Fishing (II)

The older ones remembered the 316 sea breams caught in the Port. The news even appeared in EL IRIS at that time. And, before handing the original to the printer, I asked Pepe Seguí who confirmed the figure.

But today I want to tell the other side of the coin: It was during the years when Mr. Juan Aparicio was Director General of Press. He visited Ciudadela. I accompanied him during his stay in my capacity as Director of EL IRIS. He stayed in the only hotel establishment that existed at that time, the Fonda Faner.

Well. We invited him and the Seguí Serra brothers to go fishing, by boat. We left just at daybreak. On the way there, towards Artrutx, we set longlines. Then, already in the South, with the kites we spent the whole morning fishing for "serrans". They didn't bite, and we didn't catch one.

Worn down, we started our return with our hopes set on the longlines. Nothing. The bait was untouched.

Then, over the calm sea, we spotted a sleeping turtle. In a flash we got it on board. It weighed about 40 kilos. And already back at the Port our mouths were watering as we heard Juan Seguí tell us about the menu that awaited us: "Panadera" (stew) of turtle, with artichokes, broad beans, peas, tender potatoes and soups of country bread. For the second course, turtle meatballs in tomato sauce.

The turtle must be left tied up for a few days at sea so that it loses fat (which is very bitter). So we did and as soon as we put it in the water, in the Port, it broke its tie and swam calmly towards the Lighthouse.

We did what in sailor and city terms we call "'capot".

Luckily, at dusk we organised a crab roast in front of Can Tanu (what is now the Manolo Restaurant): The bonfire on the dock itself. And for five pesetas a crab.

PS: After writing this page, TVE announced that tomorrow Sunday in "'A FONDO"' at 10:30 p.m. on the second channel, Mr. Juan Aparicio will be the character interviewed.