It's designed to maximise visibility and shade for all spectators. I may be wrong, but it reminds me of some indigenous buildings in the Americas. A great piece of work.
Home then for supper and a chat with Clare before uploading photos and heading for bed,
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