Sorry it's been so long!

I really thought that after the summer we've had I would find I had so much time on my hands - but no! I don't know here the last 3 weeks have gone but they have. So going back three weeks this is what has been happening at number 6.

Way back in June I was reading Diane's (of Heart Shaped) blog entitled Streets in the sky about Peddler's market it sounded very much our kind of thing so I joined the facebook group in order to keep up with happenings and so we didn't miss their next event. It was to be on the 2nd and 3rd of October so it got put on our calendar. David and I decided to go on the Friday night - early. That was a good move as although the live music hadn't started when we left, there were huge queues for the bars and food stalls. It certainly didn't disappoint us with it's incredible variety of food and for David craft beers. Here a few pictures which hopefully will give you an idea of what was happening and the atmosphere

You understand what I meant about the queues, but it was just brilliant!!!

The following weekend saw us away in the caravan in Shrewsbury, where we linked up with my brother and sister in law and also a long standing Canadian friend, Charles and his wife and family. We had never been to Shrewsbury before and what a delightful place it is. Beautiful architecture, narrow streets and independent shops - here is a little taster

and then there was the market hall.

 A classic 60's building which might not inspire you to go in but if you go to Shrewsbury it's a must. It's not big but there is a huge variety of stalls selling 'vintage' , secondhand books, bric a brac, fruit and veg. etc etc.

 and then there was the eating places - the very reason we had gone in. I was looking for a place called 'The Bird's Nest'. We found it in the very back corner

What a little gem! interesting food at very reasonable prices

 On leaving there we discovered even more eating stalls round the edge including a seafood and oyster bar, noodle bar and tapas.

By now we needed to work off our lunch so walked in a circle along the river and back through the town.

I particularly love seeing the backs of houses, and although these were on a slope their owners had made the most of the space they had.

We ended up at the castle 

and on climbing onto the walls had this view over the railway and beyond.

That leads me very nicely on to our outing the next day - the Llanfair to Welshpool railway. One of the reasons we all went to Shrewsbury was that Charles is now the General manager of the Llanfair and Welshpool railway and David and my brother Ian being great steam railway enthusiasts were very keen to visit it. They were in their element with a personal tour round all the places that the general public don't get to see and then there was the return trip down the line.

I can't believe how many photos were taken but four is enough to put on here. 

All too soon Ian and Anne had to leave and we were the only van left on the site still bathed in sunshine.

Last weekend  were we lucky to have all our children plus Nina for Sunday lunch, which was lovely but goodness I don't know if I'm not very good at cooking a traditional Sunday lunch but it seem to take me all morning to sort out in order for us to eat at 2pm and I'd made the pudding the day before!

All change this week as I am on my own and will be for another two weeks as David is helping to take a 38ft yacht from France to Greece. I have a list of jobs to complete whilst he is away some of which are long overdue! but intend to make time to keep you up to date a little better than of late so I'll say goodbye and see you soon xx

Wedding number 2

Well it's all over, two weddings in 7 weeks and two very different weddings but with some little touches that were the same.
This is what Charlotte posted on facebook

Wowzers, what a week.....

1 missed flight, 3 trashed hire cars, 1 broken mirror, 2 Ricardos, 6 surfboards, 50 family and friends, 5 children, 5 babies, 2 bumps, 19 hens, 20 stags, a Portuguese maid outfit, 10 kilos of sushi, 5* spa time, 1 Tagus boat trip, slut drops and shots, daddy day care carnage, the biggest house you have ever seen, spag Bol, 100's of bottles of wine, lunches, beaches, 1 French manicure mission, lost sunglasses, 4 groomsmen, 2 beautiful bridesmaids,1 gorgeous flower girl, 2 cute page boys, a brilliant speech, a bride and groom, happy tears, the most incredible perfect day ❤ thank you to all our amazing friends and family - we love you! 

and that rather summed up our week at The Quinta da Arriaga near Sintra

Things were going quite well for us - we reached Stanstead in good time, meeting Jonathan who had come by train from London. We even arrived in Lisbon10 minutes before Charlotte and Angus's flight instead of 10 minutes after - so far so good. We collected our cases and went to wait for Charlotte etc and it was then that things started to go a little wrong when it became apparent that they had missed their flight. Having checked all their stuff in including surf boards they went to take the car to the car park and didn't get back in time. As this news was coming in we had our little hiccup - our hire car had been booked for October not September. We eventually sorted it and got on our way hot and hungry David promising to stop at the first beach bar we saw, that being in Estoril - my did that first drink taste good

 onwards and westwards we arrived at the Quinta. I love these first few pictures of the place

 but just look at the inside

one of the sitting areas

the imposing staircase

a walk through from the front garden to the back

the downstairs bedroom corridor

the kitchen/dining room - that was work in progress as it had just 4 electric hobs, an oven the size of a microwave and a stainless steel sink set into an old door frame balances on two big old radiators!

This is the view from the front windows

and from the back ones

 the back garden

 Quite a place!

The main house and the 'stable block was occupied by the wedding party - all 20 of them + children, toddlers and babies. 

David and I stayed at the lovely Sea Belvedere in Penedo about 5 minutes away by car and a 10 minute walk downhill. This was our view

and 'our place' up the hill

very comfortable.

We spent a lot of time driving from it to the Qunita during our week but also managed trips to the beaches and lido

we had meals out and in with the wedding party

a trip into Cascais to sort our hire car out

and then of course there was the wedding.

The morning of the wedding, vows were being written

button holes were being made

a bridesmaid was lounging around in her pj's whilst the other was driving all over trying to find nail varnish

outside a transformation was taking place, a table was being set up

chairs were being put out and steps prepared for wedding guests

 a reception area was being set out

We went down to the beach for coffee

and had time for lunch

before going back to the Quinta where guests were arriving

 and had the odd beer

 and played a competitive games of table football

grandparents looked after their grand children

meanwhile a bride was getting ready

then guests took their places

 page boys appeared

  then a flower girl

 followed by bridesmaids

and finally the bride

and the wedding took place

lots of smiles and tears

baskets of homemade confetti were ready

for throwing

drinks were drunk

 and pictures taken ( just the odd one!)

a bouquet was thrown

  and caught

and our 'You're all our favourites' children stood together

the BBQ's had been lit and we were called to the table

 speeches were said

 and food was eaten

 a cake was cut

 and the dancing began

and all the while the babies slept

With a bar closing at 3am it was quite a night or so I've heard as we chose to leave about 2am and leave them all to it.

So what for us now? well wait and see  xxxxx