De-confinement Phase 1: what it looked like for us

Water, walks and a wee bit of non-essential shopping.
A little bit of freedom after 7 weeks of serious lockdown feels so good!

Kids are allowed in the streets again.
These masked gals are picking up fresh baked bread, and more importantly, selecting their afternoon treat!

To recap, since March 13, the Portuguese were only allowed to leave their homes to buy food and meds.  Police patrolled the streets and highways to "encourage" compliance. Homeschooling was instated for the remainder of the school year.
We  took the kids out once a day--sometimes just in our building's courtyard to skip and hit the tennis ball against the wall, other times up to the woods for some hikes, secluded from the ever watchful eye of the police! The beach that we live just meters from, was off limits to us.

So, come May 4th, when the first of 3 phases of restrictions were lifted (albeit gradually, over the following two weeks), we were READY!

• Nautical sports permitted - we have a surf board, a skim board and 2 boogie boards. We are in the water 2-3 times a day, rain or shine. Walking on the beach permitted as of May 15. No setting up and playing in the sand. :(
• Recreational walks permitted.
• Small shops (200 meteres squared or smaller) open. I bought socks for the kids (the number of holey socks after lockdown was shocking...), new summer pants for myself (retail therapy), and wine glasses (we broke 6 during quarantine...).
• Small family gatherings of up to 10 people permitted with care to socially distance (i.e. in yards and open spaces).
• Libraries open: returned books have a 48 hour quarantine, no playing--just grab books and go! Masks on and santizine hand stations at the entrance of the building and again in the kid's section.
• We had our masks ready: they are mandatory in all closed public places, and encouraged in busy outdoor areas.

We are excited for Phase 2, coming Monday May 18!

Jonty and Gabi are becoming quite the boogie board pros

Three times a day these kids are out there, doing their thing...

I may have snuck in a swim before it was allowed...
but by the footprints in the sand, you'll see I was not the only delinquent. 

On May 15 signs were posted permitting walks on the beach.
One of our favourite family activities!

After boarding and a hot bath, cheering on daddy as he surfs.

The little green space in the town is open for pedestrians, or monkeys in our case.

The gelato store is open for take-away only.
Love this climate: it justifies frozen treats 12 months of the year!

"So, I can't board yet, but just try and keep me out of the water, officer..."

In Carcavelos, celebrating my cousin's birthday.
The dog is about to steal Catarina's quiche...

Yay! Getting a fresh set of Portuguese books.
Good for the kids and for the parents reading to them... 

Happiness is...warm, deep fried, sugar coated treats from the little shop that has finally re-opened

All 4 in the water: 1 surfer, 2 boarders, and 1 wave chaser.
The water is ~17C...mom is happy to stay dry and watch.

Our little mermaid is back at it!

COVID19 Update
Portugal (pop 10 million) continues to do well (May 16, 2020):

• 28,810 total cases, 1,203 deaths 
• in the last 24 hours: 227 new cases and 13 deaths

Canada (pop 35 million), comparatively:

• 75,770 total cases, 5,677 deaths
• in the last 24 hours:1,157 new cases and 115 deaths