Category Archives: Holiday

Dec11

Smiling down

Posted on December 11, 2015 by MeRaw

Friday 11th December

“I know you’re in
Heaven smiling down”

I think that’s what is keeping me together at the moment.
Knowing you’re in heaven.
You always said you wanted to go to heaven, and not the other place.
You made it, I’m sure.
And you’re smiling.

Aboard Rum Raisin, Bermuda, 1994

And here you are smiling down on me, on the prow of my father’s yacht: a cheeky grin, and a big wave for the camera. (I’m not sure your brother was as enthusiastic though, looking slightly uncertain there). I was cast adrift in the tender to take some photographs as you all sailed majestically past.

It was the first ever time we, as a family, had gone to stay with him, on board. Our first yachting holiday to Bermuda, the start of so many fun adventures.

We didn’t really know what to expect, we took far too much luggage, including snorkels, flippers, lilos, beach umbrella, sun tent, ice box……. It’s a miracle the boat stayed afloat with all the extra weight of us four and our belongings.

Rum Raisin cutting through the waves

Rum Raisin truly was a great yacht, with its black hull and red sails; a veritable pirate ship.

You did have a lot of fun on that holiday, even though you left the drinking water tap running all day on our first sail out of The Cut. Never mind, we found a marina later that afternoon, and filled up with fresh water. I thought my father would be very cross, but he accepted it as one of those things. Children, eh?

Rum Raisin from the clifftop

When not sailing, we visited the beautiful Crystal Caves, the busy Swizzle Inn, Horseshoe Bay and Elbow Beach, as well as the capital, Hamilton and the Royal Naval Dockyard.

We spent an amazing three weeks cruising on the azure blue sea, dodging a passing hurricane, sailing past the spectacular QE2, watching a round-the-island speedboat race, and you boys behaving yourselves with your grandfather.

Such superb, seafaring memories.

Fly free, My Angel.
My Love, fly high.
It’s ‘see you later’,
It’s not, ‘goodbye’.

Love you forever.
Beloved Angel son.
xxxxxxx

Dec9

The memory of a life well spent

Posted on December 9, 2015 by MeRaw

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Wednesday 9th December

“The life given us by nature is short,
but the memory of a life well spent
is eternal.” Cicero

A life well spent?
Of that I’m sure.
Around the world
On one big tour.

Fun and laughter,
A terrific education.
New experiences
Whilst on vacation.

Happy families
Traveling together.
Making memories
In sunny weather.

Here you are with Kenneth the Pan Man, at Cascreole Restaurant in Castara, Tobago in 2002. We had anchored my dad’s yacht out in the bay, and come ashore in the dingy to find somewhere for lunch.

As we were sitting on the rooftop of this restaurant a man sets up his steel drums and plays for us, then offers to teach you how to play ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star’. How honoured did you feel? You felt so good at being able to have a go on the steel drums, and as I remember, you were pretty good at it too.

Having finished our lunch, we spent time on the beach, snorkelling, swimming and making sandcastles. Such lush, tropical surroundings, crystal clear seas, with the coconut palms growing on the beach, leaning over the waves. Paradise.

Dreams and memories of happy times.

Blowing kisses to heaven.
Love you forever.
Sweet Angel son.
xxxxxx

Jingle bells for you xxx

Love you xxx

Dec2

Just can’t believe you’re gone

Posted on December 2, 2015 by MeRaw

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Wednesday 2nd December

This is our last day on holiday with your brother and his girlfriend.
We awake early, pack, have a coffee, then load up the car.
We are heading for Portugal, ultimately for Lisbon airport, but first we stop at a little seaside town, Caparica, for lunch.

Your brother had recommended a sushi restaurant, so we sit down and order……..
My goodness, what a spread.

Part of our lunch order

Spectacular sushi

We then need a little exercise to walk off our lunch. The sea had some good waves, with many surfers enjoying the swell. The local fishermen were bringing in today’s catch up on the sand.
We sat for a while, on a rocky pier, in the warm afternoon sunshine.

