England

Six word Saturday

Living up to my reputation again!

I’ve worn them out!

I spent the evening racing around Great Yarmouth, but I can’t download the photos from my camera till I get home so you’ll have to make do with this old one! I’m going boating with the Norfolk branch of the Polish family today so I won’t be here to chat.

Norwich tomorrow, where I have an appointment with some cloisters and a Jacaranda tree. (Thanks Carol!)

Sound good? I’ll tell you all about it as soon as I can.

Meantime, enjoy your weekend, and do pop in to see Cate at Show My Face if you can.

Jo’s Monday walk : Canalside in Nottingham

A faithful companion

Nothing quite gladdens my heart like stepping out along a towpath on a sunny day. Canalside people seem to me to be some of the friendliest in the world. I hadn’t planned to walk along the canal at Nottingham, but I had a couple of hours to spare before meeting my daughter for lunch. The canal runs right by her office, and the sparkle of the water had me hooked before I knew it. Added to which, I couldn’t possibly get lost following a towpath! (my sense of direction being notoriously lacking)

There’s something really delightful about being in the heart of the city and yet totally removed from the hurly-burly and the bustle. Come and walk with me, and we’ll leave our cares behind.

This was the scene that greeted me on the towpath

It’s fluffy offspring time of year

The dog sat almost patiently while the geese were fed

It was part of their morning routine to attend to the canal’s wildlife. The young man was happy to chat while he fed the goslings. The dog resisted its strong impulse to give chase.

Trams run overhead

But I was more interested in the serenity beneath

Nottingham Canal came into being in the 1790s as a means of carrying coal from the mines, which were scattered around the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire borders, into the city. Previously the coal had been hauled overland, or via the Erewash Canal and River Trent. The new canal, which ran for a little under 15 miles, would more than halve both journey and cost. But, with the advent of the railways and the increasing cost of tolls, the canal was no longer viable.

Following privatisation in 1947, almost any local authority who wanted it could have the land, with the result that much of the canal has been filled in and built over. I was oblivious to this as I pursued my stroll along the canal. The downstream section through the city centre, and connecting to the River Trent, remains in use.

Many buildings back onto the canal

There are quiet benches for picnics

And plenty of passing boats to wave to

The British Waterways building

Canalside restaurants

Around the canal basin

Cyclists scoot happily past

The towpath is also part of Nottingham’s Big Track, a 10 mile cycle route which follows the canal from the railway station in Nottingham to Beeston locks, and returns via the Trent riverside path.

Bike or walk? You can choose

Ahead, the excitement of a lock!

Castle Lock beckons

I don’t walk far before I’m having more encounters with the wildlife. A coot is a little curious about me, but not sure if he wants to hang around. Smart apartments line the canal at this point, and I’m rather surprised to come upon a heron, nonchalantly preening himself. The young man with the dog catches me up and tells me that this is the heron’s regular haunt, seemingly oblivious to observers.

Mr. Coot scurries rapidly away

Then stops and reconsiders

And can you see the heron on the far bank?

Here he is in close-up

The canal twists and turns through the city. Around the next bend I find a colourful narrowboat and pause to admire the painted canal ware displayed on deck. A passerby stops to tell me that the boat sells beautiful things. He thinks it must be moving on today as there are usually many more goods to see. The owner pops his head out, and we chat about his next destination.

All manner of boats are tied up along the towpath, or come chugging towards me. I’m looking out for Castle Meadow marina, where I hope I might find some breakfast. As I approach a barman is putting umbrellas up to shade the outdoor tables. When he smiles, I ask if he’s doing coffee. “Not till 11” he says. My face falls because it’s only 10.20am. I hover, looking at the boats, and he takes pity on me. I don’t push my luck and ask for toast, but it’s very pleasant sitting there, at the ‘Water’s Edge’.

Rosie and Jim?

Or a smart canal cruiser

My bench, at ‘Water’s Edge’

Friendly swans. Sorry guys- no toast!

Pot plants look so nice, on board

You know that I couldn’t resist a wander among the boats before carrying on along the towpath, don’t you? They’re all so colourful and individual. Do you have a favourite?

