April
'07
The
month started with a continuation of the wet weather that we had
been having since the middle of March.
Since
we moved into our rented apartment at 7 Carrer Llevant in Mas de
Barberans in the last week in March, we have not had a single dry
day until this Monday (16th April). As the apartment is new and
had not been lived in, everything seemed slightly damp. It was impossible
to dry clothes properly, even when we hung then on the washinglines
we had put up between some olives down at the Mill.
Our
son and his girlfriend had arrived for a weeks holiday a couple
of days ago. We wer fairly stumped as to what they could do during
their time with us, but, by getting out whenever the rain stopped
and spending time up at Bar Mario's, they enjoyed their stay. We
walked up some of the valleys in the Els Ports natural park which
is directly behind Mas de Barberans and saw some of the wildlife,
then drove down to the Ebro delta to walk on the empty beaches and
see the flamingo's and had some great meals in some of Tortosa's
restaurants.
After
they returned to England, the weather got better, although it had
rained so much over the last month, that water was running in the
Barranc de Lloret past the front of the Mill. All the locals were
very pleased to see this happening as water is a precious thing
here and the rain had been "bueno por el campo".
On
the second day that the Barranc was flowing, we were amazed to hear
a deafening chorus of frogs and toads which were taking the opportunity
to do their thing in the wet conditions. When we told some locals
at the bar about this, they went dreamy eyed and smacked their lips
saying how delicious the frogs were with a bit of oil and garlic.
If there is any meat on anything these guys will eat it. If there
isn't they will eat it with something meaty.
At
the Mill, we are starting to put in the foundations of a 400 metre
fence which will surround the part of the property near the building.
Once it is completed we will have a secure area which we will need
before the renovation process can start in earnest.
In
Mas de Barberans, the villagers are celebrating their annual Fiesta
or Festes de Sant Marc. This is a week long party which involves
everyone in the village. The band marches through the streets on
several days. There is the Mas de Barberans beauty queen ceremony,
Orchestras, football matches, a pool competition, mass dinners,
film shows, theatre, musical evenings and bull running then a big
meal where they eat the bull.
It
all finishes with a carnival parade of floats pulled by tractors
through the village with the occupants showering the crowds with
tons of confetti.
PB
March
'07
May '07
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