Cup final

I am ready for bed but the cup final between France and Portugal has no score after normal time. I came intro the bar at 8pm to watch it but here it starts at 9pm. I forgot about the time difference. 

I was 36 centigrade outside today. It felt like walking through an oven. So the air conditioned bar is a pleasant change. As I wait for the match to start, I am given a piece of cake. It's the owner lady's birthday today. There is a little party celebrating but she is also serving. I wish her a happy birthday. 

In the second half, the ex-owner (the lady owner's father) offers me a brandy. I chose the 1886 special and pour a little in the warmed glass. It changes as it sits in my mouth becoming light and oily and quite delicious. 

The match is even. Most of the Spanish, but not all, appear to support Portugal. I elect to be among them which is clearly a pleasing decision. I can't lose, if Portugal win, I am among friends. If not, I can return to Paris and celebrate there. But so far it is even. Whatever the number of chances, it will be the one who puts it in the net in the end; and as I write, no one had done that yet. 

The brandy is refreshed for extra time (or is it to celebrate the birthday?). I should sleep well tonight. 

Terence Westoby

terrywestoby@gmail.com

+33 6 75 91 87 71

Sent from Samsung tablet

For the record, Portugal 1,France 0 after extra time.
The statistics had France on top. 

2 o'clock and the world is still

Or at least it is here in Spain. Earlier in the day there were people everywhere, some, like me, relaxing in the shade of a tree. And as I was reading, moving slightly to stay in the shade, I became aware that fewer and fewer people were passing. As you can see from the photo below, the promenade is now empty. 

The children's play park is empty. 

The paths are empty.
The fountains have been turned off. 

The traffic has all but stopped.

But the noise is still there! 

Because just below this park area are the cafes and bars that offer tapas and fast food; and the noisy sound can still be heard coming from there. As a Spanish lady told me on Friday, "Spanish people are noisy". Before you consider this description too badly, remember that she was speaking her second language,  and know that she was contrasting the English on holiday who she found noisier still.

That said, the voices from down below suggest that the eating places are doing a roaring trade!

And here on the promenade all is still.  

Terence Westoby

terrywestoby@gmail.com

+33 6 75 91 87 71

Sent from Samsung tablet