A crock of gold?

Another fluffy family

Coot babies are quite spiky!

In search of a firebird

Canal street art!

Just a little scary?

Not like Tinkerbell!

I carry on, not sure how much further I should go because I have a lunch date. There are some lovely canalside homes and even a boat builder’s yard. Hawthorn tumbles from the trees and I take many more photos.

The blossom crowds the towpath

‘Jill’ looking beautiful in the boatyard

With sparkling Vermuyden for company

I turn back reluctantly, not sure how much further I could have followed the canal. If you are interested in the history, this link will tell you a little more. I joined the canal at Trent Road.

I’m sure some of you will have glazed eyes. I just can’t help my fascination with boats, and for me it was a lovely respite from a sometimes stressful world. Time now to put that kettle on and see what everyone else has to share.

As always, if you click on my logo it’ll take you to the Jo’s Monday walk page, where I explain how to join me. Thank you very much to all my contributors for keeping me so well entertained. Your company is priceless.

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First up, it’s a little dainty stepping out in the desert with Drake this week :

Step’ing stone in the sand

Tobias enjoys looking for the details :

A short walk around Luxemburgplatz

If you like walking, sometimes you just have to ignore the weather :

Lake District walks : Easdale Tarn

Or how about a pretty little village stroll, complete with clogs?

A bit of green

Going from green to blue, with somewhere rather nice to sit :

A walk in the woods

Does anyone write a better ‘gardens’ post than Jude? I don’t think so!

Garden Portrait : Trelissick

Let’s travel to Toronto with a newcomer next. Please say hello!

Monday walks : Toronto Doors Open

A luscious cacti garden in Arizona next, and Amy’s first humming bird!

The Desert Botanical Garden

Geoff made the very most of a Bank Holiday Monday with…

A Blast on the Heath

Not so much a walk as … varoom- varoom! A ride :

On the Grid at the Indy 500

Rosemay is ‘under the weather’ in Munich, but what a beautiful city!

A stroll in the Englischer Garten

And last, and totally fabulous- Gilly has us flirting with death on the cliff tops!

A Walk at Morte Point

Thank you so much, everyone! Definitely living up to my name this month- next weekend sees me in Norfolk, visiting with Polish family. I hope to schedule a Monday walk, and I’ll be back Monday evening to chat with you. Till then, have a wonderful week!

Wacky windows in Nottingham

Headline news!

Many of you will know that I took a flying visit to Nottingham at the weekend. But not so swift that I couldn’t have a healthy salad (and a naughty cake) in Hopkinson with my lovely daughter. A Vintage store that spans four floors (yes, 4!), you can sit in the cafe on the ground floor surrounded by the most delightful clutter. No need to worry about calories! The 4 floors will soon work them off.

Click on a photo to view the galleries

The whole story!

And a few tins

In an enormous old store

The external is quite arresting too!

A message?

Some windowless windows!

And a bite to eat

Nottingham has shops by the gazillion, but I’ve always loved arcades and Flying Horse Walk is surely an eye pleaser. Let’s go a little more upmarket, shall we?

The Vivienne Westwood store

And a flying horse

Or two!

Inside the arcades

And looking up

More flying horses!

I’d like to say thank you for the kind thoughts and good wishes I received at the weekend. A few prayers won’t go amiss but I’m hopeful that things will get better. Love is all you need, but sometimes we need a little help too.

And, of course, I’m linking to Dawn’s A Lingering Look at Windows. Let’s go window shopping!

Jo’s Monday walk : Peaceful Staithes

Shall we start with a bench view, in Staithes?

You can probably guess how this post is going to go, from my opening shot. This month Jude is featuring benches ‘by the beach’ in her Bench challenge. It just so happens that on a windy, partially sunny day this week I had the good fortune to be in Staithes. It’s one of North Yorkshire’s more characterful seaside villages, with houses tumbling pell-mell down the cliffs. And, importantly, it has a good collection of benches.

Shall I share them now, then we can go walking?

A ‘plaice’ to bear in mind for your lunchtime fish and chips?

