News from yesterdays Diario De Navarra – Yesterday, the 1st of June, as every year, the carpenters of Hermanos Aldaz, de Puente la Reina, started to build the vallados (barriers) for the course of the Sanfermin encierro, starting on Santo Domingo. In total the barriers consist of 2,700 boards and almost 900 posts.

When the vallados are being built, you know it’s almost time for…fiesta!

UPDATE: Sanferminencierro added a little photo sequence on their Facebook page.

Location: Calle Estafeta/Telefonica, Pamplona, Navarra
Description: Within minutes of the final rocket firing after the finish of the encierro, the carpenters from Hermanos Aldaz Remiro are on the streets, removing the vallados, with great force and speed.

Every year, the carpenters from Aldaz Remiro start the installation of the fencing in early June, getting ready for July.

One piece of advice: these guys don’t take any prisoners: get in the way of their work, and they’ll move you out of the way, very quickly, especially if you look abit drunk.

Location: Plaza Consistorial,Pamplona, Navarra
Description: The fencing which runs alongside the course of the encierro during Sanfermin is called the vallado. Every June, the vallados are taken out of storage in the Casa de Misericordia, and the work of installing them is started. In 2009, 900 poles and 1800 crossbeams were used on the fencing.

These are the fences that protect people from the bulls, and also protect the bulls from the people. There are two sets of fencing, which create a secure area for the Red Cross to work, for the police to stand guard, and for the photographers and videographers to capture the exciting encierro.

As is tradition, the carpentry firm of Aldaz Remiro de Puente carry out this important job.

Last year during the encierros, I was lucky to get a great position at the entrance to el Callejón. Waiting for 2 hours in front of the vallados..I ended up smelling them (out of boredom!). They smelled like chocolate and strong coffee. Next year, give them a smell, see what you think.

For more information, have a look at this post on Sanferminencierros.com (NB: Castellano only).