gareth bouch :: stuff & things

Back from Talavera de la Reina – possibly to be renamed Talavera de la Raina, following some proper Brit-style downpours amidst the baking heat. Nonetheless a brilliant time and a superb fanclub party with lots of friends old and new around to welcome us. Alvaro was of course there, and it was a cracking time.
There’s full reports on the Alvaro sites, and also a decent set of pics in the “Members Only” section of BatiFans.

For this page though, here’s a cool pic of some curiously and yet coolly mismatched tiles on the walls of the Basilica in Talavera.

If you fancy going to somewhere you might not have considered, *DO* go to Talavera; it’s a beautiful, tranquil, and wonderfully friendly place. Not hard to get to from Madrid, and with no shortage of nice food and drink, and of course the Roman archaeology and its famous ceramics. Totally worth visiting. Click here for general information and tourist information…

Can’t wait to go back…

Still somehow seems that I’m barely back from the break on the Costa Dorada (although I’m very aware I’ve still not posted any pics of Tarragona yet, which is a pretty piss-poor state of affairs) – and yet it’s back off to Spain on Friday; this time to Madrid and then on to Talavera de la Reina for the summer fanclub party for Alvaro Bautista.
Last year it was like a big and beautifully landscaped oven in the centre of Spain, with temperatures in the mid thirties – and according to my iPhone’s weather app (always set to Talavera) it’s likely to be little different this weekend.
Extra cold Mahou then… ;-)

In a moment of madness I’ve been persuaded (like I need much persuading!) to do a completely daft but brilliant last-minute trip to Talavera de le Reina this weekend to attend the inaugural party / Fiesta of Alvaro Bautista’s new “FAN’S CLUB”, which is being held at the town’s Palomarejos golfing complex.
As well as bar, F1 simulator and bouncy castle (bouncy castle? they must have known I was coming!) it’ll be a great opportunity to meet the new directiva and to also hopefully renew many old friendships too.

Incredibly excited. Like a bloody kid.

Had a superb break in beautiful Talavera de la Reina, with Tamara and Michaela; having a great time with Alvaro Bautista’s fanclub members ad directors – meeting Bati himself on a number of occasions and having a thoroughly enjoyable time celebrating and making merry.
Here’s some photos of the beautiful town itself – there’s more in my Facebook albums and on the BatiFans.com Fan Forum.

All over far too quickly and I can’t wait to go back…