Romeria de las Lagunas - what a day

Romerias can be spectacular occasions when the statue of the Virgin is carried through the streets, followed by horses, carriages and local people donning traditional dress. I went to the Romeria de Las Lagunas last week, which takes place annually in the Parque El Esparragal, just past Mijas-Golf. What a fantastic occasion. We always go mob-handed and get there around 11.30am to make sure we get a table (by the bar obviously). The Virgin de la Paz is carried into the park on a flower laden carriage pulled by two oxen - accompanied by drumbeats and live music from the stage in the park. A huge paella was cooked for the crowds, and although the queue took around an hour to get to the front of (not for me as I was busy at the bar - but for my friend´s daughter and friends who had been sent on the paella mission) - it was delicious. Manzanilla (dry sherry) and Malaga wine were also served free of charge, and the pub in the park was also packed with revellers. The serious dancing started around 5pm when locals and holidaymakers boogied the afternoon away. The best part of the day was undoubtedly the greasy pole climbing competition (really) when lots of macho local youths compete to see who can climb up a vertical wooden pole and yank down a whole jamon serrano from the top. After many failed attempts, one courageous lad shimmied his way up to the top to claim the prize - to the adulation of the local girls! Altogether a brilliant day out - and even time for one for the road at the makeshift bar at the other end of the park where the horsemen were congregated to show off their trusty steeds!