Shadows lengthen in Hartlepool marina
I’ve been scrolling back through my Monday walks, trying to decide where to take you next. I still have a few, unshared, Algarve memories, but I think today we’ll just have a peaceful stroll around our marina. I’m continuing my hassle free mood. The Christmas rush will arrive soon enough.
Though the last few days here have been damp and dreary, last weekend the sunsets were liquid and beautiful. Perfect for a stroll! Dusk comes early at this time of year and, with the sun so low in the sky, the light and shade has a magic all its own.
The view from Jackson’s Landing
Looking down towards the marina
The colours reflect so well in the calm water
The sun bounces off the apartments
And then fades!
You’ve probably noticed, I can always loiter by boats. And with the sun descending into a liquid pool, the temptation is even greater. I succumb every time!
The sun paints highlights on the boats
Lovingly caressing the red
Then sinking gently towards the water
Magical, isn’t it?
I struggle to tear myself away!
Light is a deceptive thing because, as I look back, the boats appear still well lit. I look towards the sea, and wonder if I might make it to the sea wall in the time remaining before sunset.
Looking back across the marina
Beyond the lock gates, two overgrown, ramshackle piers reach out to meet their mate across the water. There is a poignancy to them, with their neglected grassy tufts. The new sea defense walls make them look very shabby, but it’s atmospheric out there, with the evening shadows.
Can you see the fishermen, huddled against the rocks?
A last dazzle of sunlight
A cycle path leads around the back of the apartment blocks, and back to Jackson’s landing, where we started out. A smokey haze rests on the water as the final clouds drift up and away.
Dying light!
I hope you enjoyed my very local stroll this week. No place like home? I’ve had the saddest weekend and would like to extend huge thanks to my blogging friends. They’re always there when I need them. Spending time on this post helped a little to distract me from the sudden and tragic death of a dear friend and neighbour in the Algarve.
If you’d like to join me on a walk, short or long, you’d be more than welcome. The logo above will take you to my Jo’s Monday walks page. Meanwhile, many thanks for all these great contributions. Time to put the kettle on, and enjoy.
Jude’s having a great time in Australia! Check this out :
Colline’s walk couldn’t be more different! Brrrh! 🙂
Drake’s a little early with his Christmas walk, but he’s off travelling soon :
Texan beauty is what we’ve come to expect from Amy. You won’t be disappointed!
Always nice to welcome someone new, especially on a waterfall walk :
And loiter in some mysterious woods in Germany. Thanks, Tobias!
Or you could go admiring clocks with Elena :
You know Yvette’s always fun! How about a train ride this week?
While Jill’s taking us where the trees are green :
Eastwoodhill- a tree lover’s sanctuary
Have a great week of walking! I hope your weather’s good.
restlessjo 
You’ve captured the light so beautifully, Jo. There will always be light, even when things seem dark. Thinking of you in your loss.
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It’s been grim the last day or two, but so much harder for his wife and family. Difficult to even imagine being in the Algarve and him not there. Thank you 🙂
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Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. But the memories of friendship are never lost.
A friend lights up our life.
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I’ll always have good memories, but his early death is distressing. He and his wife were devoted, and the grandkids loved going to the Algarve. Everything changes.
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Yes, it does affect so many others. Can completely change the future or way of life for some.
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You make the north-east look so delightful Jo – you have captured the warm light beautifully in this walk. I shall have to see what I can do in the west of NZ – hopefully a sunset or two, if it stops raining!
Take care my friend, my heart is with you in your loss
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Oh, yes- an NZ sunset sounds good, Jude 🙂
It’s been glum here all week, but in the scheme of things… I’m still pretty lucky.
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…and here is a lighthouse to cheer you up a little bit, hopefully: http://smallbluegreenwords.wordpress.com/2014/12/02/home-and-away/
❤ ❤
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Bless your cotton socks, hon! I’m smiling again this morning 🙂 I think I food poisoned myself on Saturday so it’s been an awful few days all round but I’m back on track. Hugs, Jude! Take care 🙂
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Oh, that’s not good. And I pinched the sciatic nerve on Saturday and could hardly move by the end of the day! Getting better, but I have to be so careful getting up from being seated – a 3 hour flight followed by a 2 hour drive hasn’t helped!
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Us poor old crocks! 🙂 🙂
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I know! So annoying! Though I have actually had this problem for years so it’s not anything to do with age.
