Do you remember the series Those Wonderful Years? It was broadcast in Spain at the end of the eighties. Well, today I am going to emulate its protagonist, Kevin Arnold, whose voice-over of his adult self narrated his adolescence in America in the 70s, and I will tell you what our summers were like in La Vecilla, a town in León located about 20 kilometers away. from La Robla, in the valley of the Curueño river.
At that time, we Asturians, eager for sun and heat, crossed the Pajares to go “to dry” in León. We started going to La Vecilla invited by my uncles, Azucena and Ovidio, who rented a house during the two summer months. The town hooked us in such a way that we spent summers there until the end of the 80s. They were the best summers of my life.
Our first residence was the house of Irene, a small and lively lady who lived behind the church. It was a spacious and comfortable home but it did not have a bathroom. To relieve yourself you had to go out to the patio, to an attached room, where there was a toilet. How afraid I was at night when I had to go out to that room! And a shower or bathtub, not to mention. A basin in the hallway, a jug of fresh water and grooming yourself like cats.
It is true that we spent our lives on the Curueño River. It is very wrong to say it now and doing it today would be unthinkable, but more than once we soaped our heads and bodies in its pools and washed our jeans by rubbing them with a stone. They were different times. And both the pants and our hair looked spectacular. The Curueño River! What moments we spent there and what exquisite trout lived in its waters. The water was so cold that you jumped in suddenly, screamed from the contrast in temperature, and your head hurt for a long time until you acclimatized to the heat outside. How many tadpoles, snakes, shoe snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders, crabs and various bugs delighted our games. My brother was a crack at hunting them. Until one day a snake almost took him to the other neighborhood. But even so, he remained fascinated with lizards and snakes.
In La Vecilla we moved by bicycle. In the morning, my mother would send me to the stable for freshly milked milk. I had the milk jug hooked to the handlebars and looked for sunny areas during the journey because in León, in the shade and early, it is cool. Unlike my brothers, who had a BH and a Torrot, my bike was from the German brand Dixi and had a fixed gear. This means that if you pushed the pedals backwards, it braked hard. It was a delight to drift with her. By bike we went to the river, with the towel on our shoulders like all beach luggage (no sunscreen, glasses, snacks, games or clothes to change like now), we went to do the shopping (at the only Spar there was or at Casa Chana, a bar-shop with a lot of tradition), we went to the neighboring towns (La Cándana or Otero), to the square, to the chocolates or to the cemetery, at night, to tell scary stories. I have never pedaled so fast in my life as when I returned from those forays into the cemetery. In the night and in the silence, I imagined that all the ghosts were running after me.
Each generation had its gang and it was unthinkable for some to mix with others. There was also a certain rivalry between those who spent their summers in the upper part of the town, in the chalets, where the Orejas and the station were, and those of us who spent their summers below, where the square, the church and the Post Office were. And what can we say about the relationship between vacationers and those from the town. There was everything, like in Botica. If I have to be frank, my memories and my affections lean toward the local people. For my dear friend Luis, postman from La Vecilla, who so many times left me the Vespino with which he delivered the mail and with whom I spent many afternoons chatting and flipping through magazines in the kiosk he ran next to the El Cruce bar, owned at that time from his brother Juanma. Even today, I am proud of their friendship. Or Celsa, who played soccer like no one else, Manolita, now mayor, and Carmina, whom I once accompanied with the cows, the three daughters of Pepe, the sheriff, and Carola. And I don't continue because it would be non-stop.
Evoking my beloved Leonese town also brings back memories of immense losses. My brother Juancho, who enjoyed La Vecilla like no one else, created a thousand tricks and made many of my childhood friends fall in love with his guitar and his sweet voice (something that at that time, in the close relationships of teenage brothers, I did not even understand. for better or worse. “But what do you see in him?” he asked them). Or Alfredo, his friend for whom I sighed summer after summer. They were both born in the same month of the same year and both died just 60 days apart in car accidents. Both too young. I always remember you.
