Signs of Life

Position: 37° 35′ 49”N 0° 58′ 48”W

Following nearly seven weeks of isolation there are signs of life returning to Cartagena. Spain is second only to the United States for the total number of active cases, and tragically Spain’s death toll stands at more than 24,000. But there is some good news. Since imposing one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, the curve has flattened and the mood is becoming more positive. Last week, the government decided that children could go outside and play, providing they kept at least two meters away from other people. Each child could take one parent with them.

Saturday, the first day of legal release, poured down rain and blew gusts of wind through Cartagena. Despite weeks indoors, there weren’t many people on the streets. Sunday awoke bright and calm. We drank our morning coffee to squeals of happy children playing on the esplanade outside the marina’s gate. All day families walked in the sunshine – looking a bit dazzled. Even teenagers who probably spent most of the last month perfecting their video gaming skills were jumping off benches with glee. Suddenly, there was life beyond our glass walls. It was heart-warming.

Two days later nature came calling. A swarm of bees landed on a small potted palm on the dock directly in front of Aleta. We didn’t get the email, but the rendezvous was set for 11:00AM. Hundreds and hundreds of them arrived on time. Swirling around the palm, slowly every bee found its place on the tree or on each other. Within 90 minutes, they had formed themselves in the shape of a hive and were busy laying down the framework of something more permanent.

Googling ‘bees+spain’, we satisfied ourselves they were indeed honeybees and not some tribe of mutant factotums. Spain has Europe’s largest concentration of honeybees, and since the EU banned neonicotinoid pesticides they are making a comeback. Valencia’s fire department handles several calls a day to remove bees around the city.

Midday, the Guardia Civil drove into the marina for a routine check. Pausing by the hive, Christian, our marinero on duty, chatted with the officers about the bees. I approached and asked them in Spanish if it was necessary to maintain two metres distance from the bees? They both laughed, and one said, ‘No, you should maintain four metres!’ Later, Christian called a local beekeeper to come remove the hive.

In the cool of the evening, the bees shaped themselves into a cone and spread their wings to keep warm. At 7:00PM sharp, in full bee-proof regalia, the keeper of bees showed up and set to work. It was one of those times when you appreciate there is no substitute for experience.

Opening the lid on a two by three foot box, he pulled out a few empty honeycomb frames and set them aside. He then dragged the box under the palm tree. Quick as a flash he grabbed the bees and shoved them in the box, slamming the lid shut. It reminded me of Ghostbusters when the team captures Slimer in the ballroom. In just under five minutes, 15,000 bees, minus a couple hundred or so, were on their way to a better home. Honestly, we would have been happy with a hive off our bow. Especially, if there was fresh honey involved.

Next week Spain will join the likes of France and England and allow people to exercise outdoors. Social distancing is mandatory, but the hills behind us beckon. Marlon looks forward to frolicking on the grass again. Especially now he’s had a bath.