Warm Glow

On Sunday we welcomed some friends over for a barbecue and it was a great evening. The nights after a hot day soon turn chilly after dark now, though it is counteracted by the fact that we can see the stars in all their glory. Complete darkness falls about 7.30pm at the moment. So, to make the most of the sunny day, we started the barbecue at 4.30pm, and it was just perfect. On the menu were meat kebabs, vegetable kebabs, sardines, hamburgers, Linda McCartney vege-sausages, pork chops, various salads, sauces and mustard, and the obligatory bread rolls. Swilled down with white and red wines, Sagres and Superbock, and Coca Cola for the younger ones.

We dressed the table with what we thought were candles and lanterns in red casings, that we thought would give a lovely warm glow, and at the same time get rid of any pesky mozzies. But our guests, who are more Portugal-wise than us, explained that these candles are used for memorial shrines! There is one way we would like to redeem ourselves though. Whenever we light these candles we will spend a few moments remembering those we have loved and lost; relatives, friends, and pets.