England

Jo’s Monday walk : to Camden and beyond!

Isn’t this a heart warming sight?

I don’t know if any of you have been watching ‘Great Canal Journeys’, presented by Timothy West and Prunella Scales? I have a real fondness for this couple and the way in which they are dealing with advancing years and health issues. For me, they are fulfilling a dream that I’ve always had, to take to a boat and putter away my days. As near as I’ve come is the towpath so far, unless you count a long ago week in a narrowboat in a permanent mooring at Reading!

It was pure coincidence that last week’s episode featured Regent’s Canal, because that is precisely where I had planned on taking you. Sadly for all of us, we’re on foot! Still, as a bonus we can pick up a book before we start, and keep a lookout for a sunny bench. I begin my journey along the canal behind King’s Cross railway station. With time to spare you could pop into the London Canal Museum, but I need to be in Camden Town by 11.00, so it’s best foot forward.

Goodbye bookshop! Nice meeting you.

The boardwalk looks brand new!

First stop, St. Pancras Lock

Is that the Camley St. Visitor Centre?

And a nice lock keeper’s cottage

Apparently this gas tower is a listed building

There’d been a spot of overnight rain

Super smart canalside living

But there’s no escaping graffiti!

Well on our way!

No shortage of bridges!

And tunnels!

More desirable housing

Lots of it!

I’d love to do this!

Approaching my first destination

Camden Lock

I think I’ll have to split this walk into two halves. My eventual destination along the towpath is Little Venice, but in Camden Town I take a small detour to join Judith from London Walks.

A guided tour of ‘Old Camden Town’ sounded irresistible to me, and so it proved. Judith, a local artist with a twinkle in her eye, regaled us with stories of characters as diverse as Dickens, Amy Winehouse, George Bernard Shaw and Dylan Thomas. Better yet, she showed me a London that, in all my years of first living there and then return visits to the capital, I had never managed to find for myself. Now that’s what I call a good walk leader! If given the opportunity, do join her. You won’t regret it.

There can be few high streets that look like this!

There can be very few high streets that look like this!

I’ve been to Camden Town several times and it’s a favourite of my daughter. The mix of quirky shops, outrageous clothing and sparkly things is a magnet to her magpie nature. It was just 11.00 when I arrived and anxiously scanned the High St., looking for Judith in the Saturday morning swell. As promised, she was outside the Metro Station entrance, cheerfully rounding up her flock. Introductions made, we were off at a brisk pace, on our 2 hour Camden tour.

The Town Crier seemed perfectly happy to chat

Click on any photo to view gallery

The station. There’s a history to the windows.

Pretty Camden street

‘World’s End’- a famous drinking establishment

A distinguished hospital

Dickens lived here!

Stylish former department store

And an Amy Winehouse haunt

We head back towards the canal and cross over Hampstead Road Lock- arguably the most picturesque lock on the canal- about to delve into Camden Market.

Hampstead Road Lock

Judith, recounting a little history to the group

And I think that is a good place to leave her. I hope that you’ll come back next week, when we’ll explore the incredible Stables, and I’ll continue on along the Regent’s Canal.

Many thanks to Jude for reminding me about ‘Take a walk in the park day’, which just happens to be today. I’ve linked back to Ailsa’s Outdoors. What could be more outdoors than the canals?

Time to look at my contributors and to say a big thank you for their kindness in joining me. Details of how to join in are on my Jo’s Monday walks page, or simply click on the logo above. All you need right now are a cuppa and a comfy seat.

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Debbie first this week! A boardwalk and boats are just my style. Thanks, Debs!

Walking the boardwalk at Wicken Fen

Geoff is staying with the Street Art, which seems highly popular at the moment :

Dulwich Street Art- part two

Amy has some more of her beautiful captures, and guess what? It’s Spring!

Monday walk : Spring is here…

Gilly has us wandering on the Exe Trail. The dogs needed a gentle stroll :

Strolling Route 2

Can you find a dog on Meg’s post this week?

Eurobodalla beaches : Yabbara Beach

Meanwhile, Esther has a tempting proposition?

Walk on Mars

And Anabel has some wonderful tapestry for us to look at :

New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde

Drake gives us a glimpse of summer time in Denmark. It’s beautiful!

Walkabout last Summer

Next a delightful surprise from Cloud of Lace in Lebanon. Byblos is almost as beautiful as her blog. Please go and say ‘hi!’ to Hiba.

Walking around in Byblos

Tobias uses light and shade brilliantly. Take a look!

A Walk in Berlin

Hooray!!! Jude’s back! I know you’ll have missed her walks. I did!

Take a Walk in the Park Day

It will be Easter Monday next week. I’ll still be hosting my walk, and if the weather cooperates I’m hoping lots of you will be out there walking too. Whatever happens, I wish you all a very happy Easter holiday.

