Compensation for the Struggle

Spent the day driving; first challenge was getting across the border into Spain. Done. Tried to get coffee in a small hamlet - a scared looking man told me through a window that nothing doing, everything locked down because of the virus.

Hadn't booked a place to stay because wasn't sure how far we'd get... randomly chose a small town on the edge of the Picos de Europa, Riaño, knew nothing about it, and ended up driving the last, curving miles in pitch darkness. Could see Venus shining brightly, but total darkness beneath, so knew we were getting high. Wondering if anywhere would be open, wishing we'd brought blankets, it was 4C, plus, car stuffed, wouldn't have been able to lie down...

Got here at last, wound through the streets, found some lights, yes, they had a room, yes, they had food, put us in the farthest corner, for our benefit or theirs? No virus in the Alentejo as yet...

Lent verse today was Ecclesiastes 8v15:

 So, I’m all for just going ahead and having a good time—the best possible. The only earthly good men and women can look forward to is to eat and drink well and have a good time—compensation for the struggle for survival these few years God gives us on earth.


It was a struggle to stay positive today, especially listening to the breathless non-stop, hysterical reporting on Spanish radio, but here we are, a comfy, warm bed for the night, a good bottle of local red, delicious octopus and grilled veggies, and not ill yet, anyway. Sorry about the phone photo, tried to upload as well on phone, but couldn't see what I was writing... it's the view of the square here, from the window of where we ate (you can see Mike's wine glass)... Riaño, pop. 474, was built in 1987, because the old village was submerged below the dam... familiar story! We are at 1,131m (3650ft) - the highest peak in England is lower than that! Can't wait to see the view tomorrow...


As Roosevelt said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"... at least until tomorrow!


Gratefuls:
- making it this far
- family and friends who care
- Riaño, not really seen it yet, but love it already for being hospitable to us