THE WEEKEND OF the 24th of November was earmarked for the Franco/José Antonio commemorative rallies.

We met up with some other Brits and then it was off to an A.U.N. (Spanish Nationalist group) meeting for foreigners. Luckily none of it was in English as they talked a lot (in Spanish, French and German) about 'democracy' and winning Euro seats! We sold FCs, traded info. and addresses (the Germans won the funny costumes prize again). After lunch (not bad for £7.50) we set off for the Valle again (see the report below) to give out hundreds of leaflets in Spanish, and to chat to lots of locals on their way to the Mass for José Antonio and Franco. Then outside at the end we sang lots of songs, one popular anti-Red one was also changed into an anti-Right song, which was good as since his death José Antonio has been a 'prisoner' of the right. We sang that song very loudly and did not do too badly when it came to the 'Cara Al Sol' too (that's not what I heard - ed.). It was then back to Madrid for a beer and bed. Sadly later that night one of the lads from another group got lifted with a few Germans after a disagreement with a Black chap.

On the Sunday there were two rallies at the same time! Some of our number leafleted one rally early and then rejoined us at our stall. At this point the Welsh Comrade lent the English a flag pole as they forgot to bring one with their flag. Our flags, banner, leaflets, stickers etc. went down very well. Almost everyone at the demo was happy to let the press alone, but when a couple of Yanks started to film us we gave chase, but they got away.

We spent most of our time at the A.U.N. rally which was held, we think, after a bust up last year over the King.

All in all it was a long week, but very good with lots of contacts old and new. As José Antonio said:

"The members of that youth, of which I form a part, consider it not merely a bad thing that there should be a dictatorship of the Right or a dictatorship of the Left, but even bad that there should be such a thing as a political Right or Left at all."

THE PILGRIMAGE TO THE VALLEY OF THE FALLEN

ON THE 19TH of November the English, Welsh and Polish Third Positionists got to Madrid. Sometime that night a Spanish group planned to walk from Madrid to the Valle de los Caidos. We didn't know who, from where or at what time! We did not have much luck finding out the details, so we thought about walking by ourselves. To that end we went into a tourist office. When asked for the directions the girl said "It's 60 kilometres". I told her I knew that but did not know the route . . . "But it's 60 kilometres" came the reply . . . this went on a bit longer until we left none the wiser.

We later found the Falange Español de J.O.N.S. at about 10pm in the rain outside the birth place of José Antonio. They asked us not to carry our Legionary banner until we were out of the city. As we left behind the 3 - 400 'supporters' at the edge of the city out came the banner, only to have some jobsworth try to get our Welsh flag put away (s## off!). We stayed a metre or so behind the March of about 20 people at first, but we were soon part of it as they did it in relay; i.e. walk a few miles and then hop on a coach while others took over. This happened about ten times. This wasn't for us - we walked it all (as the chappy who gave treatment for one unfortunate's mega blisters will confirm). On route, we lowered our flags as we passed near the grave of Ramiro Ledesma, met a lot of good Spanish activists and were given a 'medicinal' drink at one change over. It was a long walk, but well worth it! Rumours that Ranting Ron to get free entry to the Valle are unfounded . . . or so he says.