A Patio in Cordoba.
Flowers in the streets.
Yellow Rose.
One of the displays ready for the competition.
Red Rose.
The Flowers of Cordoba
A Patio in Cordoba.
Flowers in the streets.
Yellow Rose.
One of the displays ready for the competition.
Red Rose.
Another jewel in the Andalusian crown – Cordoba
The traditional “day of the worker” which we know as May day, landed on a Saturday this year. Not the best day for a holiday if you work in the travel industry in Nerja. However, it did give Monica a chance to take the holiday on the Monday. Which meant we could plan a long weekend break away to Cordoba.
Cordoba is just over a two hour journey away from Nerja. So as the last guest picked up the keys we set-off on our last minute getaway. We had nothing booked and it was a holiday weekend. More so in Cordoba as it was the “Fiesta de las Cruces”, which is a highlight of the festival calendar in Cordoba. Monica was busy planning the itinerary as I drove up the autovia.
Cordoba is a beautiful city that has been influenced by the Romans, Moors and the catholic kings. It sits on the bend of the Guadalquivir River. An impressive roman bridge creates a picturesque entrance to the city’s prized tourist attraction, the Mezquita. I took a wrong turning looking for a parking place and ended up in the heart of the city’s famed Juderia quarter. A surreal experience as the pedestrians had priority over the cars, the streets so narrow that I was worried about scratching the sides of my tiny Ford Fiesta. We had to follow a horse and carriage to navigate the meandering streets as Tom Tom had long since given up on finding an exit.
We eventually found an underground parking garage and joined the groups of people enjoying the fiesta in the street. The place was filled with a party atmosphere. It was clear that the “Cruces de Mayo” festival was a bigger party event than it was in Nerja. We soon reached Plaza de las Tendillas that was home to one of the flower crosses. A stage was set-up ready for the evening’s entertainment. A sizeable crowd had already assembled. Finding a room for the night was going to be a challenge.
After a quick visit to the tourist information centre we headed for the hotel street which was San Fernando. I was already thinking that we wouldn’t find anywhere for the night. Monica’s phone calls earlier in the day had been fruitless. It seemed like the whole city was fully booked. The first few hotels we came across were full. We had success at the hostel “La Fuente”. There was an apartment available for 70 euros a night. Monica wasn’t happy with the price but I gratefully accepted the room. Just in time as it turned out as another couple came in to enquire about available rooms. We had taken the last one.
Cruces del mayo.
Later in the evening we headed out to find a place to eat. The cruces de mayo festival was in full swing. A procession was just about to start from the church down the street. We managed to get in front of it and walked down a side street which ended at Plaza del Potro. A delightful square where Cervantes once stayed. A plaque on a wall indicates that he included this place in one of his works. A tree lined street is filled with cafe bars and leads to the banks of the Guadalquivir.
Plaza del Potro.
The Guadalquivir.
We decided to walk towards the historic centre of the city and find a place to eat in one of the famed patios. We walked past the Mezquita and wandered through the narrow streets. Most of the patios were already prepared for the upcoming festival of flowers. We found a nice place in Calle de los deanes for dinner. We were drawn in not only by the beautiful patio, but the menu del dia was a bargin at 8.50 Euros. We decided to try the local delicacy of Flamenquin, pieces of ham and pork rolled in breadcrumbs and fried.
After an enjoyable meal we headed back along the river for a nightcap. We had spotted a rooftop bar that had excellent views over the river. It was a bit pricey but we enjoyed the cool evening air sipping our vino tinto looking out at the starry night.
A relaxing night cap.
Cordoba is just over a two hour journey away from Nerja. So as the last guest picked up the keys we set-off on our last minute getaway. We had nothing booked and it was a holiday weekend. More so in Cordoba as it was the “Fiesta de las Cruces”, which is a highlight of the festival calendar in Cordoba. Monica was busy planning the itinerary as I drove up the autovia.
