We made lots of nuevo amigos in Fuerteventura!

Tim’s parents, Jenny and Jeremy, have a very busy social life.  With Jeremy playing in 4 local music groups and it being Christmas, there were several nights out to be had.

One evening we headed into the local town of Corralejo, believing that Jeremy had to play at a shopping centre whilst patrons enjoyed free, seasonal hot chocolate.  This turned out to be completely untrue, and the musicians had been lured there to SERVE the beverages and give gifts to charity.  When the group revolted, the organiser disappeared.  So, to make the most of the evening, we retreated to the Majores (Oldies!) clubhouse for an impromptu (? who can tell? maybe this was all planned?! we had no idea what was going on, but it was lovely!) meal of goat stew, sweet maize dumplings, wrinkled tatties, wine, wine and more wine and rice pudding…

Then there was AF Toston.  We were lured down to their practice room by Jeremy, who kept using the words “Paranda” and “Asadero“.  I, rather innocently, thought we would be witnessing a top-class local band run through a hard-core practice session.  Instead we took part in a top-class, hard-core knees-up!  It turned out that paranda and asadero pretty much meant “music and fried meat”.  We ate more goat.  A lot more goat.  And heard some fantastic music.

Over here, it’s the men who cook the meat…

We all joined in – Tim on the fiddle and Jenny and I on random percussive implements which were thrust into our hands…

Here’s a wee peek at the Goat Calendar.  And the group insisted I take a picture of this picture – this is when they met the Spanish Prince…

Cooking continued throughout the music…

The practice room is the old village school room.  It’s a typical, Spanish white box.  White plastered walls and ceilings, tiled floor and nothing to soften the sound.  It was a noisy evening!  On the wall here you can see some of the plaques AF Toston has been given in thanks for playing at events.

And my favourite nuevo amigo – Romaldo.  We went to visit this amazingly spritely 96 year old at his house and get roundly thrashed at dominoes…

(I’m on the lookout for a set of Dominoes for some intensive practice before our next visit!)