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So it’s back to lockdown in Europe again, or to “reconfinement” as the French say with their cruel sense of precision and aversion to euphemisms.

Not all countries have – like France – already gone back to a full regime of curfews and isolation, but most look sure to follow.

We are currently in Sicily, …

"back to lockdown in Europe - Sicily"

… where rules remain, for the time being, relatively lenient.

But even here, you can feel a slow tightening of the restrictions. Travelling in anything less than total freedom is travelling with much of its joy sucked out.

Forms need to be filled out and produced, certificates for this and that must be submitted, sites and information offices are closed. The worst is the constant fear that, no matter how bad things are, they can and most likely will get significantly worse.

Today, restaurants are forced to close at 1800, but  tomorrow they may not be allowed to open at all.

Trains, planes and buses may circulate, but there is no guarantee that they will do so on your departure date.

On your return, the border police may give you the kind of treatment they normally reserve for people who they suspect of dealing in drugs or under-age girls.

And on your walk home from the station, you may be stopped in the street by the police. 

Under circumstances such as these, we see little point in publishing the posts from Sicily that we have in the pipeline. Much better to wait for better times – December? the spring? 2022? – when our leaders deem it safe again to unleash us upon ourselves.

When this time comes, Sicily will be as beautiful as ever. It is surely well worth the wait.

"back to lockdown in Europe"

While we’re back to lockdown in Europe, remember to keep a positive attitude but most of all keep safe!

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