Climbing of the pine part two
We followed it around almost out on to the main road in, it stopped frequently for refreshments and at Evey bar on the way, more and more people joined in as it made its way. We were flagging a bit now so headed on ahead to get a drink, we walked up the main road in to the port which had been shut, it was strange to see it that way. After a few drinks we rejoined the crowd and finally arrived at the square, by now the main group had left it to the children and families to pull it the last bit into the square in front of the church.
The crane was ready to host it into place but it seemed to take ages to connect it up ready. During this time the main group of youth seemed to be carrying out some act at the bottom of the tree, it looked to be symbolic of chopping the tree down and the used axes followed by the beat of the drum and again plenty of drinking. Finally the started to raise the pine.
Finally the tree was raised and wedged in place and almost straight away someone shot straight up on to it, at first we though he was getting the rope of but he just kept going.
Other people started joining him, and before long people were fighting to get on it with fists and feet flying, with 500 euros at stake you can understand why.
The first guy all too soon reached the top, it seems in the excitement they didn't grease the tree, but even so it was quite a feat to get up to the top. He reached the top, broke the bag which showered the crowd with confetti and he headed back down to a hero's welcome.
He was carried trough the crowd by his friends and will be the king of his gang for the year. A few others tried afterwords, a few making it and then it was great to see the small children having a go with their parents, no doubt dreaming of when they will be old enough to try for real. The crowd started to drift away and the tree was left standing there gathering more and more graffiti until we left at the weekend.
So a fantastic two days, it was a privilege to see the port at play and to be even a small part of it, great fun, excitement and many memories that will stay with us for a long time. Try and see it if you can, it so worth it.