Another Spainish fiesta
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Thu 20 Aug 2009 18:23
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Well the Spanish always seem to have their priorities in
order. They have fiesta after fiesta for one saint or another. A few weeks ago
the Mazarron Confeidura de Pescadores or Brotherhood of Fishermen paraded an
icon for a saint around the bay by boat and across the paseo (seafront). A
great day had by all and a lovely atmosphere steeped in symbolism for protection
whilst at sea----should really have got the saints name !
So you can imagine our surprise when resting after
a calm sleepy overnight anchorage we found ourselves in the middle
of a procession for another saint.
In La Azohia there is a lovely old quay where we
saw a large fishing boat being filled to the brim with local
families and lots of cheering children.
A small boat moved slowly from the quay, it was covered in
flowers and had a small icon to another saint----again related to the sea but
the name Maria......---- lost in my translation of Spanish.
The large fishing boat and about 30 more small boats sped
across the bay diving either side of our and other anchored boats---they were
waving, cheering and tooting horns as we all enjoyed the spectacle not
unlike the start of a yacht race.
The boats travelled for about 2 miles to a place called
Isla Plana. We suspect the icon was taken to a quaint shore side church there
before being floated back to La Azohia.
Everyone knows the archetypal image of the Greek scooter
complete with Grandparents, grandchildren, wooden boxes of fruit and veg and
usually a couple of live chickens.
Well these boats were the Spanish equivalent filled with
the whole family plus, plus, plus---- and the side decks near to the water line
!
They were supported by a guy on a boat firing large
rockets into the air all the way across the bay and back. He responded to Tony's
toot on the fog horn by exploding one over our mast !!!
( see attached photos of procession )
The sun dropped over the Westerly facing bay with the
sound of a woman's voice singing hymn like songs outside the local church
to the crowd------ and then the party started.
A great aroma of barbecued fresh fish coming from the
shore. Then just as we were about to go to sleep---around midnight----the
music----no not a local flamenco in this sleepy village but a Beattles
tribute band---------actually I remember thinking they weren't too bad as I
lay in bed !!
Well as you can see Tioram hasn't really moved very far on
the large map. We haven't written recent blogs because we didn't want to
bore you with tales of domestic life onboard like blocked loo's and the
maintenance and preparation for our longer trips mainly the Atlantic crossing.
However the latest news is it was our 20th Wedding Anniversary on 12th
August---and still smiling so we shared a bottle of Moet champagne that Tony
bought for me when we were first together, 23 years old
----and some for the boat. ( see photos)
Also we now have a cast off date from Mazarron on the
12th October to sail about 250 miles across the south coast of Spain to
Gibraltar.
Our friends /Swanwick marina neighbours, Janet and Dominic
are flying to Gibraltar to meet us on the 17th and we'll be setting sail
720 miles to Gran Canaria via Lanzarote arriving to catch their return
flight by 24th.
Heres hoping our friends and family at home are
all well, enjoying life and having a good time.
Lots love
Tina and Tony x x x
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