I had a dream last night. I was on a bus surrounded by sneering bullies who were taunting, flicking, needling to the extent that I was just about to explode in an uncontained fury, and then I woke up.

We both feel that life has taken on the form of the bullies on the bus. We are here, in our beautiful corner of Spain, and yet the bullies have found a way of infiltrating the safety afforded by our four walls, our stunning views and landscapes that go on forever. Even nature, when we are out on our walks with Alfie, seems to be goading us into some sort of tempestuous reaction. Look at my relentless beauty, it almost says, and how perennially optimistic I am despite everything that is thrown at me.

Andrew and I both feel fragile, and in a constant state of having to suppress the urge to scream; not just a yell, but a guttural, primeval loosening of every emotion. Fortunately, we are very busy which does keep everything else at bay, but I am never sure if that is necessarily the best ithing. Suppressed emotions often find a way out, and we have no doubt that a day will come when we just have to give in, even if just for a moment.

For now, though, we are both still consumed by the #MyTravelPledge campaign. Our video diaries, filmed during one of our busiest and most emotionally challenging weeks, found their way onto the BBC’s ‘The Travel Show’ [watch it HERE] and brought with it a new flow of nominations from healthcare and frontline workers as well as a collection of gorgeous properties around the world. We have now received over 4,300 nominations for free short breaks once the Covid-19 crisis subsides and we can start to travel again. The lovely properties we have in Spain and the UK have been joined by homes in France, Italy, South America, North America and even a game reserve in Africa. We are astounded by the generosity of so many people and the support we have had from our accommodation providers has played a huge part in the maintenance of our sanity. The most rewarding aspect of the campaign, and which goes to show that the original intentions have worked, is the feedback we get from the people we are trying to help. We don’t want affirmation, but to get so many messages of thanks to the campaign for giving hope and showing support has been utterly heartwarming.

Now, we are in the process of de-escalating lockdown measures and, strangely, this gradual opening up of life around us has made me feel a little vulnerable. I don’t know if Andrew feels the same, but during these past weeks of strict measures, we have felt very protected and safe and suddenly the world beyond our four walls is becoming accessible again. Part of me thinks that I’d prefer to stay put, thank you very much! The outside world has not painted a massively pretty picture for the past couple of months, and the paint that was splashed about didn’t appeal to me one iota. We’ve lived in a bubble;.work has taken on a different perspective; the idea of ever returning to an office or a 9-5 routine is anathema.

We still face an uncertain future, but we now need to focus our attention on our businesses, getting the house looking its best for guests who will arrive at some stage. We need to plan for our creative and cultural holidays next year, and reassure visitors that Spain is still the perfect travel destination. After being cooped up for weeks on end, Spain’s vastness provides everything we need to breathe again, to languish in a sea of silence, to feel the warmth of the sun and be awed by the drama of the scenery. Rural Spain is natural social distancing at its very best.

We feel that it will take a while to readjust. We certainly need to tackle the bullies that chip away at our confidence, strength, resolve and happiness. Even the garden that Andrew has so lovingly created during this period of confinement has not escaped; Alfie has all but trashed the vegetable patch that was just beginning to deliver the promising sprouts of our own produce.

It doesn’t take much to threaten our fragility, but we are doing everything we can to keep going with a positive outlook. It does make a difference that we can now go out for walks together, with Alfie, and share our thoughts. It takes us away from the work we are doing, glued to laptops and computers. Together, we can also remind ourselves that nature is not taunting us, or gloating. It is merely going about its business, undisturbed by us trespassers, and putting on a very, very fine display almost as if to say, welcome back; I’m pleased that you can join me once again.