Click on any image to see the galleries in detail

Here are a few of the pub benches

And this is the beach they look down on

Or you can look in the opposite direction

There are benches for those who just like a view

Benches for readers

And even for those who like to be near the icecream van

Everything looks better in the sunshine but those railings do need a coat of paint

Now that we’ve established where you can eat, or just sit and enjoy the view, let’s go back up to the clifftop where my walk starts. There’s a car park up there and a nice little TI- not always open because it’s staffed by volunteers. (another job I’d like!)

A map is always helpful

As Jude will know, we are in James Cook territory. Cook had his first employment in Staithes, for a local merchant named William Sanderson, whose quayside shop was destroyed by a violent storm in the early 19th century. Materials from this shop may have been used in the construction of the new premises in Church St., now known as Cook’s Cottage. A footpath leads off to your right from the top of the village and descends gently between a hodge podge of houses. Beyond the rooftops the cliffs stand guard, keeping a watchful eye on the sea.

Little garden niches hug the cottages

Some grander than others

With a garden wall and a frog

Below, the sea waits patiently

Descending, the steps squeeze between the houses

Some nicely manicured

Others sharing their garden indiscriminately

Many with a nautical theme

Like this porthole

Communal living

In a confined space

Reminders of the sea, a constant

In the harbour there’s a sense of drama. These cliffs can both shelter and entrap. Today not even the chimes of the icecream van disturb the peace, but a wind whips the sand in little flurries. I try to capture the movement with my camera but it craftily eludes me.

Can you feel the motion in the sand?

And yet, looking back, all is calm

The boats sleeping peacefully on the shore

The baskets, empty

Time to climb back up to the cliff top. Dawdle up Church St. and, if you like, pop into the Arts and Crafts Centre. It has a lovely little garden at the rear.

Follow the sign

And here’s the pretty garden

And another bench (but not beside the beach)

The crafts are lovely too

On the cliff top you can join the Cleveland Way– 110 miles of walking, much of it beside the sea. I don’t suggest that you do all of it right now, but I can give you a glimpse of what you might find up there. It stretches from the hub of Helmsley- a totally different kind of village- inland and down the coast to Filey. I spent most of my childhood holidays on this coast and I love to return.

Church St.- home to Cook’s Cottage and the Arts and Crafts Centre

Heading for the cliff top

The gorse is blooming

I like these National Trust signs

And these guys were lovely

Completely intent on the job in hand

It was blustery on the cliff tops so I didn’t stay long. A path off to your left will bring you round behind the village and back to the car park, or you can simply retrace your steps. Another Monday, another walk! I hope you’ve enjoyed this one, and please don’t forget to seek out those benches for Jude.

Again I have some wonderful shares for you so thank you very much to all who support me and contribute. You are my happy band of walkers. Details of how you can join in Jo’s Monday walks are on the logo above. Time to rest those weary legs and put the kettle on for a good read.

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I can always make time for a day trip. How about you? The company’s good!

Day Tripper

It’s many years since I was in beautiful Salzburg. Debbie had much better weather :

Sunny Stroll along the Salzach

Blossom to die for! (or is that a tad melodramatic?) Gorgeous, anyway! Thanks, Violet :

Sakura in the sunshine

Speaking of sunshine, anyone been to Scotland lately? Cheers, Anabel!

Sunny Dunny : Dunbar

I know that Jude loves the Cornish beaches and sunshine, but the gardens? Just fabulous!

Garden Portrait : Tremenheere

And while we’re looking at Spring sunshine, let’s visit Meg in Warsaw and those cute ladybugs of hers!

Another day of Spring glory

Praga is a little known area in Warsaw. This guided tour is fascinating.

Across to the Dark Side

More conjectures and Thames footpath with Geoff :

The Thames Path- Bablock Hythe to Oxford

And Amy, enjoying nature and sharing so beautifully :

Monday Walk

Prepare yourselves! It’s tumbling time! You’ll enjoy this terrific post from Yvette (did you catch the icecream man, hon?)

