Today was our turn to visit Keith & Sue in Valencia, so Dave & Nina kindly gave us a lift to the station; the train was on time, thankfully, (unlike when they came to see us) and we were met by K & S. It had started to rain and by the time we got to their apartment it was coming down in buckets. It is in the old section of the city behind the cathedral, and although it looks fairly unimpressive from the outside (a doorway in a street) the inside is a different matter: simply furnished, curved white walls, electric colours and being on the top floor, a lovely sun terrace.


We went down the street to their usual restaurant for a late lunch (€8.50 for 3 courses including a drink!) then returned to the apartment for a siesta. Our plan for the evening was to do the 40 min walk to the Palau de la Musica to see a free concert by the Orquestra de Valencia to commemorate Valencia Day, but as we were preparing a snack at 6.30 before setting out, Sue realised it started at 7pm, not 8....cancel food/getting changed/the walk, sprint for a taxi, cross the city in teatime traffic and arrive 5 mins before the orchestra!





It was worth the rush though, as the musicianship was sublime; 5 double bassists, 8 cellists, countless violinists and brass players took to the stage and produced wonderful music by Spanish composers of the 20^th century, including 2 début pieces. There was also a suite of pieces for flamenco guitar & chamber orchestra which I was really looking forward to, but was distinctly underwhelmed by: the guitarist was under-miked & under used in the music.


The finale was a different matter however – the full orchestra played the Hymn of Valencia. Everyone stood, young, middle aged, old and ancient, and the singing and music was so powerful it moved me to tears. We then walked back into the city and basically bar-hopped for the rest of the evening while we waited for the fireworks to start at midnight to herald Valencia Day. We had drinks, tapas & pinchos (like tiny tapas) in several places, then went down to the Turia Gardens, the old riverbank/park area, for the fireworks.




The streetlights were switched off at a minute to midnight in anticipation, then a great display started; the Spanish like lots of noise with their displays, and we certainly got it, but we also enjoyed a very colourful spectacle that lasted for 20 minutes. Starbursts, shooting rockets, flowers, rain of stars – they were all there and announced Valencia Day with many bangs, then we made our weary way back to the apartment for a good night's sleep.