Summer markets and summer sails

...The summer market has descended on La Cala de Finestrat once more. The first one was Wednesday night. From San Juan onwards until the end of August, the road outside the Marina bar is closed. The Police put up two barriers at the roundabout end of the road and there are two posts collapsed into the road with two covers over them, and the Police unlock the covers and raise the posts as a further deterrent for the would-be miscreant, should they ignore the temporary barrier and drive past.


This doesn't deter motorcyclists, they bob and weave around the barrier, unless a policeman catches them and then they are in deep dodo.

Once the road is closed the market stall holders drive up with assorted vehicles along the pedestrian footpath, do impossible U-turns in order to position themselves as close to their pitch as possible, where they unload, stall, lights, generators stock and chairs. For the next 30 minutes a market is constructed, then the vehicles are withdrawn to the nearest car park and business begins.


There are henna tattooists, there are numerous watch sellers, handbag and wallet sellers, street artists selling you a cartoon drawing service, where your features are exaggerated to the degree you look deformed and they sold to the patsy who poses for it. Toys, swimming gear, flippers, snorkels, and miscellaneous sea related products are sold at every other stall. Two very nicely dressed Caribbean ladies braid and plait hair for 5 euros, a Mexican-looking family sell T shirts and skirts and sarongs etc.



The bars take advantage of this magnet for tourists. They are allowed to place extra tables and chairs on the footpath adjacent to the market. The Marina has a good position and is the first bar that the market customers pass. http://webcam.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcam-costablanca-finestrat-28

This market happens Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer.

Last weekend but one, Pete and Dave went on Laurence and Tony's boat for a sail. There were two other guests, one of whom was graham. Graham is a character in his own right. Past retirement age and 100% gay. When he worked he was a sailor in the merchant navy. So a little sail in a yacht should be a doddle. And so it was until in Dave's words "we hit a gale force 8". Apparently the automatic compass is no use whatsoever when you are in full sail and in a gale force 8, the yacht goes with the wind. But Tony and Laurence and the other guest whose name escapes me, were splicing main braces and moving the misssin mast and aiming the pointed end as best they could, whilst Graham the seasoned sailor was screaming expletives and Dave and Pete were at the blunt end opening a bottle of wine. (You have to take your cap of to Pete and Dave). As the yacht was going further and further out to sea Tony said to Dave and Pete "have you ever been to Ibiza.......?

Ange and I are going for a sail on the 18th July......gulp!