Force of Nature- walk with Jo

A little more sedately, Jaspa tackles some history, ‘down Panama way’ :

A stroll through Old Panama City, Part 1- Panama Viejo

Down in the southern hemisphere, thoughts are turning to Autumn :

Day 3 of the road trip and we revisit Eastwoodhill

Brilliant, aren’t they? I hope you have a happy week. It’s a Bank Holiday in the UK next weekend but I’ll still be here. Hope that you will be too.

Six word Saturday

Home in time for the bluebells!

Is anything quite so entrancing as a bluebell wood?

The raindrops glistening in the sunshine

My first walk when I returned home was through the bluebell woods at Durham. I was a little sceptical when I set out. The skies were dreary and rain hung in the air. But by some touch of fairy magic, as we parked the car, the sun burst through. The river sparkled, the sheep munched away happily, and the greatest joy of all – a sea of bluebells as far as the eye could wander.

Dappled shade played over the sign

There’s no sign of the railway these days. Houghall Discovery Trail lies behind the Pumphouse Restaurant and Houghall College, off the A177 road into Durham. The link will give you a lovely bit of background information. The name derives from Heugh-Halh, meaning ‘hill spur- water meadow’. I hadn’t realised the meaning of Heugh (pronounced Hyuff), yet I should have done because over on Hartlepool Headland we have our very own Heugh, or hill spur.

But let’s get back to the bluebells, shall we?

This is probably my favourite shot

I loved the delicate beauty against the bark

A few sheep grazing, behind Houghall College

A stile, of course

And even a bench for Jude (but not for this month’s challenge)

And some leaf patterns on a tree, for Meg

And everywhere, that sumptuous carpet of blue

Speckled with ‘sometime’ white

I could have made this a Jo’s Monday walk, but I’m starting to stockpile my walks. Nice to just share a few bluebells with friends. I hope you have a lovely weekend, and it’s probably not too late to find some bluebells.

But first you should play Six Word Saturday with Cate at Show My Face. See you Monday!

Jo’s Monday walk : Rievaulx Abbey

Gazing heavenward at Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire

It was quite hard to decide which walk to take you on this week. The weather’s been so unseasonably kind and I’ve been out and about a lot. I will be missing next Monday and I wanted to leave you with some beautiful images. It’s probably hard to find anywhere more beautiful than Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire.

Spring was just beginning to tap on my door, and the Abbey was newly opened for the season when I made my visit- the first in many years! I had quite forgotten the majesty of the place. In the silence, I could almost hear the monks at prayer.

Approaching the Abbey

I hate to mention it, but that's a nice-looking bench

I hate to mention it, but that’s a well-situated bench

I just know you want a close up!

Founded in 1132, Rievaulx Abbey was the first Cistercian abbey to be built in the north of England. Situated just 3 miles from the village of Helmsley, in the North York Moors National Park, still it feels remarkably remote. The location, sheltered by hills in the valley of the River Rye, was ideal for the Cistercians, who valued a strict life of prayer and self sufficiency with little contact with the outside world.

Looking through into the Infirmary Cloister

An exquisitely shaped doorway

The Cloister Green, seen through the Arcade

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In order to have enough flat land to build on, the monks diverted part of the river several metres west of its original channel. It astounded me to find that during the 12th century, they diverted the course of the river three times. Such was the ingenuity of the monks, who over time built up a profitable business mining lead and iron ore. They reared sheep and sold the wool throughout Europe. Rievaulx grew to be one of the wealthiest abbeys in England. With 140 monks and many more lay brothers, it was a far cry from its devout beginnings. By the 15th century the strict observance of Cistercian practises had been abandoned in favour of a more comfortable lifestyle.

The South Transept

Henry VIII was, of course, delighted to take advantage of this prosperity when he dissolved the abbey in 1538. The 72 buildings alleged to have been in existence at that time were stripped of their assets and rendered uninhabitable. Today the still substantial abbey ruins are in the care of English Heritage. High on the hillside overlooking them sit two Grecian-style temples. These were added in the 1750s by Thomas Duncombe, and are now in the care of the National Trust. Just a glimpse is visible on my walk.

You might well want to linger in the Visitor Centre, which has a pleasant cafe (with good cake!) looking out on the ruins. Picnic tables will make this a popular spot in Summer. It’s much too early to return to the car so I’d like you to accompany me on a circular walk, along the river to Bow Bridge. A website I have used before Where 2 walk will provide you with a little map, but the 2 and a half mile route is quite straightforward. We can eat when we get back- I promise!

