Fifth Bulletin

Yesterday afternoon, having been stunned into action by more rockets, we sauntered down to the main arena and as it seemed to be childrens’ entertainment, went on to the bar down the road next to the dodgems for a couple of cool beers as it was sweltering heat. We had eaten before we left, so did not need any food. Just as we were chilling someone told us that the main arena had loads of delicious free food where you could just go and help yourself!! Trust me to miss free food! Apparently it was a nice stew and some lovely potatoes!As none of the rides or stalls were open we decided to go home for a siesta and go to watch the procession at 8p.m.

There we were, just before 8 on a shady bit of wall, in full view of the church, camera primed and ready (when will we learn). Smartly dressed villagers were in and around the church and continued to cram in, whole families walking past us, a band dropped off in a mini bus, police, rocket men!……….meanwhile one and a half hours later, after much church singing and random rocket launches, the church doors were thrown open and out came the madonna and her entourage. Standing up to get the perfect picture of madonna and parade with church in the background, imagine our dismay when they suddenly turned left and headed off towards the bridge!!! (pictures 006 and 008) We legged it down there to tag on to the back, embarrassed at our faux pas and sauntered over the bridge with them all, the police car just behind us. Then, just as we all trooped over the bridge, they turned completely round and came back again!!! There was us, legging it back to our original spot and hopefully achieved our picture (the one ending in 010).

At random intervals, the rocket men would just hold a rocket (three had a sort of wooden handle to hold them, but one just held them in his hand) and light them (photo 011), the explosions echoing around the valleys sending horses and dogs wild!!

They trundled on with Madonna, along the road, the durgy band music, until they got to the restaurant at the Feria where they put her on a few tables, lit some sparklers then set off back with her. (photos 012,013,015) Yours truly needed to eat, so didn’t follow them back again.

The entertainment in the main area was excellent, people watching was brilliant as well as enjoying the music. Even the main artists were so good we stayed until nearly 3. The last two photos are of the mini dodgems and adult dodgems which I have tried to show how they are just plonked on plots between occupied houses.

Observing the children at these events has made me completely rethink the British child rearing philosophies. They are still playing and using all the bouncing apparatus at 2a.m., babies are either sleeping in buggies on in the arms of a grown up – whole families sharing care. We did not see one single child cry or throw a tamtrum or look unhappy – all the adults enjoyed them being around and there was even a little boy about 7 dancing the routine with the women singers very, very well!

Today is the last day, paella this afternoon and a big star from Madrid tonight!

In the beginning

We (Alex and I, my two sons and sister Jenny) arrived to a rainy, muddy, roadless house with no power, so it was quite disappointing especially as we were hoping for an improvement on the previous Christmas when had arrived to find the water mains severed and had no water. However, we soon got a roaring real fire, some candles and even brewed up on the emergency gas cooker and had a really lovely evening. The wine started flowing and just all being together was wonderful.

The next morning Alex sorted out the power cut by visiting the local pylon and finding a mains switch! DIY in Spain is in a completely different league to England, not your usual tiling and shelf erection but mains water, sewer repairs and mains electricity!

Christmas eve was glorious sunshine and we were able to have our breakfasts outside on the back patio and we all just jollificated our way through Christmas having food, drink and being merry in the plenty. The boys  and Jenny even had a swim in the pool, but this was more of a dare than a pleasure and happily they survived without suffering hypothermia. The video is like a comedy sketch. Alex got a remote control submarine for one of his presents so he has been playing with it and his yatch on the pool (ooops sorry, not allowed to say “playing” –using his submarine and yatch!), I have just enjoyed looking at it!

Saying goodbye to the boys was quite emotional as I felt like the mother who abandoned her children, but they were both so lovely and reassured me that they were actually very happy for me!

The remaining three of us went to Malaga city to see the Christmas lights which were really beautiful, even trees had been wrapped in light netting and the atmosphere was very jolly.We were amused and entertained to see an electrician repairing some lights on the huge artificial tree in the square, observed by many onlookers until he completely disappeared inside the bottom of the green conical foliage – worryingly followed by some curious children! Once he switched them on again, everyone was agog with admiration and oo’s and aa’s until smoke started billowing out from between the branches and a policeman dived into the bar we were sitting outside and grabbed a fire extinguisher, also disappearing into the foliage of the tree. Fortunately he re-emerged in tact, smoke died down but the tree remained in darkness!

New year’s eve was great as we spent the day on the beach, had a lovely Chinese meal on the sea front then came home and partied. Spanish New Year tradition is to eat a whole grape for each of the twelve bongs at midnight. Jenny managed to eat hers soaked in cava (the grapes, not Jenny), I nearly managed it but Alex had loads left. After much singing, drinking, phoning and watching all the fireworks across the valley we tuned in to English t.v. and celebrated all over again. We extended our celebrations to 4a.m and spent our first of January, much the worse for wear.

Well, it doesn’t seem like we’ve actually moved here for good yet, we have just been partying all the time. I expect it will start to sink in once Jenny has left and we have checked our bank balances! Before then we have the Spanish Reyes celebrations which is when the three Kings come in the night and leave presents so we will obviously have to participate!