Vivo en Bizkaia (y otros sitios tambien)

As promised here are some photos taken at Cath's party to say farewell to Houseboat Mary.  Click on the image below to see the full gallery.

Big thanks to Cath for the party! 

As Bilbao cleans up after Aste Nagusia 06 I have finally found time to sort out this series of photographs which will undoubtedly amuse some of you... Well, I thought it was funny! This is a series of shots recording the aftermath of being battered (covered in a mixture of eggs, flour and water) on the first night of Aste Nagusia.

Ever the perfectionist, trying to get the composition just right.

My trusty Domke F2 bag covered in flour.

Back in my room it´s bath time for my cameras!

Well where else was I going to put them to drip dry?

I forgot the girlie candles and silly smellies but the bag didn´t mind.

Then hang out of the window to dry! Good as new! (Well, almost...)

As I sit here I can feel the concussions from the first fireworks display of Aste Nagusia 06 bouncing off the back of the flats opposite and then around my room. An exceptionally good day.

Firstly I spent a few hours with Vespa Chica (Amaia), the only woman who I trust with my cameras. Good job as she seems to have taken a liking to them. After an impromptu foto clase in Arriaga we went for a drink where Amaia asked me (told me?) to take her photo then told me to take it again and again until it was perfect. Result below. Vale Vespa Chica?

¿Muy Guapa, no?

Amaia had bought herself a couple of photo books and also bought me dinner! Chicken and rice which I ate later and it was very good! ¡Muchas gracias!

Then it was on to the start of Aste Nagusia which I am too tired to describe as I have just spent half an hour washing a mixture of eggs, flour and water off my cameras, camera bag and jacket. Cant be bothered with washing it off my jeans, t-shirt, shoes or, er, me. The photos below tell their own story...

Note person in background taking photograph. That happened a lot.

Once you are properly battered you find it easier to get accepted by people.  

But believe me, you should have seen the others. Manaña maybe. 

As I have not had any "Can you come and pick me up?" calls from the airport I will assume that this evening you have probably gone down the pub, watched the TV or curled up on the couch with a DVD. 

WELL DON´T SAY I DIDN´T INVITE YOU! :) 

PS Not sure if I can survive another eight days of this... but I will try.  

The centre of town is rapidly being transformed for Aste Nagusia 2006. Unless you are really sensible and get on a plane for Bilbao to arrive on Saturday here is the nearest you will get to the real thing... Will update over the next 10 days, lack of sleep allowing.

Get rid of the bus stops...

"Hmm... not sure if this sign is big enough." 

Get a few hundred more wheelie bins... 

Might as well get rid of the taxi signs too... 

Give the drains a good flushing...

Make sure everyone knows which stand is which... 

"Whaddyamean this should be a U?" 

Stock up on some beers... 

Finish building the stands...

Yes, they finished the new muelle in time! Just... 

Yes, this is a wine lorry pumping red wine into the bars...
(Probably last about four hours)

Last but not least tighten up that last bolt... 

I havent been to a fiesta all day. I must be slipping.

Tomorrow maybe.

And the day after that.