Yearly Archives: 2017

Apr15

Your brother came too

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Saturday 15th April
  

We spent this morning wandering and shopping, weaving our way round and about the narrow streets of Faro. Stopping for coffee, browsing, window shopping, or having a rest in the shade. 

Early afternoon, your brother and his girlfriend arrived. They had been driving around the Algarve for the past few days, stopping at little beaches and coves, hoping for wind, so that they could do some kite surfing. However it has been quite calm, so they were out of luck.

We watched a beautiful sunset this evening over the marina, then found a typical Portuguese restaurant tucked away in the back streets, and sampled tuna, cod, bream and sea bass, finished off with traditional almond and nougat cake. Suitably full, we toddled off back to our hotel.

Wishing you too were here to enjoy time with us. 

The thing was, just before we left the hotel this evening, a friend of yours from Junior School posted a photo of you my darling, as part of a group who put on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You were the narrator, and were probably about ten years old.

A sweet memory and a gentle reminder that you are still with us.

Love you poppet.

xxxxxx

Here you are sweetie. In the line up for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Your brother loves Faro

Walking through the old town

More cobbled streets

Interesting door and balconies

Ironwork balconies and graffiti

Beautiful architecture

Fantastic tiles and ironwork

Portuguese souvenirs

Enjoying a cold beer

Stillness in the marina

Watching the sunset

A warm golden glow

Apr14

Boat trip

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Friday 14th April
  

This morning we took a boat trip to the outer islands surrounding Faro. The weather was glorious, not too hot, but plenty of sunscreen was applied beforehand. Out first stop was Isla Deserta, not really a deserted island, as apparently there is one inhabitant and lots of day trippers, plus a restaurant that has been there for twenty or so years. We had a little explore over the sand and dunes, picked up a few shells and saw a starfish. Lots of bird life make their home on these islands, and we saw terns, egrets, cormorants, oystercatchers and a white spoonbill.

Another short boat ride took us to Farol Island where we stopped for some lunch, and further exploring. The Lighthouse Island. 

Upon our return to land, having been recommended by our boat captain, we tried the local firewater ~ Medronho Aguadente ~ seriously strong licor. Much more to our taste is Beirão ~ smooth and wonderfully palatable.

And of course, Frankie Angel Bear came along for the trip. Think you would have enjoyed yourself, and I’m sure the captain would have let you have a go at steering the boat, like another young chap was allowed to do.

Missing you on this holiday my darling.

xxxxxx 

Blue skies and sea

Such clear water

Starfish in the shallows

Across the dunes

Our pontoon boat

Stopping for a cold beer

Boats on the beach

Sparkling water

Enjoying a walk on the sand

Fabulous aloe

Passing the old city as we head back

Will we fit beneath the railway bridge, as we head back to the marina?

Beirão with Frankie Angel Bear

Apr13

Better Together

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Thursday 13th April
  

There was a lot less walking today! Perhaps we over did it yesterday. But anyway, we (slowly) walked around the shops, marina and market. Faro is such a great place to soak up the wonderful atmosphere and people watch.

Love you so much sweetheart.

Wish we could be together again. It certainly is better together…….

xxxxxx

Dad’s breakfast ~ cappuccino and pastel de nata

Wonderful orange trees everywhere

Cobbled streets and cafés


You came with us for lunch, overlooking the marina. Jack Johnson and ‘Better together’ was playing over the speakers. You loved ‘Banana Pancakes’

The marina today

An orange man 😀

Large palm trees

A faint kiss in the sky (from you?)

Silly selfie time again 😎


Sun going down over the children’s carousel

Warm evening

Warm skies

Graffiti everywhere


Apr12

Faro walkabout

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Wednesday 12th April
  

What a fabulously​ sunny, blue-sky day it has been.

We left the hotel about 10:30am, and spent seven hours walking around the marina, old town and cathedral. Shaded, cobbled streets were full of interesting shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.

And then back again this evening to watch the sun set, see the sky turn pink and just generally chill out, sit back and people watch.

And of course Frankie Angel Bear came too.
Love you sweetheart

xxxxxx

Santo Amaro Church, complete with massive nest and storks

Requisite selfie

I’m in Faro

Morning cappuccino

Inside the Old Town. Orange trees and cathedral

Inside Faro cathedral

Wonderful mosaics

Amazing gilt covered carvings

Spectacular

The Chapel of Bones

View from the tower, at the top of the cathedral

Orange trees line the road

The bells, the bells……

More bells

Looking over Faro


Cooling in the shade

Frankie Angel Bear in the cloisters

Another entrance to the Old Town

Arches through the arch

Beautifully cobbled streets

Shaded shopping

Tiles and mosaics everywhere

Frankie Angel Bear on Dad’s shoulder

The marina

Apr10

My darling Angel

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Monday 10th April
  

You are my darling Angel

I miss you so very much

The tears still flow now and then

I’d still like your hand to touch.

