Ian popped out to see Jesus last night to ask for his telephone details for Telefonica and returned two and a half hours later, with the information we needed. He had shared a glass or two of wine from Zafra and some tapas. He returned at about 10.30 as they were about to start getting their tea, keeping the Spanish hours is going to be quite a challenge. But then if you have snoozed for a few hours in the afternoon, perhaps you don´t feel like eating until later.
When I went to get the bread yesterday it came as a bit of a shock to be behind two gun slinging pòlicemen. There are two types of police around, the local bobbies of whom Joe would be one (I cannot imagine him toting a gun on his moped) and the national force who seemed to be heavily armed even to go into the bread shop for a nice warm crusty roll for their breakfast. I don´t know why, but I immediately felt guilty and I tried hard not to through myself at their feet, pleading for mercy.
On Friday night we were in the courtyard and could hear the band playing. Friday night must be practice night – so as a marching drum band of around 30 is not likely to be hidden anywhere particulary out of the way, we thought we´d go and watch. We had a bit of a bad start as Ian was certain it was by the castle, and I was certain it was by the school – both at opposite ends of the village. So we headed off and found that either they were marching very quickly or the acoustics were throwing us of the scent. They were by neither the castle or the school, or indeed the church or square, we found them at last by the bus stop. We had Basil with us and sat on a wall listening and watching whilst 30 or so children were put through their paces. Now I know how the queen feels, it was just like a march past with 30 or so heads turning to look at Basil. We thought they were very good and the village is obvioulsy proud of its band. We thought that when we are settled we might donate my drum (the Border Guard one I got at auction) to them. We obvoulsy can´t do that yet incase it gets horribly confusing and we find that we are part of the band and Ian is trailing behind them with our drum.
We don´t often take Basil out at night. We´ve noticed that when Ian is out with Basil old ladies scream, and they are also unsure about Basil. We try to take Basil along the bigger roads so he doesn´t peer into people windows as he passes.
We may be a step nearer getting the phone fitted now we have the information they require. They couldn´t find us on the database as the old line was given the address of no 37, when in fact it is no 35.
Had proper rain this weekend, and it has not been cold but very miserable. Today the sun is out and we might get the washing finally dry which we hung out at the first sign of rain. Of course.