Retiring the Olé Way!

It’s more than 12 years since my book “Retiring the Olé Way” was published and 13 years since John and I moved to Spain, looking forward to our new adventure. I was recently interviewed about my life over here and inevitably the question was asked: “Do you have any regrets?” Followed by “What advice would you give to anyone thinking of retiring there?”

Regrets?

Do I have any regrets? Definitely not! John and I were made to feel really welcome when we moved here, in spite of our lack of Spanish, and when he died three years ago I was touched by how caring and supportive my neighbours were. We had deliberately chosen to live in a town with very few English speaking residents, welcoming the challenge. Fortunately the local people were very patient with our attempts to speak Spanish! As far as they were concerned we were Jumillanos, their neighbours and part of their community.

Jumilla is renowned for its wines and during the summer months we enjoyed many concerts in the local wineries where we could listen to jazz, flamenco, coplas and even a Beatles tribute band, while enjoying local wines and tapas. There is a local theatre where we could listen to all types of music or watch dance displays, though we decided that going to Spanish plays would be too much of a challenge for our basic grasp of the language!

We particularly enjoyed the local fiestas, of which there are far too many to mention them all. Starting with Los Reyes Magos (the Three Kings) in January, which is a favourite with the children, then continuing with Semana Santa (Holy Week), which has been declared to be of National tourist interest and not forgetting the Vendimia, with its infamous wine-throwing procession, there is always something happening in Jumilla. Of course that was in pre-Covid days. I’m just hoping that eventually we will be back to normal, or at least the “new” normal.

Should you retire to Spain?

All of the above is positive, but there are some drawbacks that people thinking of retiring here need to consider, and particularly post-Brexit for any British readers. Moving to Spain nowadays isn’t as straightforward as it was when John and I retired here! There is lots of advice and information on the “Brexpats in Spain” Facebook group so I won’t include it here, plus of course the official government website: https://www.gov.uk/. From my personal point of view, the following are some facts that I feel you should be aware of.

First of all, depending on where you live, it can be very cold in winter, particularly if you live inland as I do. Trust me, this is a shock to many people, who assume it is always hot in Spain! In addition, many properties aren’t insulated the way they are in the UK and if your property is facing north it will be fine during the summer months but chilly at this time of the year.

It might come as a shock to you, especially if you’ve visited Spain on holiday, but not everybody here speaks English! If you live on the coast surrounded by other British people you might not need to speak Spanish, but my personal view is that it’s rude not to try and speak the local language.

Of course you also need to be aware that in certain parts of Spain they don’t necessarily speak Castilian Spanish, as we discovered when we visited Galicia on holiday. Galician, Basque and Catalan are other languages spoken and in addition there are also regional dialects. Mind you if you travel around the UK you will notice the same phenomena: do you understand everything your Georgie friends say? Or have you got lost in Norfolk and asked someone the way? Exactly!

Family is very important here, which is one of the things I love about this country. It’s not unusual to go to a restaurant for a menú del día and find grandparents as well as parents and children enjoying a meal together. For a special occasion there may also be aunts, uncles and cousins plus friends too.

My advice if you are thinking about retiring to Spain is to visit different parts of the country before deciding where to settle. Also, when you have found an area that you love, visit it at various times of the year. There are many towns on the coast that are buzzing in the summer months but almost deserted during the winter.

One of the deciding factors when we moved to Jumilla was the fact that it’s a working town so is busy throughout the year. Did I mention that it’s renowned for its wines? The photo shown above is one of the local wineries, Viña Campanero, which is family run and one of my favourites. Salud!

Guau Wines (and great music!)

The amazing Johnny Sax – oh yeah!

August is the month when Jumilla celebrates its Vendimia over the two weeks of the Feria & Fiestas, however in recent years it has also become the month when we raise funds for Cuatro Patas through Guau Wines, so why not see out August with some great wines and music?

The 6th edition of Guau Wines will take place on 31 August in Plaza de Santa Maria, Jumilla, starting at 21.30. Twenty bodegas have donated wine, so there should be something for everyone’s taste, and there will be catering too. No need to have dinner before you go there!

The opening act will be the multi-talented Johnny Sax, who was the vocalist, sax and harmonica player with the Climax Blues Band ten years ago, as well as playing in his own Johnny Pugh band. Now he lives in Spain, where his gigs are popular with the local Spanish community as well as Brits living in the area. I’m hoping he will sing “Walking the Dog” for me to dance to!

