It is  weekend and the tiling and grouting inside is done and dusted on this finca and I can look forward to another enjoyable day out meeting and greeting new and old friends at Casa Madera’s Car Boot Sale this Sunday.

In November I saw my first attempt ever as having a stall and what fun I had (apart from the lovely dineros I made towards my own Christmas table fund). Days before I had Mom help me sort through boxes of stuff we brought from the UK, never opened in all these years and where on earth would we arrange all these ornaments, even if we had done so? Yet, my greatest “crowd puller” was my old Mum who delighted and entertained everyone with what her “little boy” (all 6 foot 3 inch of him and greying around the temples) in California had said to me the night before – “Make a sign reads  > Grandma 5 Euros – Deckchair comes free!<”

She enjoyed herself so much especially as a nice crowd (Brian, John and Nicole) were churning out steaming hot tea and coffee and absolutely scrumptious hamburgers (not shop made either!) I am back going for seconds this week if nothing else.

It was encouraging to see more and more of the Spanish communities were dropping buy to browse and did buy – possibly somewhat curious to see why Expats would hold a “merkat” ( a market) so far away from the town. It was a wonderful opportunity to practice the language and for them to see we are embracing their culture. So please do tell your neighbours and bring them along. Everyone is welcomed – a mixture of languages are speckled in amongst us.

There is not many weeks to Christmas, but do browse throught the wonderful array of delicately and very expertedly designed homemade Christmas and greeting cards from Gill of Xerta´s Saturday market fame. Also look inside her huge plastic storage boxes (closed to keep the dust out) next to them. Beautifully home knitted baby clothes to marvel at the craftsmenship. Perhaps you have no babies in your family now, but have you seen a young mother in your village proudly pushing out her new pram and thought how much she would appreciate something warm and cozy for new treasure. Afterall, it is the season of goodwill and giving. Home baking is also on offer here and how nice to round off the Sunday evening with traditional English baking.

The evenings are drawing in dark and cold earlier now so a wonderful chance to leave the chores behind and curl up in front of the roaring fire with a good book. Various stalls here will display a wonderful selection of very good reading across everyone´s interest. Though I must warn you that any of the latest best sellers will go quickly for of us that read so voraciously.

The days and nights are chillier now and folk are looking for “woolies” to purchase. So if you came from your frozen country emburdened with all your winter warmers ” just in case” it turned cold in Catalonia, nowis the time to have a sort through. I only hadone cardigan for sale last month and it wassnappedup asI unpacked my old jalopy.

The stalls vary from month to month and all newcomers are welcomed. Last month I saw wonderfull display cupboards that were bought as the lady unloaded them from her car. We were all watching and wondering how on earth that ever came out of her, while a discerning buyer only saw the product and beat us all to a very good buy.

So you see folks, you can sell absolutely anything and everything here.  You don´t need to have fancy tressle tables, travelling dog kennels have shown off many a good article for sale. There is plenty of room and you can just spread it all out as you see fit.

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” – where they are erecting a new display of knotted pipes to protect River Ebro´s waters) 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.