Ephemeral

Something I always struggle to capture but can spend endless hours watching! Sea spray flying through the air. That’s ephemeral for me.

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Ephemeral.”

Six word Saturday

I went looking for reflections, but…

I didn’t find many

But I did find lots of boats

And you know I like a boat or two

This wasn’t quite the reflection I had in mind

Isn’t it looking pretty today?

Found a whisper of a reflection

And the sun playing in the water

And around the Black Diamond training ship

Hooray! A cloud reflected in the window

Flat calm- fluffy clouds in the inner harbour

At last! A full on reflection

Next week’s Thursday’s Special has the theme ‘reflections’. On a clear bright day this week I thought I’d get ahead of the game. But there was just enough wind to ripple the water and make my task that little bit harder. No matter! I enjoyed playing anyway.

I won’t be going anywhere near Hartlepool marina this weekend. It’s grey and wet! Maybe we’re saving the sunshine for next weekend’s long Easter Break. Wherever you are I hope you have a happy weekend. And don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face to play Six word Saturday.

A bench for all seasons

Trainspotting, anyone?

There’s one!

Blue skies! It’s an English Summer.

Delving deep into my archives, I’ve concluded that I don’t take many photos of benches.

But I do like to get out into the countryside

And find quirky benches

Like these

Coastal footpaths are great places for a bench or two.

Especially if you have to climb up there

Ahhh, that’s better!

In Giverny, at the Monet Garden, I tried to capture a very cute butterfly and her sister.

Got the bench, but the butterfly nearly got away!

It was such a lovely place! Spot the bench?

It was such a lovely place, with just an occasional free bench

It’s not every day you find a bench for St Patrick’s!

Spring has been quite unpredictable too this year. Walking has brought a few surprises.

No sitting on this one!

Or this!

I can’t wait for those sunny days to get here so I can begin hunting for benches in earnest. Have you joined Jude’s Bench Challenge yet? Come with me! You don’t want to miss it.

Explore the Elements

I’ve left it ‘oh, so late’ to enter the Explore the Elements competition hosted by Thomas Cook. I was tagged just a couple of days ago by Becky at Hidden Delights of Olhao. The prizes are so nice, but looking at the entries I already know I stand no chance! What finally decided me to enter was this shot, which I took yesterday.

WATER

I wasn’t thinking about the competition, but was drawn to the water, as I always am, even on a dull day beside the River Tees. Formless. Emotional. Magnetic. Water holds me in its spell.

FIRE

In complete contrast, this blaze in the dark of a Paris night seemed to me to have all the crackle and energy of fire. Shooting upwards it brought a glow of admiration to my face.

AIR

A wind farm off the north east coast of England stirs the air with vigour. You can climb the Vertical Pier at Redcar to be a little closer to the elements and the swirling motion of the clouds.

EARTH

Gravity defying, the red cliffs of the Algarve stubbornly persist, despite the insidious forces of erosion. The earth here awes and yet is the same substance that binds us all together.

These are my impressions of the elements. In order to enter the competition I have to nominate 5 bloggers. At this late stage it is of no benefit to them, but had it been possible I would have loved to see the impressions of Rommel at Sophomore Slump, Debbie at Travel with Intent, Lucile de Godoy, Sylvia at Another Day in Paradise and Sherri Matthews. Sorry guys- I guess the prizes have gone!

Six word Saturday

Just time for a brisk walk!

You know, already, where this is!

So much about London is iconic, isn’t it? This time last week, I was whirling along the city streets! I still have a canal walk to share with you, but today I’m saying goodbye for a while.

Talking of iconic!

How blue is that sky?

South Bank Winter?

You’d hardly think so, would you?

Isn’t it beautiful?

I like to see a bit of industry

Ahh, that’s what he’s making!

A different kind of industry!

And another icon!

Under Blackfriar’s Bridge next. I hadn’t walked this part in a long time so it felt new to me, though some of it’s very old. I love the contrast.

Who knew this was here?

Industry of old

And times gone by

Sleekly modern London in the making

Who can fail to love this bridge?

Yes, Meg, I know I’m going to be teased mercilessly about rivers and bridges, but how can I not show you London’s finest, in the short time that I have?

St. Paul’s, across the Millenium Bridge

Can you tell that I’m just a little in love with our capital city? I had a fine weekend, but it’s back to the peaceful life for me. Early tomorrow morning I fly to the Algarve, hoping to find more blue skies. I’ll probably struggle to reply to many of you today, but hopefully I’ll make it up to you when I’m back.

Don’t forget the 6Friends Theory competition, will you? You never know what could happen. And, of course, visit Cate at Show My Face to share your week. I hope it was a good one.