The following acts will be Alberto Alcalá, who has just released his second disc “Tragaluz” and finally the blues and rock group Traslapers. I look forward to listening to (and probably dancing to!) them as well.

Tickets cost 15€, which includes a glass to taste the different wines, plenty of wines and food to keep you going and of course great music. Tickets are available from the local veterinary clinics Urbano and Mascoticas.

It should be a memorable evening – hope to see you there!

Feria & Fiestas in Jumilla – part 2

Thursday 15 August is a holiday in Jumilla, as it’s the feast day of Our Lady of Assumption, the patron saint of Jumilla. This means that most of the supermarkets and local shops will be closed, however the good news is that it also means that all the bars and restaurants will be open!

If you’re an early riser and enjoy nature, there will be a nature ramble on Thursday, meeting at the bus station at 08.30. You need to reserve your place in advance, however the bus is now full so you will have to take your own car to the start. I may be taking my dog Lisa out for a walk then, but my walk will be a lot shorter! More details (in Spanish) can be found at: http://asociacionnaturalistastipa.blogspot.com/

Between 11.00 and 14.00 there will be a children’s fair “Drilo Park” at Arzobispo Lozano school, with free entry.

12.00 Holy Mass in honour of our patron La Virgen de la Asunción at Santiago parish church.

17.30 and 18.30: wine-related competitions on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola, organised by the peñas.

20.00 Eucharist in Santiago parish church, followed by a procession through the streets, carrying the statue of La Virgen de la Asunción.

23.00 We are now spoilt for choice as there will be two concerts: one to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the choir Coral Jumillana Canticorum, which will be in the Jardín de la Glorieta. Tickets will cost 3€. The other one will be by the local group “Al Golpe”, which will take place on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola and which will be free.

Friday 16 August will be another action-packed day in Jumilla. Starting at 08.00 with a Gachamiga competition (and tasting) at the Municipal sports stadium. There will be a hoe-throwing competition at 10.00 at the same venue – don’t get too close though!

09.00 Procession of San Roque, starting and finishing at the parish church of Santiago.

21.00 Children’s concert in the Jardín de la Glorieta “Drilo Sinfónico”. Tickets will be 8€ if bought in advance or 10€ on the gate.

23.30. Live music from a Queen tribute act, in Arzobispo Lozano school, with free entry. As a Queen fan, I will definitely be there!

Saturday 17 August: this is the day when Jumilla is invaded by thousands of (mainly) young people, looking forward to being drenched in red wine. The Gran Cabalgate del Vino is an amazing event and definitely worth experiencing at least once, as the party atmosphere is brilliant.

It’s near the start of the procession but people are already soaked in red wine!

18.00 The floats start assembling on Avenida Reyes Católicos and everybody gets ready to party!

18.30 approximately – off they go! As the floats move slowly through the streets of Jumilla, the participating peñas and the spectators all get sprayed with red wine. Last year more than 60,000 litres of wine helped turn sparkling white tops into soaking wine-coloured tops, as everybody danced in the streets to the lively music, but don’t worry because there will be showers at the end for all participants. It’s the party to end all parties.

22.00 The party continues in the patio of Arzobispo Lozano school, with a free concert “IT Sound in the 2000s Festival”.

Sunday 18 August. 20.00 After evening mass in Santiago parish church, the statue of the patron saint is transferred to the Ermita de San Agustín.

22.00 Anabel Collado will sing Coplas in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro.

00.30 The festivities will end with a firework display in the castle.

Feria & Fiestas Jumilla 2019

The wine fountain in Jumilla

The celebrations have already begun, however it’s not too late to join us in Jumilla for the Feria and Fiestas.

Today, Tuesday 13 August, there will be an official reception in the Ayuntamiento at 18.30, but don’t worry if you haven’t been invited (neither have I!) as there will still be plenty to see later in the evening. I always enjoy watching the procession of local peñas (associations) wearing their traditional costumes and carrying the first grapes. This starts at 20.00 from the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola and finishes in the Jardín de la Glorieta, where you can watch them treading the grapes to produce the must. The day ends with a free concert in the grounds of Arzobispo Lozano school: “Voy a Pasármelo G”, which is a tribute to Hombres G, a popular Spanish rock band from the ’80s and ’90s. Rock on!

