Today, 31st August 2016, is our 42nd anniversary. We celebrate the anniversary of the day we met as it was for both of us an instant connection, a day that would start a most incredible life together.
As you can see below, we both always enjoyed nature and adventure.
Our first camping holiday together, in Ireland in 1977
Anthony on our first camping holiday in 1977, Ireland
Meru National Park, Kenya, 1982
Sure, some adventures we could have done without, especially some more recent ones this past decade, but at least they’ve provided us with good stories after the fact… And of course we have changed. But we have not lost the essence of who we are as individuals, we share the same values, the same love of life, the same love of discovery and the same respect for each other and others, which has allowed us to develop into who we are as individuals, develop our own and very separate interests while continuing to develop our love for each other.
We have now spent the last 3 anniversaries on the road, in Tehran, Iran in 2014 to mark our 40th anniversary, in New York USA in 2015 towards the end of our Round the World trip and now in Spain. This year’s celebration is more how we tend to mark our anniversary – in a low key sort of way, which is usually camping in one of our favourite spots in Australia. I chose Santo Domingo de Silos for its calm, simplicity and location in the country. Interestingly, I used to listen to Benedictine chants from this monastery when I used to work from home for Mincom – a few lifetimes ago – as a great way to declutter the mind. So it was wonderful to be able to attend Vespers and listen to the monks’ chants after a tour of the most exquisite cloisters I have ever seen.
The monastery dates back to the 7th century. In the 10th century, the abbey was called San Sebastián de Silos, but acquired its current name when Santo Domingo was entrusted to renovate the abbey by Fernando the Great, King of Castile and León. When Santo Domingo died in 1073, work on the church and the cloister was handed over to Abbot Fortunius, who saw the rest of the construction to its completion. The monks originally sang Mozarabic chant. At some point around the eleventh century they switched to Gregorian chant. In 1835 the abbey of Silos was closed, along with other monasteries in Spain. Benedictine monks from Solesmes in France revived the foundation in 1880 and the singing has since been influenced by the scholarship and performance style of Solesmes Abbey.
On our way to Santo Domingo de Silos, Spain
Outside our hotel, Santo Domingo de Silos, Spain
Santo Domingo de Silos, Spain
Santo Domingo de Silos, monastery, Spain
Santo Domingo de Silos, monastery, Spain
Santo Domingo de Silos, monastery, Spain
Santo Domingo de Silos monastery, Spain
Santo Domingo de Silos monastery, Spain
View from Santo Domingo de Silos, Spain
In Santo Domingo de Silos, Spain
Life for the 2 Slow Speeds certainly is good and we are always mindful of our luck in finding each other and along our life adventure so far!!! Here’s wishing everyone the happiness we believe everyone deserves.
– Anne
2slowspeeds 
Happy Anniversary you two! May there be many more in good health and happiness. What a lovely place to celebrate, buen viaje, Jan and Ineke
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Thank you Jan and Ineke. And happy travels to you too. Xx
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Beautiful photos and interesting blog from a beautiful and interesting couple. Hope you are still celebrating your amazing milestone😍 xxx
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Merci Scadue. Yes, in fact we celebrate every day 😊 xxx
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What a life journey you have had, congratulations on this milestone. You give much pleasure to so many people through your exploits. The story you tell about Santo Domingo de Silos is lovely, please keep up the commentary.
Down under feels plain dull!
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Thank you so much John, that is very kind! We must catch up when we get back!!!
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Oh how beautiful and peaceful it all is ! So blessed to have you in our lives! What interesting cousins we have, so spoilt to be able to share your journeys. Cheers to good health, happiness and plenty of adventures 🏍🏍☀️🌻💐💝Love the monastry!! Also appreciate those Gregorian chants 😘🍾
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You are so sweet, thank you Lesley! Lots of love to you all. Xxx
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Congratulations to you both ,I follow your blog with great interest and admiration and envy lots of love and enjoy your travels hope to catch up with you somewhere along the road.Ride safe
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Thank you Philip, that’s great to hear. Take care and see you sometime somewhere. Xx
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Well done, guys! My maternal family comes from the Burgos area of Spain and it is indeed a fantastic place. Glad to see you two enjoying and celebrating your time together near there. Have a mountain of fun!
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Thanks Nuno. We have loved the area. We had been to Burgos 6 years ago but never Santo Domingo de Silos. Especially loved the countryside and little villages down there. Simply gorgeous!
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Happy Anniversary and congratulations! It was super seeing you recently. We both thoroughly enjoy your blog and photos, and admit to quite a lot of envy. Take care and continue to have a wonderful time together. love from us both.
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Thank you Michael and Jill. It was great to see you both and catch up. We’ll do our best to keep enjoying life and each other for many decades more hopefully!! Lots of love xx
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Thanks for sharing ,the pictures and the detail of the stone work at the monastery are amazing.
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Thank you Cleve. I was in awe of the stone carvings so glad you enjoyed the photos.
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Great blog, with superb photos! Joyeuse Anniversaire de Rencontre and many happy returns…
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Thank you & merci 🙂 xxx
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G’day Speedies! Happy anniversary and may your adventures continue unabated for many more anniversaries to come. A weekend on the road with Ducati Club mates doesn’t have quite the cachet of touring in Spain, but it was nice to be out and about again!
Love to you both, Wiz.
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Thanks Wiz. Great to hear from you. Any time and ride with good company and great scenery is fantastic – good to know you have been out on the road again. Safe riding!! Love to you both xx
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Congratulations to you both on your anniversary. You looked so young and innocent ‘back in the day’. Now that you’ve found your soulmate, enjoy your shared passions.
Throttle on (carefully).
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Playing catch up and you have put into words what I witness about your beautiful relationship every time I am with you. Congratulations and wishing you a lifetime of love, laughter and travelling together. The monastery looks amazing, I love the architecture
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