Apologies ….24 hours overdue…..

In truth, the week started well …with yet another fiesta. I know we’d only had one two days previously but you can never have enough fiestas in Spain!!! This one was local to our town and more specifically to a church within it . There was a parade to celebrate all recent festivities…the Fallas …now there’s a festival not to be missed – it lasts five days in March and indicates the start of Spring. It is local to Valencia Provence and the principle elements of the festival are colour, artworks, gunpowder and fireworks . Every area in most towns in Valencia prepares a “ statue” …..

Basically they are giant statues made of wood, cork or papier- mache – each figure is called a “ ninot”. Many of the figures represent a satirical view in order to criticise politics, the current social situation or some odd customs . There are also many figures from fairy tales .Anyway don’t get too bogged down in all this ….on the final day each Fallas is awarded a position in their town and then burnt , last one first and top of the class last ( they can be burning statues at 4 am…oh and in case you’re wondering , no they’re not far away from buildings, bang in the middle of built up residential areas with only the “ Bomberos” for support!,,) It’s a great excuse annually to have a celebration ! In addition to the statues, the streets are alive with loud bangs – even the smallest child is allowed to set off bangers ….they remind me of Jumping Jacks( who remembers those on bonfire night – aweful things that would chase you when set off ..) but these don’t move from where they are lit which is a relief, they just make a very loud bang and scare the living daylights out of you!

At two o’clock each day they have the “ mascaletas” ……this is a 10 minute display of fireworks . Now as it is in broad daylight it is clearly not for the spectacular display of colour in the sky……no, it is for the noise Dear Reader . The whole display shakes your inner core….in my view, and it is my view, I prefer to see the sky light up rather than feel the personal impact of the explosion …..

Then you have the Falleras and Falleros ….the women and men who represent each zone and wear traditional old world costumes .

It is an immense source of pride to represent your area – however the expense of the dress, shoes and hair to say the least is no mean sum and is down to the individual!

Well that took me off track ….back to the procession on Wednesday 3 rd May….so the Falleras and Falleros were there, a marching band ( there’s always a band) , the ladies of the church dressed in black, with a black mantilla and veil to symbolise Easter , another band …..then the gold statue of Jesus carried by twenty men followed by local dignitaries all carrying candles. I should also mention the man with a hook on a pole ( non insulated) in front of the statue of Jesus to lift the electrical wires out of his way as he passes underneath the wires crossing the street . Say no more ….

That is how the week started Dear Reader……but it deteriorated due to the DB contracting a cough . Innocent enough at first, but as the weekend progressed I felt as if I was sleeping with the entire Philarmonic Orchestra warming up beside me . By Sunday they’d reached fever pitch ….literally . Needless to say the DB was not at all keen to see someone of medical persuasion, and it was only when our lovely pharmacist advised me she could not sell me any medication for a cough if there was noise in his chest!

So off to our local “ Urgencias” we went . EHIC card in hand, everyone was most helpful. The Doctor took one look at him, and then a listen to his chest…..” you will not be going to the beach for the next four or five days …you are very poorly” she said (I should say we haven’t really been to the beach at all but that’s irrelevant really). So we are sent home with four boxes of medicines …..

I am pleased to report that, whilst his cough would certainly still reach the top three in a worst cough competition, he is much improved . In fact so much so he cooked himself bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning . I can hear those of you that know the DB well , chuckling at this !!!

So forgive me for cutting this blog short ….it has been “ one of those weeks” ….let’s see what this next week brings ! I leave you with the following….