Tag: new normal

Animal Kingdom, Nature, Photography

Early Spring

by natjtan2 Comments on Early Spring

While many of us are watching spring from our windows this year and celebrated the official first day of spring inside, nature doesn’t do dates. She does arrivals. Spring started saying hello at the end of February back when we were allowed out in freedom. While summer holds a place in my heart as my favourite season, spring is very close second by a fraction. Watching everything wake up after winter gives a warm feeling of longer warmer days ahead.

The sun come the end of winter has a warmth to it. The light’s bright, trees start getting dressed, people and animals start to hang out more in the sunshine thanks to the longer days. Finding a sunny sheltered spot out of the wind is heaven! Anyways, early spring photos at the zoo and running errands. Apologies if there’s too many or if you’ve seen here them before.

Cherry blossom’s always spring. This is all the blossom I saw this yearThe same for Jasmine one of my favourite flowers and scents. All the jasmine I saw this year Plane trees starting to get dressed while shedding seed pods. Continue reading “Early Spring” →

Beauty and Skin Care, Fitness, Food, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Weekend Friday Favourites

Weekend Friday Favourites

by natjtan2 Comments on Weekend Friday Favourites

I hope you’re having a great weekend! If you’re like me, counting down the days until covid-19 lockdown restrictions end or more than anything ease up, so we can be released from our homes even if it’s to exercise only.

DSCF4258Sea sunrise colours this week

I thought again this week’s Weekend Friday Favourites, things that have caught my eye or made me smile this week would be short and sweet. However once I start, it’s like thinking what you’re grateful for or counting blessings. The list’s always larger than you think.

Less Traffic Noise

Mountain mist one morning this week

Two weeks ago Spain imposed further lockdown rules of only essential workers allowed to work helping kick start flattening the curve. I’m sure many of you know in Europe after Italy, Spain is the worst hit for covid-19 virus. Traffic in the 2 weeks leading up, was reduced as those who could work from basically had to work from home, or if in retail, hospitality etc stay at home as gyms, clothes shops, restaurants closed, has been like Christmas day. Weekend traffic’s quieter than Christmas day. From Monday the non essential workers such as construction, factory workers return to work. Everybody else stays at home as Spain starts to get back to a new normal. We’re still under lockdown! The two constructions sites nearby will be back to work and they’re noisy. I’m going to miss the less traffic, zero construction noise and better air from these past 2 weeks.

Sunrise this week

If I can I’ve been getting up early having breakfast on the balcony before my neighbours get up to soak up the quiet. Try, sometimes I’m still zzz.

Hearing Birds

DSCF0303Photos taken before lockdown

I’ve always been able to hear some birds above the traffic dim like magpies and parakeets but only if they flew at a certain heigh or a lull in the traffic. I’ve been hearing birds in the mornings during Christmas morning rush hour traffic and at the weekends song birds. It makes me so happy to hear them!

I’ve noticed too, seagulls are flying lower and a few song birds flying higher. Most seen birds are seagulls, magpies, pigeons, parakeets with the occasion wagtail, swifts or swallows and kestrel.

Toucan Plant Plant Decoration

DSCF4882

You never know what you’re going to find in Alcampo (Auchan in France) supermarket. While most departments are blocked off, some outdoor lights, bbq Continue reading “Weekend Friday Favourites” →

Animal Kingdom, Fitness, Lifestyle, Nature, Photography, Thought

March 2020 Catch Up

by natjtan1 Comment on March 2020 Catch Up

I wasn’t sure if to do March Catch Up this year. Half of it has been spent in Covid-19 lockdown. Spain called the State of Alarm on the 14th March. Unless an essential worker, everybody’s only allowed out for food, pharmacies, doctors or work. We’re now in our 4th week of lockdown with another 2 more weeks to go. Possibly another extension until the 10th May and beyond! Who knows! I’m hoping come the end of April the Spanish government eases the lockdown confinements. Even if it’s just we’re allowed out to exercise! Greenery and seeing the sea close up is what I miss. I will miss the quiet outside and cleaner air.

I’m sure many of you are tired reading and hearing covid-19 news, so I’ll try to keep the 2nd half of March to a minimum focusing on the freer first half. Back when I could cycle, run, climb, pop to the shops with no worry of will the police believe me I’m only getting bread or a weekly shop! I never knew how much I travelled in the city looking back at photos. My world was small then, now it’s even smaller. Do I have more time to do stuff I didn’t back then?

Not even a day or 2 old already running, jumping, exploring!One patient Mangabey monkey mum. She’s a good mum. I think as monkey hierarchy goes, one of the higher ranking mums. Late winter early spring life

Erm, I got a wheel blocker for my bike so I’m trying to do as much cycling. Gym workouts are now at home, run days are Popsugar Fitness dance classes. Climbing hours I don’t know where they went. Maybe more phone. One thing I have noticed is my skin tone has improved as I’m not wearing make up. There’s no point if I’m not going out. I’m still washing my hair every day as it’s still getting as greasy. And for sanity. My hair’s so fine grease shows in an instant. If clean hair gives me a sense of normality in a crazy time, Continue reading “March 2020 Catch Up” →