Wednesday 14 August is the day of the Cabalgata Tradicional, which is definitely not to be missed. If you’re in town earlier in the day you can see the floats that will be taking part in the evening’s procession. They will be lined up on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola from 11.00, ready for the judges to make the awards to the best floats at 11.30. If that’s not tempting enough, you can also taste local wines and products at the stands of the individual peñas. The evening’s party starts at 20.30, when the floats set off from Calle Trabajo (behind the tourist office) and wind their way along Canovas del Castillo with much singing and dancing plus handing out wine, sangria and snacks to the eager spectators. It’s always an amazing atmosphere (and the free wine and sangria also help!)

There’s a concert after the Cabalgata, with “La Pegatina” and “Caligaris” performing in Arzobispo Lozano, though this time tickets are 10€ in advance or 12€ on the gate.

This is a link to the town’s street map if you don’t know Jumilla as well as I do. http://www.jumilla.org/servicios/callejero.asp Finally, please return to this page tomorrow, as there are lots more events to add. You definitely don’t want to miss hearing about Saturday’s Gran Cabalgata del Vino!

Concerts in the wineries

Bodegas Luzón

One of the many highlights of the year in Jumilla is Música Entre Vinos, where concerts are held in different wineries, giving you a chance to sample the excellent local wines while tasting yummy tapas and listening to great music. What’s not to like?

Having just returned from a fabulous trip to Paris and London, I’m still busy trying to gather as much information as possible about this year’s MEV, which isn’t always easy in this part of the world! I will update this post if more details become available.

The opening event will be held on 8 June in Jumilla’s Wine Interpretation Centre rather than a winery, although food and wine will still be available. Tickets are only 15 euros and can be obtained from Restaurante Casa Sebastian. I gather that the theme will be film soundtracks, so as a Queen fan I’m definitely going to be there, in the hope that Bohemian Rhapsody will be included.

Bodegas Luzón (as seen in the photo above) are hosting the event on 15 June. Each year they manage to surprise me with something different, so I’m looking forward to being surprised yet again at this year’s concert. I have been told that the concert will be Pop-Rock music, both Spanish and English, that I (and many others) are sure to enjoy. For more details and/or to reserve tickets, email Patricia at tour@bodegasluzon.com.

Bodegas BSI are also having their concert on 15 June with Stolen, the group that had everyone up on their feet dancing last year. As BSI is one of the largest wineries, the tour is always interesting – as well as working up an appetite for their wines and tapas! To reserve tickets, email them at enoturismo@bsi.es

There are also two events on 22 June, so you are being spoilt for choice. Bodega Madrid Romero will start their evening with visits to the winery between 8pm and 9pm and you will then be entertained by Sharay Jazz & Friends, while enjoying good food and wine. Tickets are selling fast, so contact them to reserve your ticket by sending an email to: info@bodegamadridromero.com

I’ve been reliably informed that all available tickets have been reserved for the second event on 22 June, however you can add your name to the waiting list if you’d like to visit the Museo Hacienda del Carche-Casa de la Ermita. Particularly if you like Spanish pop from the 80s and 90s, as FyVBand will be providing the music, and of course you can enjoy the two wineries’ fine wines with your tapas. To put your name down, email: tour@casadelaermita.com

Bodegas Viña Elena aren’t having an event this year as there are works being carried out at their winery. however the good news is that you will be able to taste their wines on 6 July at the event being organised by La Macarena in Jumilla’s indoor market. La Macarena always have tasty tapas and the music will be provided by the talented local group Al Golpe, so I will definitely be buying my ticket before they run out. Email them to reserve tickets at: lamacarenabar.restaurante@gmail.com

On 13 July, Bodegas Ribera del Juá will be taking part in Música entre Vinos for the first time. I’m hoping to persuade one of my lovely friends to drive me there! They will have the legendary Jumillano rock band Salicornio accompanying the singer Carmen Maldonado from Granada, who will be performing “Pop through the ages”. Casa Canales will be doing the catering for them on the night. The event will start at 21.00. To book your tickets, either call them on 868087901 or send them an email to: eventos@bodegasriberadeljua.com

If you enjoy flamenco, then the final event at Bodegas Viña Campanero on 20 July will be right up your street. Starting at 21.00, you can look around the smallest winery in Jumilla before enjoying your tapas, wine and music. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of me showing off my dance skills! Email them to reserve tickets (they’re selling fast!) at bodegas@vinacampanero.com or you can phone them on 969780754 .

