Nostalgic

Funny how often two challenges collide, or rub shoulders.  I had barely posted Urban Design on Friday when the Weekly Photo Challenge loomed into view :  Nostalgic.  Old films and Nat King Cole.  But that very morning I’d been reliving nostalgia at the top of Christ Church tower.

IMG_7114I’d been on a mission to purchase a few “surprises” for my husband’s birthday next week.  The sky was blue.  My camera was in hand.  What better time to climb the tower for the promised “bird’s eye view” of Hartlepool?  I reached the top and was just starting to take some shots when I heard the door open behind me.  Darn, I thought.  It wasn’t a large space and I greedily wanted it all to myself.

The lady smiled at me, and of course, I smiled back, and as I never can resist doing, slipped into conversation.  She had been born and raised in the town, but had later married an American and now lived in the States.  Over the years she had visited mum and dad in Hartlepool, but now both were dead, and after settling their affairs she was saying a final farewell to the town.  She had climbed the tower because at last she could, knee surgery having given her back that ability.

Looking at the town below us, we traded memories.  Do you remember Lynn Street?  The Indoor Market with it’s treasure trove of stalls?  Corned beef slices, fresh from the tray?  The sweet shop with chunky “rhubard and custards”?  The docks were over there- do you remember the chain links and gangways?  Hasn’t the town changed?

On and on we went, reminiscing, exchanging snippets of our lives.  We parted, finally, and I made my way back down to the ground, full of nostalgia for what had been, but a little proud of the survivor that Hartlepool still is.   I can’t show you the past, but I can show you the now.

It was dark inside but I still could capture the sun
A first peek!
View from Christ Church tower over Hartlepool
Remember Blacketts, and Binns? Long gone.
The story of the church
A new, and modern, stained glass panel.

I don’t want to repeat the photos you can see on Urban Design, but I did want to share the experience.  I wish the lady the very best for the future.  I so enjoyed our memories.  This is my entry for Weekly Photo Challenge : Nostalgic.

75 comments

    1. She was really pleased to have been able to climb all those steps, Lorna. As a younger woman she had severe knee problems and never could, till surgery. Isn’t life strange! 🙂

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  3. That is a wonderful nostalgic moments! These pics enable us to imagine the past. The window is amazingly beautiful. Thanks, Jo!

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  5. Amazing nostalgic moments indeed Jo! I do love to see this beautiful town through your eyes indeed! Great shots for the entry. 😀 *big hugs*

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  6. “She had been born and raised in the town, but had later married an American and now lived in the States. Over the years she had visited mum and dad in Hartlepool, but now both were dead, and after settling their affairs she was saying a final farewell to the town…”
    +
    so kind that you talked with her! As I came back to my hometown after 40 years no one talked to me – but I wanted to tell so many memories. On the other hand, once we met an old couple, weeping, aged 80. They visited our German town, which they escaped from 1940 during Nazi era. We became friends, had to talk about so many things … – they invited us to New York where they introduced us into their new homeland…

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    1. What a lovely couple and a very kind thing to do, Frizz. Sorry for my delayed reply. I just landed back in the UK late last night and my heart is still in the Algarve. I’ll catch up soon. 🙂

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  8. I love such chance encounters, Jo. How lovely that you had shared memories and were able to chat for a while whilst admiring the view. That window is stunning. 🙂

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      1. Me too. I’m so far behind on reading blogs. I feel bad. But with the kids out of school for the summer I hardly have time to get much done. This fall things will change! hope you are enjoying your summer! 🙂

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  13. Dear Jo,
    This is a remarkable story beautifully told. I’m so glad you were so open to the woman’s presences, because it sounds like you both had a lovely connection. Thank you so much for sharing this–it was perfect for the theme.

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  18. Beautifully told Jo. Nothing more satisfying than to swap memories with a kindred soul who remembers all those things you are nostalgic for 🙂

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  19. Lovely post, I can see you with your inner snarl(!) when you discover your space is to be invaded, but what a brilliant turnaround! Those unexpected moments can be so rewarding. 🙂

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  20. It’s often the way, isn’t it, that you want to have something all to yourself – then someone comes along and makes you glad you didn’t get it!

    I loved reading your memories and your photos are lovely, Jo. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Marianne. I don’t really have time for this but it was in my head and I just had to share it. I’m trying to watch the Wimbledon final and get ready for the airport too. We’ll be sharing a friend soon but I won’t have internet access after this, so have a lovely time with Cathy. 🙂

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      1. I’m looking forward to her arrival. I think we will relax on her first day here, as she has been so busy.

        Have a lovely time in Portugal, Jo. I’d love to head over there one day and see you myself – one of these days!

        Didn’t Murray do well? I’m glad he won in the end.

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