After a few days in Sidi Ifni we were on nodding acquaintance with an eclectic group of people staying on the site: British, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Swiss as well as a group of young Australians, there for the surfing. It was Christmas Eve and we had a pile of olive wood that we bought from Hamid in Meski (chopped up by Benny).
The idea was to light a fire on Christmas Day in the afternoon and invite anyone to bring along some meat to cook on the barbecue. Our nearest camping neighbour was Patrick, a Frenchman and retired chef. He sprang into action and produced hors-d’œuvres and too many bottles of sparkling wine.
As the flames of the fire died down we put the meat on the barbecue – chicken, T-bone steaks and lamb cutlets. We also had jacket potatoes and salads, falafel and many more offerings. One German family was vegan and managed to find plenty to eat.
At the height of the party there were twenty or more of us, sitting in the evening sunshine having a Christmas barbecue. When the sun’s heat finally declined, we moved around the fire. There was music and quite a lot of “racist” banter between the Frogs and les Rosbifs.
Recipe for a good neighbourhood party: Light bonfire and open a bottle.
