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Hurrah for Barnum and Bailey! [if you know, you know. If you don't, read the end.]

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  It is 27th December.  In 1978 the Spanish voted to approve the new constitutional arrangements and Spain returned to some sort of democracy. Let us hum the Marcha Real or the Himno de la Republica on our way out of town. Should we phone home? Well Telefonia nidal is a mobile repair shop.  https://celularesomar.es/   Alas Ana-Maria reports ‘ Seems that this shop is closed, nobody answers the phone, but on Google it still shows open. Came here 2 times in 2 different days, and nobody is here.’ We may have to deal with our disappointment at the Brasteria Taperia Sofi.   https://saliracomerbienenelche.com/braseriataperiasofi/   It has a Facebook page - but while the photos are nice they are not recent.  https://www.facebook.com/Pepealberola28   I love a simple review. Marisol gave five stars and stated ‘I love grilled meat and potato omelette.’  Enrique explained ‘Great value for money. We ordered octopus and grilled meat, and both were quite go...
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A scientific gem in the heart of Elche

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  It is Boxing Day, but not in Spain. It is St Stephen's day in Catalonia. Not in the greater Valencian community.  It is not even a bridging day but I suspect the amount of work being done is not great. We are in Elche [population 242,000, 45,000 in 1940, biggest growth in 1960s].  About 17% of the populace is foreign born, Colombians, Moroccans and Romanians making up the largest groups.]  The climate is hot semi-arid and, on average, it should be about 12oC at present. Elche was first colonised by the Greeks.  Well, L’Alcudia was, which was 10km away.  The Carthaginians and Romans also turned up, as did the Byzantines and Goths. During the Moorish period the city moved to its current location.  The railway arrived in the 19th century and with it the footwear industry.  Shoes became even bigger in the Great War and continued thereafter.  To quote wiki extensively ‘The economy of Elche is based, in large part, on the footwear industry, with ...
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Green, I love you green!!

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  It is Christmas Day.  We are not at home. Neither is Father Christmas.  As alluded to before, Santa Plc is in a fight with the Three Kings for the right to deliver presents.  The Kings may be supported by El Apalpador.  This chap hangs around parts of Galicia, dressed as a ragged charcoal burner who visits children on New Year’s Eve.  He checks to see if they have full bellies and if they have not, he leaves a handful of chestnuts.   At the other end of the north is Olentzero.  He comes to town to give presents on the 24th - although in Ochagavia its the 27th and Ermua the 31st.  A child with a well planned diary and a scattering of relatives they could stay with could do well out of this.  Olentero is first mentioned in writing in the 17th century. In one version he is one of the Jentillak, a race of Basque giants living in the Pyrenees.  In another version he was an abandoned child, found by the fairies, given strength and ...
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Sofas and sweet

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  It was Christmas Eve in the ….. Road to Elche.  We are at the goodnight, nochebuena.  Tradition has it that tonight is the night for a lavish meal. It’s Spain, every moment is an excuse for a lavish meal.  It is meant to be a family affair, with a buffet of loveliness, possibly involving turron.  Should you wish to know what Elche is like at Christmas have a look https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF7BBgkWLHM   Leaving the hotel we will wander along the N-340, in its form as a high street with bars and things. It is early. Lets have cake.  La Magdalena opens from 6.30am to 8.30pm mostly, 7am on holidays and not at all on Sunday.  When I checked the site http://www.panlamagdalena.es/ it was under construction.  Joaquin [18 hours ago] was in raptures. ‘ It's one of the best bakeries I've ever been to, they have the best monas in all of Alicante.’ It’s Christmas.  What says the birth of our lord and saviour more than a sofa shop. Sofas Alic...
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Last legs and diverse plants.

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  We are heading for the airport and we are having a jolly walk amid the casitas and landed plots and cafes which have grown up around the airport.   Cafeteria Koala looks like the title suggests.  Spartan chairs, a coke machine, open 6am to 2.45pm weekdays and only 7-11.45am on Saturdays.   462 reviews give in 4.4 stars.  Four days ago Jose said it had ‘very rich and different sandwiches.’  Veronica added ‘ Excellent coffee shop, I love having coffee there, the staff is super friendly 😊 It has bike parking at the door and a terrace, ideal for a coffee stop ☕️ a day of cycling 🚲’ Shall we pop into a Garden Centre, why not.  Planta Viva is a 4 star place.  Kris is clearly not one for creative writing in his review ‘This nursery has improved a lot in recent years. You can now find interesting, though somewhat pricey, plants. They have a Telegram group where they post photos and prices of everything they sell. It's a great idea, but the only d...
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