I really must stop horsing around….

I really must stop horsing around….

Hello there.
Thanks for dropping in! Just in time to join us for the Equestrian Show at the Royal Stables in Córdoba. Absolutely brilliant. Now I’m not a horsey person. I think they are very beautiful, but I find their size quite frightening. So to see these fine Andalucian horses strutting their stuff and literally dancing with Flamenco dancers was impressive to say the least…
The music was echoing around the arena; so atmospheric!
They were so elegant!
This one was my favourite.
And afterwards they all went back in their stables and we were allowed to go see them. Personally, I have never been sure about breaking these magnificent animals, controlling them like this, for show. But they seemed happy and well looked after. And the bond between man and beast was palpable. 
Then we shot across town to the little Flamenco club we had reserved a table at. For 10 pm.  It just doesn’t get much more Spanish than this!
It started out very serious, not much chat with the audience….
Then the guitarist came forward, said a few words in Spanish and proceeded to flit around the guitar strings like a butterfly. 
We were right up the front. Next to us was another foursome. Older Spaniards. Anyway, picture the scene. The Spaniard with the guitar is just warming up. One of the Spanish women from the foursome gets up to say something to her friend in front. In a split second, her chair tips backwards because they’ve piled all their coats on the ladder back. She goes to sit down again, but there’s no chair, so down she goes, like a sack of spuds, but grabs the table complete with table-cloth and beers etc on the way down. Carramba! Not funny. Very funny. 
The guitarist, slows down to watch, but doesn’t actually stop. It’s almost as if he fits the music to the scene, then speeds up again once she’s back on her perch.
Then BOOM! The stage exploded! Clapping, stomping, clicking heels! The place was electric!
When the guy started singing, he was clearly very unhappy, and the female dancer certainly reflected his misery and anger. It was like an Opera. Couldn’t really understand the words, but certainly got the feel of the situation. He was broken-hearted and she was his temptress. The one line in his lament I caught was that he had bought a new shirt just for their meeting. Well this tickled me, because I thought if he was that devastated, why would he care about his shirt?! But it was no laughing matter,I can tell you!
Fantastic atmosphere though. I was exhausted just watching! No bingo wings on that Seńora!  
And that was our last night in Córdoba. The enchanting city of plazas and patios (courtyards)
What followed the next day was quite surprising, and not at all what I anticipated! Join me tomorrow for the next instalment of our adventure through Andalucia……
Much love Barb xxxx

33 thoughts on “I really must stop horsing around….

  1. Barbara your blog is so wonderfully expressed how did you keep from laughing looking forward to tomorrows blog I've been spending in your Christmas sale xxx

  2. Buenos Dias Barbara and Dave. Oh Barbara your blog today is great, thanks for continuing to share these magic moments with us. Looking forward to your next blog. Did you say you were seeing Jane again today? If you do, I hope you have a lovely time. Safe travels xx

  3. Hi Barbara and Dave Your description of your evening is fantastic, I could smell the horses and sawdust and hear the clacking of the dancers heels and the guitar music. Fabulous . It sounds like you had a wonderful evening. Love your comment about his shirt!! The things that upset some people! Looking forward to tomorrow's instalment ! Have a wonderful day. Love Diane xxx

  4. Now see this week has been great reading and now you have me on a cliffhanger! Waiting with baited breath for the next installment! It has been great reading and seeing your adventures knowing you are chilling out for a change but I have no doubt ideas have been stored in the grey matter for future art and creativity!

  5. Awwwww beautiful horses ……. sounds like you are having fun and for one moment I thought you were going to say you were pulled up onto the stage to dance with them !!! which is what happened to me and 3 others some few years ago …… hapy memories though 🙂

  6. Ha ha ha so funny, at least not for the Lady but everyone else, hope she did not hurt herself! Sounds like you are having a ball, so glad they look after their horses, similar to dressage over here I guess, but more demanding if you get my drift! Better than how they treat their bulls.

    Love & Hugs

    Jacquie J xxx
    http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

  7. Very funny, so long as the lady was ok. Good to be seeing the real Spain. My ten year old granddaughter loves horses and is fantastic riding. She is not very big and the horses look huge. Personally, like you I would rather keep my distance. Thankyou for sharing your trip. xx

  8. LOL, very funny post, ever thought or writing a book!? I am now plotting how to squeeze a peek into this blog during my all day meeting tomorrow just to find out what happens next!

  9. That sounds like a great afternoon and evening to me. I have been Lucky to see the Royal Horses in Saumur, when they have been invited to the Cadre Noir, and I was speechless. Enjoy the rest of your holidays.
    Laurence xx

  10. I love your turn of phrase Barbara. Glad that you and Dave have been enjoying your holiday…I feel a copy cat trip coming on, that is if I can get Hubby to take some time of work. Looking forward to the next instalment. xx

  11. Hi Barbara. I have really enjoyed reading about your Spanish travels. Sounds like you have really enjoyed your trip. Today's post reminded me of a book I read earlier this year (while recovering from fractures of a wrist and ankle!) by Victoria Hislop entitled The Return. It covers the Spainish civil war, and includes some of the history of flamenco, which I think you might find interesting. It's also a good read!

    Just thought I'd mention it! xx

  12. Those Andulucian horses are gorgeous but I know what you mean their size is a bit intimidating too. Then the Flamenco show looks great too. I don't know how you managed to keep a straight face when that poor lady sat down in mid air pulling the table cloth with her. When something like that happens you feel sorry but at the same time you just want to giggle. Thank you for including us in your fun vacation Barbara. Can't wait to see where you are going next. x

  13. Oh wow how fantastic Barbara beautiful animals. From what I understand these horses love to perform in this way but I understand what you mean.
    So on to tomorrow for the next instalment!

    Much love Kim xx

  14. Oh you are having just a fab time! Think of all these memories and stories you will have flying round in your head!
    Have another great day tomorrow.
    Love and Hugs xxx

  15. Can't wait for the next installment! Sounds like a fantastic time. I would have had trouble keeping a straight face when that poor lady missed her chair and took the drinks with her. Oops!
    Glad you're having such fun!
    Love Jeanette xx

  16. Hi Barbara and Dave. Thank you for sharing photographs of your holiday. I envy your visit to see the Equestrian Show, the Andalucian Horses are so majestic. Anne x

  17. Hi Barbara. What a great day you had. So many things to see and hear and with so many different emotions! You are bringing this part of Spain to life for us all. Can't wait to hear the next instalment. I hope you managed to see Jane and Stephen again. Take care.

  18. I would have loved to see the horses. Actually, the Lipizzaners from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the Andalucian horses are quite small, although they are very muscular. The movements they perform are all based on natural movement they would do in the wild, and it is only the stallions who perform, generally between the ages of twelve to twenty five. I do envy you the chance to see them "dance". xxx Maggie

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