Periana and Torre del Mar

My first job was to find out if there were any local festivals going on. I searched in vain but couldn't find any. So we decided to have a trip up to Lake Vinuela instead. It turns out we bumped into a few festivals on our travels.

We drove around the lake and headed for the pueblo of Periana. We drove down the main street and it looked like they were gearing up for a party. We parked and went to investigate. A stage was set and it looked like something was going to happen later.

We headed for another square with a lovely view of the church. Here we found an eccentric local artist who was having a great time. God knows what he was painting but he seemed happy enough. He was encouraging people to watch, he was not shy. Maybe a little mad but not shy.


Monica looks puzzled by the local artist.

There was definitely an artistic theme going on in Periana. Walking down to the church we saw another guy set-up with an easel painting. On the other side was another painter. On closer inspection, the guy wasn't painting the church, or anything else within sight. Puzzling.


Iglesia San Isidro.


Artists out in force all over town.

We continued our walk around town. The main attraction in town appeared to be the local water fountain, "Plaza de la Fuente". Above the water fountains was a glass display cabinet with a statue of San Isidro inside. San Isidro can be found all over the pueblo. The local church takes his name. It seems that most of the buildings have an icon of San Isidro displayed with pride. The reason for the fountain being busy was that all the locals were without water supplies due to the local drought. Ominously, we were told to look at the low levels of Lake Vinuela. Looks like we will be next.


Plaza de la Fuente.


San Isidro icons all over Periana.

Walking back towards the area where the fiesta was setting up we found the reason for all the artists being in town. It was the third "Rapid painting in open air" competition. And who should walk by but our favourite artist from earlier. He was only to pleased to show us his unfinished masterpiece. He would return later in the afternoon to finish it off. We all hoped that he would win the competition, or at the very least get special recognition for all his hard effort.


The winning entry 2007 (hopefully).

The party was in full swing back at the square. A band was playing mainly for the kids. The adults seemed more content with propping up the make shift bar. A few market traders were selling the remains of their fruit. Apparently there was a fruit competition the day before. We haggled with one to get a tray of peaches, to make Bellini. 7 euros he asked. 6 euros were offered. He gladly accepted. He didn't seem too offended when only 5 euros were given to him. Obviously he was in the party mood.


Peaches for Bellini "Manana".

We skipped the party and went to a nearby restaurant for lunch. It seemed that the "Sunday Roast" was a slab of meat on an outside spit that the cook was liberally covering with the fat from the drip tray. We went for a couple of portions with chips, washed down with a few canas. Then it was off to the lake.


Roberto unsure about the "Sunday Roast".

The views of the lake from Periana are spectacular. Shame that the trip to the lake was a bit of a let down. Firstly, there didn't appear to be anything there. No directions to any places of note. We wanted to enjoy the views whilst enjoying a coffee but there didn't seem to be anywhere to do it. We stumbled across what appeared to be an abandoned picnic area. It was desolate. We parked up and walked to the lake. No sign of live anywhere. Surely there must be something here? We couldn't be bothered looking so headed off to Torre del Mar for a coffee.


Lake Vinuela.

Torre del Mar was packed. We put it down to the hot weather, it being Sunday and everyone heading for the beach. We walked up towards the centre and realised something else was going on. It was the "Feria Santiago y Santa Ana". Two large shaded areas, one stage and several beer stands. It would have been unfair on Roberto, the nominated driver, to join in with the party, so we stuck with the original plan and went for a "Cafe con hielo".


Paella for the Fiesta.

Afterwards we took a leisurely stroll down the beach promenade. A little too leisurely for me so I tackled the gym circuit on the beach. Half way through I wished I hadn't bothered. Que Calor! Monica decided to revisit her childhood and went on a ride that even Sophie would turn her nose up at as being "for kids". So 3 festivals in 1 day. Not a bad way to spend their first day on holiday.


La Nina.