Cordoba is a beautiful city that has been influenced by the Romans, Moors and the catholic kings. It sits on the bend of the Guadalquivir River. An impressive roman bridge creates a picturesque entrance to the city’s prized tourist attraction, the Mezquita. I took a wrong turning looking for a parking place and ended up in the heart of the city’s famed Juderia quarter. A surreal experience as the pedestrians had priority over the cars, the streets so narrow that I was worried about scratching the sides of my tiny Ford Fiesta. We had to follow a horse and carriage to navigate the meandering streets as Tom Tom had long since given up on finding an exit.
We eventually found an underground parking garage and joined the groups of people enjoying the fiesta in the street. The place was filled with a party atmosphere. It was clear that the “Cruces de Mayo” festival was a bigger party event than it was in Nerja. We soon reached Plaza de las Tendillas that was home to one of the flower crosses. A stage was set-up ready for the evening’s entertainment. A sizeable crowd had already assembled. Finding a room for the night was going to be a challenge.
After a quick visit to the tourist information centre we headed for the hotel street which was San Fernando. I was already thinking that we wouldn’t find anywhere for the night. Monica’s phone calls earlier in the day had been fruitless. It seemed like the whole city was fully booked. The first few hotels we came across were full. We had success at the hostel “La Fuente”. There was an apartment available for 70 euros a night. Monica wasn’t happy with the price but I gratefully accepted the room. Just in time as it turned out as another couple came in to enquire about available rooms. We had taken the last one.
Cruces del mayo.
Later in the evening we headed out to find a place to eat. The cruces de mayo festival was in full swing. A procession was just about to start from the church down the street. We managed to get in front of it and walked down a side street which ended at Plaza del Potro. A delightful square where Cervantes once stayed. A plaque on a wall indicates that he included this place in one of his works. A tree lined street is filled with cafe bars and leads to the banks of the Guadalquivir.
Plaza del Potro.
The Guadalquivir.
We decided to walk towards the historic centre of the city and find a place to eat in one of the famed patios. We walked past the Mezquita and wandered through the narrow streets. Most of the patios were already prepared for the upcoming festival of flowers. We found a nice place in Calle de los deanes for dinner. We were drawn in not only by the beautiful patio, but the menu del dia was a bargin at 8.50 Euros. We decided to try the local delicacy of Flamenquin, pieces of ham and pork rolled in breadcrumbs and fried.
After an enjoyable meal we headed back along the river for a nightcap. We had spotted a rooftop bar that had excellent views over the river. It was a bit pricey but we enjoyed the cool evening air sipping our vino tinto looking out at the starry night.
A relaxing night cap.
Election fever grips the kids
The May elections with its presidential style debates and the prospect of a hung parliament had many people excited over the campaign. You would think the only exciting prospect for the kids was an extra day off from school. However, Sophie and Jessica had taken more of an interest.
Sophie and Jess on a mission.
So on an unusually sunny day in Carrbrook the girls wanted to a little canvassing during our bike ride around the village. Well, they wanted to find out what Auntie Lyn thought of the party leaders. After receiving some welcome refreshments the girls decided to test the political water.
Sophie and Jess make their first opinion poll.
“That Brown will make me work until I’m 95!” exclaimed Sophie after telling Lyn she couldn’t possibly vote for him.
“And I’ll have to work until I’m 99!” Jessica added.
“Are you going to vote for Pudding Face?” Sophie had obviously been hearing my mum’s political views.
The excitement soon faded for Sophie but little Jess was still excited on the day of polling. She went with my Mum and Dad to her school to cast their vote. She witnessed them collect their ballot paper. Go into a little booth and make their choice. Then they posted it into the box. All the while little Jess was watching transfixed in silence. As they left the school Jess couldn’t keep quiet any longer.
“Is that it? How boring!”
Sophie and Jess on a mission.
So on an unusually sunny day in Carrbrook the girls wanted to a little canvassing during our bike ride around the village. Well, they wanted to find out what Auntie Lyn thought of the party leaders. After receiving some welcome refreshments the girls decided to test the political water.
Sophie and Jess make their first opinion poll.
“That Brown will make me work until I’m 95!” exclaimed Sophie after telling Lyn she couldn’t possibly vote for him.
“And I’ll have to work until I’m 99!” Jessica added.
