The Duke

Tags

Canada., duty, Royal Family, UK

Found this clip an interview or interviews with HRH Prince Philip who is now 97. He has been in the news lately, more so than since he has retired from public duty. A long life of public service and here answering questions on life.

Memories of

Tags

Anniversaries, Apollo, Arachova, Greece, lamb, life, Travel

It seems that in my life time anniversaries for both me and Will have always been in a city or place around the world. Will just wrote about Moussaka, The recipe he gives on his blog is very good, it’s from our friend Akis Petretzikis who is a famous TV chef in Greece  https://willyorwonthe.wordpress.com/2019/01/22/not-moussaka-its-moossakka/  and he included in his blog post photos of our anniversary trip to Greece when I was accredited to the Hellenic Republic.

Akis 

We travelled in Greece not as much as I wish we had but nonetheless it was always memorable.

For our 30th Anniversary in 2008, we travelled by car from Athens to Arachova which is a famous ski resort. The mountain dominating the region is Mount Parnassos, elevation 2457 meters home of the god Apollo and his aunt the Muses. The village of Arachova is above the Gulf of Corinth and about 10 minutes by car from the ancient site of Delphi.

Arachova being a mountain town, you can walk everywhere but a lot of streets are in fact stone staircases, so you do get a good workout. The food is grilled lamb and other Greek dishes. Most people speak only Greek. Being so close to Delphi we visited the ancient site with its wonderful temples and other religious sites dedicated to the gods of ancient Greece. Delphi is a magical site hanging over the cliff with the Gulf of Corinth far below. Mount Parnassos during our visit was hidden in the clouds, certainly lending an air of mystery.

Delphi is known as the Omphalos or Navel of the World with its vegetation of olive and pine trees. Of course the famous Oracle of Delphi is dedicated to Apollo, the god of light, harmony, music and prophecy, was the most visited oracle in Greece and people from all over the Mediterranean would come to ask for help. It needs some climbing up to get to the actual site, which stands on top of a rocky hill.

In 2018 for our 40th we were in Lisbon, one of the best 10 days in Europe and we would love to return to Portugal.  In 1998 our anniversary was in Poland, we travelled from our home in Warsaw to a small resort about 40 minutes to the West of Gdansk. In 1988 we were then living in Mexico, I don’t recall what we did, it seems we spent the weekend in Cuernavaca or San Miguel Allende. No anniversaries are the same and all carry wonderful memories.

Birthdays for Will and I are also special and each decade saw a special trip to commemorate. Vietnam, Ireland, Egypt, Poland, Mexico, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Beijing, Italy, etc.

 

 

Big adventures

Tags

AVC, Bundnie, Cairo, dogs, Nicky, Nora, Ottawa, Reese, UPEI, Vet

Having two dogs is like having two kids, same thing really, they have their little personalities and ways of doing things. Having lived with dogs in the house since 1990 we are use to them and how they are the presence in our lives. Our first two dachshunds, one short hair from Cairo and one long hair Chicago were family members and they travelled around the world with us. To this day we have fond memories of Bundnie and Reese and how they were more than just dogs.

Bundnie and Me on the terrace of my apartment in Cairo 1990.

Reesie and Bundnie on the deck at our home in Ottawa, 1993

Bundnie died at home of old age at 18 and Reese died in Rome at 17. A year later we were visiting a colleague of mine outside the City in Capena and her husband use to walk around the countryside and came upon the farm of Dr. Massimo Buzzanca and his wife Tiziana, both are well known in breeder of Wirehair Dachshund circles in Italy and their dogs are bred with other champion dogs in the EU.

Nicky and Nora are now 10 years old, yes it has been a decade since our time in Italy. Nora is older than Nicky by a week, they also have travelled with us not as much as Bundnie and Reese though.

Last week Nora had symptoms of what is very common in any aging Dachshund back weakness which can lead to paralysis. Unfortunately we know all too well what that means, we went through several back operations with Bundnie and Reese.

Nora always seem to get sick on a weekend which means that only the Animal Veterinary Clinic at the University of PEI is open, but since we are outside normal clinic hours, a special fee applies of $135. just to step in. They took good care of her, the AVC is a teaching hospital and they also take care of Farm animals and horses. So its complete kennel rest for her for a month and some medication.

