After the storm

 Not much to say today apart from it's pouring with rain and last night's storm was pretty horrendous with howling wind and constant heavy rain plus power cuts thrown in. We went down to the fairground this morning and returning via Calle Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, near to Mercadona, the road was flooded. Here, a quick exit from the car to take a damp picture of the church and castle......

.......And it hasn't really got any better all day as we sheltered from the rain in the doorway of the Ferreteria this afternoon.

Our "diva" Calcetines doesn't like to get her paws wet, bless her.

Stormy skies

Rain has been forecast today but so far we have avoided any showers. The rain clouds however were gathering around us this morning as shown here and below.

This afternoon, after a fairly nice day and a temperature of about 14°C, the clouds were gathering again so I don't think we'll avoid the rain for much longer.

 

Brighter than forecast.......

......so quite pleasant for a stroll around the "Barrio de a Villa", the oldest part of town within the old walls of the castle.

In the Plaza de la Iglesia.

 Here looking to the west and below the views south to the pueblo of El Gastor.

Good timing

 The weather has changed today to cloud and rain, thankfully having held off for Carnaval week.

The forecast is for more of the same over the next few days so I don't think we'll be venturing far this week.

 

 A victim of the weather...brollies just don't seem to last long here.

Chirigotas

No Carnaval would be complete without mention of the Chirigota singing groups, whose blend of comedy, satire, wit, sarcasm and total lack of irreverence for all things political and authoritative, local and national, make them particularly popular with their audience.

To be honest, we don't understand all they sing about but the audience reaction suggests that they've sung about something typically topical and funny.  

 Today's concert was the last event of a great Carnaval week and we were happy to take advantage of the free hot meal of potato, chickpeas and tripe provided by the Ayuntamiento.

 "La Prima de Riesgo", one of the four groups in this years Carnaval.

 "A la tercera va la vencia".

 "Las Remedios, caminan o revientan".

 

 And finally "Los Recortaores".

Gran pasacalles de Carnaval

 The Grand Parade of the Carnaval today, when all the participants of the events during the week gather together for the final parade...and what a display it was!!. I think this was the largest parade we have seen in our years here and it was absolutely fantastic.

Anne, Monster, Paca and Gerry.

 It was good to see the Pope in attendance on one of his final appearances before leaving office.

Waiting for the start.

The Pope in waiting, giving his blessing to his adoring public.

A parody of "la crisis". Angela Merkel representing the cuts to the European budget. Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish Prime Minister was having his strings pulled somewhere else in the crowd.

 I think this baby's going to have real problems when it's born...very soon by the looks of it!!.  

 Brilliant fun.

 Our friend Francisco.

 This years Carnaval "queens".

 The fabulous, fantastic people of Olvera. A real community.