Just one last sunset!

Sea defences softened by sunset

Hartlepool sea defences, softened by the setting sun

All of my life I’ve been a diarist and a chronicler.  There’s nothing I like better than to tell a bit of a story.  And these days, to illustrate it with a photo or three.  How, and when, did it happen that my camera became an extension of my arm?  I don’t really know, but I do know that I love putting captions onto the images of my life.

So maybe it’s no surprise that, in blogging, I feel as if I’ve come home.  I’ve found an audience with whom I can share a smile (and the odd reflection).  I try to keep it light.  The world has enough sorrows.  But I’m happy to listen, to encourage, and to give and receive lots of hugs.  This walk around Hartlepool marina, as the sun sets, is my way of saying thank you, to all of you, for a wonderful year in your company.

I love the shape of the breakwater

I like the shape of our breakwater

Its arms stretch out in a great hug!

Its arms stretch out to the sea in a big hug!

The boatyard is gloriously backlit

The boatyard looks great, backlit by the sinking sun

And the Headland is within touching distance

And the Headland is just out of reach, in the distance.

The light just gilding St. Hilda's church

The light gently gilds St. Hilda’s church.

The boats are peaceful at their moorings

The boats are peaceful at their moorings.

But in the Hrabourmaster's Office, a surprise!

But who’s that, up by the Harbourmaster’s Office? He’s a surprise!

The boats are undisturbed by his presence

Those boats aren’t the least bit disturbed by his presence.

The deer seems to sniff the air

The deer seems to sniff the air

And then the sun goes, in a blaze of glory!

And then the sun sinks, in a blaze of glory!

This is the last Hartlepool sunset of 2013 that I’ll share with you.  On Thursday I’m up, well before the lark, and flying south to the Algarve.  Naturally the camera will be as excited as me, and we’ll do our best to bring you back some lovely images.

I hope the New Year will be kind to you, and thank you again, for sharing, and enriching, my world.

109 comments

  1. Hi Jo, I miss this one and the previous post, I was traveling in California. Have an enjoyable trip!
    Thank you for sharing your joy of traveling with us. Always enjoy reading your eloquent words and viewing your beautiful photos!

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  5. This is a great way to end the year, it’s a most enjoyable post, dear Jo. I hope you had a safe flight and are enjoying life in Algarve. Al the best for 2014!
    Warm greetings from Norfolk,
    Dina

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      1. It’s, jo; couldn’t start better, being in North Norfolk for 6 weeks, far away from sound and light pollution…
        Best wishes,
        Dina

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  6. A magnificent sunset, and what a lovely idea that the breakwater is like a big hug. 🙂 I hope you’re having a great time in Portugal, and here’s to more beautiful photos and happy travels in 2014 – Happy New Year, Jo!

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  8. Love the pictures. I can almost smell the tangy salt air for which I’m so “homesick.” Home is now far from the water, in the very dry, windy northwestern corner of Oklahoma. Thanks for the memories.

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  10. Jo. I haven’t had an evening like yours here .. for nearly 6 weeks, beautiful and you have captured it so beautiful … every time you talk a walk I would had love to walk with you.
    Have a fantastic start of 2014 – to spend same time in Algarve and I know you will delight us with beautiful combinations of photos and words on your return.
    Going to miss you in my ring corner – but I will be here … waiting.

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  11. ….. am sure you are now wonderfully ensconced many hundreds of miles further south … hopefully the clearest of skies promising lovely things to come . Happy new year Jo 🙂

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      1. No sadness OK let’s try each day to wake with a SMILE on no matter how bad it is and make our days better 🙂 I took all my goodies off but he has yet to haul it out to RV or barn if he has made enough of a dent in his STUFF out there to put it in the barn 🙂 What a PACK RAT I love him but not his MESS 🙂 As long as I stay on the roof I never have to step into it but I warned him once it is warm I want it clear and I would be working in it each day making pretty glass objects my way to be sure of a smile.

        HUGS to you honey in this new year may it be your best yet! XO

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  15. I just love your Hartlepool photos. So endearing. So glad I hit the follow button a year ago. I have learned much on English history through your eyes and your personality just exuberates with sunshine and positive energy. the best to you this 2014 and enjoy your time (again) in the.Algarve.

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    1. It’s a funny little place this Hartlepool, but it’s home, Lynne. 🙂 And beauty is most certainly all around us, and not only in a tropical paradise. I enjoy working with what I have, and I’m so glad you’ve joined me. We can share lots more smiles in 2014, I hope. Very best wishes to you, too 🙂

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