6 Friends Theory- trip of a lifetime!

I had little idea what I was getting involved in when I received my invitation to the 6 Friends Theory event from Mercure Hotels. A bubble of excitement rose inside me as I read the details and then watched the video. If I understood correctly, Mercure were planning to send someone around the world! I needed to know more.

How often have we said ‘it’s a small world’? The Six Degrees of Separation theory is what lies behind Mercure Hotels initiative. This suggests that everyone is six steps away or fewer, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world. A chain of ‘a friend of a friend’ statements can be made to connect any two people, in a maximum of six steps. Such is the theory set out by Frigyes Karinthy in 1929. In this age of social media, Mercure are proposing to test the theory, offering one lucky person a round the world trip to do so.

Six Mercure Hotels will host the winner, on an unprecedented 30 day trip, starting in Paris, and scheduled for March 2015. Could it be you? I have wonderful memories of Paris last Summer.

Is there a more exciting city in the world than Paris?

Paris, in all its evening glory!

If you’ve watched the video you’ll know that Mercure propose to select an individual, and take them to meet an Aboriginal from the Bundjalung tribe in Australia. They will meet through the chain of friends, and friends of friends, that connect them. Exciting? I’ll tell you how to get involved soon.

First I need to tell you a little about your hosts. Mercure are passionate hoteliers, dedicated to providing a warm experience in their network of 707 hotels in 53 countries around the globe. Part of Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator with more than 3,600 hotels, the Mercure brand has a strong personal identity. From the second I walked through the doors of the Mercure London Bridge, I was greeted with warm smiles. This continued throughout my stay, and everyone from the receptionists to the hotel maids had a friendly greeting for me.

Click on any photo to see it enlarged.

My comfortable hotel bedroom

Toiletries

The Lounge

Busy receptionists

Bar area

Hannah, waiting to go out, in reception

The bedroom was fully equipped, with tea and coffee making facilities and a plate of delicious fresh fruit. The first thing I did was to kick off my boots, put the kettle on, and check out the free high speed Wifi connection, which worked to perfection. Slippers and a towelling robe beckoned, and a full range of toiletries in the bathroom. A hot shower, and London waiting on the doorstep. What could be better?

The reception area has sleek modern lines, with inviting vases of sweets on almost every available surface. I don’t know how I restrained myself! Perhaps the prospect of supper in nearby Borough Market? The 4 star hotel is situated on Southwark Street and is just minutes from the London Bridge or Southwark Metro station. I have yet to visit beautiful Southwark Cathedral, but I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, just around the corner on Bankside. Tate Modern and the London Eye are a wander away, while St. Paul’s Cathedral is just across the river. The area is also perfect for a romantic evening stroll.

St. Paul’s, across the Millenium Bridge

Talking of iconic!

‘The Globe’, theatre in the round

I think it’s probably time I got to the competition details, don’t you? Of course, it involves social media. Mercure are interested in the question of human bonds in the digital era. A societal study of friendship is being conducted alongside the Six Friends Theory operation.

To take part in the competition, you need to post a 60 second video on Facebook. In this, you should describe your personality and motivations, and explain why you think you are the best person to undertake this trip. As one of the judges says, ‘The candidate will be the nice friend everybody would like to go around the world with’. Is that you? You have until 10th February to convince everybody and pull in the votes on Facebook. Follow this link for full details. It just remains to wish you good luck, or ‘bonne chance’!

Mercure were kind enough to invite me to their promotional event, as part of a group of bloggers, but all photos and opinions are my own.

Jo’s Monday walk : London by Moonlight

The Golden Hind II, on Bankside

I had a brilliant time in London this weekend, staying at the Mercure London Bridge hotel for a 6 Friends Theory event. I’ll tell you all about it later in the week, but first things first- my Mondays always start with a walk.

You can imagine the amount of walking I did in London! Let’s just say, my boots need re-heeling. Friday saw me striding out along South Bank, the air crisp and bright! On Saturday I took to the canal paths, sandwiching this with a superb guided walk round Old Camden Town. Judith, from London Walks, had a merry twinkle in her eyes as she shared stories of the neighbourhood- everything from George Bernard Shaw to George Melly!

I’m a little short on time to do those walks justice, so I thought I’d do something a bit different this week. How about a moonlit stroll? It’s not often that I get to see our capital by night, and it’s a glorious sight. I had to cut it shorter than planned when the skies suddenly opened!

I’ve always loved a Tall Ship, and this one’s so colourful!

Golden Hind II, an authentic replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship, has resided in her berth at St. Mary Overie Dock, Bankside since 1996. She’s had her share of colourful adventures and has cicumnavigated the globe and featured in four films. These days her chief activity is to provide living history lessons about Elizabethan maritime history. The children can swashbuckle a little and dress up as Tudor sailors. Details of her voyages, along with Drake’s own round the world trip, from 1577 to 1580, are provided in this Wikipedia link.

