I also arrived Thursday, believing that as the Ascension is a Solemnity (Trust me, I am a Catholic priest) that the botafumeiro was likely to be used. (I do not come SPECIALLY to see the botafumeiro, but agree that it is a spectacle to behold now and then!) I was vesting for Mass on the Thursday, as the whole town was in 'Ascension Fiesta' mode, when I realised we were wearing red and not white. Therefore NOT the mass of the Ascension. Because as is so commonly the case now, the Ascension is moved (by the National Conference of Bishops) to the following Sunday (ie today as I write (back in Ireland)). And so on Thursday, no botafumeiro.
Friday midday Mass I am guessing we had the botafumeiro in deference to the visting Swiss Bishop who was concelebrating. And again Friday evening we had the (regular) botafumeiro. My nephew/walking companion was chuffed that I got to put the incense in the botafumeiro in the evening........and maybe I was just a bit!![/QUOTE