El Cotillo Fiesta

The kid's games were scheduled for a 10.30 start.   Unfortunately there was a breakdown in transmission that covers this event.   Sleep deprivation and alcoholic poisoning interfered with reporting instruments this early in the day.

At 14.00 the kids fishing competition got underway.   This activity was held without many spectators as a more exciting physical activity was warming up elsewhere.   However, we obviously found it riveting.

The backdrop was in the New Harbour, not previously used during this Fiesta.   About a dozen young competitors battled their wits against the fish on the quayside.   From what we could see only one fish was caught in the given time and a spasmodic round of applause was afforded to the individual who claimed the championship.   You might like to take time to view the photograph which shows a distant view of our second beach which is used for kite boarding and wind surfing as opposed to swimming.

Volleyball commenced at 16.00 and was held on the swimming beach between teams from El Cotillo and Villaverde, a neighbouring village.   As it was in the high 30s the time-outs seemed to last longer than the time-ins!!!!   Self preservation came into play and we returned to the relative cooler area of the Old Harbour where “walking the plank” was underway.

A JCB was brought in to secure a telegraph pole to the edge of the quayside.   The requirement to participate was pretty obvious, you walked/struggled along the pole until you fell in.   This seemed to be a popular exercise.

Also in this picture you may be able to see a large amount of sand that had been deposited on the hard standing.   This will come into play a little later in the day!

When all those taking part were exhausted the JCB backed away releasing the pole into the sea.    Another activity was born, how many slippery children can get onto one floating telegraph pole?   They seemed to make up the games as they went along and the table tops from “Dinner Bingo” were then released into the briny.   Ready made rafts were then available!

A washing up bowl entered the proceedings at 16.30 for “coin bobbing”.   What it contained can only be guessed at but the look on the faces of the bobbers tells all.   Several coins were dropped into the vomit inducing liquid and were retrieved using only the mouth.   The prize was kept by the participant.   The most amazing part of this activity was the fact that after every attempt the player joined the back of the queue to do it again!   You will see that these children stand in line excitedly but there is no jostling or pushing and the behaviour throughout the fiesta has been exemplary.   NB  The pile of sand is still in evidence..... along with a local mutt who decided for the time being it would make a comfortable place for a nap.   You will also see a make-shift bar that has been erected for the “fish roast” to be held later in the week. (Remember those fish drying on the beach?)

At this stage we withdrew from the area with a view to taking a siesta but on route came across two women, one was the chef from a nearby restaurant the other a passing fishwife who recognised a useful rock.

“Card knockout” commenced in the early evening and appeared to be games for the grown-ups, it could have been a whist-drive but who knows.   In any event is was over very quickly which upset the schedule.    As a fill-in several people from the throng stepped forward and whipped out their instruments!!!    An impromptu troupe was formed and singing and clapping ensued.   Old and young alike joined in the unscheduled entertainment and a traditional folk atmosphere was created.

The main event of the day took place at 22.30 where various grouping of sexes and ages competed in bouts of Canarian wrestling.

This is where the sand comes in.

The competition started with the youngest and the object of the exercise was just to put your opponent down.   Special shorts were issued for the competitors and they became the means of whether you won or lost.   When the two met in the “ring” a handshake was held at ground level with the free hand grabbing the other's shorts.   As the whistle was blown the competitors both heaved at the each other by the shorts in an attempt to unbalance their opponent.   A mêlée of arms and legs propelled the pair around the ring until one lost the battle.  (Apologies for the quality of the photograph, my ace photographer's camera isn't up to night time shots!)

A final victor evolved but by far the best bouts were those between mixed sexes.   Not surprisingly there seemed to be more of a grappling type activity in these contests.   However, not all were won by the male opponent!

As the crowds dispersed your reporter took the opportunity of interviewing a local bar owner.   Apart from his riveting conversation his talents extended to tuition in playing cards.   As there was refreshment on hand the hospitality and the tuition was extensively accepted.   Consequently, there will be no report on the Kid's games on Day Nine either!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is Your Cotillo Correspondent signing off, heat exhausted, inebriated and desperate for sleep.