debris4spike | Entries tagged with portugal

On the day afetr the wedding the 3 of us got a taxi to Nazaré

As they were tired the plan was to have a swim, and then they would snooze while I went sightseeing ... but, as you can see, no swimming

Still the views from the top were amazing

So we went down to the beach (thus the 1st photo) and this further image (although it was very hazy

They settled down to snooze while I headed back up to the town

And then to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré

This image, near the doorway shows the Legend of Nazaré
Sanctuary_of_Our_Lady_of_Nazar_(26)

And the Memory Hermitage of Nazaré is where the original miracle happened

A trly stunning town, and well worth a visit if you get a chance.

Yes, a morning off and so far I have done some cleaning, and defrosted my freezer (the one over the fridge in the kitchen). I still need to do my spare freezer in my shed, and hope to do it once I have done this. I still have some more photos to edit, and post, but whether I get those done before I head out later or not, I don't know. This afternoon I am having some treatment on my calf/ankle injury ... it's almost a year since I tore that muscle and I get so far, and then re-injure it again ... so frustrating. As you can see here I strap it off and on, but don't want to have to rely on that (so, yes, you get an extra photo here, taken of me having fun ... yes, taking a photo in Leiria)

After treatment I am then heading into work until late-ish. So although I am busy this morning I am going to have a longish lunch.

I do hope everyone's Friday is going well ... can't believe a week ago I was at Ana & Martin's wedding. Almost 3 years of waiting, and now it's been over for a week ... time is certainly weird ... or maybe I should quote Dr Who and say its “People assume that time is a strict progression from cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.”

On that philosophical point I shall answer the meme question, and get on -

26. Have you ever square-danced or line-danced? When was the last time you did any sort of dancing (not counting when alone in your home!)?
Dancing is nit something I do (a lot of school bullying solved that!). However, I have square-danced twice ... my cousins wedding in 19991, and my brother's in 1992. Then at my nephew's wedding last month I "danced". I have also done one formal dance once, when I was at a dinner-dance when I was in the band ... Dave our conductor danced with all the ladies, and his answer to my comment that I don't dance is that I can count a beat (as I was in his band), and he was a strong leader. So, therefore, 4 dances in all my life! Bet the rest of you can't list the numbers!!

Right, more housework calls ... see you tomorrow x

A few photoos from the wedding here.

It was a lovely day, but very long & hot! The 3 of us got to the Church at about 11.30, and I left before them, as I only stayed until 2am!!! Apparently the Portuguese have a "day" organised ... complete with dancers, caterers etc ... and we had 4 meals in that time. I have an odd allergy, and Ana had told the cateres that I couldn't have dairy (which is not correct, but an easy explanation) and just as the 3rd course of the main meal was being served another cater suddenly came up to our table and yelled "Stop. Deborah" It turned out that what they were serving ad a butter sauce ... but talk about everyone looking at me! Two of the other 9 know me well enough, but the others just stared! Anyway, as I have said that I will post the phot out of order as this was our table ... 5 of the 10 work at the hospital, 2 have done, and the others are Martins life-long friend & Ana's friend from Uni & her brother.

Anyway ... lets get to some serive photos.

The Church suprised me as it was modern ...

And here are the 2 bridesmaids who both work at the hospital, and to say they don't like each other is a bit of an understatement! Ironically, Elena used to live next door to me!

The service started with them arriving, then Lily, the Godfather & an Aunt

Then the Bride & her Mum & Dad

The Priest was lovely with a long welcome in Portuguese, then a Bible reading in English by Martin's step-father. They then had their wedding vows in English. Then they did Lily's Christening. Some in the same location, but some at the font with just the 3 of them, the 2 Godparents & the priest ... that suprised me as I thought part of the service was to promised to support the family. Anyway, this is them coming back from that part of the service -

Then we had a hymn sung by a trio in Portuguese ... I was standing next to Miguel an ex-work collegue who translated the chorus for me. Then there was a sermon that the Priest did in Portuguese, then repeated the whole thing in English ... I was very impressed, and he seemed to have a nice relaxed atmosphere about him, as well.
They then went and signed the register while we exited the Church, ready to welcome them -

They then chatted to people and that is where I took this photo ... before being driven to the reception venue.

While waiting for things to start I snapped this photo of Ceri & Juliet as a reminder of how hot it was -

The Bride & Groom had some more official photos like this one -

Before cutting Lily's cake -

We then had the main meal (as I said ealier), and after the 6 courses (I mean we didn't need much as we had already had plates of hors d'oeuvres, so obviously only needed a snack!). Anyway, after that the caters all did a dance routine, before dragging up the wedding party to re-do it ... amazing fun.

After that we headed outside for assorted games, and dances, and chats -

At about 10.30 we went back into the reception hall for another meal, although only 3 courses this time ... then outside so they could cut the cake -

With all the fireworks there were some more photos taken -

Then back inside for their first dance, and by now it was midnight -

And then, of course, another meal! This one was buffte so I got some fruit, which was a welcome reprieve.

One thing I hadn't mentioned was that there were 150 guests, as half of Ana's family couldn't make it, and half of Martin's family wouldn't come (apparently there are a lot of family feuds going on ... so sad). And, to top it all, it was a free bar from start to finish. So my final question is "Have Ana & Martin started saving for Lily's wedding, yet?"

After we had seen the castle we walked through the town, and a drink in the park, lunch, and then had a swim in the afternoon, before going out for a meal in the evening.

Near the hotel -

Lunch -

(I had waffles)

Some of the local architectural scenery-

In the park -

Some of the street art -

Ready for dinner -

And, that evening we saw this view from our hotel window -

As you saw yesterday we were staying in the town of Leiria ... and from our hotel you could see the castle ... so on our first day we decided to walk there. As you know, I love sightseeing ... but my friends don't ... but the walk, and to see the view was their aim, so a good trip for all 3 of us.

So we walked "up" to The Castle of Leiria

View from the hotel -

The Church, near the top -

In the museum -

Yes, I am back and there will be loads of photos to share over the coming days ... you have been warned!

Anyway, here are a couple to prove I was away ...

Ana & Martin -

With Juliet and Ceri (one of the bridesmaids) ... the 2 I travelled with

and me in the town sign!

So Christine is coming over soon ... hopefully for a walk, but that depends on the weather. She is also hoping to see some photos, so maybe we will do that instead! So, until she comes I will try to sort out the phots, a bit ... for me, as well as so I can post some here.

How have you all been? I will try to catch up a bit later.

As I am all up to date here, I will close, with apologies for this scimpy post ... will get back to you soon x

One of the towns we visited was Neuve Chapelle and oone of the things we saw there was the Neuve-Chapelle Indian Memorial ... containing names of Indian troops with no known graves, as well as POW's from both wars who had died and been cremated ...

Locally we also saw this ....

It had been a crucifix outside the Church. And, no, it doesn't have one large branch, that's an unexploded German Bomb (although now made safe!!)