Week 40 of Darcy's Postcard challenge...PORTUGAL
Portugal doesn't have a national flower, but it is famous for it's Cork Oak trees. The people strip the cork from the trunks to make corks for the local wine bottles.
" My dearest Lillian,
Portugal in October...so beautiful, it is still sunny and warm here. We have been taking in the sights, and I especially enjoyed the architecture. It's like a miniature history of the world, Roman temples, Moorish influences and military precision. The Tower of Belem is a particularly fascinating design.
We are to meet with DOM LUIS FILIPE, the Prince royal of Portugal. He is only 8 years of age, and is already rumoured to be betrothed to our own Princess Patricia of Connaught. It does seem rather strange that in this modern age marriages are still arranged this way, can't be healthy.
The Oak trees here are rather peculiar. They don't have the lovely rough bark as our trees do, but instead are coated in cork!...and they are apparently evergreen! I am sending Marcus a sapling, though I have little hope that it will prosper in rich English soil. Maybe he will prove me wrong.
Your affectionate friend, Ophelia xxx"
"My darling Ophelia,
the leaves are most definitely beginning to fall here at home. We have all but finished the preserving and pickling, and Marcus has been busy building cages to gather the leaves into. Apparently he prefers leaf mould above all else for mulching.
Your comments on arranged marriages have confused me a little.Was not your own marriage arranged by your parents? Do you not consider yourself fortunate to have had such a valiant husband provided for you? It would be nice to believe that we were all capable of a wise choice where marriage is concerned, but when estates and fortunes are added to the mix, love can be easily feigned. Young Ladies such as yourself, who have lead an extremely protected life, may not be equipped to recognise "Love" in a suitor, where as the suitor would most definitely be equipped to recognise "Wealth" in a young Lady.
Though I would like to add, it is always preferable that "Love" should be a consideration when arrangements are being made, and it is clear to all that Sir Richard has had such feelings for you right from the start.
Your ever-loving friend, Lillian xxx"
Samhain's Sirens giveaway no.4 is a signed copy of Dorothy Morrisons "Utterly Wicked" ...which is something we all can be :D XXX
Lillian has a point. :) Great postcard, Gina! :)
ReplyDeleteI am just glad we are all poor and can choose our partners! Enjoyable read as always. Lovely postcard and book.
ReplyDeleteRP is an amalgam of two Jack Russell brothers I owned called Ron & Reg (after the Kray brothers). They lived up to their names and were very partial to a drop of port. They had a partner in crime Billy the Boxer (much younger and easily lead!).
Janet xx
Haha! That is a book all of it'e own Janet! :D XXX
DeleteGreat information and lovely card and book page. Love your writing style and imagination, Gina.
ReplyDeleteLove your story, and the card with the cork oak is beautiful! Valerie
ReplyDeletelol, but really no flower - CrAzY
ReplyDeletebut we do love our corks <3
how fun... and fabulous! great story.
ReplyDeleteok. my rep doesn't have a boss - at least NOT for the repairs he's doing and i DID ask for an estimate - 3 times to be exact. he's in for a rude awakening. i got a pro's estimate and we'll see what my guy is gonna charge. he'll be getting less than 1/2 of what the pro charges. i'll bet $$$$ to donuts my repair guy's bill is gonna be $800 plus. the pro's bill is $523. boy will my repair guy be shocked! who's laughing now!
hugs :)
a great story, love the way your write..good postcard and travel page...x
ReplyDeleteThere is something extremely wrong with me. I swear that I keep on finding sexual things in everything I see lately. I read "cock oak" instead of what you wrote lol
ReplyDeleteLove Ophelia description of the tree ;-)
Hahaha...that's ok...you have also been sending vibes to my hubby...he was looking over my shoulder as I scrolled down a blog, and said"is that Magaly?" I hadn't mentioned you...and it wasn't your blog. Then he tells me his head is buzzing because he was dreaming about frogs all night!!! :D XXX
DeleteHello, Dear! I've just found your lovely blog...so nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteI'm now following you, as well ~ ♥
Hugs,
Anne
I just read what Magaly wrote and now I have forgot what I was going to say! LOL! Got to love those Cork Oak Trees ;o) Hugs ;o)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely instalment of the story...sigh.
ReplyDeleteHugs xx
Just love reading each episode of your story, you have done a brilliant job keeping it so interesting for all these weeks. Liking the postcard and page too.
ReplyDeleteJen x
You'll have to publish this when you are finished the story. Always enjoy the adventures. xoDonna
ReplyDeleteLove your story and a reminder of where corks come from (the real ones). Cheers
ReplyDeleteYes Gina! It was a deer...I collages him in there...I see you were inspired by castles too :)
ReplyDeleteI mean I 'collaged" him in there....it's late :0
ReplyDeleteDelicious composition Portugal.
ReplyDelete