Well
what a difference from the hacking coughs and colds of winter, the
forerunner no doubt to being diagnosed with a defective mitral heart
valve with the prospect of major heart surgery at the end of the year.
Although it put paid to a trip to the Canaries (unnecessarily as it
turned out) and a proposed trip to South America it didn't stop me
flying to Faro in September where I hired
a car and drove first to the town of Tavira on the way to Spain for a little quiet time before the wedding celebrations.
This
proved to be rather interesting once I arrived at the town, due to a
festival of local foods and crafts which necessitated road closures
along the route to my hotel. Eventually parked outside using on the
instruction of the receptionist 'the portugese method' ie reversing
back along a one way street. Hotel in lovely position on the River
Gilao with stunning views from the roof terrace.
Including
the 'roman' bridge, so much repaired few ancient parts left but very
pretty.
My
room had a terrace too and a very stylish interior, good value at
65 euros a night, provided you don't need a TV in your room!
Since
I was here for very gentle sight seeing before the wedding, decided
to check out the Ilha de Tavira beach. The island is at the mouth of
the river and reached by a ferry from the town.
You
pass salt flats
on the way down the river and caught a fishing boat being chased by the gulls
there were plenty of fish to see when we docked at the island
and walked across the island to a very fine beach indeed with a number of
restaurants, more crowded than I like my beaches (I'm spoilt by my
Crete beach) but possible to find a spot if you walk a bit.
Went
to a very charming restaurant in the evening where everything home made, service slow
(home made.......) but wine good and had fabulous meal so worth the wait,
check out the Food Factory, I think you have to book at weekends. I
did try and visit some churches that I had glimpsed on my first
evening but they all seemed shut. The Italians could teach them a
thing or to.
Another
restful day on the beach including a sardine lunch, possibly the
first sardines I've had on my visits here which is odd since Portugal
famous for them! Out for supper by the river with a lovely sunset.
Spent
quite a while driving back past Faro (or not hence 'a while'!) to
Lagos and Kyria and Kevin's lovely apartment. High drama in that the
Best Man had been taken to hospital after an accident on Kevin's
motorbike and Kyria's chief bridesmaid's father was seriously ill in
hospital and she might not come. Of which more later. Spent the
evening meeting Kevin's family, one co-incidence is that Kevin's
sister Candice is married to a Davies!
It
was lovely to see the improvements made, the balcony is particularly
inviting with stunning views.
It
turned out that Guy's shoulder was severely injured and needed a
metal plate inserted so he missed the wedding and another of Kevin's
friends as he put it got 'upgraded' to best man for the beach
ceremony. Fortunately Karen's father showed enough signs of
improvement for her to come, and both invalids have continued to
improve.
Made
a quick visit to the reception villa, Kyria practising her relaxing
on the daybed
by
the pool.
Looked
after the photographer as she arrived on the Friday and stayed in the
apartment with me, I'm really looking forward to seeing her photos as
I didn't get the chance to take that many, (she took 2500
apparently!)
The
spot chosen on a beach for the ceremony was lovely and everyone played
their part beautifully with a special mention to Nathaniel who wrote
and performed the ceremony (since they had formally married at
Christmas in Salisbury)
with
a very fine mixture of humour and pathos and so we welcomed Kevin
into the family.
Quite
a few couples took the opportunity to be photographed under the arch
so here are Nathaniel and Jess with Phoebe
The
terrace was beautifully decorated by Kyria and the bridesmaids
with
Phoebe on a mission
It
was lovely to see members of our extended family there alongside some
of Kevin's friends and family from America, Australia and of course
South Africa, so a very international gathering. Managed to catch up
with the family from further afield and then spent some time the
following day with Nathaniel & family before wandering around the
town where I purchased the absolutely best drink for the beach,
forget the beers!
Next
day visited my niece Emma and her family who stayed in Pria de Luz
where I got this great shot of her daughter Bluebell with Phoebe and
Jess,
plus Phoebe showing off her beach style.....
Wednesday
dawned more cloudy and the forecast was not good for the party
arranged for the staff at The Garden who had valiantly kept things
going over the previous weekend.
Still
it looked good, rather more relaxed
with
some beautiful lamb on the spit
So
everything ready and then the rain came!
However
the wind moved things along quite quickly and not that much later
with table cloths removed lunch was served and Phoebe held court for
a while
before
deciding that swimming might be a good idea
The 'real' best man got his chance to make a speech having been discharged from hospital
and
the staff presented a cake to their bosses
and
Phoebe decided she needed a new hat.
Quiet
day on the beach somewhat disrupted by so many surfers, still another
bottle of fizz just slipped down!
Lots
of people leaving on Friday so family supper in the Garden, warmth
back now so pleasant end to a memorable break.
I
had already decided to stay the night before flying home at the
airport before my heart problems were diagnosed which made
for stress free travelling and another really good find, even cheaper
than the previous one (+ TV too) and very well sound proofed for somewhere so
close to the airport.
Pleasant
flight with views of the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth together with
wonderful fluffy clouds to finish the trip
So now the wait until the end of the year or early next for the operation that will hopefully mend everything and let me get back to travelling again without breathlessness and heart ache.