View of Caparica from the pier

Your brother, wishing he was out surfing too

You enjoyed the sunshine too

Fishermen with their boat and tractors, hauling in the net

Fishermen against a blue and cloudy sky

And I thought of you.
This is our first holiday where you haven’t been able to join us.
It took much soul searching for us to make up our minds to go away without you.
You were always such a huge part of our travel plans.
You absolutely loved coming away on holiday with us.
And now, everything has changed.

And sometimes, I still just can’t believe you’re gone………

I miss you so, so much.
Thinking of you tonight.
Love you, baby.
Angel son.
xxxxx

Dec1

I miss having you to talk to

Posted on December 1, 2015 by MeRaw

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Tuesday 1st December

We start the day by taking your brother’s girlfriend’s dog for a walk. It is a super friendly American bull terrier called Danko; so very strong and full of energy.

Danko eating a bone

Late morning, and we pick up Ana’s father, and drive to Elvas in Portugal for lunch. As we enter the city we pass a marvellous four-tier aqueduct, 130 feet tall, that stretches for almost four miles.

The aqueduct at Elvas

We have a traditional Portuguese spread for lunch. Beginning with breads, olives, cheese, tuna paté and linguica, this is swiftly followed by bacalhau, a dish of salt cod, scrambled eggs and fried potato matchsticks. When all the plates are cleared, platters of churrasquiera, hot and spicy chicken are presented to us. The peri-peri hot oil makes one’s mouth tingle with the heat of chillies.
We complete the meal with a huge plate of the most wonderful mouth-watering desserts. Sericaia topped with a sugar plum, molotov flan, multi-layered coffee cake, baked apple, caramel tart and more.

A selection of Portuguese desserts

Around the table

Beer, red wine and a Portuguese liqueur, Beirão, all slipped down quite easily during the many courses.

Feeling quite comfortably full, we have a little wander around the castle of Elvas.

Elvas castle

You, sitting on the castle walls

The sun going down behind the church inside the castle walls

Another hill top fort can be seen in the distance

Inside the city walls

Driving back to Badajoz as the sun begins to set, the colours in the sky turning a glowing orange.

The sun beginning to set over the river Guadiana

Parking quickly, we walk through the plaza to watch the sunset from the top of the castle walls, the Alcazaba, an ancient Moorish citadel.

Castle walls in the last of the sunshine

You, on the castle walls of Badajoz

A dramatic sky

We then walk back through the Plaza Alto, to the car, and make our way back home.

Plaza Alto

In the Plaza

You were there too

The Plaza decorations

And so we come to the end of our last full day with your brother and girlfriend’s family. If only you could actually have been here with us, I’m sure you would have loved everything about Spain and Portugal.

We love you so very much.
Missing you every day.
Thinking about you always.
And I miss having you to talk to.
Fly high sweetie pie.
Sleep tight darling.
Beloved Angel son.

xxxxx

Your flowers today. Looking lovely. Being cared for by your Auntie.

Nov30

Thinking of you, again

Posted on November 30, 2015 by MeRaw

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Monday 30th November

Today your brother drove Dad and I to the ancient Roman city of Mérida, about forty minutes North of Badajoz.
The amphitheatre, arena and gardens were absolutely spectacular.
Mérida was founded in 25 BC, and preserves more important Roman monuments than any other city in Spain.

The view from the entrance

Roman remains

The amphitheatre

The stage

Imagine gladiators, lions and other beasts in the arena

Roman arch

Roman columns

Shadows

Julio Cesar Augusto

Entrance to the amphitheatre

Columns and statues in the amphitheatre

Livia, the wife of Emperor Augustus stands over the entrance to the amphitheatre

Gardens and ruins of Mérida

Having left the amphitheatre, we drove to the road beside the river, and walked along part of the oldest, ancient Roman bridge, and looked at more ruins of the Alcazabar.

Puente Romano over the river Guadiana

Puente Romano

Sitting on the oldest, longest Roman bridge

You were posing in front of a statue of Romulus and Remus

Your brother then drove us back to Badajoz, just in time for dinner.
The sky was beautiful, at first with a few whispy clouds, then a magnificent fiery sunset.
A wonderful end to a lovely day.