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My sympathies Jo on the loss of your dear friend.
I enjoyed the photos of the sunset behind the boats. I am not surprised you find it difficult to tear yourself away.
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My husband had gone to the football, Colline, and it was far too nice to stay home. The marina and the football ground are happily quite close to each other. Thank you 🙂
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It is far nicer than my Southampton docks and harbour,, but the lovely sunshine makes the warmth ideal for this day.. 😉
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I think I was once, fleetingly, in Southampton, to catch the Isle of White ferry. That was a long, long time ago, Gerry! 🙂
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Jo, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. That’s so sad to hear. It’s so difficult when we lose someone we love, isn’t it? Hugs to you. xxx
I love your marina pictures in the waning light. I too love marinas and when you can visit them at sunset, you have the best of all worlds. Thanks for sharing your beautiful walk. I was hoping to get my long hike posted to add to your list, but I’m having trouble finding time once the work week begins. Happy holiday season to you!
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No worries at all, Cathy! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts about Ping’yan. So glad you’re managing to get out and see things. Hugs to you, darlin’ 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed my trip to the rice terraces, Jo. Now I have to get busy planning some other small outings and then my big holiday in Jan-Feb. 🙂
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So sorry to hear your sad news – somehow it seems harder to bear as we get close to Christmas. Take care of yourself.
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I think that Marie will now return to England, Tanya. I cannot imagine her in the Algarve without Bill. They have lovely grandkids in Harrogate and she was coming over with presents next week. A nightmare for her!
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Such a very sad time for her, and those who love her. And some big decisions to make, very tough.
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Just the antidote as you say Jo. .. lovely peaceful images .Sorry to hear you had bad news .. it makes you take stock of everything doesn’t it .. we had similar news the day we returned from France . Still shocked .
Hoping for a pull back on the grey blanket sky here too this morning !
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Three deaths this month, Poppy, but this was the most tragic by far. (Mick’s 98 year old auntie died while we were away, but for her I was happy)
I couldn’t do a thing to shake off that grey blanket today. Tomorrow maybe 🙂
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That is hard Jo . I do know what you mean . For all the sorrow and what it entails the words or phrase carpe diem comes ever more to mind .
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Beautiful – perfect afternoon light, Jo
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It was absolutely lovely, Sue. One of those ‘golden’ afternoons 🙂
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A golden afternoon is always a thing to be treasured, Jo!
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Oh, I wish I could skip work and hang out at the marina. Great images, Jo! I love the sunset shots!
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Come on over, Jill! I’m sure we could do cocktails in the marina 🙂
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Lovely light Jo – where has it gone 😦 (although it did briefly reappear over the weekend)
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Somebody’s dropped a blanket over it, Robin. 😦
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How wonderful to live above such a lovely site !
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It would be! 🙂 🙂
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I like your Marina
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It’s a very pleasant place for strolling, Rajiv 🙂
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Lovely to have a wee stroll with you around the marina. I am sorry to hear about your sadness. Take care of yourself.
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Thanks a lot, Ann 🙂 I appreciate that.
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I always love walking round marinas, they seem so interesting and lots of activity. I love the twilight time and the light it brings with it, everything seems so magical and we can see it in your photos.
Sorry to hear about your friend in the Algarve, I hope you are feeling a little uplifted from your walk round the marina.
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Thanks a lot, Barb. 🙂 I plan to go to Newcastle this morning to meet a friend for lunch and look at the Christmas windows. That’s my kind of shopping!
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It looks so peaceful there!
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It was such a beautiful afternoon! You have to treasure them at this time of year. 🙂
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Lovely photos, Jo, and I was thinking they even looked warm until I spotted the fisherman huddled against the rocks and shivered! I’m so sorry to read about the loss of your friend. That’s so tough. Take care and thanks so much for squeezing me in at the last minute. 🙂
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Thanks, Jill 🙂 You’re very welcome. It’s more sheltered in the marina but I did feel sorry for the fishermen. I hope they had a good catch!
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I especially like the reflection pictures!
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Thanks, Andrew! It really was the most perfect afternoon, unlike today 😦 The sky is solid grey. Where have I seen that colour before?
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Inspirational Images – to me just like a journey!
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Thank you! This morning it’s very grey and miserable so I need sunny images to look at. 🙂
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