Category Archives: Special needs

Málaga

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Wednesday 6th December

  

This morning we joined our son’s girlfriend’s father for breakfast, and then went to her brother’s house to meet more family.

Just before midday our son began a long, but very scenic driving route, to Málaga. We stopped for lunch in Sevilla, eating tapas and drinking coffee: polpo y calamares….. octopus and squid ~ the best.

We arrived in Málaga just as the sun was setting, with a perfect view from our holiday apartment. After a quick wash and brush up, we were back in the car, looking for somewhere to eat….. but nowhere to park. The traffic was unbelievable, and no parking spots to be had. Málaga Centro was gridlocked.

Round and round we go, eventually finding a place to park​, one block from the harbour front. Pizza and beers were the order of the day, followed by a long walk around the marina and through the Christmas markets.

You really should be here with us. You would have enjoyed wandering around, with so much to see.

Love you so much my Angel.

Precious son.

Moon and back.

xxxxxx

Leaving Badajoz this morning


Beautiful wispy skies


Our arrival in Málaga


Sunset looking across the bay


The lights at night in Málaga


Looking across to the port, and the Noria de Málaga


Pretty yachts in the marina


Centro Pompidou Málaga ~ contemporary art museum

One thousand days

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Tuesday 5th December

   

One thousand days and empty nights

As though someone turned out the lights

We didn’t know it was close to the end

We really thought you were on the mend

    

No longer we’ll hear the sound of laughter

You didn’t have that ‘Happy ever after’

Emptiness is all that remains

Since you broke free from those mortal chains

     

I tried so hard to save you that night

But you slipped away without a fight

Our darling boy in heaven above

We are sending to you so much love

  

xxxxxx

The view over Badajoz from the castle walls

The old castle gate

Plaza Alta

Beautiful mosaics on the sides of the buildings

Pillars, arches, balconies….

Gardens of the Alcazaba

Pomegranate tree

Cobbled walkway

Such a beautiful day

Lemon tree

Orange tree

Your brother talking to some schoolchildren

Inside the museum

Ancient golden amulet

Fabulous mosaics in the museum

Narrow passageway to Rincón Nazarí

The entrance

Interior patio

Fabulous carved arches and pillars

Moorish themed tea, coffee and cocktail lounge

Frankie Angel Bear and a hubbly bubbly pipe

A cosy corner in Rincón Nazarí

Edificio La Giralda

Beautiful tiles depicting Badajoz

Plaza San Francisco at night ~ a Christmas market

Badajoz

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Monday 4th December

    

Your brother and his girlfriend have lived in Badajoz for three and a half years. We spent the day wandering around the city, practicing our Spanish; ordering breakfast, morning coffee, afternoon beers and dinner.

I think you would have enjoyed it here. A chilly start, but the brightest blue sky all day long. Many palm trees and orange trees lined the avenues and the shops were decorated for the festive season. A large department store had a whole floor of toys, books, electronics and videos. You could have spent all your pocket money here.

Early evening, and we went to check up on your brother ~ he owns an Academy, teaching English to Spanish children and adults. We are there when a class of four year olds are about to begin ~ my, were they noisy! You used to love looking after the youngsters in the nursery where you had a placement, so I’m sure you could have joined in with the lessons too.

We miss you so very much my darling.

Love you to the moon and back.

xxxxxx

The moon at sunrise

Parque Castelar

Palms

Very tall palm trees

Parque Castelar

Beautifully​ coloured leaves on the maple trees, against a perfect blue sky

Lighted trees around the fountains

Avenida de Cristóbal Colon

Decorations of oranges?

Calle Santa Domingo

Flying away

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Sunday 3rd December

    

04:10 alarm awakens

05:30 car parked

06:00 bags dropped

07:20 gate opens

08:10 take off

10:15 land Lisbon

10:40 catch taxi

10:55 coach station

12:00 coach leaves

13:30 stop Evora

14:25 stop Estremoz

14:40 Borba

14:50 stop Terragem

15:10 arrive Elvas

15:30 chicken dinner

17:00 sunset Elvas

17:50 River Guadiana

18:00 moon rise

19:30 hotel Badajoz

   

And we do so wish you were with us

Love you my Angel

xxxxxx

Lisbon aqueduct

Statue of Christ the King at Almada, overlooking Lisbon

Row upon row of vines

Views from the coach: blue skies, olive groves and cork trees 

Cows grazing on very dry earth

Aqueduct at Elvas

Sunset at the top of Elvas old town

Castle at Elvas

Looking over the old town of Elvas

Elvas rooftops

River Guadiana after sunset ~ Badajoz, Spain

Puente de la Universidad

The entrance to the old city of Badajoz

Full moon over the old castle at Badajoz

View from hotel in Badajoz

Learning

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Friday 1st December

   

Learning to carry on

When a piece is missing

All I can do

Is keep reminiscing

  

Learning to breathe

When the heart is broken

Keep making sure

Your name is spoken

  

Learning to live

When a life has gone

Just have to keep

On keeping on

  

My precious Angel son

Now forever young

xxxxxx

Never grows dim

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Thursday 30th November

   

Never the same

I call your name

No-one replies

Tears fall from eyes

  

Empty feeling

Pain revealing

Brokenhearted

You departed

  

Those little things

Happiness brings

Rememb’ring you

A smile so true

  

My darling son

His day is done

My love for him

Never grows dim

  

My Angel

xxxxxx

Feels like

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Wednesday 29th November

   

It still feels like it happened yesterday

I know the relentless agony should soften

Yet the pain is definitely here to stay

But perhaps my tears won’t flow so often

   

Missing you today

Loving you forever

Precious Angel son

xxxxxx

Big, billowing clouds

Panorama of the harbour

Long after you’ve gone

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Tuesday 28th November

    

Long after you’ve gone

Love for you lives on

Though you are not here

I know you’re​ always near

Mem’ries never-ending

Broken hearts want mending

Another day without​ you

And so pain begins anew

   

Missing you

Loving you

Always and forever

Treasured Angel son

xxxxxx

Northerly winds blowing onto Porthmeor Beach

Less breezy in the harbour, but dark clouds over Gwithian

Always loving you

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Monday 27th November

    

Always loving you

Always thinking of you

Always speaking your name

  

Holding your memory

Close to my heart

Holding your soul

  

Never stop speaking your name

Never stop thinking of you

Never stop loving you

  

Never forgotten

But never the same

Love never dies

  

Darling Angel son

xxxxxx