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This is intended to be mainly about my crafting stories, as a personal record of what I do. However, I interpret crafting quite widely, not just paper crafting but other things too. I have a butterfly mind and like to change from one thing to another depending on what I feel like on a given day - knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, cards, baking and several others, including my favourite right now, parchment, both traditional skills and Groovi, very relaxing and calming to do.

I have decided to put some structure into my blog so that each day will have something of a theme.
Monday- for Mindfulness; Tuesday - Tidy Up Day; Wednesday - What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday; Thursday - Technique and Tips; Friday - Finish Off Day; Saturday - Start Something New; Sunday - Anything Goes
These themes are not hard and fast and will be changed if I feel the need.

Wednesday 31 August 2011

WOYWW - 117

Outside the church of San Juan de Rabanera in Soria
Hi folks, I have been AWOL for some weeks now, a case of life getting in the way of crafting, or even that a different type of crafting got in the way.  The long awaited wedding in Spain finally took place this month, as you can see from the photos.  I think there was as much planning and preparation involved in the trip as there would have been for a stay of several weeks.  In fact, we travelled out on the Wednesday, had Thursday, Friday (the wedding day) and Saturday there before travelling back on the Sunday.   


Plaza Mayor in Soria - our hotel
We flew from Liverpool (very friendly and efficient) to Madrid (huge and confusing) to arrive in 37 degree steamy heat, where we finally caught our supra coach to Soria - extra space and waitress service, but even more important, very efficient air conditioning.  The family met us at the coach station and delivered us to our hotel, before hauling us out again into the square for drinks and tapas.  From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel so welcome and everything was done for us that could be done.

We all agreed that we have never had such beautiful food, fresh and tasty.  The family took us (eight Brits) for a meal on our second night, just across from our hotel to a restaurant (Meson Castellano, if you ever get to Soria), where the tapas was to die for.  I could have lived on that for the rest of the week, local hams, tiny squid, salad and tuna in a dressing, and several others. 
The castle of Berlanga de Duero - the reception
The wedding itself was so relaxed, with a local choir providing beautiful music, a capella, totally in keeping with the great age of the church.  I loved the confetti bombs afterwards - huge party poppers which shot out rose petals and sparkly bits that shone in the sunlight - so very pretty.  The it was on to the coach to head further up into the mountains to the castle at Berlanga de Duero for the reception.  The canapes outside in the courtyard were absolutely delicious, seven different kinds which just kept coming.  Again, I would have been happy to have lived on those for the rest of the day.  The main meal was in a "permanent" marquee, before moving outside again for the evening do, with yet more food.

San Juan de Rabanera in Soria
The last day started a little late while we recovered from the festivities of the wedding day, and finished with yet another huge meal at night.  Some of our party were taken off by the family to do some sightseeing in the surrounding countryside at even higher altitude, while Geoff and I relaxed around the square.

The journey back was great apart from one real blot on the landscape, which was the toilets at Madrid Airport.  On the outward journey, they were fine, but the return journey was another tale altogether.  We could not find one cubicle that we were even vaguely happy with - bins overflowing with used toilet paper, used needles and syringes, and the floors ......  YUK!!!  Something had definitely gone wrong with their cleaning regime.  We could not wait to get on the plane.

England's Green and Pleasant Land - probably the Cheshire Plain

Final approach to Liverpool
Easyjet were excellent and we could not fault them, and they got us through Customs and Immigration in record time.

Since we got back, I have been tied to the video camera and the computer, sorting out all our photos (from all our party) and putting the videos together, some on BluRay (for the more modern amongst us) and DVD's for the others.  So that and creating the case covers is just about all the crafting I have done recently.

I had forgotten it was Wednesday today, so this contribution has been thrown together rather rapidly, so I hope it all works properly.  I will try to get round as many of you as I can.  I have already had a quick nose at Shaz Silverwolf's post, but the rest will have to wait until our visitors go this afternoon.

I am sure you have already found most of the other posts at Julia's home 
http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/
if not, do wander over there and enjoy what you find.

16 comments:

Di said...

Hi Maggie! Welcome back honey! What fabulous photos and you certainly had a great time (Madrid toilets apart!). So nice to see you pop up again in the blogs I follow :) Di xx

Lunch Lady Jan said...

What a wonderful time you had - the photos are really lovely and your description of the food, well, mmmmmm!! Have fun sorting the photos out!! Hugs, LLJ xx

Helen said...

Well, you may have forgotten about Wednesday, but I had a lovely time with you in Spain, lol - except for the airport loos.... sounds naaaasty!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Marg, good to see you back,Elizabeth @ Silverscrapper was asking after you last week. Glorious pictures, the Bride looks gorgeous. Will catch up soon, Love Shaz

The Crafty Elf said...

Super pictures of the wedding and your trip! Sounds like you had an amazing time despite the toilet blip. My mouth was watering as you spoke of the food so I must be off to grab something to eat which will be less inspiring than that of which you ate. Happy WOYWW :D

Elizabeth said...

Hi Maggie, so nice to see you back and that the only reason for your absence is that you've been too busy :) The photos are gorgeous and the description of the wedding and your visit to Spain makes terrific reading. Love the photos taken from the plane too. I'm really impressed that you are making BluRay videos - I wouldn't know where to begin! Have a great week. Elizabeth x #51

ally fiddy said...

Sounds like a fab trip.

Hettie said...

Oh! It seems that you have had a wonderful time in Spain. Lucky you.
I too think Easyjet are great. Tried most others but we now stick to Easyjet!
Beautiful photos - even a good nightshot. Well done.

Mrs A. said...

Sounds like you had a really nice time at the Wedding.We have just come back from holiday in Italy. A family in the same hotel had arrived for a Wedding which had been arranged by an English tour company but the brides suitcase got lost with her dress and everything else in it. They had two days in which to buy replacements and the real curse of it all was that the insurance would cover for the standard clothes lost but not any of the wedding items! Hugs Mrs A. #102

jude said...

Glad you had fab time and the piccys look fab.hopefully this week may find time to craft.Happy woyww
#hugs judex 29

Tertia said...

Welcome back! Sounds and looks like you had a fantastic time in Spain.
Happy WOYWW

Sarah said...

Those are some fabulous pictures... the bride looks stunning and so does the sun...sigh. Sounds like a brilliant memory. good to have you back!
Thanks for the peek
Sarah at 4

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

well, Maggie, I am one of the last of the gang to welcome you home again.. am a tad slack these days aren't I!?
Well, the pickies are just gorgeous, wedding looked pretty indeed and the food we need say not more. I am most impressed with all your technological expertise with the Blu Ray and DVD compiling!!
And I remember once on an international flight had the same issue with the loos, but cant remember which one - think it may have been Bangkok... aha I just hear the UK anthem on the TV for your long distance runner - watched him win, well done him, he did run a great race like our little hurdler last night!
Well should be in bed, thanks for popping hover and welcome home!! we have missed you - did pop back a few times! :D Shaz in oz.x

sandra de said...

It looks like everyone had a fantastic time. What beautiful pics.

Fuchsia said...

Fab pictures !

JoZart Designs said...

Wonderful report of your wedding trip despite those loos at Madrid. I'm so relieved my home Liverpool was good for you. Beautiful photos and I'm so glad you enjoyed it all.
JoZarty x