DAY 8/9, OCTOBER 14/15^th

Just one more day, until The Wedding

Friday began with low hanging clouds full of Rain and damp cold…has to rain itself out to be nice for the wedding day. Make no mistake about it, it was pouring down! We drove two cars into Elizondo, David forgot his belt and Paul his kilt pin! For the first time the umbrellas were pressed into service! After all missions were accomplished we decided to go for a drive and find lunch. First we stopped at the cemetery to visit Miguel and have a chat, perhaps that sounds silly but we loved him dearly and his family is our family. We take him a plant and  say “ Aqui estamos Miguel otra vez. Solamente a decir hola”.

"Beola" in Almandoz

We headed up the mountain towards Maya but our first choice was under re-construction! Okay let’s check out the old restored mill, it said open but it was closed! Now what?? We drove further into the village, which our friend Miguel jokingly used to call Maya with the international airport because a foreign plane had crashed there many years ago! All of these villages are on the Camino de Santiago and centuries ago were probably busy with pilgrims passing through from France and points beyond on their way to the West of Spain and Santiago de Compostela. There is a very interesting fountain on the main road( such as it is) through the village with a horn suspended for drinking and a lower basin for washing your feet. A piece of sacking is provided for drying yourself! On the Camino you will see yellow arrows pointing the way and on the side of the basin are two yellow feet indicating what the lower water source is for. To me this is fascinating! No telling how old it is but probably hundreds of years old.

 

We popped into the only thing open which was a little bar that sold everything from toys, to coffee, to drinks and food! Nice lady, who of course remembered when the Americans were at the Base. Everyone so enjoys meeting up with us and are so happy we come back to visit them.

We went back to the Posada in Elbete for lunch where sat around the table ate lots, talked and discussed where we would have dinner! That is what you do in Spain! Everything takes place around a table, so social, so civilized. Then you have una vuelta around town with the family. It has been a while since we have written in here so things may be a bit out of sequence! I do know we met up with everyone because Ana and Michele had arrived with the children from Italy and she wanted to look at her pueblo and make sure nothing had changed! Their children have grown so much, as children are what they to do, and are just gorgeous! Then they went back to Asun’s for food and we headed back to Beola for the family dinner of 40 people.

We are staying in Almandoz and Mugaire is about the halfway point. Beola, our hotel, is an old palace which is now a small hotel (13 rooms) and wonderful restaurant, it is only open on weekends and for weddings etc.  People from the Baztan used to go overseas, often to America, to work and save money. Even earlier they travelled to the new world and came home with the spoils of the new country. They would work endlessly, save and come home and built these beautiful mansion houses. Walls three foot thick of stone, ancient beams in the ceilings and broad dark planking on the floor. Beautifully restored and quite lovely! David, Joyce, Paul and I have been the only nighttime residents of this palace for the last couple of nights but soon others will be joining as the big event is drawing near! Tonight is the big family dinner………40 people. We were supposed to sit down at 9pm but due to some delays it was closer to 10.00pm!

We did what Spanish people do, we ate magnificently, we talked and socialized and renewed our ties with our beloved family! Dinner lasted 2 hours and things might have gone on longer but hair and make appointments were scheduled for the next morning. The groom was not with us as this was just for the bride’s family. We crawled upstairs at about midnight, hopefully to sleep and rest up for the next day! I believe Nekane and Lola, her mother, and all the girlfriends who came from all parts of the world to celebrate with our darling girl, stayed up even later!

Saturday October 15^th 2016

Saturday dawned bright and sunny! Just beautiful, couldn’t be better. We arranged to take a few young people in our car to the church. A bus was bringing people from Pamplona but David and Paul were pressed into service as chauffeurs! Dave had 3 of the girls, while P&J took 4 in their car, 3 guys + 1 girl to Elizondo and back again.

Parking was a little iffy but the Hubs dropped us off and went in search of a good spot. Now, he was wearing his kilt so you can imagine the attention he got from the whole town which had turned out to see Nekane and her novio. The church was full and we spotted Maria Jose in there and Maite, another friend. They were just there to observe! The service was lovely and Nekane just stunning. Fernando is very handsome, they truly are a lovely couple. We wish them a lifetime of joy.  David had a bit of trouble with the standing and sitting and eventually he gave up. He is having a knee replacement on the 4^th November and he can’t wait. I think the whole town was standing there when we came out of the church. A young man performed a Basque dance as they stood on the steps and a group also danced for them accompanied by an accordion, drum and a flute like instrument that I cannot remember the nameof!! Very traditional and very Basque, it was quite lovely. Then all the photos, yikes. Paul was anxious to get back to Beola and a parking space so we crammed everyone in the car and set off. It was 2.30 when the real business of celebrating began. All you can drink and eat and this is before the reception! Jamon, duck crepes, croquettas etc, etc! By this time my feet are rebelling massively. I live in sandals and sneakers real shoes are not a part of the plan! In fact I walked barefoot over the grass to the cars. Luckily, I had flats in the car, sigh of relief……..Paul was having his own problems as everyone wanted a photo with him in his kilt. Nekane had asked him to wear it and he was happy to oblige! What fun! I think they thought he was Scottish because the braw nation was mentioned many times! One woman even stroked his beard and said he looked like Sean Connery. Cheeky brat! Paul said should have charged a  euro a photo he would have pocketed the  money for the remainder of our trip, easily 35+ photos with guys and gals at the reception.

Then we started eating! Dear God in heaven! I have no idea how many courses we had, perhaps Paul should photograph the menu and post it, but I know we ate and drank for 4 hours. Then the DJ started the singing. We sang Basque songs, Mexican songs and Spanish songs. I know what you are thinking, we don’t know basque, but we can fake it with the best of them! We drank wine and champagne and shouted Viva la novios with the best of them. It was an awesome party and it continued until the first bus left for Pamplona at about 11.00, then we paused for about ½ and hour and continued dancing! We gave up about midnight. We hugged and kissed everyone several times over but we were pooped! I am so glad we were on the 3^rd floor as the noise was tremendous, boom, boom, boom! The music sounded like the 70s Discotec heavy base beat….

It was so much fun, what an amazing couple! We love Nekane and Fernando so much and were so proud to be a part of their celebration. There is nothing quite like a Basque wedding. We wish you a lifetime of happiness together. I am getting quite emotional writing this. This valley is our second home and the Mendi/Gill/Jaurena family is our second family. We are so privileged to have been taken into this family and we feel their love every time we come back.

Breakfast Sunday at 0930 and the newlyweds joined everyone for coffee and toast. Both were beeming and fresh having closed the party at 0200. After breakfast they opened gifts in the 2^nd floor landing with everyone in attendance. They depart at 3:00PM for the airport Bilbao as they fly to Madrid and onto Cape Town South Africa for their honeymoon of two weeks to relax.

The four of joined the tios and Dr. Juanmi/Maite at the Posada for mid day lunch Sunday at 1330 Hrs. Another great meal with our family and then back to Beola for siesta and minor organization of packing for Monday’s checkout and departure further into the Pyrennes – Parador Bielsa. Monday and Tuesday.