Jo’s Monday walk : the marina

Shadows lengthen in Hartlepool marina

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

The view from Jackson’s Landing

Looking down towards the marina

Looking down towards the marina

The colours reflect so well in the still water

The colours reflect so well in the calm water

The sun bounces from the flats to the water

The sun bounces off the apartments

And then fades!

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, lending highlights to the boats

The sun paints highlights on the boats

Caressing the red lovingly

Lovingly caressing the red

And lighting up the water

Then sinking gently towards the water

Isn't it magical?

Magical, isn’t it?

I linger till the light's almost gone

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

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.

The poppy tribute in the marina
The lock gates
And beyond!
The new sea defense
And the old pier
Can you see the fishermen, huddled against the rocks?

Can you see the fishermen, huddled against the rocks?

The sun has almost set

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.

The 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.

walking logo

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  :

Dee Why Lagoon

Colline’s walk couldn’t be more different!  Brrrh!  🙂

A Walk through the Park

Drake’s a little early with his Christmas walk, but he’s off travelling soon  :

Early Christmas walk

Texan beauty is what we’ve come to expect from Amy.  You won’t be disappointed!

Enchanted Rock

Always nice to welcome someone new, especially on a waterfall walk  :

Handstands and Hiking

And loiter in some mysterious woods in Germany.  Thanks, Tobias!

Home Range II

Or you could go admiring clocks with Elena  :

Where is Solothurn?

You know Yvette’s always fun!  How about a train ride this week?

Triple Crossing Train Tracks

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.

135 comments

      1. Oh Jo, I so wish there was something I could do to change that! But there isn’t, so I am continuing to think of you and send wishes that the days will get better and that in the meantime you will be fully enveloped with armloads of love and support.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Pingback: It may be December but . . . | Lucid Gypsy

  6. Oh I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. So heartbreaking. Know that I am sending you very big hugs and my heartfelt sympathy. Your beautiful photos with their lovely reflections a fitting tribute to your friend.

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      1. Oh goodness Jo my heart breaks for your friend left behind. We just never know in life do we? Let her unimaginable loss be a reminder to us to live big every single day as really each sunrise that finds us with our partner is a gift. Xoxo

        Liked by 1 person

  7. ah, I wish I could take you to a stroll down to a marina in my lovely Odessa! Another reason to go on a visit, isn’t it? Your Marina reminds me of Odessa’s pretty much. Though ours is tiny compared to Hartlepool’s, the boats are just as – if not even more – luxurious! But where is the lighthouse?! I could not spot it in your photos!~

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  8. You sunset and reflections make an undistinguished apartment block quite beautiful. You keep revealing new beauties close to home in both your words and your images.
    Stay relaxed – and relax a bit for me. I’m in the chaos of packing for a month away. Leave in four hours and I’ve barely started. Taking everything is not as easy as it sounded: exactly which everything?!

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    1. Totally horizontal on your behalf, Meg 🙂 I just wish it could help! Take care on the journey, and enjoy it when you get there. Hugs to take along with you- they don’t need packing 🙂

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  10. Beautiful place for a walk! And I love the way you wrapped this following sentence “A smokey haze rests on the water as the final clouds drift up and away.” gosh, it feels like reading a poem…hugs from Rotterdam..

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  11. So sad to lose a dear friend, Jo. Sending you hugs and sympathy. Thanks for taking me with you on your walk. What a beautiful marina, and I love the way you have captured the sunlight on the boats, and the mesmerising reflections.

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  13. so sorry to hear about your friend – hear is a blog hug dear Jo ((((<3 ))))

    and wonderful marian stroll – and as always I find that your little notes and comments make it more alive. I usually scroll once without reading and then go back to read – and it is cool. for example, I did not notice the fishermen – and that entire image change for me to see them there – it was this vast – powerful splash from the sea – but then turned milder to see life amidst it – and was just cool. I also looked your reflection on the light changes – so cool – and here's to the light of friends remaining with us – and in us – ❤

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  18. Lovely images – we had the same fantastic weather in Portpatrick yesterday, but all back to dullness today again. I didn’t know that Hartlepool is such a big place …. looking at your marina it much be a big town. Beautiful walk and stunning images, I can feel the fresh ocean air in my lungs by looking at your shots.
    Sitting at Stranraer library just now. Have problems with the wifi on the hotel. Scottish hugs >>>>

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    1. Hello lovely lady 🙂 My Belfast postcard arrived today! Thank you 🙂 I’ve been a sickly bunny all weekend but had arranged to meet a friend in Newcastle today. Glad I’m home again. Do they have a wee dram of whisky in Scottish libraries?
      Hartlepool is sizeable, I suppose, but the shopping centre is hopeless. You’d never manage a shopping spree here, Vivi. Hugs, darlin’.

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      1. Jo, what is going one …. you were full of cold only 10 days ago. No good girlfriend.
        Sitting at the Harbour House in Portpatrick just no waiting on my dishes from their Christmas menu …. some spinach stuffed chicken breast. I’m the first to try their menu out.
        Had a vodka & tonic …. don’t like whiskey, leave that for the pro’s.
        I thought Hartlepool was a little village … have to google.
        Dinner hug and please stay healthy. Glad you to got the card. *smile

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  19. Hi Jo,
    That marina – and what I can see from Hartlepool in the pictures – looks quite different from what I remember when I was there in the 1980s.
    Have a nice week,
    Pit

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  20. Such a lovely walk – and not a soul in sight! Perfect for quiet contemplation as you stroll, camera in hand. So sorry to hear about your friend. I hope you managed a visit during your last trip there.

    I forgot to link up last week… but this week’s is up here

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