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As we were leaving the Palacio Real on Friday I asked why there were people dressed in 18th century military costumes and was told there was a parade starting at 6pm. It was then 5.30pm so we joined the growing crowd behind barriers outside the palace. by 6.30 it was raining and cold. Lynne & I are not tall, but stand at least a head taller than the average Spanish pensionista. Luckily for us, their umbrellas met over our heads, with the odd drip down our necks. Andy and Mal, taller again, had to duck to keep their eyes safe. I tried my Spanish on the lady next to me. 'It starts at 7' she said. It rained harder. We were about to give up at 7.45 when drum beats announced the arrival of the procession and people in their red pointed hats formed up, carrying candles at least 4' long. It was too wet to light them. A hush fell on the crowd and the effigy of Jesus on the cross was carried out of the palace on the shoulders of about 30 men and one woman. With tiny steps they inched the bier around a tight corner at the start of the marathon procession around Madrid. The crowd disappeared and we went to seek a warm dry restaurant.
The following day we found ourselves in Puerta del Sol, the cultural centre of Madrid, heard drum beats, and were able to snatch a few shots above the heads of the crowd. This time, Jesus was laying on his coffin, presumably en route to his grave.
On Sunday we went to the rastro, the huge market. It was packed, and it really did seem that it sold everything. At the bottom of the hill, old tools and brass mouldings, at the top scarves and jewellery, with everything bar food in between. Unfortunately the rain set in after lunch and we got cold & wet.
On Monday we were due to drive to Portugal for our river trip, but the boat owner had phoned on Friday to say the River Duoro locks were closed due to heavy rainfall, and we wuld be unable to take the boat out. So Plan B was hatched, and on Monday we set off for Mazarron, and sunshine.
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Lynne And a lovely time is being had by all :-)