A fortunate series of events and a very happy ending!

Here at jacaranda Spain, we try to encourage those who choose to relocate to the beautiful Vall de Pop, to embrace the Spanish lifestyle and integrate with the local people. The team at Jacaranda Spain always "practice what we preach" and all of us have many friends in the villages and communities here.

My Spanish friends include a group of farmers who allow me to join them every day for “almuerzo”, the important meal (for some it is a social occasion), that the Spanish enjoy around 10am, between breakfast and lunch. Many fascinating topics come up to be discussed, debated and resolved. Sometimes it can get heated and there can be some strong opinions, but there is always a good natured “agree to disagree” attitude! 

Around six months ago I took a call from a couple who had decided, very reluctantly, to sell their second home in Spain. Some clients regard their real estate agent as someone to get the job done, but some see you as a friend and someone who can offer advice and help them navigate the selling process. Sue and Tim Burrows are a lovely couple who had owned their Spanish holiday home for many years. Sadly, they decided that, as they rarely used their second home these days, it was time to let it go. As they didn´t reside here full time, they needed help with clearing the house after the sale and getting rid of the things that they didn´t want to transport back to the UK. One such item was a treasured piano. They told me that they did not want money for it, they wanted only to have it go to a good home, with someone that would value it just for enjoyment. 

That week, at almuerzo, I shared my predicament over the piano with my Spanish friends. My friends were amazed that these kind people wanted, no more and no less, than to see the piano loved as it should be by someone who enjoyed music as much as they did. Some of my friends play instruments and are involved in the towns orchestras and choirs. Gabriel, Ximo, Juanjo and Juan Terrenti put their heads together and came up with an idea, and the piano found its new home- in the "Església de Santa Maria de Xaló" (Church of Saint Marys in Jalón)  -no less!

The piano has become part of the towns masses and social gatherings now, and this news has given great joy to Mr and Mrs Burrows. They gave up their home in Jalón, with great sadness, after many years and a lot of happy memories. It seems fitting that by giving their prized piano to the community, they are giving back to the local people with thanks.

It was as a result of this great kindness, that I came to be invited into the church to see the preparations for the celebratory mass for the patron saint. My friend Gabriel and I were given the keys to the church and I felt privileged to explore the areas not open to the public, before the congregation arrived. 

We climbed to the top of the bell tower, via a very narrow staircase, and spent a few minutes just enjoying the views of the town and admiring the magnificent bells. We soon spotted the rest of the group of friends on their way to bar Paqui for almuerzo. Gabriel decided there was only one way to attract their attention….

So, if you were in Jalón on Monday, you may well have wondered why the bell rang randomly one time? This is a story that we will dine out on for a long time!

Although I can claim no thanks for the gift to the church, I was rewarded for arranging the moving of the precious cargo with a real treat and the Spanish farmers and I have another happy tale to tell! 

Many thanks to Sue and Tim Burrows for your kindness. The team at Jacaranda Spain, and the community in Jalón, want to send you luck and best wishes for your future adventures!