Apart from the opening event tickets will cost 28 euros, which includes the concert, tapas, lots of good wine and a glass to take home – I have a cupboard full of MEV glasses! Most events start at 21.00 but do check when reserving your tickets in case they are kicking off at 20.00 for the tour of the winery. Enjoy!

Jumilla’s Wine Fair

Jumilla is renowned for its wines, so why not come along and sample some of them at the Feria del Vino of Jumilla on Saturday 13 April? This event will be held on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola, just behind the bus station, between 12 and 3. It will cost you a mere five euros to purchase a wine glass, which you can take home, and tickets for five wine tastings. With twenty six wineries taking part, your only problem will be deciding which wines to sample!

I am definitely going to be there, so do look out for me and say hello.

Fiestas in Jumilla during August – part 2

I’ve been enjoying the fiestas so much that I nearly forgot to post part two! Jumilla certainly knows how to put on a good party and one that people of all ages can enjoy. The next two days though are definitely aimed at the youngest members of the family.

Wednesday 15 August 11.00 to 14.00

The Feria infantil – Children’s Fair – will be taking place in the playground of IES Arzobispo Lozano and entry is free.  School was never this much fun!

There are a couple of intriguingly titled competitions on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola in the early evening. At 17.30 “La uva caliente” takes place and then at 18.30 “Mosto Pong”. I may go along just to see what they’re all about!

Thursday 16 August

This day has been designated the day of the child, as they are offering a 2 x 1 deal on all fairground rides, however it’s also a good day for adults, with the Cabalgata Tradicional.

Cabalgata Tradicional 20.30

Jumilla is renowned for its Gran Cabalgata with lots of wine throwing (more of that later!) but this is my favourite procession. The parade of decorated floats starts near the tourist office and slowly makes it way along Cánovas del Castillo, eventually finishing near the indoor market. I say slowly, because the participants are busy handing out sangria, wine and snacks to the spectators, as well as sampling some themselves and dancing to the music. It’s a great carnival atmosphere.

One of many decorated floats

23.30

If you feel like partying a bit longer, there is a festival of local groups in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro. There will be free entry to the garden until it’s full, however if you can find a spare seat in one of the bars outside you can then enjoy a drink while listening to the music.

Friday 17 August 20.00

Another favourite of mine is the parade of horses and carriages, with many of the participants dressed in traditional costume. I’m hoping that some of the riders will show off their horses’ capabilities as they’ve done in previous years.  I enjoy watching horses dance as much as I enjoy watching human flamenco dancers.

23.30

I’m a bit of a fan of Al Golpe, who play flamenco style music that is bound to get the locals up on their feet. They will be playing on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola. If you’re lucky, you might even see me trying out my dance steps there!

Saturday 18 August 19.00

The infamous Gran Cabalgata will leave from Avenida Reyes Católicas, with plenty of wine throwing as well as wine drinking. This is for the young as well as the young in heart. One word of advice for the ladies: don’t wear your best white summer dress unless you want it to change into a pink one! The good news is that there will be showers outside the market when you reach the end of the parade. The other good news is that there will be free music at the Festival Tinto Rock, starting at 23.30. Enjoy!

Wine anyone?

Sunday 19 August 20.00

The last day of the Feria and Fiestas of Jumilla is a reminder that these are held to honour the patron saint of Jumilla, Nuestra Señora la Virgen de la Asunción.  After mass at the Parroquia Mayor de Santiago, the statue of Our Lady will be carried to the Ermita de San Agustín.

Concert 22.00

The final free concert will take place in the Jardín Rey Don Pedro, with the singer Maribel Castillo performing coplas and spanish songs. That isn’t the last act though, as at 00.30 there will be a firework display at the municipal sports stadium.

!Feliz Fiestas!

Click on the following link to see the street map of Jumilla if you are unfamiliar with the town and would like to join in our fiestas. If you would like a free guided walk around Jumilla, either during the fiestas or at a later date, please contact me via the Contact page.

Fiestas in Jumilla during August – part 1

There’s always something happening in Jumilla, but during the month of August it seems to be one long party, with music, folk dancing, Moors and Christians, various sporting competitions and – not surprisingly – lots of wine!

