4.Arrival of the 10.50 Flight 1-17stories in English

Letsgoloolala with Lily Anne

Arrival of the 10.50 flight

The 10.50 flight from Dublin arrived on time. I guess everything was under tight control that morning as a convoy of nine black mariahs* graced the area beyond departures. Clearly it was a VIP event just 2 days before a match, listed between Valencia and Barcelona in Seville. Flags for the team and flags for the nation flapped gaily close to the mystery black wagons. Security of this national treasure was order of the day, a calm before the stormy battle between the tribes known as ‘Los murcelagos’, the Bats and the Barça

Barry discreetly held back as I met with my own tribe, a group of 4 and a mix of family and friends, Eimear and Ciara, mother and daughter and sisters, Maureen and Catherine. Barry’s idea that I might have been involved in this airport pick up by driving behind him didn’t materialise. Fortunately it transpired that the fob for  the Renault Scenic was a few streets away so time or rather lack of it was on my side. ‘Excuses’ said Barry, not one to take prisoners.

As soon as we arrived at the house the entertainment began. Little Ciara now 3 adapted quickly to this 2 metre tall gentle giant whose name changed to Bawi. The women were in awe of the Coach house as they wandered through the spacious living area out to the courtyard that combined a well decorated play area with all that was required to dine al fresco.

We were a mixed bunch and a few dramas ensued day to day but no more than when I was on my own. On our first experience of eating out in the city, Ciara threw up soon after we arrived into Café artisanal Ruzafa. I made a urgent plea to the waitress for kitchen roll. For a moment Catherine thought she had heard me request a refund –that seemed to set the tone for the black humour that pervaded throughout the week. Meantime the priority on the first day was to hit the shops and replace the fake tan that had been confiscated at Dublin airport.

The troupe quickly got familiar with the historic centre of Valencia. Day to day there was so much to see and do in the city centre that time was of the essence on arrival back to the station. We usually had to ‘go the mile’ to identify our train plus there was the challenge of getting a sturdy Silver Cross buggy on and off, just making the deadline in time. On a rare occasion when train tickets didn’t seem to work or were missing there was a last minute squeeze through at barriers so that no-one was left behind.  The design seemed to allow for some flexibility.

Ciara spotted bling every time she passed a particular gift shop in the station, while Eimear couldn’t resist the plush toilets option that cost 60 cent. She spoke so highly of the family room that I let myself in not knowing that it was just another loo. Granted it did have flashing lights and enough space to swing dance.

By the weekend my guests were fully confident to look after themselves on a day out in the city. They were enthralled with their first experience of the Turia River bed as a recreational facility for almost every kind of sport imaginable to suit all ages. They struck it lucky with an inexpensive music festival. The date coincided with my trip to the Island of Tabarca that had been postponed and reorganised due to weather conditions. We had a lot to talk about that evening, everyone pleased with the day out.

Eating out was the main shared activity- once with Barry and Vicky in Hechizos De Morgana and then in beach restaurants including La Esclora where we connected royally with José the camarero/waiter .We partied locally at Bar Sol, a pub restaurant within spitting distance of my front door, while the match in Seville was in full swing. Fireworks were going off in the ‘village’ and more could be heard as far away as Valencia city (15kms).  The crew of three partied nightly in the South wing while Ciara, Monek, her comforter, Salvador El Gato and I slept soundly and separately ‘til morning. The two sisters prioritised the beach on our last day while the Murphy clan headed off to the Oceanographic aquarium having booked tickets the day before. It was spectacular both indoors and out but I believe even more spectacular on an occasional night time event.  We dined then that last evening at a beach restaurant, Le Paz. Typically fish was the chosen dish for all.

Just as Barry was a big hit with the girls, Maureen was a big hit with Barry and Vicky. Vicky who is Spanish met Barry on an Erasmus in Coventry. She is a very calm and capable principal of her second level school. In appreciation of the welcome from this Irish /Valencian couple Maureen wrote one of her now famous ditties. Word came through while here that our very own Maureen O’ Hara is everywhere in Dublin, including the back of buses as she has been involved in an Understand Together campaign associated with early dementia. That phrase about ‘looking like the back of a bus’ has surely been turned on its head given the head turner that she is!

• a mariah is a vehicle used by police for security purposes