Fun in Almachar
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 1:45 AM
Last week Linda & Alan invited me to a “sort of fiesta” in Almachar, a lovely village of some 2000 inhabitants. I say fiesta but to be correct it is la Romeria de San Isidro & is to honour the village’s Patron, “Ntra. Sra. del Amparo”.
So just after lunch we travelled down the Sierra’s & on to Almachar where we met a yet another lovely lady Catherine who was also to be our guide. Catherine had been a tower of strength for Alan & Linda when they were arriving in Spain with their dogs for which they will be forever grateful. (More on Catherine later). Following Catherine through the village we then drove along the dry river bed (Rio Almachar) to arrive after a few minutes at our destination just below the village. Incidentally this river bed was a raging torrent of uncontrollable water 6 months earlier, strong enough to wash away bridges & anything in its path.
When we parked up, there was a most amenable odour of cooking food and indeed I discovered later that there was a paella contest in “play”.
As we strolled around the “fair” everyone looked so happy & relaxed and there were many things going on. In the afternoon there were events for the children. Things apparently no longer seen in the UK. For instance “sack races”, “egg & spoon races”, “burst the balloon” & “spear the ribbon”, whereby the kids try to unfurl a ribbon from a line while cycling at full speed from below it.
Then there was the Spanish band with the Flamenco dancers
& singers & they were terrific, I could have followed them around the grounds all afternoon.
All while this was going on copious amounts of drink, (alcoholic & none alcoholic) & food (especially by me - just loved the sausages!) was being partaken,
but we were waiting for the main event of the evening.
Speaking to Catherine I managed to convince her to try to teach me Spanish. Catherine also manages to run a restaurant in the village (El Meson), has 5 fully equipped self-catering cottages & a swimming pool so she is a very busy lady. If you wish to discuss this with her you can talk to her on palmercatherine@yahoo.co.uk – advert over.
Right back to the event and what an event it was with the wonderful horseback riders of Almachar. 
Using the dry river bed they galloped at full speed to again spear furled ribbons from line above. No crash hats, flat caps or no hat at all were the order & no riding crops either, control was either a double bridle or heels they were in complete control. 
So the excellent afternoon now over we again made our way back along the river bed & onto the road & home with many happy memories & sincere thanks to Linda, Alan & of course Catherine, hope we get invited again next year!