The celebrations have already begun, with the Noche de las Antorchas and the Offering of Flowers to La Virgen de la Asunción (the Patron saint of Jumilla) both taking place last weekend. Don’t worry though as there are plenty more events for you to enjoy in Jumilla between 10 and 19 August.

Offering of Flowers

There is so much happening that I’m just going to highlight the key events, which also happen to be my favourites, and I will write two separate posts.

Friday 10 August 20.30

The inauguration ceremony of the Feria & Fiestas 2018 will start at the Town Hall. Then there will be a procession to the Folklore Monument, to the Jardín Rey Don Pedro for the inauguration of the Fuente del Vino (the photo below shows the fountain from a previous year) finishing at the Moors and Christians campsite on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola.

Enjoying Jumilla wine!

22.30 Jardín de La Glorieta

There will be free entry to the IX Festival Juvenil de Bandas de Música, with our two excellent local bands taking part.

Saturday 11 August 12.00

The miniferia del vino will already be in most people’s diaries, including mine! It takes place in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro. It is an opportunity to taste some of Jumilla’s best wines, as the main bodegas will have stands in the garden. I will update this page when I have more details, however usually you pay 5€ for a wine glass that you can take home and then you can wander around the stands sampling the wines. It is advisable to either book a hotel in town that evening or arrange for your personal chauffeur or a taxi to take you home, unless you live in town like me and can just stagger home afterwards!

19.00 – 01.00 (Saturday and Sunday)

I always enjoy the Artisans Market on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola, as it is a chance to buy something original and also to support local artisans.

22.00

The inaugural session of the 35 National Folklore Festival will take place in the Jardín de la Glorieta and will be free.

Sunday 12 August 21.30

The main parade of the Moors and Christians will start at the Arco de San Roque, going along Cánovas del Castillo to la Plaza del Rollo (beside the tourist office). This colourful spectacle is one of my favourite events.

23.30

Folk evening in the Jardín de la Glorieta, with the group Luar na Lubre. This is another free concert and one that I definitely won’t miss, having discovered that this Galician group not only has someone playing the bagpipes but also has a soloist with a beautiful voice.

Monday 13 August 20.00

The Cabalgata Infantil de la Vendimia is always fun to watch, as the children enjoy themselves so much, the floats are impressive (as shown below) and the costumes are colourful and imaginative. It starts near my house and continues along Canovas del Castillo, turning down Avenida de la Asunción and then onto Avenida Levante, finishing at the indoor market.

22.00

The closing act of the Folklore Festival will be another free session, taking place in the Jardín de la Glorieta.

Tuesday 14 August 20.00

The Procession of the Peñas (local associations) taking part in the Ofrenda de Uvas (Offering of the Grapes) starts on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola and winds around the town, finishing in the Jardín de la Glorieta. Participants are dressed in traditional costumes, carrying their baskets of grapes, and accompanied by music. The evening ends with the treading of the grapes and offering the first must (freshly crushed grape juice) to the “Niño de las Uvas”. If you haven’t seen it before it’s a definite “must”!

Click on the following link to see the street map of Jumilla if you are unfamiliar with the town and would like to join in our fiestas.


Upcoming events in Jumilla

Miniferia del Vino – April 8th

Every year since moving to Jumilla in 2008 we have been to the “Miniferia de los vinos de Jumilla”, which is held  in the Plaza Rey Don Pedro on the first Saturday of Semana Santa. This year it will take place on Saturday 8 April between 12 and 3, so put it in your diaries now! Entry to the Miniferia costs only 5€ and for this princely sum you will be given a wineglass so that you can taste the best wines from the many D.O Jumilla bodegas. Your only problem will be deciding who can taste all the wines and who will have to restrict their intake as they have been nominated as the driver! John and I are fortunate as we live on the outskirts of Jumilla, so we can both walk there and stagger home afterwards.

If you would like to enjoy the drama and passion of Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Jumilla, these are some of the key dates.

Tamborada de la Burrica – April 8th

Drumming is a very important part of Semana Santa in Jumilla, with three processions. The first one starts at 19.00 at Iglesia de San Juan, going along Calle Cánovas to Plaza de Arriba.

The children’s Tamborada is on Monday 10 April, starting from Plaza de Arriba at 17.30 and finishing on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola. Even the youngest participants seem able to keep to the rhythm of the drums. If you like late nights, the Tamborada de Gloria on Saturday 15 April starts at 23.45 in Plaza de Arriba, marching along Calle Cánovas and then drumming until the early hours of the morning in the car park behind the Mercado de Abastos. We usually miss that one!

