Coming home

We’ve had a great time in Sale with the family but now it is time to come home. The case is packed and in the boot. Soon it will be time to take the hire car back and check in at the airport.

Looking at the CCTV cameras, it looks like the sun is shining ready for our return. Let’s hope it stays that way because we have a fair bit of washing to do. 

Manchester weather

We arrived at Manchester Airport last Thursday to be greeted by torrential rain. That made the journey to our hotel “interesting” in a strange car where we couldn’t work out how to change the heating.

Friday was no better but at least our journey was just local. By Sunday it was sunny and the weather has stayed mild and dry since.

Looking at the weather for Bigastro, we might not have faired any better there.

Sadly, by the time we return, we will have missed a couple of events that we would have preferred to attend. Still, time with the family is just as rewarding so we have no regrets.

Keeping you safe

I’ve had a message from Scout John telling me about a talk about security for the elderly. This will take place at the Auditorium on Tuesday, 2nd October at 11am. There will be a translator on hand to help those who have limited understanding of Spanish.

Halloween

Window decoration competition and pumpkin decorating class for this year's Halloween.

I have no idea

From the title, this is the 35th edition and on this occasion it will take place in Bigastro.

We know that it is musical and involves two choirs and is the synthesis of the three cultures: Christian (Gregorian chants), Arabic (chants of alborada) and Jews (similarities with the Sephardic chants of the synagogue).

The end of the Anniversary

The Closing Ceremony of the Anniversary of Thomas Villanova, will take place next Saturday.

 First there will be the opportunity to hear views expressed by Agustín Pastor Fuentes (Bigastrense  and Head of the Arrhythmia Unit of the University Hospital of Getafe), Gregorio Canales Martínez (Professor of Human Geography at the University of Alicante) Pascual Segura, author of the biography of Thomas Villanova) and direct testimonies by the descendants of the Villanova family.

Then the theatre group,  Lugarico will  represent their biographical work on the life and work of the illustrious scientist.

Although I have a personal invitiation from the Town Hall, unfortunately, we will be away then.

Much ado about nothing

We all know that weather forecasting is an imprecise art at best. When it comes to predicting DANAs though, trying to make accurate predictions is in another league.

You only have to search the internet to find videos of parts of Spain where the effect of the cold drop was intense. In particular, there is a video of a river rampaging down a street in Granada taking cars and vans along with it. There is a similar video taken in Ronda where the river is part way up the walls of houses. Both locations are where the streets are narrow and there is a hill.

We were forecast the high possibility of heavy rain and thunder but all we got was a short sharp downpour. That was lucky, things could have been much worse for us.

There have been some complaints about AEMET's forecasting but to be fair, it is better to expect the worst and then find things are nowhere near as bad as predicted. 

It is raining folks

Last time a DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) was forecast, we escaped and no more than a few drops fell on us.

Yesterday, the forecast for today was up rated to orange with a threat of very heavy rain. Today it is down rated to yellow. The map below shows the accumulated rainfall expected over 10 days from yesterday.

The problem is that DANAs are very unpredictable and the rain associated with them can be very local. It can be dry where you are and a washout just 5kms down the road with a clear line between the two.

You could hear thunder in the night, well at least I did but that was coming from Murcia. It is definitely raining today and the forecast is for it to continue through to Tuesday. As I have said though, we will have to wait and see.

Our second set of visitors went home last night. We thought they were going to have bad weather during their stay but they had none of it - plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures and no more than a breeze.

The other thing to watch out for are mosquitoes. So far, this summer I have only had a few minor bites but with rain puddles everywhere, the female insects will likely go into a breeding frenzy and be out in force collecting blood.

Orange alert

Be aware that there is a possibility that we will get some heavy rain sometime in the next two days. The situation has changed and the current risk level for this area has been reduced from orange to yellow on AEMET's website. In case you were wondering, we are at the bottom of that map.

If you doubt the force of nature, watch this video from yesterday.

