Rosemary

Celebrated Sant Miguel with our neighbours tonight. At 8 p.m. the pipers and drummers started to play and they walked in procession with the people to the church for a service. Some of the people carried baskets of food and another carried an image. Approximately 90 minutes later we were called out into the huge garage next door to have a biscuit that had been blessed and a glass of sweet wine.

Once this had been done the tables were laid up for our fiesta food. There were 27 peoplle including 3 children and the noise was so bad that we struggled to hear the person sitting next to us. Just before coffee was served a large cake was brought out and we all sang 'for he's a jolly good fellow' in Valenciano....well two of us sang it in English. This was because our historian is called Miguel after the saint and he is really highly thought of. Miguel made sure that we realised that it was not his birthday but the saints day so I explained that we knew. Miguel asked all of the ladies to put up their hands, although we were all aprehensive we complied whilst he counted us, him and his friend then decided that they had got it wrong so we all had to shout out our number as he pointed to us. They disappeared and when they returned they gave each woman a rose, which turned out to be a bottle of perfume.

At about midnight the street bangers were laid out and lit and at 12.30 a.m. we had a firework display.

Our ears are ringing from the constant noise of all of them talking/shouting and I have a slight headache from concentrating so much, so we are now having a cup of tea to quieten down before bed. (Early night really).

Rosemary

rachelk

Rosemary I love these stories of yours.

Nothing like that here, but I get a day off tomorrow because I work in a town where San Miguel is patrón.

Rosemary

Last year the historian told us that the Sant Miguel image had been hidden in a cave for many years because of the civil war and had recently been rediscovered but that now it was in his house. However last year they did not have the procession or pipers and drummers, nor did they take the image or the food for the service so we are beginning to wonder whether this now means that our street has two saints to celebrate. The three streets that are closest to us have their individual saints too so plenty of fiestas to enjoy.

Last night I was totally drained with the concentrating and when my OH and I discussed the event afterwards we realised that I had been trying to lip read one particular neighbour because I could not actually hear what she was saying at all. It really is great to be encouraged to join in with them. maybe encouraged is not the word because if we do not go out immediately when called different neighbours persistently order us until we do.

Downfall is that OH has just had to clear the debris of the fireworks off our terrace because the breeze was blowing in our direction last night.

Rosemary

montgomail

Sociable lot aren't they, your neighbours.

What is the population of the village and are you the only Brits?

Rosemary

Population of the place is just over 3000 and we are the only brits living in the village but we think that there are a few more out in the hills.

Rosemary

montgomail

Oooer, the hills have eyes??
Seriously, sounds like a great place to live.

Rosemary

We love it here. Most of the time we live very quietly but when there is a fiesta we have the usual processions, fireworks, and general frivolity so plenty of colour and noise. The noise is not loud music but just people enjoying each others company by getting together and talking, telling silly stories and taking the mickey out of each other.

Rosemary

Carol&John

more stories, please (karma if allowed!)

Can you not picture the scene (translated)? Pueblo alive with music & conviviality. Rosemary & neighbours seated around the table at the fiesta:
"Huy! Rosa, take it!" shouts neighbour in a friendly tone.
Rosa replies, "Err, say again, pet?" "Take what?"
"Take those flaming roscas out of your ears!"

Regards,
Carol