I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked by people to take snaps of them in front of  important landmarks. A camera is thrust in my direction, usually a very small compact, with an impossibly slow shutter release, which makes me look as if I’ve never touched a camera in my life.  I fumble and eventually get an image, often after some quick tuition by the owner, showing me how the camera works. My recent holiday was no exception. Though this time, I kept a record with my camera too.

holiday snap on beach at Fuente del Gallo, Conil

This happy group ran up  saying, “Foto, foto”,  and spontaneously assembled themselves in front of me. They all started chanting something, I assumed (and hoped) to be the Spanish equivalent of ‘cheese’.  It sounded like ‘Horchata‘,  (a traditional drink), though my grasp of Spanish is slim, and the Andalucian accent is nigh on impossible for a beginner.  Slightly alarmed, I obliged, but they turned out to be very friendly and good humoured. I even learned a new word ‘arroba’, which is the @ used in email addresses!

holiday snap on beach at Fuente del Gallo, Conil

Another group, who had covered themselves in a grey-green clay found on the beaches locally, which is believed to have beneficial effects.

Holiday snap on beach near Conil

Tomas and his girlfriend covered in the same clay. I did ask him if I could take his picture – and of course took one with their camera too!