Make sure you are in order

A message from Scout John

HMRC has introduced new legislation that requires individuals to make sure their foreign income and assets are in order before a 30th September 2018 deadline and the arrival of tougher penalties.

These changes can affect people if they live abroad and pay tax outside the UK, for example people who rent out their UK home whilst living in another country or those who still have UK bank accounts or investments. It can affect more people than you may think.

 YOU ARE INVITED TO A CONSULATE SPONSORED PRESENTATION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 2018 IN THE CAPITOL THEATRE OF ROJALES AT 11 a.m.

The U.K. Consul will be in attendance along with HMRC representatives from the U.K to nswer your questions.

The procession 2018

You can watch the video made of the procession here. If you cut to 33mins.31seconds you can watch them rotate the throne above their heads. Cut to 22mins 20 seconds to watch the presentation projected on the church wall.

The coronation

This year Pam and I feature on the video taken. Watch us at 8mins 45 seconds in and see my wardrobe malfunction. Then again at 44mins 06 seconds in for a further minor wardrobe malfunction on my part.

Totally insane!

In case you were wondering what it is like to go down between 3am and 5am to watch La Cordá organised by the Association of Carretilleros, here it is on one of Fonta's photos.

First off, you have to have a licence before they will allow you in the cage. Then you have to wear layers of protective clothing which must leave you dripping with sweat. Finally, you need to buy your fireworks which can cost upwards of 1,000 Euros.

The reward is this spectacular display which Fonta has recorded for us.

The last of my photos

Today, La Murga will tour the streets in the final act for this year's Fiesta for San Joaquin.

Last night, the Cofradia de San Joaquin promised us something special for the Solemn Procession and they delivered.

Just before the statue was returned to the church, we were treated to an account of how San Joaquin came to the town complete with images projected onto the front of the church. I even recognised some of them as ones I took two years ago.

A quick turn around in the Plaza, first on the shoulders and then held aloft and the statue was returned to the church until next year.

One of our neighbours

Efren Pamies, who lives on our estate, at the Comparsas Parade last night.

Not only is he one of our local policemen, Efren is an accomplished singer, plays guitar, takes great photos and has a keen interest in the environment.

An all round good guy.

See my photos from last night here.

Simply beautiful

As I have said before on this blog, the Floral Offering is one of the most beautiful parades that takes place during the Fiesta in Bigastro.

See for yourselves the wonderful costumes and flowers from this year.

The statues

Santa Ana

For those of you who missed them, here are the statues of Santa Ana and San Joaquin that the Cofradia de San Joaquin have displayed in the church.

I imagine that they will need to be moved to bring our statue of the patron saint out for tonight's Floral Offering.

San Joaquin

San Joaquin

San Joaquin with Mary

Remarkably similar to our statue. 

Santa Ana with Mary

Small but detailed statue of San Joaquin with Mary

The full display including pictures. 

I was asleep at the time

The earthquake was recorded at 4.40 pm on Monday, 13th August, 11 kilometers deep and had as its epicenter northwest of the town of Albatera.

Words fail me

Last night's concert for San Joaquin promised to be something special. Just reading the programme, you knew that we were in for a great treat.

As you may already know, Bigastro and the Cofradia de San Joaquin are celebrating the 225th anniversary of the entrance of the statue of the patron saint to the town.

There is a special exhibition of images and documents related to San Joaquin in the church which I will be photographing shortly.

In the meantime, let's talk about the concert.

The park was the perfect location, it allowed a full audience to attend.

The music was simply delightful and the band surpassed themselves with their interpretation of the pieces.

Diego and the musicians deserve all the praise that we can give them.

Top marks to Pascual

He came as Darth Vader, his wife was Leia Organa and their son, a young Luke Skywalker.

When the parade eventually arrived, it was mainly adults accompanying  a handful of children. It was all over in the blink of an eye.

Even still, we must praise all those who made the effort to take part.