"Romaria" pilgrimage 2

I have written at the bottom of the photos. We were all so lucky. The sun was out, a few drops of rain.

The riders and horses with carriages and charets..took 4 days to arrive .. I was told that it was one of the best "Romarias" for years.

The genteleman on the white horse is a Don.. I need to find out his name and his position in the equestrian circles. He looked so regal dressed in his Alentejo traditional dress.

The Guarda Civil horse guards were mounted ready to lead the procession to the church. Such magnificent horses.




The crowds were cheering and waving. Virgin maria surrounded with beautifu country flowers.
4 horses pulling the carriage with virgin maria.

Here they are all coming.

I was out with my camera to join the crowds on Saturday at 4.30 ,waiting with anticipation the arrival of the 500 participants in the 2012 "Romaria" of Viana do Alentejo.

I found a great place to take photos- and can tell you that the procession brought a tear to my eye. It was truly amazing, it took my breath away.

One could see that the riders and horses were tired from the 4 day journey.

My family were here the weekend. So i did not go to the blessing ceremony. just cant fit it all in.

I have uploaded the photos in no particular order.. I do hope that you enjoy looking at them. It was a wonderful day.

Finishing the evening off having a super dinner with my friend Manuela..

Happy Monday to all my dear blogging friends.

festivities

Today between 5pm and 6pm . I will be off to the village 6k from my quinta. to Viana do Alentejo, to see the horses and carriages arriving on their 12th "Romaria" from Moita. Tomorrow the blessings will take place next to the village church..all passing by in perfect file for the priest to bless them all.

The "Romaria" trek 150km starting in the town of Moita and ending at the sanctuary of "Nossa snr d'aires. The riders and horses are blessed before they leave the church of "Our lady of good voyage" In Moita

The virgin is placed in a special covered carriage and the "Romaria" begins.

A "Romaria" is when the virgin mary who might be the patron of the village is moved from one church to another. This "Romaria is on horsback" Its the most fantastic sight to see.

The horses will be here at "Nossa snr d' Aires" where the virgin will rest. The festivity is to give thanks for good crops and the horses and animals who help the the farmers and the agricultural community.
The beautifully flower decorated carriage that leads the

Romaria.
The carriage the virgin will be taken in, along the route. This ceremony started in the last century and has gathered momentum throughout the years. In the last ten years, people from other countries now join in. Organising horses or bringing their own .
Here are the horses with Carriages, beautiful Charets.. brilliantly groomed horses, some just simple , but all most lovely to see and watch. It is a three day trek.. the followers camp along the way, singing songs and exchanging stories by the camp fire.

Passing by farms and along dirt roads away from the mainstream traffic routes.
Announcing the start of the "Romaria" in Moita.. Many dressed in traditional equestrian attire of the Alentejo.



Living in a Catholic country . We get to have all kinds of lovely festivities.. from the South of the country to the North. One does not need to be Catholic to enjoy these lovely festivities. Every village have their own traditions. The festivities are for everyone. Its a happy occasion.

This Romaria is one of ours. Tonight the streets will be lined with people waiting to see their arrival.

I only wish i was some years younger.. I would be there amongst the riders.

Hope you enjoy this post. We have such wonderful "festas" here life is never dull.

Happy weekend.

Keeping it simple with fashion

Ana with her deep red hair

her signature look

Ana Salazar is one of Portugal's top fashion designers . Her designs are modeled at all the International fashion shows here and abroad.

I like her designs.. They are exotic and different.

Happy Friday to you all

Thank You

To all my dear blogging friends who have joined my blog on my blogging journey.

I recieved the "Sunshine award" yesterday from Dear Thea at "Hearts and Bluebells".So very kind of you Thea, I was delighted to be nominated with the other great bloggers.

At the beginning of this cyber venture! I never thought that i would get so far. Enjoy it so much. You are all special to me.

I am sending you all a fresh bunch of my beautiful yellow roses , I picked early today -

("Val's Award " )to you all.

You have all given me many days of happy reading. My days have been even more full with wondering what I will blog about today. Remembering times gone by and searching for that one special piece of information, hoping that I might inspire you all.

Sometimes good sometimes not, I do my best and write on. You have all left lovely kind comments.

All your blogs are dear to me,and when not too busy , I try to read and answer them all. I have learnt so much from each and everyone of you.

Your lovely homes that you have shared. Your love of fashion and beautiful design, art and ceramics, farm life, collectables and vintage beauty,travels ,fantastic photos, delightful sewing and gardens to die for, history and special projects. All such wonderful blogs. I am so lucky I get to travel around the world nearly every day! how great is that .

You have shared your Families and grandchildren, likes and of things that make us all happy. Its all a wonderful journey, that i hope will continue for years to come.

I have a very special thank you this morning to Dear Helen.. http/:helentilstonpainter blogspot.com

Dear Helen. If it wasnt for you, I would not have started blogging. From the bottom of my heart thank you. I have met some wonderful people . I thank you for your insentive and kind encouragement,they helped me forge on and on. Through blunders and ups and downs. Please accept a special yellow rose for your vase today.

Many of you will remember the troubles I had last year, when i started blogging! I must have started about 4 new blogs. I was so confused and clicking this and clicking that and didnt know how blogger worked. I am still learning, but getting there.