  

You’ll always be my Angel

I love you with all my heart

The pain will always be there

But we’ll never be apart.

  

Beloved precious son

xxxxxx

Pretty blue skies over the harbour

Looking towards Smeatons Pier

Apr8

Wasn’t expecting that….

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Saturday 8th April
  

Well, I wasn’t expecting that…….

We had arranged to take my mum out for lunch today. She was looking forward to a day out from the care home, and enjoy the sunshine.

When I arrived mid-morning, a carer was on the phone to a doctor, as my mum was complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath. Paramedics and an ambulance were called, and just under three hours later we had arrived at the accident and emergency department of the hospital.

Blood tests, obs, ECG and an x-ray were carried out. There has definitely been some sort of cardiac event. At five o’clock she was taken up to the Medical Admissions Unit to await results.

Knowing that the cemetery gates are locked at sunset, we decided to leave mum and hurry back to come and see you. Arriving at seven o’clock, yes, the gates had been locked, but it was still sunny with blue skies. However, the side pedestrian gate was unlocked, thank goodness.

We needed to see you today. Two years ago, this became your final resting place. It was so peaceful, the last few rays of the sun were dancing through the trees, a few birds were still singing and your heart ornaments were tinkling in the breeze.

We love you so much sweetie, and we miss you more each day.

Arriving back at the hospital, the results were still to be forthcoming. However, just after nine o’clock we finally saw a senior consultant who was happy the second set of bloods showed no significant heightened activity of a particular enzyme, and he would begin the discharge process. Huge sighs of relief all round. 

We finally left mum, safely tucked up in bed and arrived home ourselves just before ten thirty.

So, I certainly wasn’t expecting all that to happen today.

Love you my darling

Precious Angel son

xxxxxx 

The view from the care home gardens this morning

Although the gates were locked, we managed to get in via a small side entrance

We needed to see you my darling

The rising moon, between the two large trees

Your beautiful, bright flowers

Apr7

Two years ago

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Friday 7th April

  

Two years ago was your church service, attended by so many family, friends, acquaintances and locals from the town.

Such a sad, sad day; and we have missed you every single day since then.

You were such a huge part of so many lives.

We love you so very, very much my darling.

I’m still looking for you in rainbows.

xxxxxx

Beautiful blue harbour

Such a pretty day again

Apr6

 Dancing in the Sky

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Thursday 6th April 

   
I came across this beautiful video today, sung by Dani and Lizzy, twins from Vancouver. The song was written by Lizzy, after a friend passed away. 

The words are perfect. 

I do hope you are dancing in the sky too, and singing with a choir of angels. That would be just perfect. 

Love you my sweetheart. 

Darling Angel son. 

xxxxxx 

“Dancing In The Sky”

[Verse 1:]
Tell me, what does it look like in heaven?
Is it peaceful? Is it free like they say?
Does the sun shine bright forever?
Have your fears and your pain gone away?

[Pre-hook:]
‘Cause here on earth it feels like everything good is missing since you left
And here on earth everything’s different, there’s an emptiness

[Hook:]
Oh-oh, I,
I hope you’re dancing in the sky
I hope you’re singing in the angel’s choir
I hope the angels know what they have
I’ll bet it’s so nice up in heaven since you arrived

[Verse 2:]
So tell me, what do you do up in heaven?
Are your days filled with love and light?
Is there music? Is there art and invention?
Tell me are you happy? Are you more alive?

[Pre-Hook:]
‘Cause here on earth it feels like everything good is missing since you left
And here on earth everything’s different, there’s an emptiness

[Hook:]
Oh-oh, I,
I hope you’re dancing in the sky
And I hope you’re singing in the angel’s choir
And I hope the angels know what they have
I’ll bet it’s so nice up in heaven since you arrived

I hope you’re dancing in the sky
And I hope you’re singing in the angel’s choir
And I hope the angels know what they have
I’ll bet it’s so nice up in heaven since you arrived
Since you arrived

Becoming warmer at the beach

Blue skies with a few light clouds