Walk towards Rievaulx village to a signpost on your left

Here it is!

The river is down to your left

And Bow Bridge is not too far ahead

Follow the tidy hedge and here we are

Cross over the bridge and take the footpath to your left and you will initially be following the opposite bank of the River Rye. A signpost saying ‘Ashberry’ points the way across a field, and the path begins on a gentle incline.

Past a handsome bare-branched tree

The trees still wear their winter moss blankets

Early primroses peak through the tree roots

The bareness reveals strange shapes in the woods

The path climbs a little steeply for a short stretch and, through the trees, you can just make out the outline of the Abbey down below. As we start to descend, a bench catches my eye.

What a lovely inscription

Alone with the daffodils

And the view…

Looking back, above the trees, you can just make out a Rievaulx Temple

Looking back, above the trees, you can just make out one of the Rievaulx Temples

The path ends at ‘Ashberry’- a large farmhouse

Set in lovely grounds

The sign points the way

One more bridge, a pretty riverside garden and, around a bend in the road, the Abbey. The cafe’s in sight. I feel a need for Yorkshire curd tart. I did promise, didn’t I?

A little pop of colour

A thatched cottage

And one last bench, with a view

The English Heritage website will give you full details of opening times for the Abbey and how to get there. Rievaulx is a charming village too, but very steep!

You might already have guessed that I’m linking this walk to Jude’s Bench challenge. This month’s theme is ‘a bench with a view’ and I think that I found a few. Sorry, Jude, but I don’t have time for a separate post because on Wednesday I’m off to the Algarve.

I won’t have a Monday walk for you next week, but please feel free to share your walks. I will include them on 20th April, when I hope to be posting about the wild daffodils in Farndale, planted originally by monks. Details of how to join in are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.

After that, I’m off to Poland again, with Dad, but that’ll be another story (and a whole lot more photos!) Surely time to get that kettle on and enjoy these posts! Many thanks to all my wonderful contributors.

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I didn’t manage to do this on my Paris trip so many thanks, Debbie :

A stroll around Montparnasse

A little bit of Spring magic with Gilly next :

The Chalice Well Garden in Glastonbury

Amy takes us to a perfectly manicured park (and there’s Easter eggs!)

Monday Walk

Drake tickled my fancy with boats. Knows the way to my heart, that one!

Idyllic Harbor Blues

Back to old Holborn haunts, with Geoff :

My kinda town

I have a new word for Spring. Frivolicious! 🙂 Thanks, Jesh!

April Frivolicious

Urban planning seems to be an issue at Violet Sky’s :

Street Signs- Old

But beauty abounds at Paula’s place!

A scene from Hyde Park

I refuse to take a walk with an alligator for anybody- even Yvette!

Windows and Doors in RVA

We’ll end with Tobias’ interesting outlook on Hamburg :

2/3 Faces of Hamburg

Don’t forget- I won’t be here next Monday! Hope to see you on 20th April. Meantime, lots and lots of happy walking! (and please take some bench shots for Jude)

Six word Saturday

Come with me, to the caves?

Sometimes it’s hard to stay away from the sea. The weather these past few days has been incredible and, as always, I was drawn like a magnet. In Panorama I mentioned the caves shaped by the motion of the waves on our north east coast. Today I thought I’d take you down there.

Beautiful, isn’t it?

It’s a strange landscape, legacy of a mining past

A scramble across the rocks and we’re there

At high tide the caves are cut off

I wouldn’t like to be marooned!

The sea rapidly approaches

But it’s easy to get distracted

As the tide creeps in

The shapes are brutal

And a little scary

Especially when you’re inside

Viewed from outside they’re less intimidating

Especially the ‘wedding arch’!

I don’t think it’s a place I would loiter on my own. At each visit the shapes have changed a little and there is new evidence of erosion. Just time to show you a few of the rocks in detail. Their colours fascinate- burned by the mines and bruised by the sea!

