Our Lady of Lourdes

13th Feb 2020

The 11th  February is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. 

This year my husband , my daughter and I watched The Song of Bernadette, the old one with the accompaniment of  old fashioned romantic music and some really over the top  acting. It was, however edifying to watch and  I was reminded that we visited the resting place of Bernadette in Nevers,  when we visited France a few years back. They keep her body in the little chapel there. 

Her body is incorrupt ( ie. does not show any signs of decomposition) and she has a beautiful, serene look on her face. She is small, maybe less than five feet. We spent quite a while in prayer in the chapel on our visit. I was aware that it might be the only time we would get there. Her story is remarkable.

 I remember getting a little statuette when I went to Lourdes with my parents and sisters. It was an image of the grotto with Our Lady and St Bernadette. The figures glowed in the dark and I would often look across at them from my bed if I woke in the night. I think that first visit to Lourdes all those years ago had a formative effect on my life in many ways.

The Chapel and the grounds of the convent where the nuns still live

So Much

1st August 2017

Well, it's been a long time since  you heard from me dear readers and I apologise for that.

We ( my husband and I) have been away for a month in our camper. More on that later.

Today I'm going to join in with Josie Two Shoes' TTOT - ten things of thankfulness - blog.

So, where to start?

So Much

1. I love our camper and am thankful that we got some time away in France and Spain. I even had a chance to try out the two languages, although more study is definitely needed.
2. We saw some really beautiful places - mountains, rivers, waterfalls, beaches, pretty towns and villages, cathedrals and churches.
3. We met some wonderful people, and some so generous they inspire you to be better.
4. The weather, apart from the first week, was brilliant. I did have to buy a hat to protect my lips.
5. We swam in the sea, in lakes, in rivers and in a swimming pool.
6. We made a pilgrimage and prayed in the most interesting and sacred places, feeling close to the real meaning of everything.
7. We ate lovely bread and cheese and red  wine was cheap enough to enjoy more than a few times.
8 We kept within budget, only using a camp site two nights during the whole four weeks. The aires are totally adequate when you've got a camper. We also did quite a bit of wild camping, one time right next to a seven mile stretch of beach.
9. The Pyrenees were amazing . Need to repeat: the Pyrenees were absolutely amazing and will give a background to my every waking moment as long as my memory holds out.
10. Although, we loved our adventure and had to come home early for health a appointment, It was the most delicious feeling falling into my own bed. Yes, good to be home too. And see some of the children. Hopefully see all of them throughout the summer.

I will write more about the expedition later.