Big sky

Fire in the sky

Amazing colours

We do miss you my darling.
Our days are just not the same.

You would loved to have heard the stories of gladiators fighting the lions, or the emperor giving a thumbs down to the poor, losing opponent following combat in the stadium.

We wish you were still here, enjoying new places and sightseeing with us.

It’s just not the same.

Love you forever.
Beloved Angel son.
xxxxx

Nov29

You are missed

Posted on November 29, 2015 by MeRaw

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Sunday 29th November

This morning we found a Starbucks in Seville for breakfast coffee, watched the trams glide through the plaza, listened to the horses hooves pull the carriages around and marvelled at an impromptu flamenco dancer and guitar player.

Seville tram

The view from Starbucks

Then we walked to the cathedral and wandered around inside.
The cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral, and third largest church in the world. It houses an amazing art collection, with huge paintings by Goya, Murillo and Zubaran. We also stood at the tomb of Christopher Columbus’ son.

The tomb of Christopher Columbus' son

High ceilings

Inside the cathedral

Magnificent ceilings, an impressive organ, many stained glass windows and massive doorways filled us with awe and wonderment.

Gilded frieze

Sunday morning mass

One of the many stained glass windows

We then walked on to the Alcázar Palace and Gardens, home of the Spanish royal family when they are in Seville. Opulent architecture, elegant gardens, majestic walkways and fabulous water features greeted us at every twist and turn.

Walking towards the palace

Palace entrance plaza

Arabic influences everywhere

A superb mosaic ceiling

Intricate outdoor embellishment

Arches and porticos and colonades

Wonderful mosaics

Fabulous ceiling

All in all very cultural day exploring old Seville.
I’m not sure what you would have made of it, perhaps preferring more modern shops, bookstores and malls.
But you came along with us, every step of the way.

Terrifically tall palm tree

Blue skies

Spiky tree

Your brother and his girlfriend

Fountain and an avenue of trees

Mosaic bench

Mid-morning snack with you

Beautiful bouganvillea

Fish filled pond

Angel bear in front of the palace

Family photo ~ with you on my lap

Making our way back to the hotel

A quick stop by the river before leaving Seville

Love you forever.
You never leave my mind.
Precious Angel son.
xxxxx

Your flowers today

A new robin at your resting place ~ kindly bought by your aunt

Nov27

You never leave my mind

Posted on November 27, 2015 by MeRaw

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Friday 27th November

This morning we explored the old city of Badajoz , where your brother’s girlfriend lives. So many narrow streets, terracotta tiled rooves, and castle battlements, plus the sky was an amazing azure blue. A very pleasant November day.

The rooftops of Badajoz

Plaza Alto

The rooves of Badajoz

Plaza Alto

Narrow streets

Graffiti on the walls of old Badajoz

Balconies and wrought iron work

The house where we are staying ~ as blue as the sky

The house

Lemon trees in the garden

Palm tree in the garden

And of course, you are with us too.

We miss you so much.
It would have been wonderful to have you here with us.
Exploring, new adventures, experiences, people, foods, language.
You would have a great time.
Love you forever.
Beloved Angel son.
xxxxxx

Nov26

Miss you everyday

Posted on November 26, 2015 by MeRaw

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Thursday 26th November

Today was spent exploring the old city of Lisbon, and climbing to the top of Castelo di Sao Jorge. Spectacular views of the rooftops, churches and river beyond could be seen. It was an exceptionally clear, blue sky day, and much warmer than normal.

We took the little Angel teddy bear with us, so you could be there too. I think you would have liked to explore the castle. There was even a tour guide dressed up in a suit of armour complete with metal helmet.

Angel teddy on the battlements of the castle

Looking out across the city

Angel teddy at the Castelo de Sao Jorge

Inside the castle walls

On the battlements again

Peacocks in the castle grounds

After the exploration of the castle we took a tram ride around the city, through steep, narrow cobbled streets. We saw many restaurant and cafe tables on the pavements, sheltered with large parasols, tuk tuks weaving in and out of the traffic, and of course many tourists enjoying the unseasonably warm, sunny weather.