In La Vecilla we all, parents and children, went to the same nightclub, Chicos. More than anything because it was the only one there was. There, on the occasion of a summer contest, my brother and Chus, a very friendly Basque vacationer, performed in the place's first full striptease, encouraged by my mother, in the front row, and disapproved by the rest of the vacationers. Of course, Juancho and Chus won the contest, but they caused a lot of talk.
In the town, we could spend entire afternoons eating Facundo pipes (whose slogan read: “And the bull said when he died, I'm sorry to leave this world without trying Facundo pipes”), sitting in the square, in the shadow of a negrillon that no longer exists today. , or vibrate in community, always in El Cruce, with the mountain stages of the Vuelta Ciclista a España. At that time, this round was held in the summer and Perico Delgado had us glued to the television. Well, I have to admit that Pello Ruíz Cabestany, with a less outstanding record but very nice, was my weakness. We also played hard-fought games of chapolin or worked hard playing cards. In La Vecilla they drank water from a jug, beer from a jug and champagne from a giant glass, after winning one of the soccer tournaments that were held between neighboring towns. To attend these meetings, my father claims that he put 14 people in a 132. Crazy! Although it doesn't work out for me.
Those wonderful summers you ended up with your body drilled by horseflies and you walked through cow dung and avoiding enormous toads, whether alive or crushed by some implacable vehicle. There was a parish priest, Don Serafín, who reminded you of the obligation to go to mass on Sundays and a bailiff who, a little embarrassed and I fear incited by the priest, called out some adult woman for being scantily clad while walking through the church. town. There was also a prison, today rehabilitated and transformed into the Town Hall, a slaughterhouse, now a cultural center, a hollow tree and a yellow bridge. And some cool, starry nights in which the firmament came down on you. And storms that left you speechless and an unforgettable smell of wet earth. And some fun parties with sack races or cucaña races in the river.
I feel very lucky to have had such a happy childhood in such a lovely town. Today not so many people go there, despite it being beautiful. Houses, buildings and sidewalks have been rehabilitated and the river is as beautiful as ever. I highly recommend visiting it and having something cool at the beach bar that Pablo and his family run next to the river. A note: they have cider. Vanessa, Belén, Martín and I went three Sundays ago and we had a great time. There we met our friend Luis, with whom we appear in the photo below. The Curueño water was great and we took the opportunity, in addition to taking a few swims, to take some photos with some clothes from El Antiguo Iriarte. T-shirts, camisoles and sweaters ideal for the Leonese summers. Until next time.
Tags: bicycle, The Vecilla, Lion, gang, pipes, town, river, vacation, summer
47 responses to “Those wonderful summers”
1. Garcia Cernuda Jose Daniel via Facebook July 27, 2015
Wonderful recollection of the summers of the seventies that we children of the baby boom lived through…. I was in a lost village in western Asturias, but everything was so similar... reading it and starting to remember songs, smells, moments and how much nostalgia. All these sensations avalanche friend Sandra Solis. Congratulations on your article, I really liked it…..
2. Cris Diaz via Facebook July 27, 2015
What a beautiful memory #AThoseWonderfulYears
3. Luis Diez through Facebook July 27, 2015
Great as always Sandra, what beautiful memories! And it's good that I am among those memories. In the town and especially in my family, you were always very loved.
4. Rocío Rico Psychologist through Facebook July 27, 2015
<3 <3
And I have to tell you that, although I was still very small, your brother was gorgeous!! My brothers remember him with great affection 🙂
5. Isabel Alonso Martin via Facebook July 27, 2015
Very handsome. You write very well, girl.
6. Belen Suarez Garcia via Facebook July 27, 2015
Mnnmnn…! what memories!!!
We all have some town, some bug, some friend, some first love that lives in our memory and... they come out as soon as the fiber is touched...
Very nice and fresh report!!!
7. Carmen Sierra Robles via Facebook July 27, 2015
Sandra, I was moved reading your memories of your time at La Vecilla. And remembering your brother and Alfredo with whom we shared some mischief. I'm sorry I didn't see you the day you were in La Vecilla. I think you know who I am, if not I remind you that the last years you spent in La Vecilla you were at my house.
