IT’S been eight long weeks since Gerry Flynn has walked along the Mar Menor (The Little Sea) near his Murcia home on the south eastern coast of Spain.
By the time you read this the former Irish League ace will have completed his 5km walk along the beach with his wife Debbie and indulged in some paddle boarding. And if there is time they might cycle up to the nearest town.
After eight interminably long weeks, the Spanish government relaxes its lockdown restrictions for its citizens today.
In the municipality of Murcia, residents will be allowed to take walks and do exercise following “the good evolution of the pandemic in Spain”.
There will be time slots for different age groups.
From 14-years-old and upwards, people can leave their homes between 6am and 10am and 8pm and 11pm: ‘Once a day, one hour only. Walks radius 1km.’
Dependent adults have been allocated a 10am to 12noon and 7pm to 8pm time slots.
And so it goes.
There is a list of rules that still need to be observed, including social distancing, and bars can re-open their terraces at a limited capacity – but the sun is rising again in Spain. While the death rate approaches 25,000, fatalities from Covid19 have slowed considerably.
“Honestly, I’m like a child on Christmas Eve,” said Flynn (48). “I just can’t wait to get out and properly walk along the beach again.
“It’s like you’re an animal in a cage, you’re 20 metres from the beach, you can see it, but you can’t use it.”
Flynn added: “The town hall has sent out gloves and masks to everyone, so it’s now compulsory to wear them when you’re going for your groceries.
“There are takeaways opening on Tuesday and from May 11 to 25 it’s just outside terracing in bars and they’ll be bringing out different regulations after that.”
Over the last 30 days or more, the former Cliftonville defender has kept himself and Irish League fans back home entertained with his daily Football Stories via Twitter. And, as a spin-off, he will be launching a football podcast with all profits going to nominated charities.
Flynn has lived in Spain for the last decade and owns several successful businesses in the property and bar markets.
He says his perspective has changed immeasurably during lockdown, one which has been much stricter than Britain and Ireland’s.
“I think there’s more of a togetherness among people now,” said Flynn who had successful spells at Cliftonville and Coleraine in the 1990's and early 2000's.
“I think more people will say: Do you know what? Life is for living. I’ve been reading a lot more. In all the books I read, I write stuff down every day, stuff that I like. The lesson I’m going to take away from this is I’m going to enjoy life a lot more and worry a lot less.”
He is already considering offers for a couple of his businesses.
“What I learned from the previous crash was spread your risk, but this pandemic has literally turned the water tap off. But, in saying that, I always look for a positive. From a property aspect and speaking to investors and banks, there are going to be huge opportunities, so there will be a positive that comes out of this.”
While it will take some time before there is a firm sense of normality in the world, Flynn is looking forward to his 5.03 alarm call every morning now that he can leave his home that overlooks the ‘Little Sea’.
“I’d be superstitious. I’ve this thing about the number three. I was always third man out [from the changing room], my alarm goes off at 5.03am. I’m up. I put my earphones in and I listen to Tony Robbins. I stop about four times while doing anything between five and 12km. I sit and I read. It sets me up for the day.
“Just to get out and walk along the beach and to have that freedom again will be a great feeling.”