Two more thanks today. to Dear Christa .. Emilie's daughter blogspot.com ..Thank you Christa you gave me the "Liebster Award"..and lots of encouragement to continue. A special thank you.

To Lisa at "In my Wild Eden".. thank you dear Lisa.. you also awarded me the "Leibster Award"

Am i a lucky girl or what!.. Thank you one and all.

I have not participated in the award ceremony, as I do believe you all deserve the award.

PLEASE TAKE A YELLOW ROSE FOR YOUR VASE THURSDAY

PICKED EARLY IN THIS MORNINGS DEW

WITH SPECIAL THOUGHTS JUST FOR YOU

SUNSHINE AND JOY

BE WITH YOU ALL TODAY

ON THIS VAL'S "YELLOW ROSE" AWARD DAY.
My bouquet of yellow roses.. I do not know their name.. for me they are beautiful. .. I hope you enjoy them too.

Happy greeting to you all today

Send all your troubles back the other way

Think of Sunshine and good things to come

Makes for jolly pastimes in the sun.

Oh what joy Oh what fun

Lots of happy blogging times to come.

So perfect
I started out alone on this journey. I now have passed the 30 mark. How grateful i am to you all. Have a wonderful happy sunshine filled Thursday.

happy blogging val.

A little bit of Portuguese history in two parts.

"The Treaty of Windsor" - is the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world which is still in force today. English aid to the house of "Aviz" would be the cornerstone of Portuguese foreign policy for more than over 500 years.

The Anglo-Portuguese alliance was renewed in May 1386 sealed with the marriage of John the 1st to Phillipa of Lancaster.

The actual alliance was made as far back as 1294.

The English and the Portuguese go back much further than this to around 1147 and the siege of Lisbon. During the Cruzades.

King John 1st at the signing of "The Treaty of Windsor"
King John 1st of Portugal (House of Aviz)
King John the 1st of Portugal married Philippa of Lancaster,daughter of John Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. Sister of King Henry lV of England. They had several famous children.

Philippa was very much loved and still is today by the Portuguese .
The Marriage of Philippa and John the 1st.. The renewal of "The Anglo Portuguese Treaty of Windsor
English and Northern European Crusadors 1147 on their way to the Holy land , On their second crusade.. Stopped to participate in the siege of Lisbon to Help King Afonso Henriques conquer the city .

(A little bit of Portuguese history)

.......................................................

Tomorrow the 25th of April is a public holiday here in Portugal.

The holiday is to commemorate the "coup d' etat"- When the Portuguese Forces entered into the city of Lisbon at 12 midnight and brought down the right wing fascist government . A government that had been ruled by the dictator "Antonio Salazar" for over 60 years.

It is now known around the world as "The Carnation Revolution".

Not one person died during the government overtake. Once over, the army put red carnations at the end of their rifles.

Many of the young children when asked what happened on that day, have not the slightest clue. Its celebrated with people having pic nicks.. A speech from the President and the Prime Minister.. and a happy day for all. The parks will be full and flags flying.

I will be out to lunch with friends. Just another normal day.

If I have miss quoted anything here in my blog. I apologise.

Most of my information was taken from "Wikipedia" Thank you Wikipedia..

I arrived in Portugal for the first time 2 months after the coup. June 1974. My first home was on the west coast in the village of "Cascais".. maybe another blog sometime.

Wishing you all a great Tuesday.

A Tribute

This year is the "Diamond Jubilee" of Queen Elizabeth ll

I thought this morning that I would like to make a little post to a great Queen. I have always loved Elizabeth as my Queen and I truly believe that she has done her very best during her more than 60 years reign on the throne. She has weathered many storms and many great days of happiness.

One of her many Diamond studded crowns
A most beautiful painting of her in her youth
Born on the 21 April 1926--- Here as a baby , you can see she was born to be a Queen. And is always ready for a wave and a smile.
A great equestrian and horse lover. She has many horses in her stables

and her race horses often win at the Grand National or Ascot..
Her Wedding day.. She looks radiant..
I love her in this yellow gown. diamond's around here neck.such an elegant portrait.
Still looking beautiful and elegant. She is 85 Today.
The ceremonial barge"GLORIANA" back onthe Thames.. Here its being tested by the rowers for her special ceromony day commemorations on the 3rd June.
Another view of the Royal barge "GLORIANA"
"Gloriana" being lifted out of the river Thames for her refiting for the Jubilee.
So I continued my morning. This is my second vase of cut roses from my garden. They are just starting to bloom in profussion.. I have found the secret. They love "food" they thrive on it.
A few water colour flowers I painted
I do not know the names of the roses in my Rose garden. Here in Portugal the nursery just set them out for you to choose from. I do read up now and again about their names.. but to me they are all beautiful. This yellow rose is pink as a bud.

A water colour of the rose in the little milk jug.. I painted it a while back. But the rose bush is the same.


I painted these two red roses for a very good friend of mine "oils"
Well dear blogging friends. My roses might not be as magnificent as Queen ll.. but for me I am over the moon at seeing so many buttons and blooms appearing.

I hope you will join me in wishing her Majestey Queen Elisabeth the ll a very happy birthday.

Enjoy your weekend.