It was about five years later, in 2015 that a few friends decided to visit Spain. My ears perked up. I had long dreamed of seeing the Book of Games by Alfonso X of Castille. I was determined to try and find out something about the book while I was there. I traced it to a museum at El Escorial, a historical residence of the King of Spain and located about 45 kilometres from Madrid.
After a memorable holiday in Granada, Seville and Toledo, we returned to Madrid to spend a few days. One afternoon, we took a taxi, and after leaving the rest of the group to their own devices made the drive to El Escorial. It was a lovely drive through Spanish countryside and the bells were ringing when we reached the monastery.
Sadly, though the museum was closed and I could only get a fleeting glimpse of the book in a glass fronted cupboard. To me that was exciting enough, and I carried the memory with me as a talisman always seeking to understand more about the origins of traditional games. I never ever thought I would return to Madrid and El Escorial.
Imagine my excitement, when ten years later, in January 2025, I received a letter – “invitation to participate in the XI International Meeting of the Ribera del Duero, which will be held in Aranda de Duero (Spain) from June 16 to 29, 2025, with the central theme “Traditional Games and Heritage”
I had to go. Here was another chance to see the Book of Games.
Ripples Of Life and Time 