Lisbon tram

Tram coming down the cobbled street

Our morning libation, complete with ice cream

You would have loved the ice-cream ~ kiwi and rum raisin.

Late afternoon saw us leaving the city and heading east to your brother’s girlfriend’s house across the border in Spain. A wonderful sunset accompanied us, followed by the rising of the full moon.

I wish you could have been here with us too.
I miss your fun and cheekiness as we explore new places.
You would have loved the sights, sounds and smells of Lisbon.

Love you my Angel.
Sleep tight darling.
xxxxx

Your flowers today

Nov25

Every day

Posted on November 25, 2015 by MeRaw

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Wednesday 25th November

“Do I miss you?
Every day.”

After much deliberation of shall we, shan’t we, ummming and arrrrring, we decided to get away for a few days.
And so here we are, in Lisbon.

We left Exeter yesterday afternoon, and stayed overnight in an airport hotel in London.

We have come to visit with your brother and his girlfriend. He has wanted to see us for a long time now, and had pestered us into flying out for a few days.
His girlfriend lives in Spain, two hours East of Lisbon.
You would have liked to travel with us, never having been to Spain or Portugal before, and it is only a quick two hour flight from London.
But we have brought you here, with us, in our hearts forever.
And the Angel teddy bear came out with us tonight for tapas and a beer.

Angel teddy in Lisbon

I somehow feel guilty coming away without you, leaving you behind.
But you are with us, aren’t you?
And my sister will be visiting your resting place, tending the flowers for us, for you.

Your flowers today

Love you so very much my darling.
xxxx

Nov4

A hero like you

Posted on November 4, 2015 by MeRaw

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Wednesday 4th November

“The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a
hero like you.”

Superheroes and Supervillains: you loved everything and anything to do with the Marvel characters.

We have many comics of yours upstairs, some still in their protective plastic sleeves, as they are old editions.
We have your Marvel books, videos, DVD’s, toys and t-shirts, too.

Really and truly you liked the Supervillains more, those who were up to no good, those who thought they could get away with their evil deeds. They were the naughty, but exciting ones to you.

And here you are in the clutches of the Green Goblin, one of the villains who plagued Spiderman:

Captured by the Green Goblin

This photograph was taken on one of our earlier visits to Marvel Super Hero Island of Adventure in Orlando. You had an amazing time, testing out all the rides, meeting the characters, and wandering in and out of the shops.
You were so happy, enthralled by everything you saw.

Even as you grew up, and became a young man, our annual summer vacations to America, (and a few during the Christmas holidays too), always had to include trips to the theme parks of Orlando. You never grew tired of the Hulk or Spider-Man rides at Islands of Adventure.

Over at Universal Studios, you always had fun on the Men in Black ride, shooting all the aliens:

MIB August 20th 2013 (We're in the front)

And one year, we found a secret route to get back on the Mummy ride, without having to queue again. A bit sneaky, but you thought it was hilarious.

The Revenge of the Mummy. August 20th 2013

You were eleven when we first went to Orlando, and twenty nine on our last visit. The magic was as special for you in 2014, as it had been in 1996.

Having Asperger Syndrome, you felt comfortable with a planned routine, and sorting out our itinerary was one of the things you enjoyed before we set off. You always remembered where the rides were, as if you kept a map of each park in your head. You never forgot.

I wish we could continue with our theme park trips.
But it just wouldn’t be the same without you, now.
For many, many years you allowed us, (and brought a child-like fun into our lives), to be able to enjoy these times for so long.
We made so many happy memories with you, and your brother.
Our ‘family’ life was very much extended, because of you.
We were so very fortunate to share your ‘childhood’ for as long as we did.
Fun times, simple pleasures, no worries, happy days.
Your brother stopped coming on holiday with us, when he was seventeen: it wasn’t really ‘cool’ to vacation with mum and dad anymore.
But you, you never moved on, or moved away from us. We were your family, your life, your everything, for thirty wonderful years.

And we miss you so very much.

My Superhero Angel.
Love you forever.
Darling son.
xxxxx