It’s been a busy week and I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend, starting with an aimless stroll along the ocean. The bays and beaches are almost empty now, and yet still full of life: Swing music waves across Portixol and while my steps fall into the rhythm of the song I soon discover a group of fervent dancers from Mallorca Swing on the boardwalk. A little later I stop to watch a fisherman on the rocks, gently swinging his fishing rod. Time seems to slow down almost to a standstill.

Presence is what you feel on a day like this – and alegria de vivir. On my way back I smile at a newly wed couple on the beach. The bride is pulling her long white dress up to her hips while the groom has already chopped up the trousers of his wedding suit to protect them from the water, all along their photographer is kneeling in the sand taking pictures. Every once in a while a small wave catches them by surprise, obviously part of the fun. Life is good.