An endless array of haggard beauty

Or a lunar playground

They speak for themselves, don’t they?

I hope I haven’t tried your patience this morning? I do tend to get carried away with the camera.

You’ll be delighted to know that you can have a little rest from me next Saturday. I’ll be in the Algarve, but I’ll try not to bring back too many photos! Have a wonderful week ahead and please don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face with your six words.

See you on Monday, if you fancy a walk.

Panorama

Just yesterday I looked at Paula’s Scheduled Challenges and thought, ‘I don’t have anything panoramic’. Funny how life sometimes supplies what you need without even being asked.

The day dawned bright, beautiful and empty of plans. A phone call later and I had walking company. The coastline north of me is rugged, former mining territory. The magnesium limestone rocks are steadily eroding and at low tide you can enter the resulting caves. The shore is littered with reminders of the past, washed and washed beyond recognition.

Washed clear to the horizon

Save for a gentleman and his dog

From within the confines of the caves

The richly coloured stones beckon

Strewing the beach as far as the eye can see

Rough and ready jewels

Rinsed clean by the sea

It seems I had a ready made panorama all along! Perhaps I’ll take you inside the caves next time. Now to see what kind of Panorama Paula has in store. Whatever it is, I know it will be beautiful.

Jo’s Monday walk : Regent’s Canal

You might remember that last week I left Judith from London Walks standing beside Hampstead Road Lock. We were about to plunge into the cornucopia of wonder and excitement that is Camden Market. Why don’t you come with us?

Judith in the midst of the market

It’s all about the stables!

One of the things that I hadn’t been aware of on my previous visits to Camden Market was the existence of The Stables. Possibly because I am more drawn to the canal than to market stalls.

Before the advent of the motor car, all of London relied on horse drawn carriages for transport. A huge number of stables were required to house these horses. Many were associated with the canal trade, and The Stables Market is located in Pickford’s, the hauliers, former stables and the Grade II listed Horse Hospital. The latter served sick and injured horses which pulled the distribution vans and barges. The scale of the enterprise can be seen in this excerpt from Camden Railway Heritage Trust.

Today the vaulted arches have been transformed into a number of chic sales units and some of the former stalls are now a party venue. The power of the bronze horse sculptures dominate the market in a way that is hard to capture. Despite the crowds that regularly throng the area and the numerous fast food outlets, I would urge you to seek them out if you’re in the area.

One of many proud horse sculptures

The Stables Market

A moving tableau of horses

I could have stayed taking photos in The Stables Market all day, but the tour was coming swiftly to an end. I just had time to snatch a last couple of shots.

A funky horse!

Stables cum party venue

A venue of a different style

When I reluctantly left Judith, I hoped to catch the Waterbus for the next stage of my journey, to Little Venice. At 1pm the food stalls were all heaving and as I shrugged my way through them, I realised that the crew of the Waterbus had also declared lunch hour. But the sun was still on my shoulder, and the lure of the towpath simply too strong.

Time to escape the crowds

A spot of lunch might be nice!

The Feng Shang Floating Chinese Restaurant did look very appealing, but I hadn’t the time. I did find a very nice empty bench, though, in prime position to admire it. I rested my tired back and snacked on some fruit as I looked at my canal guide to check what lay ahead. Not far along the towpath I could see one of the aviaries of Regent’s Park Zoo.

Regent Park’s Zoo

I joined the spectators admiring the antics of the birds, and wondered if perhaps I might make time for a look into Regent’s Park. It’s many years since I’ve been there but, regretfully, I let it go. How was I to know that Debbie would take me there this week? For now, I was approaching Lord’s Cricket Ground and the prime real estate of St. John’s Wood and Maida Vale.

The wintry trees reflected in the canal

Time to choose a mansion?

Even upside down they look good!

A bench with a view, Jude?

At this point I have to leave the canal temporarily while it burrows through Maida Hill Tunnel. The way ahead is not immediately obvious, but by dint of a couple of roadside maps and checking with passers by, I manage to rejoin it. I’m now just a short distance from my final destination.

Soon, I’m back among the boats

Life on a canal wouldn’t be so bad, would it?

