Operation Big Potato, 6 arrests, 2 car crashes and a kilo. of Broad Beans.
When we were kids the first thing we did at the start of the summer holidays was go up to the park to wax the slide. Sliced bread wrappers in hand we rubbed the brass surface of the Wicksteed Wonder until it gleamed along the whole of its length and we could shoot down at breathtaking speed and fall off the end. That was in the days when sliced bread was wrapped in waxed paper, was still 'the best thing' and we made our own amusements (with a bit of help from Charles Wicksteed &Co.)
"Playground slides are associated with several types of injury. The most obvious is that when a slide is not enclosed and is elevated above the playground surface, then users may fall off and incur bumps, bruises, sprains, broken bones, or traumatic head injuries. Some materials, such as metal, may become very hot during warm, sunny weather." (Wikipedia)
Well, who'd have thought?
The good Old Days.
Something similar happens here in Álora every Semana Santa (Easter). Hundreds of three foot long marching candles drop wax on the routes of the processions which is then spread around the steep streets of the town and buffed up to a hard sheen by Easter Monday. As a result The 'Clinico' hospital in Málaga has its busiest time of the year tending to people who have fallen or crashed their cars trying to negotiate steep, polished bends and junctions. Doctors, nurses and radiologists are able to get some practice dealing with fractures which they would otherwise miss as we don't have icy roads in winter. The squeal of car tyres can be heard all round town at all hours of the day and night. Very entertaining as you wait for the sound of buckling metal.
The newspaper 'Sur in English' last week reported that six Álora residents had been arrested following a shock Guardia Civil swoop on the Plaza Baja area (sometimes referred to as El Casco Histórico ) where Mrs. Sánchez and I have our residence. It was called 'Operación Papón' (Operation Big Potato) and must have been very hush hush because we slept right through it all and were not raided.
The Haul
That's an air pistol. It gave me a bit of a fright too, especially as my neighbour H. says someone pointed a gun at him a few weeks ago when he told them the F*** O** (Fuck Off).
I thought he was mistaken but not now. Naturally we have put our house up for sale. We had no idea this sort of thing was going on. If you're wondering what's on the table, Mabel, apart from the gun there's "39 doses of cocaine, 5 grams of MDA (?), anabolic steroids and other drugs, some money, five mobile phones, a car, a motorbike and a big potato" (not pictured).
Shrewd readers of this organ may have noticed that there was a big 'drugs swoop' the week after Semana Santa last year.https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2716687425844862439#editor/target=post;postID=7547641736648944802;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=12;src=postname
On a lighter note, yesterday was 'El lX Día de la Haba' (pronounced 'Abba') (The Ninth Day of the Broad Bean)', but only in Villanueva de la Concepción which is up in the hills near Antequera. We thought Chris and Hilary deserved a treat on their last day here so we invited them to come too. Unfortunately it clashed with the procession of one of Álora's two patron virgins, 'La Virgen de la Cabeza' (The Virgin of the Head), but I calculated that if we set off early we could do the Broad Bean celebrations AND get back in time for a free plate of callos (mmm.) down at the V de la C. shindig by the station.
La Virgen de la Cabeza
The Virgen de la Cabeza procession. If you look closely you can see the Guardia Civil boss of 'Operation Big Potato' telling the Alcalde (mayor) about the (hush hush) drug swoop.
It took about an hour and a half to drive to Villanueva de la Concepción through the stunning spring scenery of the hills below El Torcal. The views across to the coast alone were worth the journey which was just as well.
The narrow streets of V.N,de la C. were lined with attractive stalls and packed with visitors determined to have a good time.
The only things in short supply were Broad Beans. Even though Billy Broad Bean mingled with the revellers his favourite vegetables were difficult to find. The one Stall actually selling the fresh product was doing a roaring trade but by the time we found it I was looking for a bar. Mrs. Sanchez was not having this and said, " You can't go to a Broad Bean Fest and not buy some Broad Beans". So we bought some.
Tonight we had tortilla de habas. (broad bean omelette). Very nice too.
28th. April 2014.
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