Pues.. eso es, hasta la proxima vez.
Trip Start
Jun 27, 2008
1
6
Trip End
Aug 31, 2008
Stirling,
Scotland,
United Kingdom
Monday, September 1, 2008
The weather improved to more normal Galacian summer temperatures meaning numerous trips to the nearby beaches. These excursions were generally with the usual gathering of extended family and friends and, for me, meant many hours of jumping waves, clambering rocks and exploring rockpools.
On one memorable beach day, we found an indent in the rocks which was just perfect to make a 'Sea-Cave' and after a bit of scouting around for drift wood, it was complete with wall, entrance, fireplace, weapon holder and throne for the King - this being Manu. Each of us had our own titles, allocated by his highness, which I scratched out on our entance-post. We had a 'Prince', a 'Soldier', a 'Mountain-Climber' and I was given the honour of 'Architect'. There was some confusion over Ollie's (one of the cousins, Alex's, friends) fate rising from my mix up of camarero and caballero; while I thought Manu was knighting Sir Ollie, infact he was merely being given the position as a waiter. I had already written 'knig' by the time I realised my mistake, which happened to be just below my name so, with the acceptance of King Manu, I was promoted to 'Architect and Knight Ruth' while 'Waiter Ollie' had to come to terms with his less glamourous calling.
Other days not at the beach involved playing with lego/playmobil/actionman, fishing for goldfish in a nearby lake, watching Spanish dubbed Star Wars (or 'estar watch')... once we made cardboard and pipecleaner monsters and put on a wee show for Pitu and Pachi which the boys even managed to do in English with shouts of "this my planet!" and "you dead!".
I had mentioned to Pitu that I could cook some Scottish food for them sometime if they liked - she took me up on this last Tuesday for when it was decided I would do the evening meal. It wasn't untill I casually queried how many people I should expect when we were in the car on the way to the 'super' to pick up the ingredients and she started reeling off the names that I realised that quite a Scottish Fiesta was being anticipated! I ended up cooking for about 16 people which was a little bit daunting when I'd never made any of my planned dished before.. but, with the help of Nick Nairn (and to my great relief), the Cullen Skink, Shepherds Pie and Cranachan all went down a treat. Pitu had decorated the table beautifully in blue and white, Pachi had hung up a banner over the driveway reading "Welcome to Scotland (Oza)" and my faithful ipod piped and jigged away in the background with everything from the Monarch of the Glen themetune to Auld Lang Syne.
Earlier that day, Manu and I had made a brownpaper and crayon kilt which, coupled with the jimmy-hat, he looked adorable in. I think he felt somewhat upstaged when the time came, however, and refused to wear it as the real thing arrived; sporran and all. The bearer of this spectacle which had all the Spaniards gushing was Andrew, a friend of the family (his son is in Manu's class) and the guy who arranged this job for me. He is a Scot from Thurso, married to a La Corunian woman, and added an extra authentic edge to the party!
On Saturday - my final day - we were invited to Andrew and his wife's hosting of a 'British Brunch'. Suitably the weather turned again and eggs, beans, bacon, sausages (proper tea!) and all the trimmings were enjoyed under the sheltered porch of his family's stunning new house. It was a lovely chilled day which later on involved a very atmospheric treasure hunt for the kids in the rain.
I was catching a bus at 11pm that night from the nearby town of Betanzos. Having gathered my things, we spent an hour or so at the cousins' house as they packed me up a feast of bocadillos y tartas (sandwiches and cakes) for my trip and I bid my farewells.
It was a surreal adios (as goodbyes often are) to Pachi, Pitu, Pancho and Manuel as hugs and kisses were exchanged on a night-fallen Spanish steet and the bus drove off to the lingering shadows of the final smiles and waves.
Comments
last1
Why were you the architect in the first place?
The Scottish feast sounds amazing :D