How're you gonna keep 'em down in the fishmonger's now that they've seen Brussels
We have arrived back in Álora after a problem free journey. The good ship Pont Aven enjoyed a calm sea and only a playful SW wind in the Bay of Biscay.
Our cabin
The cabaret in the Grand Pavois Bar was of the usual high standard. Mrs. Sánchez particularly enjoyed the young chap demonstrating his skill with a football. He could make it land on the back of his neck over and over again. We couldn't see what else he was getting up to because we were at the back of the room where there was enough light to read a book, eat our sandwiches and drink the wine we had bought in the duty free shop. His friend, who had provided a commentary for the footy tricks, then captivated the elderly but easily entertained audience by making noises into a microphone and dancing around. He said it was a kind of boxing but no-one got hurt. I know how he did it too.
http://www.howcast.com/videos/186496-How-to-Make-Basic-Beatbox-Sounds.
Tommy was locked in a cage on the top deck for most of the voyage. He seems to enjoy the company of fifty or so other canine captives barking and howling away day and night. Dog owners can visit their pets at any time and take them for a walk on the special dog deck.
Dog Deck
Usually there is a howling gale up there and we huddle together in a sheltered corner while our best friends sniff around and do the neccessary. This time the good weather and crowded ship encouraged a few sun worshippers to bring chairs up to the doggy deck and sit in the sun sipping shandies, sangría et cetera. Imagine my horror when Tommy took a fancy to a young lady's handbag. 'It's peed in my handbag!'
she exclaimed. This only encouraged one of a pair of golden retrievers to follow suit. How we laughed.
Using a well rehearsed plan involving communication by mobile telephones with our neighbours, Harry and Wilma we managed to park right outside our Spanish residence. (the scooter blocking my space was easily moved). I did a big shop at Mercadona while Mrs. Sánchez started the unpacking. We were expecting a call from our friend Ana to invite us for a meal (usually immediately; she always seems to know when we arrive) but none came until 1.30pm. today. 'La comida a las dos y media' (lunch at half past two). And very nice it was too.
Ensalada de judías verdes y patatas (green bean and potato salad)
Ensalada de tomates (tomato salad)
Callos (Chick peas with tripe, chorizo, pig's feet, black pudding, onions, garlic
Flan (creme caramel)
and cold beer.
After a short siesta the explosions started , announcing the daily mass for Nuestra Señora de las Flores,(Our lady of the Flowers) our patrón virgin. Tommy is a bit disturbed by the bangs. I think his nerves are shot after 24 hrs. in stir.The big day will be on Sunday 15th. September when the Romería takes place. More about that later.
I am devastated to find that the Pescadería Hierrezuelo has shut for ever. (another explosión and Tommy (and another) jumps (another, and I did that time too). This is getting beyond a joke and the church bells are clanging now.
The Hierrezuelo family have been selling fish in Álora for several generations. I have a photograph in front of me showing Antonio Hierrezuelo selling fresh fish from a trestle table in the Calle Atrás in about 1945. The recently closed shop was directly opposite the stall.
The brothers Antonio and Joachím and their wives will be missed by many hundreds of perotes. Why has the shop shut? Not because of La Crisis. The shop was always packed except on Mondays when they only had frozen fish. It appears that there are no Hierrezuelos willing to run the business. Antonio's lad has got a job in Brussels.
Antonio Hierrezuelo
In the former Benetton shop in La Plaza de la Fuente Arriba a sign has gone up saying 'PROXIMA APERTURA PESCADERÍA (Fishmonger opening soon). I went to the only other fresh fish shop I know today for some sardinas. Sold out! Just as well we got invited to Ana's.
Tomorrow our daughter and family arrive for a stay of 3 nights. On Saturday night there is a mass in the church for the Virgin of the Flowers followed by a do at the HQ of the Dolores Hermandad with food and drink and a competition for the best flamenco outfits. I shall be trying to persuade Mrs. Sánchez to wear her traje.
On 16th. September there will be a holiday to celebrate the arrival of the railway at Álora in 1863. This was a great event, allowing fresh fish to be brought every day and Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard to go up to El Chorro to film the final scenes of Von Ryan's Express . 'Come on Ryan!'
5th.September 2013
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