We’ve been back home from Portugal for nearly a week. Since then we’ve had a great weekend with Tara’s family celebrating her Dad’s 80th birthday and I’m now back where I started my sabbatical, on retreat on Holy Island.
Coming back from Portugal the Taize chant, ‘In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful‘ has been very much with me. I am so thankful to God for the time in Portugal, for the gift of somewhere to stay from my parents, for the time as a family, for plenty of sun and lots to do.
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful,
In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful, Taize Community.
In the Lord I’ll rejoice.
Look to God, do not be afraid,
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near;
Lift up your voices the Lord is near.
Rather than using lots of words on this blog about Portugal I thought I would share some of our many photos that we took. Through these I hope to share some of the things from this time that I am thankful to God for.
I’m thankful to God for a great place to stay at Rocha Brava:
Rocha Brava, a home away from home for 6 weeks. 
Great views and blue skies from the balcony 
Where I created my prayer space 
and Jethro enjoyed the sun 
A pool to swim in most days and meet lots of people 
The beach in Carvoeiro, the local village 
Great views from the cliffs by the villa 
Great views from the cliffs by the villa
I’m thankful to God for good food to share together!
Lots of coffee and Pastel d Nata (a Portuguese delicacy) whilst reading theology! 
Thankful for great fresh fish 
and we enjoyed lots of ice cream!
I’m thankful to God for beautiful beaches to play on!
At Alvor 
where Jethro loved the diggers moving the sand 
to create more beach. 
At Pintadinho 
At Centiane 
where I was buried!
I’m thankful to God for time with my precious family:
For my wonderful, beautiful wife 
who shares life with me. 
For time as the three of us. 
For time with this amazing gift from God, 
who learnt, grew and flourished whilst we were away. 
For an evening watching the sun set. 
I’m thankful to God for All Nations Church who welcomed us and enabled us to be part of their family for 6 weeks:
I’m thankful to God for time to visit wonderful places:
Ferragudo, my favourite place in Portugal 
Lunch with Mum and Dad in our favourite restaurant 
Jethro dancing with Tara to local sax player 
Sagres, the most South Westerly place in Europe 
A door in Lagos 
Square in Lagos 
Harbour in Lagos 
Storks in Silves 
At Silves Castle 
Silves Church 
Parrot at Zoo Marine 
Dolphins at Zoo Marine 
Dolphins at Zoo Marine 
Sea Lions at Zoo Marine 
Paddington at Sand City 
London at Sand City
I’m thankful to God that for six weeks my phone only told me in was 20+ degrees and that my next appointment was a long time away! It was so nice not to have to look at my diary.