8. César Inclán through Facebook July 27, 2015
I could go on to infinity and I would still lack words to express what I feel after reading these lines. But I want to be brief, like those summers in a town that, despite being so long, flew by. What you have written is simply wonderful, Sandra. A delight.
9. Cami Rodriguez Tascon via Facebook July 27, 2015
What he said is beautiful and real, although I didn't relate to you, I remember your parents and of course your handsome brother, I didn't know that he is no longer among us, I remember his famous and dangerous jumps from the top of the rock to the river, I saw him and admired his courage. Your story moved me, thank you.
10. The old go through Facebook July 27, 2015
I have forgotten my good habits as a journalist and I have not verified some information, but have written based on my memories. But there are two errors that I would like to correct: Luis was not a postman for La Vecilla but for Boñar and the Vuelta a España was held in April at that time. What we saw in El Cruce was the Tour de France. I think that's where my mistakes end.
either Montse Perez July 28, 2015
Hello Sandra, I loved your words. The summers of La Vecilla are something unrepeatable. We talked about it once we saw each other at La Carta. Your memories have moved me. They were authentic and intense summers. With little we were happy. A big kiss.
§ Elantiguoiriarte July 28, 2015
Hello Montse. Thank you for reading my ramblings and for being moved by my words. I have only organized thoughts and memories that people of our generation share. We were very lucky to enjoy those summers. That's how I feel. And there are so many left in the pipeline. But I have enjoyed writing it and returning to our dear Vecilla. And I loved hearing from you. Always. A kiss.
11. Susana Blazquez Gomez via Facebook July 27, 2015
I loved it…my best memories are of the summers in Mi Pueblo….
12. Eloy Goa Bulls via Facebook July 8, 2015
Wow memories….juanchin….and I also remember that the dog was well fed…delicious cdiomida ría I love you…..
13. Ignacio Garcia Rodriguez through FacebookJuly 28, 2015
Beautiful how you have related what was also my childhood and adolescence. Indelible memories.
14. Enrique Pinin through Facebook July 28, 2015
Wonderful report my dear friend Sandra Solis…..
15. Ana Costillas Gutierrez via Facebook July 28, 2015
I loved
16. frank July 28, 2015
Oh Sandra, oh Vanesa and oh Juancho
Beautiful and wonderful memories for La Vecilla. I really want to go back, I think I will do it in August and I hope to meet the people from before, at least those from there, in fact Luis, Carmina, Manolita, Celsa,... how many games, how many memories, how many bike rides and how many trips to Cándana to play, I was the goalkeeper. How different everything was, how many people you meet today who continue to surprise you with some anecdote.
Good story and I take this opportunity to send greetings to Luis del Kiosko, who could almost become a family hehe, hehe,…
Frank (Oviedo)
either Luis July 28, 2015
Hello Frank, what a joy to hear from you, how long it's been a long time since we've seen each other, your sister Montse. You were also one of those people every summer, what joy you brought to La Vecilla, the vacationers, even though there were always disputes between those from the town and those who arrived. Indeed, we almost became family, the war that my niece gave me, hahaha. How beautiful what Sandra has written! So many memories, right? If you dare to go in August, let's see if we agree. Regards to all your family, especially to Montse. A hug.
§ Montse Perez July 29, 2015
Hello Luis, how happy it makes me to greet you and that you have remembered me. Those summers in La Vecilla were wonderful and I will never forget them. Sandra has reminded us of many great things that we experienced there. A big kiss friend.
§ Luis July 30, 2015
A big kiss Montse, look where we are, thanks to our friend Sandra. Of course I remember you, although look at how many years it's been since we've seen each other.
either Jose Angel Rios August 3, 2015
Hello good friend Fran, I hope you will answer me since since college I no longer know about you, mobile phones began and I have lost track of you. I sent you my phone number: 629553190, and I hope to hear from you soon. A hug for you and your family.
either Jose Angel Rios August 3, 2015
A precious memory, Sandra. I take this opportunity to remind you Frank that I am also already in La Vecilla in August and to see if we are lucky enough to see each other, my phone number is 629553190 and here is my email, jariosierra@yahoo.es, to contact me, a hug for you and your family.