“Are you going to vote for Pudding Face?” Sophie had obviously been hearing my mum’s political views.
The excitement soon faded for Sophie but little Jess was still excited on the day of polling. She went with my Mum and Dad to her school to cast their vote. She witnessed them collect their ballot paper. Go into a little booth and make their choice. Then they posted it into the box. All the while little Jess was watching transfixed in silence. As they left the school Jess couldn’t keep quiet any longer.
“Is that it? How boring!”
El Málaga un equipo de primera!
Malaga managed to secure their place in the top flight of Spanish football with a well deserved point against Real Madrid.
The unlikely draw looked on the cards when Duda scored early in the first half. Malaga took the 1-0 lead into the half time break. Surely Real Madrid would realize that their slim chance of winning La Liga was gone with Barca comfortably beating Valladolid 2-0 at Camp Nou. Maybe the unbelievable was going to happen.
Real Madrid refused to roll over and Van de Vart equalised early in the second half. It was then backs to the wall and some heroic goalkeeping that kept Malaga alive with a point. When news came through that Valencia had taken the lead against Tenerife, the party started for Malaga.
The last gasp salvation was best summed up by the text received from Antonio. "Dios exite viva en Malaga."
The unlikely draw looked on the cards when Duda scored early in the first half. Malaga took the 1-0 lead into the half time break. Surely Real Madrid would realize that their slim chance of winning La Liga was gone with Barca comfortably beating Valladolid 2-0 at Camp Nou. Maybe the unbelievable was going to happen.
Real Madrid refused to roll over and Van de Vart equalised early in the second half. It was then backs to the wall and some heroic goalkeeping that kept Malaga alive with a point. When news came through that Valencia had taken the lead against Tenerife, the party started for Malaga.
The last gasp salvation was best summed up by the text received from Antonio. "Dios exite viva en Malaga."
Is it the drop for Malaga?
The final round of matches in la liga will take place this weekend. Malaga find themselves in the dreaded drop zone. One final game to save themselves. The good news is that they are at home and will find inspiration from the hinchas of la rosaleda. The bad news is that they are playing Real Madrid.
That’s that then! You might think so, but the situation is more complicated than that. How can a team that is in the bottom three lose and still be safe? Welcome to the complications of “la Liga”!
The first thing that strikes you when you look at the table is that Malaga’s goal difference is better than the two teams above them, Racing and Valladolid. But La Liga doesn’t use goal difference to separate clubs level on points. They use their own “criterios de desempate”. Basically, a mini-league formed by the clubs level on points. Why Malaga is in the drop zone is too complicated for my head to fathom. However, the final day looks like this for Malaga.
If Malaga beat Real Madrid they are safe regardless of other results.
If Malaga draw against Real Madrid then two outcomes will save them. 1) Two clubs from Tenerife, Racing and Valladolid must lose. 2) Racing and Tenerife draw and Valladolid lose.
If Malaga lose against Real Madrid then Racing, Tenerife and Valladolid must lose. Oh, and Xerez must not win.
So the worst case scenario is that Real Madrid thump Malaga and to cap it off Ronaldo will probably score a hatful. Then all attention will be focused at other games around the country. Barcelona surely must beat Valladolid to win the title. Let’s hope Valencia don’t start their holidays early and beat Tenerife. The tricky game is Racing v Sporting. Valladolid have already made noises that they fear that Sporting will not put up any resistance by fielding a weakened side. Xerez are away at Osasuna.
Unfortunately, it is all pointing to Malaga dropping into la segunda again. A point against Real Madrid is a must to save themselves.
That’s that then! You might think so, but the situation is more complicated than that. How can a team that is in the bottom three lose and still be safe? Welcome to the complications of “la Liga”!
The first thing that strikes you when you look at the table is that Malaga’s goal difference is better than the two teams above them, Racing and Valladolid. But La Liga doesn’t use goal difference to separate clubs level on points. They use their own “criterios de desempate”. Basically, a mini-league formed by the clubs level on points. Why Malaga is in the drop zone is too complicated for my head to fathom. However, the final day looks like this for Malaga.
