Fiesta Weekend in Pamplona

Friday 27-Sunday 29 September
As you've probably gathered, the Spaniards don't need much of an excuse to celebrate and this weekend saw a Basque Festival and celebration of San Fermin, the first Bishop of Pamplona and joint patron saint of Navarra.

Friday afternoon was the start of the celebrations but we feel it was the best.  It started with some children's games in the nearby Plaza de San Francisco followed by a bull run for children but, don't worry, it doesn't involve real bulls, but carts bearing a plastic head, horns and bells pushed by adults to chase the children up and down Calle Zapateria (shoe maker street).  They (and we) loved it and everyone gets involved!

Naturally, it didn't end there.  The whole of Pamplona seemed to be out en masse and we were entertained by various regional bands competing for the most flamboyant troupe.  We were also treated to the gigantes y cabazuelas (giants and bigheads) who parade around the streets to the lovely Basque music.  Lots of dancing and jollification all around. 

Parading gigantes & cabazuelas in Pamplona

But the piece de resistance: the man of fire, where some crazy guy dons a fireproof(?) rig bearing fireworks and runs through the city - no health & safety police here - and listen out for the backfire - hilarious!

The big finale on Saturday night was a fireworks display which did rival Macon (Bastille Day) in sound and display but, of course, neither setting nor friends.  We found ourselves feeling quite nostalgic for a huge Catherine Wheel firework - alas - you don't see many of these nowadays in the H&S-conscious UK!

And, just when you thought it was over, on Sunday. we happened upon a motorcyle rally by the Distinguished Gentleman's Club of Pamplona: a club of motorbike enthusiasts which tour together. There must have been 200 bikes of all ages, shapes and sizes: Norton, Ducatti, BMW, Vespas galore and one lone Lambretta - bearing a Millwall FC badge!  All riders were extremely well dressed in formal suits - one was wearing tweed plus fours and smoking a pipe and reminded us of Toad from Wind in the Willows - poop! poop!

So that's our news.  We've got a couple of day trips lined up for this week so we'll update you on that shortly.  In the meantime, we hope you're enjoying the blog and, until the next post, hasta pronto!