Online Quiz Fun

Lockdown is not so bad, especially that it means so much time with Sebastian.  I also enjoy orgnanised fun and especially when I get to organise it! I am not sure everyone is generally a fan but when there is not much else to do it looks pretty good. Last night I hosted an online pub quiz that was quite a success, it was not too hard to get participants when no one in Barbados is allowed to leave their house!

Some pictures of Super S, two happens to be super sweet even when he is getting his teeth in.  Two so far.

Online quiz participants.  Good fun and a great way to kill two hours of the 300 we have to be at home.

First Full Day of Lockdown

Today was our first full day of lockdown and so far so good.  We organised a pool/virtual Grand National party (I much prefer a virtual one as no horses are harmed in this).  Sebastian swam with Kailee, Auntie Natalie and Dad there was no way Mum was going in as it was freezing.  We all drew horses for the virtual Grand National with a small wager and I was thrilled when my horse came in winning me 20 dollars.

 Finally a cuddle with my beautiful God Daughter after two weeks of isolation.

I was pretty excited to win as I had an outsider horse and I do love when the underdog wins!  Especially when the underdog is me!

Espanol de Endara

The curfew began on the same day that the Endara Spanish lessons began (do not worry social distancing was practiced during the entire lesson).  Being under curfew and restricted places to go is not ideal but none of this is ideal.  This virus is taking hold like very few predicted.  It is av very scary situation and really no one knows when it will or how it will end.  I feel very lucky to have family around me, space to be in, warmth and food. I also feel very lucky to have so many talented people around me, that we can hopefully plan lots of fun activities during this time.  The Spanish lessons were a great start.

I let this post sit for the day as got busy doing something else.  Curfew has now turned into 24 total lockdown.  No leaving the house.  Nothing open.  Going to have to find many more activities.

Mangos

It looks like we are going to have a lot of time on our hands over the next few weeks and unfortunately, it looks more like months.  The Coronavirus that was largely dismissed months ago as something similar to the flu has taken control of the world.  Currently affecting 202 countries and almost one million people, that we know of.  I feel extremely lucky to be able to stay at home with family as I know many people around the world are not as fortunate.  We have space, warm weather, food and most importantly each other.  The last few days we have been catching up on things we do not take time for, I have been fixing my blog (from when I lost all my photos) and looking through old photos.  Tonight I cooked a dish I have not made for about ten years, eggplant parmigiana, and I must say it was delicious (I should have taken a picture but we ate it too fast).  Luis has started a couple University courses and Sebastian is getting stronger and more determined every hour.

 Passed out from trying to get into everything

 Sebastian on lockdown

His new favourite food, mango.  Dad is thrilled to pieces.

Uniting

Today starts a curfew and some restrictions in Barbados, I am sure that it will be a matter of time before we are also on full lockdown.  I can only hope that people unite during this time instead of the blame game tearing people apart. It would not be the first time that people blame the foreigners, different races or cultures for things and you just need to read a few history books to see this always ends in disaster.   Luckily we are with our loving family who would never behave this way and in an island where the people are known for their kindness and willingness to help others.  

 We are super happy that Lola is being so well looked after back in Phuket.  Nina and Pete are doing a wonderful job having also been placed on lockdown.  I am of course worried about her but feel so reassured she is being so well looked after.

 Showing Sebastian some cows

 A 6am morning on the beach, beautiful empty and probably the last one for sometime.

Barbados, so especially beautiful during this time as most tourists have returned home.  I do hope they will return one day soon as the island relies so heavily on their income.

Pool and Beach

It took us almost a week to get to the beach for the first time but I guess this visit is so very different than all my others.  It is so strange not seeing any friends and very little family so far into our trip. Poor Sebastian cannot understand why everyone he does meet does not give him a cuddle, he is dying to be held by someone other than us. But of course, it is necessary to keep the virus at bay and keep people safe.  I must add here that I have been super impressed by the way Barbados has handled it so far.  Many restaurants and businesses have close up, not because they have been told too but to keep their customers and staff as safe as possible.  I see orderly very spaced out queues at places that are still open, I know many people are trying to stay home as much as possible and the people I have seen around seem happy and just going about their day to day business.   We have spent the most time at home, have set up a pool for Sebastian but did manage a quick swim at beautiful Carlise Bay yesterday.

 I almost forgot how beautiful Barbados is.  It just shocks me every time, Carlise Bay was just spectacular yesterday and empty.

8 Months

On a much happier note, Sebastian not only celebrated the 8-month mark yesterday but also his first tooth.  Bottom front little tooth has popped through and it looks like a great tooth so far.   He celebrated by going to meet his Grandy Andy at a safe distance and discovering horses.

Eight months, he is growing up pretty fast.  It was great to see Aunty Andy from a distance.  I cannot wait till our two week mark is up for proper cuddles!