Just back from Monica’s hair salon where I go to my very pleasant beautician Isobel, who is great for practising your Spanish but also speaks some English! I was chatting to Monica and Isobel about the fiesta and music events this weekend.

Monica was at the brisamar concert last night that Chris and I were listening to from our balcony, so I can now confirm that it was a band called the Sun Rockets, and interestingly she believes it is the same band that will be playing at the Club de Playa tonight, and not the specific Beatles tribute band we are expecting. If that is the case then I will be pleased as I’m not actually the biggest Beatles fan and liked the fact that last night’s band were playing a variety of hits from different artists. It would also be the secondyear running that the Beatles tribute has been featured but not turned up.

Anyway she enjoyed the concert but said it was a shame more people weren’t there, and thought it had a lot to do with the number of events going on at the same time.

It seemed that we had a concert at the castle, the gastronomic event, the Sun Rockets at the brisamar and the Foro organised festivities all going on last night. Monica did say that the concert slowly filled up. I asked her if there was anywhere to buy a beer and she said that you needed to take your own, which I guess was fine as the beach bars are not far away from the park. She reckoned that at the peak there may be have been 100 to 120 people there.

Re. the fiesta I was double checking with Isobel when the bank holiday was this week, and as I thought it is Wednesday. However she said this was only here in Almerimar, as most towns in Spain have the holiday the day AFTER the big fiesta night so that people don’t have to get up for work after a very late night. We were also talking about the summer so far and she has definitely noticed that it is quieter here than last year so far.

Ooh forgot to mention last week that Cafe Minimalhas started to use their outdoor terrace and has lots of rather trendy little orange chairs. I’m not convinced that they look the most comfortable but I’m sure I will be able to feed back soon.

After my half hour being pampered I hit the very crowded Mercadona, one of the less great aspects of the summer buzz here. I was tasked with among other things buying prawns for our little cats … their weekend treat. This task I hate because of the queues at the fish counter particularly at the weekend. I wish they had a fast line for people who only want prawns, mussels etc. as I end up waiting for ages while the Spanish buy their weekend fish and have it all cleaned. Today I decided that I would make my time more worthwhile by buying my own fish as we don’t really eat enough of it. Consequently I now have 2 beautifully cleaned lubina along with my prawns.

I noticed again this am how friendly and sociable it is living in a small town/village. I met people I know in the beautician, Mercadona, fruteria, and while walking through the square. I think it would be hard for anyone even living on their own to feel really lonely here, as it is virtually impossible to walk down into the port without bumping into someone you know, and most people have time for a chat and maybe even a cup of coffee or a beer. In addition most of the bars are mini locals and know the people who go in by first names. This is still a little novel to me even after a couple of years as I worked in London for many years and my friends were spread over a big radius, but it is definitely a much more friendly, sociable and relaxed way of life here in Almerimar.

About Almerimar

Almerimar is located in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The nearest airport is 30km away in Almeria. Other airports that are within 3 hours include Malaga, Murcia, Granada, and Alicanti. Other holiday resorts in the region include Mojacar , Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar

Almerimar is also one of the largest marinas in Spain with over 2,000 births and excellent boatyard facilities.