Thursday 8 December 2011
The last morning with our terrific hosts Claire and Bill was hurriedly spent packing up and loading into our van and the car of Adolpho and his wife Ana who generously offered to give us a lift to the BBQ. Charles, Bill and Nicole followed Adolpho, Ana, Claire, Don and Dian to the town of Jerica (not where Joshua fit the battle) but a pleasant hill town where we stopped for coffee with about 30 cyclists (who were mostly having beer, olives and peanuts). We thought of Chris (not because of the beer, well, okay that too) but the bike riders all seemed to enjoy this ritual and Chris had described similar bike clubs he had been a part of in the past.
After saying goodbye to Ana who sketched a lovely scene of the plaza, the rest of us went on a short hike around the perimeter of Jerica which was beautiful. The walking trail led us past a stream and a tall watch tower then back into town where we stopped for an empanada at the local bakery.
The convoy drove to Mike and Marta's ranch nearby and the BBQ was already fired up and guests were on their second cervesas. We got the tour of their property by Marta (an English teacher and friend of Claire, Bill and Don's) and were served drinks by New Zealander, Mike, her husband. After taking our van down the hill to another new friend's cabin (Ajfan - whose birthday we had celebrated a few days earlier), Charles joined the party and we all ate sausage, chicken, tuna and pork chops perfectly grilled by Adolpho. Don's guacamole was sensational and the sweet potato empanadas and baked apples were to die for. Dian, Nicole and Claire walked down to the pre-fab cabin where we would be spending the night and while checking it out decided a siesta was in order. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Charles was watching a cricket match on the front lawn.
As the sun was setting and many of the guests had to catch the last train back to Valencia, the guitar came out and Dian traded off with Stanislaus, a well known poet who sang some bawdy verses of old songs with the gusto of an eight year old in a Christmas play. We sang country songs and Christmas songs and finally said good night and adios to our new friends.
Heading down the hill through the olive orchard with head lamps and flashlights we entered our accommodation for the night. With no electricity we lit the lantern and candles and were surprised at how warm the one room cabin stayed. Charles read some more Don Quixote aloud and we drifted off to the periodic rumble of the train which passed only 500 feet from our front door.
 |
| Ana and Bill |
After saying goodbye to Ana who sketched a lovely scene of the plaza, the rest of us went on a short hike around the perimeter of Jerica which was beautiful. The walking trail led us past a stream and a tall watch tower then back into town where we stopped for an empanada at the local bakery.
 |
| Jerica: A popular spot for rock climbers |
The convoy drove to Mike and Marta's ranch nearby and the BBQ was already fired up and guests were on their second cervesas. We got the tour of their property by Marta (an English teacher and friend of Claire, Bill and Don's) and were served drinks by New Zealander, Mike, her husband. After taking our van down the hill to another new friend's cabin (Ajfan - whose birthday we had celebrated a few days earlier), Charles joined the party and we all ate sausage, chicken, tuna and pork chops perfectly grilled by Adolpho. Don's guacamole was sensational and the sweet potato empanadas and baked apples were to die for. Dian, Nicole and Claire walked down to the pre-fab cabin where we would be spending the night and while checking it out decided a siesta was in order. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Charles was watching a cricket match on the front lawn.
As the sun was setting and many of the guests had to catch the last train back to Valencia, the guitar came out and Dian traded off with Stanislaus, a well known poet who sang some bawdy verses of old songs with the gusto of an eight year old in a Christmas play. We sang country songs and Christmas songs and finally said good night and adios to our new friends.
Heading down the hill through the olive orchard with head lamps and flashlights we entered our accommodation for the night. With no electricity we lit the lantern and candles and were surprised at how warm the one room cabin stayed. Charles read some more Don Quixote aloud and we drifted off to the periodic rumble of the train which passed only 500 feet from our front door.
 |
| Dian and a new friend! |
Ha ! Andrews!! what a nice coulor is your hair Diana!
ReplyDeletewe are in Armenia, Yerevan. very cold but very nice.
we made a new years videoclip with Diana's song 25 trilion miles from home. it feels like we are 25 trilion miles from home.
hope you don't mind we used the music.
lots of love, the Witteveen familie. Miró, Goya Mories and Isabel.