Firework Festa

Quite a celebration all day today, and will still be going on for many hours, with concerts into the early hours. Mourão is packed with people, such a great atmosphere. Everyone dressed to the nines in furs and stilettos and Alentejano capes, food trucks selling hot churros and hotdogs, and huge slabs of almond nougat.

We went up for what we thought would be the end of the procession, but it must have started very late because had only got to the main square. Chatted to various folk. And then walked up to wait for the procession. Police on horseback. Little girls dressed like Our Lady, complete with golden crowns. The archbishop with his peaked blue hat and gown under a canopy. Bedspreads and candles in all the windows and balconies. The town's brass band. Several priests, including Padre António, our former one, as well as Padre Abraão, the current one, helping one of the smaller girl scouts to keep going.

Mortar salvos as Our Lady went up the hill to her church (not under her own steam). Masses of blue and white flowers. You can see her in the doorway in the extra, with fireworks pouring off the walls of the castle. Ave Maria sung. And then the fireworks. To music. Absolutely amazing. And deafening. Sparks falling all around the folk watching and onto rooftops. Good job Jesus was taken to the Temple in February and not July or August when everything is tinder dry...

Gratefuls:
- Mike coming up with a possible new project, and mulling it over together
- an attempted break-in with an iron bar on the top building coming to nothing except a ruined door handle (they abandoned the bar right by the door, no idea why)
- invitation to dinner tomorrow 

(Please forgive shaky castle lights, really should use a tripod!)

Added video of the whole firework display, really worth watching, it was brilliant.