This last weekend, we have had two very wonderful visitors. Those two visitors are Melissa and Andrew Cochran…aka Melly Moo and Andrew.
The sort of person Mel is, is illustrated by the fact that the second baby Zi met her, she had him giggling adorably in his cute little nappy. The following days proved to be full of many such giggles and plenty of fun, as Mel and Andrew are both full of life. So full of life, that even making up a silly game of spinning a wedding ring and trying to pick it up with a spoon became a hysterical and treasured memory.
The first day they were here involved a basic explore around Coimbra, the university, and general settling down, and the Sunday was church and the botanical gardens. I think the Sunday was my favourite day, even though it was spent doing the least, simply because of the Sunday silliness that ensued. On the Monday we enjoyed amazing sunshine and warmth, and poor Mark and Andrew kept slathering themselves in sun cream. Andrew still managed to turn a bit pink, and I’m sure Mark has some more freckles! Me and Mel didn’t bother, and as usual, nothing seemed to happen to our pale skin. We enjoyed the sun in Conimbriga and sitting by the river eating the most amazing Belgian waffles with ice cream…sorry you didn’t get seconds guys!
The last day we attempted to enjoy the festivities of Carnaval in Figuera da foz, the local beach town, but we were shocked to find that the day time parade was far from family friendly. Mark and I had to make a hasty retreat with our poor screaming baby when we realised just how loud the approaching floats were and we headed for a cafe some distance away where we could calm him down. Mel and Andrew shortly joined us when they realised just how X-rated some of the themes were. We then raced back to the train station in the rain to find that the train we wanted was on strike, and that we would have to wait with rumbling tummies and an upset baba for well over an hour. This was all forgotten later as we scoffed a huge meal in a restaurant by the waterfront.
Despite it all, there are few people that I would have enjoyed the situation with more. We still talked and smiled and joked, and generally managed to keep Josiah happy. It all reminded me of the times when Mel and I first met, and the difficulties we saw each other through. We have always had a blast, even when things were difficult, thanks largely to Mel’s sense of humour, adventure and fun seeking. I can honestly say though, that one thing that makes me so happy is to see how happy she is now, despite everything she has been through. I too am happier than I have ever been in my life, and I only feel like I am getting happier. So here’s to friendship, the sort that can be picked up again easily after months apart. And here’s to happiness, and to helping friends towards eternal joy.
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