Sunday, February 14/2010

Find out at Mass that the lovely old lady who always sat a few pews ahead has died during the week. Her husband is there alone. For two years now she has been looking more fragile by the week, in the end barely able to stand,but with thehelp of her husband and an extremely attentive Sri Lankan maid, she was always there, though for some time Fr. Wilhelm has gone to the pew to give her communion, rather than have her brave the queue.

After brunch we go down to the promenade. Pass the ice rink, busy with children and adults skating in counterclockwise circles - the centre of the rink occupied by three short palm trees - permanent and immovable parts of the square on which t he rink has been made. Everyone wears the same bright blue plastic skates - no temptation for theft here - and many of the kids do fairly well, considering how little opportunity for practice they must get.

The promenade is busy too. It's sunny and over 20, as well as being a long weekend. Many ice creams in sight as well as candy and grilled corn on the cob. Quite a lot of the children are showing off their carnival costumes, with princesses and spermen muc in evidence, the youngest of them barely upright, unsteady legs hurrying to catch up as they hurtle forward.

Must be parties in the evening, as the streets are just crazy with non-stop traffic, roaring motorbikes, singing and whoops out of the dark - all long into the night.