Of course Mr Nicky also started to have what looked like a tooth problem, so we took him to our other Vet who is known in the region for specializing in dental work, even the AVC refers patients to him. Though in Nicky’s case it was not his teeth, I got a call from the clinic and was told that he had a growth under his tongue and it had to be removed pronto, could it be cancer? His teeth were fine. So it was sent for biopsy and about five days later we got the results, all benign, no problem. We also had another growth removed from his shoulder, it too was benign just fatty tissue.

Vet care in Canada is very expensive if compared to the USA. When we lived in Ottawa, some people took their dogs to the USA for treatment, the border is only 50km, away a short drive. We cannot do that here, the border with Maine is about 5 hours away through moose country not the thing to do in Winter on isolated highways.

This week we will return to the AVC for an assessment of Nora’s condition, though at the moment she is doing fine. Nicky is going back to have his shoulder stitches removed at the end of the month. At the moment he wears the cone, which he will not wear if going outside, he simply refuses to go out with it. He gives you that look and you know what it means.

Nora on her favourite sofa

Nicky stretched out and Nora on the cushion. 

 

It’s Canada! It’s January!

Some thoughts on how to prepare for a storm in PEI .

Willy Or Won't He

This winter I made a vow not to fill posts with idyllic pictures of Victorian house nestled in drifts of snow, the skating rink in the parkland across the street, or the pristine whiteness of an unplowed Water Street. And I will keep to that promise however (and you knew there was going to be a however) I did not say I wouldn’t do a short photo essay on the approaching storm that we are expecting tomorrow January 20, 2019.

The nice people at the Weather Network are good enough to tell us what we “need to know before it all begins”. They tell us we could get up to 60cms of snow followed by freezing rain.

That’s all well and good but they don’t give us the facts and figures that are really important the day before a storm. This is a better more like it.

Well okay on…

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Sé de Lisboa

Tags

Cathedral, Moors, pope, Portugal, Sé

At the foot of Castle Hill and in one of the oldest part of Lisbon near the Alfama neighbourhood is the Sé de Lisboa or Cathedral of Lisbon. Tram #12 passes right by it and stops at the Church of Saint Anthony few a few steps away.

The Sé is dedicated to St-Mary Major, construction of the cathedral began in the year 1147, the building has been modified several times and survived many earthquakes. It is nowadays a mix of different architectural styles, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. It has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

After the period of Visigothic domination the city was conquered by the Moors and stayed under Arab control from the 8th to the 12th century, although Christians were allowed to live in Lisbon and its surroundings. In the year 1147, the city was reconquered by an army composed of Portuguese soldiers led by King Afonso Henriques and North European crusaders and not to forget Martin Moniz taking part in the Second Crusade. An English crusader named Gilbert of Hastings was created bishop, and a new cathedral was built on the site of the main mosque of Lisbon.

Earthquakes have always been a problem for Lisbon and its cathedral. During the 14th and 16th centuries there were several of them, but the worst of all was the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, which destroyed the Gothic main chapel along with the royal pantheon. The cloisters and many chapels were also ruined by the quake and the fire that followed. The cathedral was partially rebuilt and, in the beginning of the 20th century, was given the appearance that it has today after important renovation.

photo of the archeological excavations

In recent years the central courtyard of the cloister has been excavated and shows signs of the Roman, Arab and mediaeval periods. Excavations started in Cathedral Cloister in 1990. They have revealed a Roman road with shops on either site. A part of a Roman kitchen and a “cloaca” (sewage system). and traces of later Visigoth buildings. A very visible part of a Moorish building with red walls related to the former Mosque that once stood on this site was also excavated.

Now for the treasures of the Sé, on the second floor are the Offices of the Archbishop and beautiful objects can be found.

The meeting room of the Cardinal Patriarch and other clergy. The Cardinal Patriarch sat on a throne not unlike the Sedia Gestatoria of the Pope with ostrich feather flabella. This room is no longer used nowadays but illustrates the authority of the Church in Portugal prior to 1974. It is thought the privilege of the portable throne was granted by the Popes to the Cardinal Patriarchs of Lisbon due to the financial support provided them by King Joao V of Portugal.