Domingo de Ramos – April 9th

Palm Sunday, where the local children carry palm leaves,  is one of my favourite processions. It starts at approximately 12.00 from the Iglesia de San Juan and goes along Calle Pio XII, crossing the main road (which will be closed off), then continuing along Calle Cánovas del Rollo and finishing at the Iglesia de Santiago.

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It’s very difficult to know how long the procession will take, as proud parents hand over babies and small children to have their photo taken with Jesus on his donkey, which obviously delays his journey.

Procesión del Silencio – April 11th

Another procession for those of you who like late nights and also who aren’t afraid of the dark. This procession starts at midnight from the southern door of Iglesia de Santiago and takes place in darkness (apart from bonfires in the street) and silence (apart from the drum beats and the sound of the penitents’ chains) – it’s definitely not one for the faint-hearted.

Visita a los Monumentos “Las Manolos” – April 13th.

This is a popular procession as the participants visit several monuments in Jumilla, accompanied by local bands. Members of four brotherhoods parade along Calle Cánovas, starting at Jardín del Rollo at 17.30 with others joining the procession at different places along the route. I’m always in awe at the way the señoras can walk along the cobbled streets on their staggeringly high heels!

Domingo Resurección – April 16th

The highlight of the week is on Easter Sunday, when the Resurrected Christ appears at 12.00 in Plaza del Rollo. Following this, there is a procession along Calle Cánovas, where sweets are shared out to the eagerly awaiting children in the Caramelada.

If you don’t know Jumilla and plan to come along on any of these days, you can find a street map of Jumilla by clicking on this link. If you would like to enjoy a free guided tour of Jumilla during the Easter holidays, click on the link for Walkers Tours of Jumilla at the top of this page.

Wine Festival in Jumilla – second week


If you’ve got children or grandchildren Monday 12 August is the day to take them to Jumilla, as there is a 2 x 1 offer on fairground rides (it saves you some money too!)  Not only that, but the Cabalgata Infantil del Vino will have lots of entertaining floats for them to watch, starting at 20.30.  As it’s holiday time, you might let them stay to watch the drama between the Moors and Christians being re-enacted on the Paseo at 22.45.  Don’t let them get too close to the sword-play though as they use real swords (we’ve seen the sparks flying!)

If you enjoy witnessing Spanish traditions then Tuesday will be a good day to visit, as there is a procession of all the peñas (local associations) dressed in their traditional costumes and carrying baskets of grapes. They will start parading around town at 20.00, leaving from the Paseo and finishing in the Patio of I.E.S. Arzobispo Lozano. At 21.00 they will offer their grapes to the Niño de las Uvas followed by the grape treading ceremony.


If you are only able to visit Jumilla on one day, and if you enjoy drinking wine, Wednesday 14 August is one of the best days to visit. At 20.30 the Cabalgata Tradicional del Vino will leave the Plaza de Rollo and the colourful floats will slowly wend their way through the streets. I say slowly, because the participants are busy handing out sangria, wine and snacks to all the people eagerly lining the streets.

Thursday is the saint’s day for Jumilla’s patron, Nuestra Señora La Virgen de la Asunción. There will be a special mass for Our Lady at 12.00 in the parish church of Santiago, with the local choir Coral Canticorum, plus a solemn procession in her honour leaving the north door of the church at 20.00.


If like me you enjoy watching horses and carriages, don’t miss the procession at 20.00 on Friday. This will be followed by a free fiesta flamenca on the Paseo at 22.30.

Saturday is the day for the young and young at heart (particularly those with a lot of stamina!). The infamous Gran Cabalgata del Vino attracts thousands of visitors to Jumilla, all aiming to get soaked in red wine. Many people wear white – all the better to show off the wine stains – and they revel in dancing through the streets while wine is poured over them.  Personally I prefer to drink my red wine, but no doubt that is showing my age!

Sunday 18 August will be the last day of this year’s Feria. Mass will be held in Santiago church at 20.00 after which the statue of Our Lady will be carried to the Ermita de San Agustín. This year’s festivities will be finished off in style with a firework display over Jumilla Castle at 24.00. I suspect that after several late nights I will be watching it from our bedroom window!