Last sunday I decided to take the spider on a local classic car run. Actually, it's the first I've entered in Spain, I'm more used to runs in the UK where I showed off my 69 Mustang or 65 T'bird. But boy, was this different!
Entrance was 22 euros a head. We all met up at 10am in Lucena - about 20 miles from home - and were served up a typical spanish breakfast and given a "goody-bag" containing, amongst other things, a bottle of fino sherry. Then we all (50 cars) moved off in convoy at a nice sedate pace out of the town and into the campo. After driving for about 25 minutes I noticed a police car at the top of the hill ahead.
Expecting all to be pulled over and having papers checked - a favourite passtime of the spanish police - I was somewhat surprised to find it was our escort into the town of Navas de Selpillar. As we passed through the streets and red lights with police sirens wailing and every driver leaning on his horn (it was like being on the film set for the original Italian Job), it seemed like the whole town came out and lined the route. The noise was incredible!
We were led to the local cultural centre where we parked up. And were greeted with . . . beer and tapas!
After a while, a quick blast on the police siren was our que to prepare for moving out. Same proceedure as arrival!
We waved goodbye to our escort as we once more found ourselves in beautiful countryside where the familiar olive groves gave way to vinyards. But 15 minutes further on we stopped again. This time at a fino bodiga (If you don't know, that's where the sherry's made). Guided tour of the premises, hundreds of huge wooden barrels full of fino, and of course we all had to sample a glass full. Fabulous.
From there we drove on to Aguilar de la Frontera. Once again we picked up a police escort and it's The Italian Job all over again. We parked up in the square and were greeted by . . . beer and tapas! By now, my ears are ringing. After quenching our thirst (it was hot for goodness sake!) and allowing plenty of time for the locals to drool over the cars, the cavalcade moved on to the castle where we were given another guided tour - very interesting, I think. It was all in spanish and I was having difficulty in jugling two languages; can't think why. As we started back for the cars we were diverted into a large room with amazing views across the valley. And there on the tables laid out before us was . . . beer and tapas.
Back to the cars - eventually - and escorted on to a huge palatial building for dinner. Boy, this place was posh with a capital "P". Wonderful 3 course spanish meal and there on each table . . . yup, more beer, and to wash it down . . . wine!
And all this for just 22 euros a head!
It's a pitty I don't drink . . . much
