Saturday 3rd July (Lini’s Journal)
Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Sun 4 Jul 2010 14:34
family on Skype Si dashed off for paint while I took detailed
measurements of our design that was laid out on the saloon floor.
Luckily the water based paint dried very quickly and I caught it when
it was still very slightly tacky, which was perfect for gripping my
stencils. I transferred our design and commenced a long day of
intricate painting with the sun growing stronger and stronger. My
tiny, flat brush became round and the paint was turning to blancmange
in the heat making me regret choosing Australian and English flags
with all those thin stripy lines, not to mention tiny stars. It was a
great day however as many people from numerous countries stopped and
chatted. A tour round the marina to see the paintings seems to be
suggested in the travel guides. I even had photographs and movies
taken of me ‘in action’. The lumpy, bumpy surface was not good for
yellow kangaroos on a blue background and out of time I left a fourth
coat drying and grabbed a quick shower; tonight we were having dinner
with Pam and Dick.
Dick had booked a great restaurant where you cook your own food on
a slab of hot lava rock. As well as being good fun this was also
wonderful for the stones and I, as you didn’t need oil to prevent your
chosen fish or meat welding itself to the slab and there was a plain
side salad and plain bread. I just had to resist the chips and
desserts. Dick recommended a local wine which went down very well and
the time flew by as I eagerly questioned Pam about their amazing nine
years away. Well fed and watered we set off for the square where we’d
arranged to meet Paul and Lin at a fiesta.
Jolly music came from a traditional band playing on a stage and all
around the aroma of local dishes filled the air from the stalls dotted
round the perimeter. We stood and watched the band for a while but
after several songs which all seemed to be the same we decided to grab
a beer while taking in the atmosphere. Many people had gathered and it
was a jolly crowd we left and headed back to Brindabella. I hoped this
was the first of many fiestas in the Azores.