If Malaga beat Real Madrid they are safe regardless of other results.
If Malaga draw against Real Madrid then two outcomes will save them. 1) Two clubs from Tenerife, Racing and Valladolid must lose. 2) Racing and Tenerife draw and Valladolid lose.
If Malaga lose against Real Madrid then Racing, Tenerife and Valladolid must lose. Oh, and Xerez must not win.
So the worst case scenario is that Real Madrid thump Malaga and to cap it off Ronaldo will probably score a hatful. Then all attention will be focused at other games around the country. Barcelona surely must beat Valladolid to win the title. Let’s hope Valencia don’t start their holidays early and beat Tenerife. The tricky game is Racing v Sporting. Valladolid have already made noises that they fear that Sporting will not put up any resistance by fielding a weakened side. Xerez are away at Osasuna.
Unfortunately, it is all pointing to Malaga dropping into la segunda again. A point against Real Madrid is a must to save themselves.
Skirting the Penon de los Castillejos
2010 has been a poor year for walking. The weather has been truly awful. However, with the skies clear of rain we headed up the Rio de la Miel to have a walk around the Penon. The weather wasn't a problem today. But it had been up to mischieve earlier on.
Just above the small hamlet of el nacimiento the road has been swept away by the storms. We ditched the car and continued on foot. This only added an extra 30 minutes to the walk.
No way past
View from the track
It is an easy walk with some spectacular views. The only downside is that it ends abbruptly at an old power generator site and you have to double back on yourself. Maybe next time we return we will feel energetic enough to actually scale the Penon. Apparently it's an arduous task but do-able.
Panaorama shot
Sierra Nevada in background.
End of the track.
Just above the small hamlet of el nacimiento the road has been swept away by the storms. We ditched the car and continued on foot. This only added an extra 30 minutes to the walk.
No way past
View from the track
It is an easy walk with some spectacular views. The only downside is that it ends abbruptly at an old power generator site and you have to double back on yourself. Maybe next time we return we will feel energetic enough to actually scale the Penon. Apparently it's an arduous task but do-able.
Panaorama shot
Sierra Nevada in background.
End of the track.
Ronaldo v Messi – A tale of two pens
Tonight is the eagerly anticipated “el clasico”. Real Madrid v Barcelona at the Bernaneu. First v Second. Ronaldo v Messi. They are both undoubtedly world class players, but still poles apart. A simple tale of two penalties tells you all you need to know about the two.
Real Madrid v Villareal. Madrid winning by a country mile. Ronaldo jinks into the box and is brought down. Penalty. Ronaldo dusts himself down and takes the ball. As he prepares to take the penalty, Xabi Alonso walks across to have a chat.
“Cris, Cris. Dejame”
Alonso wants to take the Penalty. Ronaldo, Real’s penalty taker isn’t having any of it. Alonso is insistent. He is the only Real Madrid outfield player yet to score in la liga this season.
“Dejeme que mete uno” Alonso asks again.
This time he his more forceful and take the ball from Ronaldo. Ronaldo walks away with a face like a slapped arse. Alonso steps up and scores. Everyone in the Madrid team celebrates. Except one. Guess who?
Zaragosa v Barcelona. A comfortable night for Barca as Messi steals the show yet again. 3-0 up and they relax. Zaragosa make a fight of it and pull back two goals. Messi responds with another stroke of genius. He skins the Zaragosa defence and their only resort is to wrestle him to the ground. Penalty. Messi dusts himself down and takes the ball. Rather than take the penalty himself he passes the ball to Ibrahimovic. He later stated it was his gift to him because he deserved it.
Ibrahimovic had been on a poor run of form. He had fluffed chance after chance.
Ibrahimovic scored the penalty. That seemed to spark something as he went on to score in his next five games. That is why Barcelona will win tonight. They have the best player in the world, but he plays for the team, the best team in the world. Real Madrid are a collection of individuals. They may be “Los Galaticos”, but the sum of the parts is nowhere near what it should be.
