Jakesprinter’s Surroundings look beautiful this week, as he lounges on the shore and waves to a passing boat. Often enough I, too, sit with a beautiful vista before me.
Fountains playing in Lagos
Lagos fortress and old harbour
Taking to the sea, beneath Ponte da Piedade
And returning, surrounded by stacks
Boats on Tavira Island
And trees
And the setting sun
But today I’m feeling sad for all those people whose surroundings are miserable. People whose homes have been damaged by flood and fire, from Hurricane Sandy and all of nature’s extremes. People who live in poverty. People throughout the world who are confined by harsh leaders, or are victimised for their differences. People who in this time of financial squeeze are struggling to maintain a grip on their surroundings.
And of course, on this, Remembrance Sunday, I’m feeling sad for those who risk their lives for us daily, often in grim surroundings. My thoughts are with those whose surroundings are so much less desirable than my own.
Thanks, Jake, for this opportunity to share my good fortune. Lest we forget.
restlessjo 
What a moving tribute. This is lovely, Jo.
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Many thanks, Dianne.
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beautiful post jo!
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Thanks, Christine.
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The contrast between your beautiful photos and your sad sentiments couldn’t be more striking, yes, lest we forget those who aren’t here to enjoy those vistas with us. xx
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Thanks, Barbara. I’m sitting with half an eye on a beautiful English sunrise as I write this, and knowing how lucky I am to see another.
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This is a touching message Jo.. thank you for reminding us. I love your surroundings, you lucky girl! 😉
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I could wish to be there all the time, Paula, but that would be greedy, wouldn’t it? And I might not appreciate it so much… (I would! I would!)
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😀 😀 😀 Yeah, you would 🙂 🙂 Thanks for the laugh 🙂
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A thoughtful post Jo – we should always count our blessings and we should always remember those who gave so courageously for us
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Thanks, Suze. You home-based again? Nice plans fro Christmas? (ssh, don’t mention that word)
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Hi Jo – home again thank goodness – back out to Tenerife in Dec for a conference then no travel plans until May. I may have to sort out a city break. Haven’t forgotten my awards from you….. will get there eventually. Hope all’s well with you 🙂
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Fine, Suze. Just wistful, as ever. Nothing much till my daughter’s wedding in February- a cold lifetime away!
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Great post Jo
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Thanks, hon.
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Such a lovely thoughtful post of empathy! I have lived through an Earthquake (6.8 on the Ritcher Scale) and a typhoon that had cars floating and wiped out the subway station lines for 6 months. Although it sounds like catastrophe, and it is at first, it’s amazing how people quickly and intuitively learn to survive and cope, but these natural disasters also do something magical – bring people closer together, not only families, but friends and neighbours. The country actually feels a like stronger “team” after such events. I don’t wish this upon any country or city but it’s wonderful that at the worst of times, the world can be a better place! Thanks so much for reminding us this with your post, Jo!
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What a beautiful response, Zoe, and you’re so right. It brings out the best in people and gives you hope for humankind. Thanks for this.
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Lieber Gruss und eine glückliche schöne Woche.Gislinde.
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Danke Gislinde.
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I would never get any work done if I lived there. Touching post.
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Me neither! Fortunately(???) I live in the north east of England most of the year. Thank you.
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Thank you for sharing your lovely images and such thoughtful words, it is easy to forget our lucky we are and that no matter how bad things might get, there is often someone much worse off.
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I was under a little cloud of gloom all day, which I just couldn’t shake off, and with no good reason, Sam. I felt a little ashamed of myself when I watched the news and the post was almost a result of that.
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I think we all have those gloomy moments and it is nothing to feel ashamed about because we are still able to recognise and acknowledge that there are worse things in life even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.
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We are very fortunate to live in a time and place where we are safe. Lovely post, Jo 🙂
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Thanks Marianne. So many lovely postings this day.
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With winter on the way theses are great pictures to look back upon!
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Ssssh! I bet you’re off somewhere warm, as we speak!
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Thank you for sharing…and my thoughts combined with best wishes to all those affected by natural disasters.
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The flat calm waters in my post can turn brutal sometimes. I’m very fortunate. Thanks for joining me.
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Remembering is importance. It’s part of the healing. Lovely post, Jo.
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Thanks Gem. There were some beautiful posts for Remembrance Day.
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Beautiful pics! Enjoyed the post too
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Thank you. So lucky to have a flat calm sea. (most of the time)
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I`m so sad too Jo for what happening there last week ,
when nature judge for our surrounding ,we really don`t know what happen next ,Thanks for sharing my friend 🙂
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Your part of the world is so beautiful, Jake, but so often there’s a high price to pay for that beauty.
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Great post and well said! We are so incredibly fortunate!
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Thanks, Nicole. There were many beautiful posts this day.
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Yes it was really a great topic!
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Lovely and thoughtful post, Jo. We are very fortunate indeed to live in beautiful surroundings.
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And peace, Ad. I cross my fingers when I say that.
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