It's Monday, so it's time to share my weekend: there was a 'Downton' marathon (it's one of the TV programmes I never watch till it comes out on DVD as I hate waiting for the next episode!). Series 6 and the Finale arrived on Friday ...by Saturday night I had bade farewell to all at Downton, feeling that the makers had ended it well- but also left plenty of stories which could be developed if the need/inclination arises (PLEASE let it arise!!) There was time for coffee with friends and some laundry between episodes but not much else!
Sunday saw me doing something I haven't done before..attending the 'Blessing of the Animals' in the village....if you didn't know, St Anthony is the patron Saint of animals and here in Spain ' El Dia de Sant Antoni ' is celebrated by animals being blessed by the local Priest. In our village that means our Priest stands outside the Church, in front of the statue of San Antoni and blesses each animal with Holy Water as it is brought past by its owner(s):
There were horses:
There were hamsters and dogs:
There was even an enormous tortoise( resplendent in a red bow and arriving in a shopping cart!).....
and of course there were more dogs...
I didn't take Boo with me, as I knew she would get over-excited at being among so many other animals, not to mention the crowds but I will seriously think about taking her next year.
Waving to SIAN and the usual 'Mondayers'...and wishing you all a good week
Thanks for dropping by!
Take care of you
Alison xx
That tortoise! Wow! What a popular event, I've never heard of it before, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting NEW thing to do - looks like there was quite a crowd!
ReplyDeleteThat just looks chaotic! Interesting "new" thing though!
ReplyDeleteWe're seriously behind in watching Downton Abbey, and need to get caught up! I just recently read about the blessing of animals, can't remember where though.
ReplyDeleteLooks a fun thing to watch. I agree about the Downton finale
ReplyDeleteSt. Anthony is the patron saint of lost articles over here. St. Francis is our patron saint of animals. I find that so interesting. We're going to be in Spain in March---for the first time. We're really looking forward to it. We'll be staying in Barcelona with day trips out from there. I'm looking forward to visiting the old churches too.
ReplyDeleteLooks a good way to get the community involved. I'm missing Downton already!
ReplyDeleteI am with you on Downton - please Julian make more but I am SO happy for Edith. What a lovely idea blessing the animals. Our local village has all the churches get together every 2 years for a massive animal blessing, so far we have had no tortoises. Happy week ahead.
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures of all the animals on parade: genius idea whoever thought of the shopping trolley.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week Alison
Oh I would so love to attend that
ReplyDeleteWow! I've never seen a tortoise that size. What a great mode of transport. Have a great week Alison.
ReplyDeleteWow!!!
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile so much. Thanks for sharing it. I've always read about these events but have never gone.
Downton just started season six here, so no spoilers!
Rinda
How lovely to watch all of the animals being blessed. I'm just watching the first series of Downton as I type this, I've seen them all before but Maddie treated me to the full box set for my birthday :)xx
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of that episode in the Vicar of Dibley :). What a splendid occasion, and I wS staggered by the size of that tortoise - how on earth did they lift it in and out? As instinct post, Alison! (And crossing fingers for a Downton spin-off!).
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a cool event - blessing the animals is a lovely idea. We are in the middle of Downton Abbey here. Last year I ordered the DVD so I watched the whole thing before the second episode even aired - but in a way that kinda spoiled it. So this year I'm looking forward to the Sunday night showings. But I will eventually get the DVD too - it's great eye candy for watching again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun thing to watch and that tortoise is huge! Good thing they had a shopping cart.
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