Real Madrid v Villareal. Madrid winning by a country mile. Ronaldo jinks into the box and is brought down. Penalty. Ronaldo dusts himself down and takes the ball. As he prepares to take the penalty, Xabi Alonso walks across to have a chat.
“Cris, Cris. Dejame”
Alonso wants to take the Penalty. Ronaldo, Real’s penalty taker isn’t having any of it. Alonso is insistent. He is the only Real Madrid outfield player yet to score in la liga this season.
“Dejeme que mete uno” Alonso asks again.
This time he his more forceful and take the ball from Ronaldo. Ronaldo walks away with a face like a slapped arse. Alonso steps up and scores. Everyone in the Madrid team celebrates. Except one. Guess who?
Zaragosa v Barcelona. A comfortable night for Barca as Messi steals the show yet again. 3-0 up and they relax. Zaragosa make a fight of it and pull back two goals. Messi responds with another stroke of genius. He skins the Zaragosa defence and their only resort is to wrestle him to the ground. Penalty. Messi dusts himself down and takes the ball. Rather than take the penalty himself he passes the ball to Ibrahimovic. He later stated it was his gift to him because he deserved it.
Ibrahimovic had been on a poor run of form. He had fluffed chance after chance.
Ibrahimovic scored the penalty. That seemed to spark something as he went on to score in his next five games. That is why Barcelona will win tonight. They have the best player in the world, but he plays for the team, the best team in the world. Real Madrid are a collection of individuals. They may be “Los Galaticos”, but the sum of the parts is nowhere near what it should be.
Day 7 – Village life starts early
It was the most uncomfortable night’s sleep I have ever had. I couldn’t find a good position on the thin mattress. I was twisting and turning every twenty minutes. The floor creaked and I was sure it would give way before daylight. For anybody that lives in the city and yearns for the peace and quiet of the countryside, you would be in for a shock. For all the noise I was making trying to get comfortable, it was completely drowned out by the noise of the jungle. They must be gigantic crickets that enjoy partying all night long.
The first crack of dawn and the animals a little closer to home started to join in. The sound of the cockerels crowing underneath our room is worse than any alarm clock that I‘ve thrown out of the window. The incessant noise made the pigs stir. Any attempts at sleep now were accompanied with visions of pigs eating at my flesh as the floor finally caved in.
Our home for the night.
Any complaints I might have had were short lived. After giving up trying to sleep, we went out on to the terrace. The golden rays of sunlight increased the beauty of the views. It was incredible. Village life starts early. The children were already up and playing. The adults were busy at work. Napar was feeding the pigs. It must have been good stuff as the chickens decided to tuck in. What a bizarre sight!
Tuck in!
At some point during the night the herd of buffalos had decided to bed down outside the hut. Thank god I didn’t need a visit to the toilet during the night. I would have walked right into them. I waited for Monica before negotiating the animals to get to the bathroom. Safety in numbers and all.
On the terrace.
After breakfast on the terrace we received another visit from the village women. This time they wanted to sell us their handicrafts. They laid out a colourful assortment of bags, hats, bracelets and other goodies. It’s a shame that we were so early into the trip. We could have done all our shopping here. We bought a few things and the women seemed really pleased with their mornings work.
Shopping time.
It was time to say goodbye to our hosts. Another day’s walking to come. I felt surprisingly refreshed despite the lack of sleep. We were all set to go but Richard had some unfinished business. He finally managed to get a photo of the camera shy Naboo. We waved goodbye to the kids as they set off for school. New villages to discover on our travels.
Naboo.
The first crack of dawn and the animals a little closer to home started to join in. The sound of the cockerels crowing underneath our room is worse than any alarm clock that I‘ve thrown out of the window. The incessant noise made the pigs stir. Any attempts at sleep now were accompanied with visions of pigs eating at my flesh as the floor finally caved in.
Our home for the night.
Any complaints I might have had were short lived. After giving up trying to sleep, we went out on to the terrace. The golden rays of sunlight increased the beauty of the views. It was incredible. Village life starts early. The children were already up and playing. The adults were busy at work. Napar was feeding the pigs. It must have been good stuff as the chickens decided to tuck in. What a bizarre sight!
Tuck in!