17. Rebeca Orihuela Sancho via Facebook July 28, 2015
I spent the summers of my childhood in Barrillos de Curueño, bathing in that same river. They were also the best summers of my life, unfortunately I went recently and the river was no longer there. Everything you say reminds me of my childhood in that town. Thank you
18. Covadonga Fdez-Tresguerres through Facebook July 28, 2015
Wonderful. And now they have to remain the same... Wonderful. But there is a nostalgia that tickles.
19. Carmen D. Barroso via Facebook July 28, 2015
wow, what memories, the tent next to the river, a great weekend...unforgettable...summer loves anyway. brilliant!!!
20. Covadonga Fernandez July 28, 2015
What memories!! The best summers and some of the best moments of my life. Thanks Sandra, a pleasure to read you. A kiss
either Elantiguoiriarte July 29, 2015
Thanks to you Cova for reading me and for taking the time to write me a few lines. I am very happy that you liked the text and that you identify with my good memories. A kiss.
21. Cesareo Fernandez July 28, 2015
Dear Sandra and family: What a joy to hear from you again. After so many years of summer neighborliness, the events of our lives have distanced us. I remember very well when, every day, you brought freshly milked milk from our house, just to mention a Living Mountain of fond memories. Our family will NEVER forget ANY of you, but will always remember you with love.
Cease.
either Elantiguoiriarte July 29, 2015
Hi Cesar. Since I started writing this blog, this has been the entry that has had the most readers and comments. Don't see how excited I am because I have written it from the heart. I love La Vecilla so much that I always say that, despite not having been born there, I feel it as if it were my town. That's why I'm excited that its people, that you, remember us with so much affection. My parents have never returned, but Vane and I enjoy sporadic getaways and even my daughter, who is 12 years old and has never spent the summer there, loves bathing in Curueño. Thank you for reading the post, for participating and sharing your memories and for your kind words. A hug.
22. Isabel July 28, 2015
It's wonderful, as you said, my grandmother was born there, La Vecilla. She arrived in Argentina many years ago, she has always talked to me about land, I hug you from a distance.
either Elantiguoiriarte July 29, 2015
What a joy and what an illusion that you have read my summer adventures through your grandmother's lands. Precisely, Martín, my partner, who accompanied me on the visit to La Vecilla, is Argentine. I send you a huge hug and thank you for your comment, Isabel.
23. Manuel Gomez July 29, 2015
A very complete story, very beautiful, and one that knows perfectly the secret that allows it to “touch” the sensitive chord. Very good; bordering on excellence, I would even say. Who said that the main ingredient of nostalgia is sadness? Greetings.
either Elantiguoiriarte July 29, 2015
Hello Manuel. Thank you very much for reading my text and for your words. And, I totally agree with you. Many times, when I remember experiences from my past, I catch myself smiling because of the emotions it provokes in me. I feel a happy nostalgia. That's the feeling I get when I remember those summers. What a great time I had and how lucky I was. And now that I have stopped to organize those memories, the painful and the wonderful, putting them into writing, I have had a great time. What to tell you when you see how many people share my feelings. I loved your comment.
24. Tomas Sainz July 29, 2015
Endearing narration of indelible experiences in memory. I liked it.
either Elantiguoiriarte July 29, 2015
Thank you very much Tomas.
25. Rachel Martin July 30, 2015
I loved your story. What beautiful memories...I have been excited to relive them again, and many more memories that come to mind like the afternoons we spent on the Crossroads bench watching the cars go by, waiting for one to fall into the dam...
Sandra I was happy to hear from you, you are great, as always. I don't know if you remember me, as you said in your story, each generation had its gang. I was one of the vacationers who hung out with the townspeople, and with my dear cousin Conchi. Every summer we played soccer against those from La Cándana and we went to all the games from town to town cheering on our boys from La Vecilla.
