#madeira 2012

Time is flying so fast, I almost can't believe that I arrived already on Monday here in Madeira, truly the land of my roots. A lot as changed in the last 20 years but I believe that I also have changed a lot myself. Things are different but in a way very familiar. I'm really loving every minute from seeing my sweet old parents,to my young and full of life cousins and
nephews and my siblings like myself from another generation slowly not so active and not so full of energy, the kind of people that still will smile when a 80's tune starts playing. But still it makes me smile and happy that they enjoy seeing me again. All In all not to bad. Good night or early morning from Madeira " Still the pearl of the Atlantic".

MMaxi12Madeira

Amsterdam Days Go by

Random Words Pictures Thoughts And Phrases

 I got up earlier than usual it must be because I am a year older today.

No great plans for today, except to have my usual birthday breakfast of a cup of coco and a cheese toast a tradition that I have been observing since my18th when I arrived here in Amsterdam all those years ago.

This morning I will open my presents always a nice thing, and in the evening I am going to cook dinner for a few close friends,  Nice.

It is nice to wake up and see all the messages for a happy birthday, one of the few things I like about FB.

Later this morning I will call my Mother and Father and thank them for the gift of life, then check the boat, maybe even go for a ride on the canals the weather is very nice.

Last year I was in Ardmore Ireland at the Cliff House Hotel, that was a nice day, Spa and walks on the beach then dinner at a fabulous Michelin * hotel restaurant not bad.

But I am sure that the pasta I am making this evening will be as good,  Nice.

I wish everybody a happy day today. Thank you all for the happy birthday messages.

Here are a few photos one from last year and some from this morning.

Claudio and Cats Amsterdam September 4th 

Last Year 

Max September Morning

Maxine September Morning 

The Gifts 

Max and wrapping papper 

Opening birthday gifts 

Amsterdam Days Of Summer

Amsterdam Days Of Summer

25 Jaar Homomonument Amsterdam

Amsterdam Days Of Summer

Amsterdam 2012

Drag Olympics 

Amsterdam Days Go By

MMaxi12Summer

Amsterdam Haartjes Dagen 2012

Amsterdam Days Go By

Another great Summer weekend is coming to an end.
We could not ask for better weather even if it was a bit hot today.
The Rains are coming and maybe it will feel cooler later tonight.
I went today to the Haartjes Daggen on the zeedijk and saw a lot of colorful people, yesterday I had to stay home I was not feeling very well 24h bug or to much Bacardi on friday night.
I'm sorry to have missed the "Opera vanuit open ramen ".
There is always next year.
Time for some dinner maybe some salad and a few toasts, I still feel a bit queazy.
Greetings from Amsterdam City On The Water.

MMaxi12Summer 

Didi and Sister

Ice Cream Day

Amsterdam Days Go By

Amsterdam Days Go By, Random Words,

Cool day this Summer Friday, nice weather a bit humid but it is a city on water.
Had a mosquito flying around in the house but Maxine got him, good girl.
I will try to go tomorrow to the Zeedijk voor de Haartjes Dag maybe make some photos.
I like the Amsterdam local festivals.
I have not missed one single Haartjes Dag for over 20 years.
I will take the camera and make a few pictures, have a few laughs and more than a few beers, Nice.

A good night sleep first, may the Golden Girls send me to sleep.


Check it out: http://www.stichtinghartjesdagen.nl/



MMaxi12Summer 

Playing on the Pad

Nostalgia

Amsterdam Days Go By Random Words Lost In Translation

Hoje foi um dia calmo e de bom tempo aqui em Amsterdão.
Pela tarde limpei o barco um pouco mas acabei por não sair a navegar.
Acabei por ir ao bar jogar um jogo de bilhar e tomar um copo.
Tenho que praticar bem porque o campeonato de bilhar esta-se a aproximar.
Continuo a tentar fumar menos mas está difícil deixar de fumar depois de 25 anos, é difícil mas devagar vou chegar lá.
Eu mesmo que quisesse ia ser difícil de ir a Madeira neste momento mas vou de certeza em Outubro eu preciso de sentir o calor e o ar fresco também passar um bom tempo com a família.
Vai ser bom sair de Amsterdão por umas semanas longe do estresse urbano.
Eu quase que jå não sei escrever o Português, falar não tenho muito problema.
É talvez uma questão de praticar mais.
Leva-me o dobro do tempo a escrever em Português do que em Holandês hoje em dia.
Ouvi dizer que a festa do Monte foi boa com muita gente e conjunto, talvez o próximo ano estou na Madeira por esta altura, quem sabe?
Bom esta ficar tarde aqui na cidade de canais, esta na hora de ir dormir,
Hoje vou ver um 007 em dvd vou tentar ver todos antes de ver o próximo que esta a chegar .

Boa noite e bons sonhos.

MMaxi12Verão

Madeira Somewhere Up in The Mountains 

View Of Funchal 

Espetada Anyone 

Nossa Senhora do Monte 

Random Words Thoughts And Phrases 

Amsterdam Days Go by 

Tuesday 14th August

Today is turning into a nice day here in Amsterdam, all morning and afternoon was Dark and Humid but the skies have cleared up and the sun is shinning, Nice.
" Love " is on the Gaivota  sailing the canals with a visiting friend from La la Land but I stayed home today.
I would like to start clearing some stuff in the house, things pile up fast I guess I'm what they call a hoarder.
A friend told me that if you haven't used something for 6 months get ride of it.
Maybe if I make a list of things I don't need, then decide what to throw away. Sounds good.

Wednesday 15th August

Not much happen today in Amsterdam, I went out for some shopping, got a new track suit.
Not really my favorite pass time "Shopping"!
To much to choose from, and being small does not help.
Plus shop assistants tend to make me uncomfortable with their forced smile and sometimes unhelpful questions.
But eventually I did find something.
Now that I have the clothes maybe I could take the next step and start some kind of training regime.
I'm doing all this because I am starting to feel that I spend to much time indoors.
 I need to cut on the tobacco and the spliffs as well, maybe that is a more realistic reason.

Today in Madeira they celebrate the festivities of our Lady Of Monte, patron saint of Madeira.
I just realized that I have not been in Madeira around this time of year for more than 20 years.
I remember as a kid to get so excited when this day arrived the 15 of August, My father would drive our family to my grandmothers meet the rest of the family, grandmother lived right next to the church and we could see from her patio the thousands of people walking up the steps to the church most on a pilgrimage to ask a favor or to repay a promise to Our Lady Of Monte.
some just to have fun eating " Espetada " slices of beef on a spit made of the laurel tree seasoned with sea salt and lots of garlic barbecued on hot wood charcoals, then accompanied with " Bolo Do Caco" home made bred cooked on a hot stone.
The men would spend all day and evening playing cards and drinking my fathers home made wine, while the women would gossip in the kitchen with a lot of sweet liquor.
Life as changed a lot since those days, grandmother is not there anymore and the family is spread through out the corners of the world including myself.
So another year, another august 15th that I spend away from my family.
Madeira tonight my thoughts are with you, and may Our Lady Of Monte keep us all safe.

Time to sleep now, maybe watch a Agatha Christie's Poirot and fall asleep to the sound of "David Suchet" voice.

Tomorrow I'm free no baby sitting thanks to school holidays.

Sweet Dreams from Amsterdam 

MMaxi12Summer