Biking & Baking in Las Alpujarras

We had a great Saturday 4th Sept when Montse and Tonio, local second cousins who now work in Madrid, came home to get married.  All in our little village church and plaza, with a donkey to carry the bride.  We played some Handel for her from our flowery balcony, the flamenco and bel canto dancers and singers did the honours in both church and square, and we all partied until the early hours.  The bride looked beautiful (slim, dark-haired, dressed in a flamenco-style dress of white lace) and Tonio is just a great guy - plus he has 2 motorbikes...Suddenly the villagers have made us part of their community in a more deliberate way and we are happy to participate.  Even half an hour with them takes our Spanish up a gear and a glass or two of wine helps enormously!

We nipped up to Barcelona via Javea and Altafulla, to see relatives and friends...the fiesta de Diabolos at Altafulla was stunning, highly recommend it, plus the Tamarit campsite (18 euros per night for out of season and retired folk like us with a small tent/car or bike).  Long ride on the VFR but all went well.  The Javea swim and supper with Beth & Dave, Ant & Twig was also very welcome!  There´s a great motorway stop between Murcia and Guadix, heading west, which does paella and othe tasty dishes for lunch.  Also the last bar on the Orgiva exit out of Lanjaron that gave us 2 tintos de verano and delicious tapas for the huge sum of 3 euros!!

Now I have to return to GB for a week which will be strange.  I wonder if I can remember how to drive, park, speak and use currency after 31/2 months away!  Probably fall straight into it again.

Bye for now!