This Monstrance in solid gold with diamonds and other precious stones was a stunning piece of jewellery. Monstrance are used A monstrance, also known as an ostensorium, is the vessel used in Roman Catholic churches for the exhibition of  the consecrated Eucharistic host during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

This Cardinal’s mitre with semi-precious jewels. Cardinals in the presence of the Pope wear a mitre of white linen damask. The auriphrygiata is of plain gold cloth or white silk with gold, silver or coloured embroidered bands. The mitre originated as a ceremonial head-dress of ancient Jewish high priests.

This I thought quite funny, it is in the sacristy of the Cathedral, painted Portuguese tiles showing on the right God the Father with a triangle, in the middle the Holy Ghost and on the left God the Son, Jesus all three in conversation. Ok 3 persons in God but it looks like God is talking to himself. You wonder what is he talking about anyway, I mean he would not be talking about religion to himself. And if God is Eternal why is he shown as an old man? Should he not be ageless? I am going to get such a smack from the good nuns for asking such questions.

 

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Belem.

Tags

Belem, Lisbon, Monastery, Pessoa, Poets, Portugal, St-Jerome, Vasco da Gama

When in Lisbon the monastery of St-Jerome is a must. Located in the neighbourhood of Belem on the Tagus River, it is a marvel of architecture and an important historical site in the history of the Empire of Portugal and its many navigators.

The site of the church/Monastery has always had close ties with Portugal’s great explorers. The original Ermida do Restelo hermitage was created by Prince Henry the Navigator in 1450 and was a site in decline when Vasco da Gama spent his last night on land before leaving to find a sea route to India (1497). The church of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos was originally constructed to commemorate the safe return of Vasco da Gama and his men. The ground work of the church started during the reign of King Manuel I (1515-1520) and it was he who gave it to the Order of monks of St-Jerome.

When the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos was original built it was situated on the banks of the River Tagus and overlooked the docks of Belem. Today the waters edge is 300m further south than it was 500 years ago and provides space for the beautiful Praça do Imperio gardens.

Since the area was the Port of Lisbon, all sailors who left for a sea voyage considered to be dangerous at the time, spent his last night at the Monastery praying, attending mass and performing a last confession as if he would never return, life at sea was that uncertain then. The Monastery could accommodate crews of sailors and their captains.

Sailors of the era were notoriously superstitious and the significance of the church swelled as sailors prayed with the monks in the hope that they would return safely. When gold and riches started to flow into the city on the back of the spice trade money was channeled into funding the extravagant building works of the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos.

The architect Joao de Castilho, given the generous budget for the construction, was able to design an extravagant building. The Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is the only monastery of the era to be constructed around a two tier cloister.The ornately carved grand entrance of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos rivals any of the great cathedrals, the stone is intricately carved with the images of saints and riotous patterns of fruits and flowers from the New World with the statue of Vasco da Gama atop of the central door way.

The two tiered cloister, you can see how large the area is by looking at the people who are dwarfed by the architecture. The elaborate stone carvings on the walls inside and out.

 

Across the street from the Monastery is large gardens and the Torre de Belem and the Monument to Prince Henry the Navigator. The entire area can easily be visited in one day, there are restaurants and direct public transport to downtown Lisbon.

The perspective here you can see how far the monastery extend. The street today was the river then and the ships docked here. The river Tagus is now 300 meters further.

Here is a view inside the Church and Monastery

The main Altar and Royal tombs to king Manuel I and his family on the side walls.

The Sacristy with wall paintings on the life of St-Jerome. This central pillar reminded me of a similar pillar in the great Hall of Parliament in Ottawa, similar design in the ceiling.

This was the dining Hall of the monastery, the walls are decorated with painted tiles telling the story of the Joseph and his amazing multicoloured coat. When the Monks still occupied this complex meals were taken in complete silence, only one monk seated in the middle of the room read aloud for the congregation passages from the Bible, it was their entertainment.

Tomb of Fernando António Nogueira Pessoa, (1888-1935) commonly known as Fernando Pessoa, was a Portuguese poet, writer, literary critic, translator, publisher and philosopher, described as one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest poets in the Portuguese language.

