Since June 8, the Valencia region has moved to Phase 2 of the lockdown de-escalation planned by Spain, meaning that more restaurants are open, they’re open for limited seating indoors, museums and shops are open and we can travel within the Valencian Community.

As a result, we’ve gotten out. We have been able to visit some local bars and restaurants in the neighborhood, we’ve been into a couple of museums — we’ve even rented a car and took a road trip for a day.

I’ve been taking pictures both with the big camera and my phone and wanted to do a little show-and-tell. This will be mostly show, hopefully the photos will speak for themselves.

In my walks around the city I find little gems like this park between the lanes of a boulevard.

We snuck out just before Phase 1 was eased, for a bottle of wine in the park. Lovely.

One morning we walked to the west end of the Turia Gardens and found this.

Caves used in ancient times to keep wine cool. Now keeps tourist cool.

From our rental car field trip Valencia – Requena – Almansa – Xátiva – back along the coast. Photos of Requena.

We have gotten occasional rain. The downspouts work.

Stuff I’ve seen walking around.

Out for a drink. Note masks only thinly in evidence but everybody was pretty well separated.

Street art

Another BLM protest, only steps from our door.

I rode the Metro out to the outskirts of town, then walked back. First picture was a view of the city across the fields, next is an abandoned factory, third is a view from closer in.

Update on the Whites: Mr. Gray ruled the roost for several days but from what I could see, couldn’t find a girlfriend. He became less interested in the space and it appears that the Whites just waltzed in and took the place back. However, since this photo was snapped, it looks like Mr. Gray has run them off again and the space appears to be abandoned now. See, this is what happens when you don’t share.

We’re doing OK and we hope you are too.