Olive picking over for the day – my aching knees sigh with relief. I sit for awhile outside our water well pump house, waiting for our water cisterne (tank) to fill up.It is still warm here with 20 degrees and it is only 4 o´clock, but that sneaky wind is drifting in. I could doze off here and my eyes trail the colours of the vines, rose hips, ivy, berries and autumn foliage are an array of ochre, vermilion’s -some are even tinged with a rusty brown and somewhat crinkly effect.

At least I know we can still get out and about this weekend and have a break from the “finca´s” chores and toils . There is another Sunday morning”car boot sale” at Casa Madera@Terrapico on the outskirts of Tortosa, Raval de Christ and Roquetes – just follow the signs or exact directions are at the bottom of this article.

I went along to the previous one and found it wonderful to meet the jovial Brian Parkin (Parky) character and to discover it is a social hub for meeting old friends and new faces – even to make two new business contacts.

Christmas and the Feast of the Three Kings ( Tres Rei ) will soon be upon us, and you just never know who will be trying out their hands at their very first Car Boot Sale. So it is looking promising that there will be a variety of goodies available. Everyone can roll up after 10.00am and claim their “pitch”, bring all your own stall items to display your objects – up turned buckets or dog cages will suffice.

But do speak to your friends and neighbours, not just the English, to see what you can unearth to sell. It can be fresh, it can be preserved, it can be baked or bottled, if you so wish. This is a place for Teenagers to start their bartering and entrepreneur skills themselves – so why don´t you mum and dad encourage them to “sort out” their bedroom clutter and out grown clothes and toys, or music long since moved on to hip hop – bling and bright is beautiful. So come on down you kids.

I keep hearing about these Expats that have been taking up new crafting skills since relocating here.So lets see them. Where are these delightful card makers? Us Expats can never find enough greeting cards to send abroad. There is always something special about buying a well-made, homemade card, rather than a shop bought one. I have heard on the grapevine that there is a certain, lovely lady in Xerta that makes such wonderful cards and dos baby knitting as well. So if anyone knows who she is please invite her along or ask her to contact me at www.BrighterSpain.com

At local fiestas through the summers I have past by and seen many local Catalan artists exhibiting their artwork. If you know of anyone please ask invite them along. They will make wonderful presents for friends and family back home.

There will be drinks and refreshments on sale by the Brian Parkins´ crew.

Entrance fee is the normal 5euros for the car seller – free to shoppers. Look forward to seeing you all there.

Directions:

Travelling south on the C12 from Terra Alta, Mora Nova, Benifallet, Xerta or Aldover towards Tortesa.continue on past the Jesus turn-off and Sabeco Supermarket to the Hotel Corona Roundabout. Carry on straight ahead south to the next roundabout (Llums) and continue on straight ahead. At the next roundabout (bottom of “new bridge” ) which gives you directions to Amposta, AP7 and el Rival de Cristo, bear Right to el Rival de Cristo.Stay on this road through the village, going uphill, to a small roundabout at the top of the village. Here signs will indicate Mas de Barbarans and Roquetes. Bear right towards Roquetes and take the first Left turn opposite the Cemetary. This is Cami de Terrapico.From here just follow the signs for the “Casa Madera Car Boot Sale” which will be well sign-posted.

Casa Madera – Terrapico el Raval de Cristo – Tortosa -Car Boot Sale – Brian Parkin on (0034) 660 990 422.