The many childbirth’s and the constant hard labour of day to day life had taken its toll, depriving them of the beauty they had once possessed.  It was only on the children's faces that this beauty was still fresh. Happy and smiling, untouched by the cares and worries of life, they walked relaxed alongside the wagons. The teenagers of the clan accompanied their younger brothers and sisters alongside the wagons. The boys, handsome and strongly muscled would blow kisses and catcall any pretty girl they happened to see. Occasionally, some spirited female would smile and wave back, immediately to be marched away by an outraged guardian. In many ways, it was easy to see why every year some angry and irate fathers descended on the encampment, with complaints of incidents between his daughter and some young man. Normally his complaints were met by a shrug of the shoulders and a muttered statement about nature always having its way. Invariably, the frustrated parent had to make his way back through crowds of grinning youths having gained no satisfaction.

  If the young men were described as attractive, the young girls were stunningly beautiful. And, like their male counterparts, they to caused their share of problems between the two communities. As they walked through the streets alongside their kin, they were the main attraction for every hot-blooded man.

  Dressed in traditional costumes that consisted of a tight fitting dress that hugged their voluptuous figures to the best advantage. They strutted along with a `come and get me' look and a sensuous smile on their lips. Their long dark hair flowed over the shoulders and fell down nearly to the waist. Set nestling snugly in the hair was a pretty flower that could never match that of the wearer.

  The young men of the valley needed only one look to set their blood pumping fire, and their minds filling with erotic dreams of passion. Passions which would have shocked the older generation had they been able to read minds. Despite their lusts, the valley people knew better than to approach these girls. They were so jealously protected by their men folk, a knife in a dark ally would be the only result of a liaison. Rumours told of many young men found dead after trying to fulfilis fantasies.  It seemed the Gypsies held a very one-sided view of nature’s way.  Following the wagons and their human contingent; came the mighty horse herd rounded up among the hills of Andalucía. Never before had the villagers witnessed so large a herd. Countless hooves pounded the dirt tracks, combining with the high pitched neighing of their owners to create the major contribution to the deafening clamour. Around the horses rode the caballeros, cracking whips and shouting strange commands the animals seemed to understand. The equestrian skills of the riders made the last part of the Gypsy procession a spectacle nobody wanted to miss.

  Onwards the convoy rolled, passing through more towns and villages. The wheels from over a hundred vehicles and countless horses ripping up the damp winter soil leaving behind a churning sea of mud. When finally the procession reached the centre of the valley, they changed direction and headed towards the north wall, a name given to the formidable mountain range which protect the valley from the cold north winds. It was here the Gypsies had chosen to make their encampment.

  As they rolled into the open ground below the north wall, the wagons began to form their customary circles. This was a practiced and well rehearsed routine. Everybody in the clan knew their places and what was required of them.  Observing priorities, they began to form four rings, in each ring a gap only large enough for two or three horses abreast, was left between wagons.  In the outer ring, the gap faced north, the second ring, and 90 degrees away, the gap was facing west. This was repeated at every ring, so as to impede a direct approach by any group that tried to threaten the clan.