One last bridge to pass beneath

The sight I have been waiting for, Little Venice

Little Venice is a triangular stretch of water, also known as Browning’s Pool, after the Victorian poet Robert Browning, who lived near by. It marks the junction of Regent’s Canal with the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal. I am delighted to spot the Waterside Cafe nestled at the canal side and even happier to treat myself to an unexpected pastel de nata with my coffee. The Portuguese custard tart was the last thing I expected to find on an English canal.

Satisfied, I cross over the bridge and look wistfully at the stretch of canal lying ahead of me. My time has run out and I know that I must leave the Puppet Theatre and the floating art gallery for another visit. But today I have conquered 5 miles of London’s watery world, and enjoyed having Judith broaden my knowledge of Camden Town.

We’re in Paddington

The Waterside Cafe

The former Toll House, now a British Waterways property

A last look at the sun-dappled water

Doesn’t it look wonderfully peaceful?

If you were with me for To Camden and beyond last week, you’ll know that I’ve been watching ‘Great Canal Journeys’, with Timothy West and Prunella Scales. The series ended last night, with the Lothian Canal in Scotland. I’m not so very far from the Scottish Borders and I’m now determined to see the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies for myself. If you missed this excellent series you can still find it on YouTube.

You’ll probably find me, walking somewhere, next week. Please do join me, if you can.

Our Easter weather’s been pretty good for getting out and about, so I’m hoping you’ll have lots of walks to share with me this week. Details of how to join in are on my Jo’s Monday walk page or simply click on the logo above. Time to settle in with a cuppa and enjoy my shares this week. Many thanks to all of you!

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What could be a better accompaniment to this week’s walk? Perfect timing, Debbie!

Take a Walk in Regent’s Park

The loveliest Robin photo I’ve seen in a while. Thanks, Drake! A bird friend?

Out of Nowhere

Lots more street art from Geoff! Do you have a favourite?

Dulwich Street Art- part 3

Also featured on last night’s ‘Great Canal Journeys’ was the Antonine Wall. Many thanks, Anabel! I’d never heard of it before :

The Antonine Wall

Tobias’ offering this week is full of the gravitas of Good Friday :

Festung Ehrenbreitstein

And lastly, it’s my very great pleasure to share the amazing graphics of an old friend. Please welcome Jake!

Roald Dahl

That’s it for this week! I hope you’ve had a great Easter break and I hope to catch up with you all soon.

Six word Saturday

Will you be having an

EGGSTRAVAGANZA?

My Easter is fairly quiet, with a few familiar and loved items around me. Mam always used to make paste eggs and for many years I followed suit. These days I don’t have anyone to play “jarpies” with me, or hunt for Easter eggs, but I did have a lovely celebration with my lady friends on Maundy Thursday. Before we met up I had a browse around Newcastle, and couldn’t help but notice that Easter has gotten a whole lot fancier these days.

See what I mean?

And it doesn’t stop there

How about these?

Or these?

Chocolate bunny, anyone?

Even Shrek’s in on the act!

Me, I’m happy with a few flowers, the painted eggs I brought back from Poland a few years ago, and a soap duck and chick bought for me by my late Aunt Anna in Kraków’s Rynek Główny.

And on the mantlepiece, a floppy bunny (with eggs hidden inside- thanks, Kath!) and a few cards.

How does Easter look in your home? Wishing you peace and joy, and a happy heart.

It’s Saturday so it’s time to share your six words with Cate at Show My Face. I hope you have a lovely weekend, and I’ll see you on Monday for my walk.

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

England

Six word Saturday

Living up to my reputation again!

Jo’s Monday walk : Canalside in Nottingham

Wacky windows in Nottingham

Jo’s Monday walk : Peaceful Staithes

Six word Saturday

Home in time for the bluebells!

Jo’s Monday walk : Rievaulx Abbey

Six word Saturday

Come with me, to the caves?

Panorama

Jo’s Monday walk : Regent’s Canal

Six word Saturday

Will you be having an

EGGSTRAVAGANZA?

Living up to my reputation again!

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Home in time for the bluebells!

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Come with me, to the caves?

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Will you be having an

EGGSTRAVAGANZA?

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