It rained on St Swithin’s day

I love the fact that we wake up each morning in the summer knowing that the weather will be good, knowing that there is no need to consult the paper to see whether it will be fine. We don’t have to wonder whether it will be safe to venture out without an umbrella because the chances of rain are almost nil. It is a little overcast this morning but it won’t last. As soon as the sun gets high enough, the clouds will burn away.

OK, I admit there are days when it is very hot and even the lightest of tasks feels like an exertion. On those days I would hate to have a job outside in the blazing heat of the sun but I don’t. When it is too hot, I can dip in the pool, sit under a sun umbrella or even stay inside with the air conditioning turned on if I so wish. Being soaked with sweat might not be pleasant but it beats being soaked by cold rain any day.

I’m telling you all this because our friends; Rachael, David, Gillian and Steve are all returning to England within the next few days. Both couples have been out to their holiday homes for about a month or so and look really well for it. Tanned, relaxed and with smiles on their faces, you can see how much they have benefited from time in Bigastro.

What can they expect to face on their return to Blighty? It could be anything from gales and heavy rain to gentle summer sun or maybe, if they are really lucky, a heat wave that lasts more than a day. 

If St Swithin’s day tales are to be believed, it will be rain because it rained on Thursday. Beaches were battered by strong winds and some areas had an inch of rain. According to legend, if it rains on St Swithin’s day, you can expect 40 days of bad weather.

If that is the case, then our friends tans will start to fade, the smiles will give way to frowns and frustration will set in as they realise that their plans for summer events are constantly thwarted by the British weather. Give them a week of bad weather and they will wish to be back in Bigastro.

People ask me, “would I ever consider going back to England?” Not for a town hall clock! I don’t do rain and I don’t do wind.

Six rashers Johnnie and four balls Joyce

Whilst we didn’t know the outcome of Pam’s mother’s stroke, the visit of our John and Joyce was in the balance. As it happened Pam had been back nearly a week before they were due to arrive so they were able to come. We were glad because they are long standing friends. Pam has known John for 45 years and I’ve known him for 38. We’ve known Joyce for over 18 years.

Last year their flight was cancelled and they ended up arriving 12 hours late at 2:30 in the morning. This year they arrived on time in brilliant sunshine. The excellent weather didn’t last though and so we had a few days when it was cloudy at least for part of the day. It didn’t seem to spoil their time here though. We lazed around the pool, ate, drank and chatted. Generally it was just a relaxed week with a few visits to break up the pace. As you might expect, they left in brilliant sunshine.

Why “six rashers”? Well John likes a bacon buttie for breakfast and is quite happy to make his own. Normally he would have a few rashers perhaps with an egg to make it more interesting. On the Sunday though there were six rashers left in the packet so he decided to cook them all rather than leave some. In fairness we are not talking Danish back bacon slices but even with Spanish bacon, a six rasher buttie is serious business!

Why “four balls”? Joyce was tempted to go for a late night swim the first night they were here but then changed her mind. The deal on subsequent nights was that if four of the floating pool lights came on she would go for a swim. On the last night four of the lights came on but Joyce baulked on the deal. Perhaps on a future visit she might be tempted again!

Thank you for your company. We hope you enjoyed yourselves. We also hope that you have a fabulous time cruising through the Panama Canal. It won’t be the same as a week in Bigastro but we’re sure it will be OK.

Quiet again

Now that Hugh, Angela and Andrew have gone back the house is quiet again. They were great company and I miss them. Just as a reminder here they are in the pool.

Going going gone 2....

We went down to the Gastronomic Fiesta. Last year there was food to represent the different countries that live in Bigastro including the English. This year the food was mostly Spanish with no contribution from the Brits at all. Worse still by the time we had got through there was very little left. So that was a bit of a disappointment.

Of course the firework man was there letting off his very loud rockets. Hugh, Angela and Andrew were amazed that he observed very little precautions in carrying the fireworks and setting them off but then this is Spain.

Muchas sardinas

As part of the fiesta, Bigastro had organised a "sardines and beer" afternoon - all free of course. We each got a plate of about 6 sardines and a plentiful supply cerveza to wash them down. The sardines were excellent - possibly the best we have had.

Our intention last night was to to go to the Meson de Salada where we had been before. The man at the car park told us they were fully booked so we went to Quesada where we looked at Laurel and Hardy's. After sitting down for a good ten minutes and being ignored we left and drove down to the Waikiki bar for their excellent fish and chips. Not quite the meal we had planned but just as acceptable.

After two late nights it was good to get to bed sober and at a respectable time. Today it has started cloudy just like the first day that my guests arrived.

Butch Cassidy's

Instead of taking my guests to the tourist spots to eat, I took them down to one of the local bars in Bigastro. The place is full of chattering Spaniards and has an authentic atmosphere. Some of the locals are just calling in for a drink on their way home from work, others have come out for the night. Since Spaniards don't eat until about 10:00pm we have the attention of the cook to ourselves.

We sampled a range of the tapas that were on offer followed by pork fillets, all washed down with several bottles of the house red. Full and very satisfied we moved on to Miguel's bar which was unfortunatley closed so we ended up at the bar in the park for a couple of bottles of their house red.

Angela and Jean went off to look at the new take away so we sauntered through the park and ended up at the VaiVen for another glass of wine followed by a coffee. John, of course, invited us back to his house for more drinks but we politely declined which was just as well because it was 1:00am when we returned home.

Paella Mk5

Last night I prepared paella number 5 under the watchful eye of Hugh. I don't know what points he awarded me for the preparation but the end result was judged a success. There was enough for at least five people because I had bought the ingredients in the hope that Pam would be back. There was only some scrapings in the bottom of the pan when we had finished though.

Tonight we are going to eat in Bigastro in one of the local bars to sample the authentic Spanish cuisine. I know that it will be an experience for them and hopefully one which they will want to repeat.

Light and dark

Whilst Andrew soaks up the sun, Hugh reads in the shade. If you look closely you can see the golden glow of Andrew's special suncream - very fetching!!

Weather not at its best

Hugh, Angela and Andrew arrived to a very sunny and warm Murcia. We had a long and relaxed meal outside accompanied by several litres of wine. Just as well because in the early hours of the morning we had a thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain. It is the first rain we have had since April so in that sense was welcome but the timing wasn't.

Today started sunny with nice blue skies but it didn't take long for the clouds to roll over. That didn't stop Hugh going out for a bike ride nor did it stop us from enjoying a leisurely hour in the pool. In the periods when the sun did manage to break through it was brilliant. The clouds have now darkened and the thunder has started rolling in the distance. It won't stop us enjoying an evening out at the Habenaras though.

Hopefully the weather will be much better for tomorrow especially because we have planned to make my special paella on the BBQ outside. Pride is at stake as is our food for the night!!