At some point during the night the herd of buffalos had decided to bed down outside the hut. Thank god I didn’t need a visit to the toilet during the night. I would have walked right into them. I waited for Monica before negotiating the animals to get to the bathroom. Safety in numbers and all.
On the terrace.
After breakfast on the terrace we received another visit from the village women. This time they wanted to sell us their handicrafts. They laid out a colourful assortment of bags, hats, bracelets and other goodies. It’s a shame that we were so early into the trip. We could have done all our shopping here. We bought a few things and the women seemed really pleased with their mornings work.
Shopping time.
It was time to say goodbye to our hosts. Another day’s walking to come. I felt surprisingly refreshed despite the lack of sleep. We were all set to go but Richard had some unfinished business. He finally managed to get a photo of the camera shy Naboo. We waved goodbye to the kids as they set off for school. New villages to discover on our travels.
Naboo.
Easter Sunday – Birdie Cup
After a 5 month exile from the golf courses of the Costa del Sol, Easter Sunday way a great time to get back into the swing of things. As well as the traditional “Easter” competition, a stableford with a bonus hole selected from the bag of crème eggs, it was the Biride Cup. You had to record a birdie in the qualifying events the year before, which I managed on the last occasion.
The Birdie cup was a medal format. Not exactly the best way to ease back into golf. An early night was needed. An early night was never really going to happen. A night out with the girls plus Maria and Jaco meant I didn’t roll in until 2:30am. Just over 5 hours sleep then!
"Time to go home?", not a chance Dino!
I had a quick warm up on the practice range that seemed to pay off. A great second shot on the first set up a decent birdie chance but I settled for par. That was about as good as it got for the front 9. I was playing with the captain who was scoring steadily. By the ninth hole I was beaten. I thought I hit a decent tee shot but it drifted dangerously to the right. Too dangerously as it turned out as I couldn’t find my ball, resulting in the dreaded NR.
Still, plenty of pluses to take from the day. The return of the beautiful weather. The proof being my tomato red face at the end that Monica would laugh at all week. The crowning moment was a birdie on the 14th. A beauty of a nine-iron shot over the lake to land within a couple of feet of the pin, leaving a nice uphill putt.
Aproach to the 14th Green.
Always nice to be inside the shadow of the flag.
The end result was that the captain maintained his good scoring throughout the round and won the inaugural birdie cup by a shot. I ended up with 25 stableford points. Not too bad after a long break. Grounds for optimism for the rest of the season.
View from the Club house.
The Captain with the trophy.
The Birdie cup was a medal format. Not exactly the best way to ease back into golf. An early night was needed. An early night was never really going to happen. A night out with the girls plus Maria and Jaco meant I didn’t roll in until 2:30am. Just over 5 hours sleep then!
"Time to go home?", not a chance Dino!
I had a quick warm up on the practice range that seemed to pay off. A great second shot on the first set up a decent birdie chance but I settled for par. That was about as good as it got for the front 9. I was playing with the captain who was scoring steadily. By the ninth hole I was beaten. I thought I hit a decent tee shot but it drifted dangerously to the right. Too dangerously as it turned out as I couldn’t find my ball, resulting in the dreaded NR.
Still, plenty of pluses to take from the day. The return of the beautiful weather. The proof being my tomato red face at the end that Monica would laugh at all week. The crowning moment was a birdie on the 14th. A beauty of a nine-iron shot over the lake to land within a couple of feet of the pin, leaving a nice uphill putt.
Aproach to the 14th Green.
Always nice to be inside the shadow of the flag.
The end result was that the captain maintained his good scoring throughout the round and won the inaugural birdie cup by a shot. I ended up with 25 stableford points. Not too bad after a long break. Grounds for optimism for the rest of the season.
View from the Club house.
The Captain with the trophy.
Semana Santa 2010 – Frigiliana
Frigiliana is a stunning setting. A picturesque “Pueblo Blanco” that has won a string of awards from various tourist boards. A perfect, atmospheric place to see a few Easter processions.
