Bonfires of st john

The custom of lighting bonfires for the summer solstice dates back to early man and represents the sun, the giver of life.
Water has also played a role in ancient customs since a time long since forgotten.
Early Christians carried on these traditions at the same time of year and named it the festival of Saint John so it is not surprising that the modern festival involves flower offerings jumping over fires and jumping into the sea.


We started our day with a trip to Guadalest.




Then went on to Benidorm so some of the boys could watch the England match. While the rest of us, took in the sights.


We returned to the finca at around 6pm and relaxed for a couple of hours before heading off to the beach in Santa Pola to have a BBQ with our local friends and the rest of Santa Pola.
There was a stage (not visible through the smoke in the photo of Sue looking like a smoked Kipper) with bands playing all night. Everyone was happy, there were fireworks and every one (not us) jumped over the fires and then in the sea at midnight.