Andalucia, April 2018. Day 6

Another day of good weather, although, sadly, it turned cloudy and drizzly in the evening.  Today was the day of Feria, the Sevillian festival which begain as a livestock market in 1868.  It is now held on the outskirts of Triana on a purpose built site.  Although the roads are their permanently the colourful 'casettas' or marquees only appear for the week of Feria. Each day the fiesta begins with the parade of carriages and riders, at midday, carrying Seville's leading citizens which make their way to the bullring, La Real Maestranza, where the bullfighters and breeders meet. These casetas usually belong to prominent families of Seville, groups of friends, clubs, trade associations and political parties. We were lucky enough to be invited into a family caseta along with Beth and felt amazingly privileged.

Our day began, however, with a walk along the river and through the park while Beth got on with some work and began the lengthy process of getting ready for Feria.  On the walk we were delighted to hear a nightingale and enjoy its throbbing cascade of sound as well as the judas trees lining the river with their bright pink flowers and pea like seed pods.

 After a light lunch and we were all dressed in our Sunday best (we were very proud of our daughter, beautiful and resplendent in her flamenco finery) we set off for the bus into town and then the shuttle where we met up with Jose Antonio and Victoria our joint hosts for the evening.  We were made extremely welcome by the families in our caseta and plied with all manner of tapas and rebujito a potent cocktail of manzanilla sherry and 7up invented by Andalucians especially for Feria.!!  The problem is one doesn't know the proportions so it can be a dangerous drink.