Before seeing the first procession, I wondered how they would carry a trono along the steep, narrow streets of Frigiliana. I knew the route was a relative short one. It starts from the San Antonio church on calle Real. It then goes uphill to calle Alta before descending to rejoin calle Real and then back to the church.
So after seeing the processions in Malaga, we headed to Frigiliana for the Viernes Santo parade. The procession starts at 10pm. We arrived a little later at 10:15pm. It was too late to see the procession leave the church. It would have been impossible to get through the crowd. So we headed up Calle Alta until we bumped into the beginning of the procession.
The front of the procession.
There are not many places on Calle Alta where you can view the procession. The street is too narrow. We got lucky and managed to stand on a raised walkway to one of the houses. The atmosphere is sombre. Near silence descends as the children at the lead of the procession walk by. The smell of incense in the night air and the warm glow of the candles make it a special occasion.
The tronos are not as grand as in Malaga or down the road in Nerja, but they still look impressive and the costaleros have a tough task navigating the steep, narrow streets. The first trono is of the wooden cross. This is followed by the body of Jesus Christ, with the apostles following in single file behind.
The trono of Jesus.
The disciples follow Jesus one last time.
The largest trono is reserved for Mary. This takes the most effort to carry and to navigate through the sharp twists and turns in the street. This trono would also make an appearance for the last procession of the evening, the walk of the singing women.
The women have their picturetaken before the walk.
Just after Midnight it is the turn of the women of Frigiliana to march. They are all dressed in black. Some of the ladies wear the traditional Mantilla, the black lace scarf worn in the hair with a Peineta, an ornamental comb to hold it up.
Just before they leave the church the street lights are switched off and the whole square is in complete darkness. The ladies come out carrying a candle and begin to sing. As they make their way to the front of the church, the trono of Mary is carried out of the front entrance and watches the procession pass before joining at the back.
The Virgin watches as the women sing for her to save them.
They march along the same route as before. We watched as the trono made its way slowly up to Calle Alta. Then we followed most of the crowd along Calle real to get to the other side of town before the women beat us to it. It was just after 1am and time to go home.
Before seeing the first procession, I wondered how they would carry a trono along the steep, narrow streets of Frigiliana. I knew the route was a relative short one. It starts from the San Antonio church on calle Real. It then goes uphill to calle Alta before descending to rejoin calle Real and then back to the church.
So after seeing the processions in Malaga, we headed to Frigiliana for the Viernes Santo parade. The procession starts at 10pm. We arrived a little later at 10:15pm. It was too late to see the procession leave the church. It would have been impossible to get through the crowd. So we headed up Calle Alta until we bumped into the beginning of the procession.
The front of the procession.
There are not many places on Calle Alta where you can view the procession. The street is too narrow. We got lucky and managed to stand on a raised walkway to one of the houses. The atmosphere is sombre. Near silence descends as the children at the lead of the procession walk by. The smell of incense in the night air and the warm glow of the candles make it a special occasion.
The tronos are not as grand as in Malaga or down the road in Nerja, but they still look impressive and the costaleros have a tough task navigating the steep, narrow streets. The first trono is of the wooden cross. This is followed by the body of Jesus Christ, with the apostles following in single file behind.
The trono of Jesus.
The disciples follow Jesus one last time.
The largest trono is reserved for Mary. This takes the most effort to carry and to navigate through the sharp twists and turns in the street. This trono would also make an appearance for the last procession of the evening, the walk of the singing women.
The women have their picturetaken before the walk.
Just after Midnight it is the turn of the women of Frigiliana to march. They are all dressed in black. Some of the ladies wear the traditional Mantilla, the black lace scarf worn in the hair with a Peineta, an ornamental comb to hold it up.
Just before they leave the church the street lights are switched off and the whole square is in complete darkness. The ladies come out carrying a candle and begin to sing. As they make their way to the front of the church, the trono of Mary is carried out of the front entrance and watches the procession pass before joining at the back.
The Virgin watches as the women sing for her to save them.
They march along the same route as before. We watched as the trono made its way slowly up to Calle Alta. Then we followed most of the crowd along Calle real to get to the other side of town before the women beat us to it. It was just after 1am and time to go home.