A kiss. I take this opportunity to send a big hug to Montse Pérez, who had not heard from her for a long time and we spent many afternoons cycling together…
either Elantiguoiriarte July 30, 2015
Raquel! Of course we remember you. And your cousin Conchi. Vanessa and I have read your comment together (we are in the store) and we remember you perfectly. I enjoyed writing this blog entry like a little girl, I had been thinking about making this tribute to La Vecilla for some time, but what I didn't imagine was that I would like it so much and that it would make me hear from people I had lost years ago. track. To Montse, as you say. To Manolita, Celsa, Carmen, Carmina, Luis, Cesáreo, Frank, Guiomar, Cova, Rosa, Pablo... And now to you. Thank you for reading and for sharing your memories. There are so many... Those cars and those trucks that got stuck on the El Cruce curve, as you can tell. Or our beloved barber, who repaired all of our bike punctures. And those soccer games from town to town… I love that you reached out. A huge kiss, Raquel.
26. Begoña July 30, 2015
Sándra, when I saw this photo 'the first thing that came up was the memory of those who are not here now, your brother, Javier el basco, Margarita...
It is these summers, these ones that you say have made me leave Bordeaux to come live here. Thank you for sharing these memories, and doing so in such a beautiful style.
either Elantiguoiriarte July 31, 2015
You're welcome, Begoña. I am the one who feels deeply grateful, for the acceptance that my memories have had. Each person perceives the same event differently, however, it seems that all of us who participated in those summers and that time share the same feeling of nostalgic happiness. In fact, all those missing people continue to live in us, in our memories and in our hearts. I keep all my experiences like gold in cloth, and I don't give up any of them. I owe them the person I am. I send you a big hug and I hope that your decision to leave Bordeaux and live here has made you happier.
27. Cora Geme July 30, 2015
What a beautiful first-person narration. I have felt very identified in the description of the summers of my childhood. They were not in La Vecilla but in Alcedo de Alba, but more than once we went by bike to La Vecilla. And there I also made my first and only steps as a nefarious fisherwoman... You have made me relive very beautiful things. Thank you!! And we also share the friendship of a great man.. Luis, who is a great quality of person.. Greetings!!
either Elantiguoiriarte July 31, 2015
Thank you Cora for your comment. I feel really excited to see that my story has penetrated so deeply and provokes such beautiful memories in many people. I'm glad that your summers have been so magical and that someone as special as Luis is part of your life. A hug.
28. Lydia Diez Thick August 9, 2015
What a joy to meet so many people!! I loved your story Sandra! I just went back 25 years at one point!! So many good memories!! A huge kiss for everyone!!
29. Feank August 11, 2015
Sandra, please know that as a result of this entry on your Blog, many of us have recovered the contact that we have not had for years with childhood friends.
Thank you!
30. Doming August 13, 2015
Delicious post!!! I am not at all surprised by the immense number of people for whom you have evoked good moments by telling us about your adventures in La Vecilla. The honesty and truth of the text transcends you. And of course, I am another of many who had the fortune of spending the summer in our childhood and -early- youth in a town in Cuéntame. In my case also in León, although further south. How big are the Facundo pipes!!!
Congratulations and thank you very much!!!
31. Marga Gonzalez via Facebook August 21, 2015
Dear Sandra... There is no space to write so many memories..., your parents; Irene's house; your cousins... I remember a lot about your brother and especially about you and those beautiful summers... I have one unfinished business: take my daddy before his memories are completely erased. A strong kiss. You are as beautiful as always!!!! Loam
32. Carlos Quintas October 6, 2015
Hello, I'm Carlos from the cycle tourism meetings this August in Asturias, although in the end I didn't finish the route and I said goodbye at the Soto de Luiña stage.
The comments on this blog about your childhood-adolescence in La Vecilla are very cool, I remember mine in this case in a village in Orense called Soto.
The best thing that has happened to me. By the way, this weekend I will be walking near that area doing hiking routes through the Alto Bersnega and through Pola de Gordon.
Spectacular and very heartfelt chronicle about Vecilla, you have to buy or rent a house in the town.