Tomb of Luís Vaz de Camões (1524-1580) is considered Portugal’s and the Portuguese language’s greatest poet. His mastery of verse has been compared to that of Shakespeare, Vondel, Homer, Virgil and Dante. He wrote a considerable amount of lyrical poetry and drama but is best remembered for his epic work Os Lusíadas, telling the story of the Portuguese people and their great explorers.

Tomb of Vasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira, (1460-1524) was a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea. His initial voyage to India was the first to link Europe and Asia by an ocean route, connecting the Atlantic and the Indian oceans and therefore, the West and the Orient. He died in India but his body was brought back to Lisbon for burial.

Torre de Belem, built 1514, the ceremonial entrance to the City of Lisbon on the Tagus river, the Atlantic ocean is just off in the distance. It is simply a beautiful symbolic monument, nothing to see inside at all.

The monument to Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460) is in front of the Monastery and next to the Torre of Belem. The bridge in the distance was built in the late 1960’s and was named after the dictator of Portugal at the time António de Oliveira Salazar who served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 1932 to 1968, he died in 1974. The Red Carnation revolution of 1975 gave the bridge its current name 25 April.

The bridge connects Lisbon to Almada across the Tagus River.

After all this walking by the seashore and visiting all the monuments we were hungry and had lunch in this typical Portuguese restaurant just steps away from the Monastery on Rua da Belem. We had the best lamb stew ever, it was so tender, just like butter in a beautiful sauce. We also had big grilled sardines, they are the size of a small trout. Good wine list, very nice service.

 

Winter morning

Tags

fog, morning, PEI, Sea, sun, vista

This photo was taken this morning, mix of Sun and clouds with some fog over water opening unto the sea. Dramatic no? We get this sort of vista in Winter in PEI.

La Fête des Rois Mages

Tags

BULGARI, Christmas, cookies, Epiphany, gifts, sunshine, the 3 kings

Well today is the 6 January, the last day of the Christmas festivities. Again at dinner time we were listening to Radio Canada from Montreal and Monique Giroux the host of the music show had a special 1969 French Song of that year. It was a great year for French songs in Canada and in France, many hits for sure and some duds. I was 12 years old in 1969 and the Host Monique Giroux was 6 years old. It was so strange to hear all these old songs, many made me smile remembering Montreal then, we lived in Snowdon and the big street was Queen Mary Road name after the wife of King George V.

My father was the manager of the Bonaventure Hotel which was operated then be Western International, the hotel part of United Airlines, my Mom was in real estate in Westmount, then a really expensive stone mansion was $50,000. For some unexplained reason this Holiday Season I have been thinking a lot about my parents and my childhood years in Montreal. Our Prime Minister then was Pierre E. Trudeau, the father of our current PM Justin, who was not even born. It was also the year before the October Crisis which would see Martial Law impose for 6 months with the army occupying the streets. Being in Quebec, despite our young age I remember how aware we were of the political events.

This beautiful mosaic in the cathedral of San Vitale in Ravenna of the 3 kings dressed in the Gaul style with pants and the red phrygian caps bearing gifts to Jesus. 

This being the Feast of Epiphany, La Befana brought me a gift. In Italy she is the old lady who gives gifts to children on this day, there is NO Santa in the Italian tradition. BULGARI  is my favourite.

 

Will also made Peanut Butter cookies, they are very good but not the 22 dozens the recipe called for.

Home at 04:10 pm with the sun setting in the West.

In the cards this year

Tags

2019, life, Me, predictions, Radical Faeries, Tarot cards, year

The great Karnak the diviner par excellence of Arizona AKA Dr. Spo read my Tarot cards for 2019. He is a delightful fellow for doing so. He put out his planet table cloth and let me choose the deck of tarot cards I would like. He has a collection of tarot card decks. I chose the Radical Faeries card deck.

So here month by month is what the cards say;  January would be a month of decisions on projects, February a month of inaction or vacation, March, April, May months of lots of action open to new ideas.  June could bring conflict, July could be a month of worries or a month where I overcome difficulties. August and September are months to apply knowledge or lessons learned, October is the best month of the year. November new worries and December could bring some lost or bereavement of some kind.

Overall 2019 the cards say is a good year busy, happy, going forward, self-growth. I can live with that.