Family - Far and Wide

Ahhh - there is something to be said for family in far away places that meet you with open arms and where the hugs are held just a little bit longer.

We have been lucky since leaving Iceland to first spend time with Grandpa B and Granny Bird, a great dinner with Bruce and Mona (Grandpa B's cousin),

soon followed by Michael, Jackie and Josh in France (some connection Karen has tried to explain but I really need the family tree for reference), sister Chris (no - not a nun) and HW from Germany who drove days and many kilometers to meet us in Portugal, and Paddy (again need the family tree), Raquel, and Tiego who taught us the finer details about Portuguese cuisine. Our adventures become that much richer when we are able to share it with family directly as we travel (and indirectly through this blog). Looking forward to seeing the nephews in Trier and catching up with the Hofmann and Vaverka clans in Austria. After Austria it will be longer spell before we see friends and family again so we are being thankful for it now. Always great to get emails and comments on the blog for those of you on some other part of the world.

Being with family and friends seems to make events that much more memorable as well. Perhaps it is because we can fill in details for each other when our memory fails us, but I think there is more to it than that. Those extra connections made during the experience seem to heighten our awareness of them. Little tidbits of history or background help make things more solid. Sometimes it is the smiles and the laughter that set the event stronger in our minds. Whatever the case, it is great when we can connect with family and happy we have each other when we just have the four of us.

Real Madrid

Too bad that Real Madrid are in the south of Spain, while we are close enough to go to a game! Serious disappointment for Mattias, but.... hard to complain after three nights in a Hotel and one in a bungalow while we got in a great visit with Auntie Chris and Uncle Hans 'banana'. The Good times with them were fun while learning more about the pilgrimages, St James, and the significance of the scallop shell to Santiago de Compostela, visiting Nat'l parks in northern Portugal while the forest fires are burning, but it is raining hard out.... Getting to see an amazing archaeological site that is partially 3000 years old... And the best part, drinking port wine at the Sandman Port Wine Lodge in Porto.

Then we got in a great beach day with Paddy and Tiago in some wicked waves. Apparently the first day in awhile with sun and a green flag for swimming. Paddy treated us to a Portuguese feast of squid and sardines and then a surprise visit the next day for yet another feast out. I am not sure if he is trying to out do the French cuisine, but if he is...well, it was really good and so was the French food - but far too different to compare.