A complication of rigging!

I mentioned moonlight, and the night was clear and crisp when I left the hotel, on Southwark St., for a short walk to Borough Market. At Fish the food was delicious! I needed a stroll afterwards.

How I found space for pudding, I’m not sure

I maybe should have stopped at fish

But really- would you?

From Borough Market, I headed through Clink St. towards Bankside, and lingered by the dock. The lights from the towering buildings and the bridges danced playfully on the water.

Southwark Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral

A shock of colour in close up!

The air was turning damp and it seemed a good idea to head back towards Clink St. A familiar shape loomed overhead. It’s London’s latest landmark, The Shard.

The Shard- visible everywhere!

Beads of rain speckled the sign

The remains of Winchester Palace

The rain was gathering conviction and I hastened my steps, though still held in London’s night time spell. Hood pulled up, it was time for my camera to retreat to safety. Just a last couple of shots, then it was time to step out swiftly, back to the hotel.

More enchanting by night?

Back on Southwark St. the rain bounces!

If the weather had been better, I might have followed the Thames all night, so perhaps it’s just as well the rain came. The next day dawned clear and sharp, and I was off again.

But those stories will have to wait. Next Sunday I’m off to the Algarve, so Jo’s Monday walk will be taking a two week breather. I already have several walks lined up in the Algarve, so I hope you’ll join me when I get back. (16th February)

I am so grateful to all the people who have shared walks with me. You take me to places I could never reach under my own steam. I only hope that you enjoy my walks as much as I enjoy yours. Please feel free to share them at any time. My Jo’s Monday walk page will give you the details.

Time to put the kettle on for a cuppa. There are some wonderful walks coming up!

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Paula has agreed to show us a little of her home city, Zagreb, currently cloaked in winter bareness

A fun walk by the lake

Richard has been a friend for the longest time, and knows the BEST places to go!

The Watergate Bay sunset walk

A walk that I meant to share after my trip to Paris, done beautifully by Debbie. Thanks for the memory!

Promenading the banks of Canal Saint-Martin

Something I’m very familiar with, but Jude makes it look good!

Wintery Blues

Natural sounds, presented with flair, from Amy this week. I adore a hibiscus in the rain!

Sounds in Nature

A first for my walks- some wonderful poetry from Esther! She’ll make you smile, I guarantee :

Walk in the Woods

Elizabeth is walking home from work, but don’t feel sorry for her! I certainly don’t :

Walking home from work

Is it possible to walk with Drake without smiling? I don’t think so!

Walkabout in Strasbourg

And Kathryn had me smiling so, with her sweetness. Let’s go tracking, in the woods!

Monday walk with Jo in mind

Thank you to all my kind and lovely friends! I’ll try to catch up with you during the week. Then I may have earned a rest. Happy walking, everyone!

Six word Saturday

To be, or not to be?

‘The Globe’ theatre, in miniature

This weekend finds me in London, on a blogging event with the Mercure hotel chain. They are launching a major competition based on the 6 Friends Theory. More of that to follow!

Just so that you know I haven’t been wasting my time, I popped into The Globe theatre at Bankside and did the tour. It’s a reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original Globe, and I’ve wanted to visit for years. (another tick in box!) Now I want to go back and see a play there. Maybe next trip? The exhibition space was very interesting too, though I didn’t have nearly enough time. Here’s just a glimpse!

Never can resist a knight in shining armour!

Or a nice gown

The stage hangings were from New Zealnd

And were wonderfully crafted

And quite dramatic!

You could even be a model for a Shakespearean gown!

Fortunately, I didn’t have time before the bell rang for the tour, but the lady seemed to be enjoying herself. I was disappointed with my photos of The Globe itself. With dazzling bright skies (yes, I was lucky again!) and deep shade, I struggled to get clear images, but my memories are intact. If I had longer I would love to visit the new indoor Jacobean Theatre in the complex. (one off the list, and two back on!) Sam Wanamaker’s vision and tireless energy in driving the project has finally come to fruition.

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That’s it for now! It’s time for breakfast and some more sight seeing. Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face to share your six words. Apologies if I don’t respond to you for a while. Home this evening!

Jo’s Monday walk : Dodging golf balls!

The bridge crossing the railway lines

I was a little conflicted over which walk to share with you today. Logically, it should be the one which culminates with Penshaw Monument, which intrigued many of you last week. But I’m often not a logical creature, and I’m always susceptible to the pull of the sea.

Hartlepool has three golf courses. I’ve never especially felt the need to wallop a golf ball, though I did once demonstrate a mild talent for pitch and put. All 3 courses have sea views, but by far the most scenic is very close to the sea. I would never be able to concentrate on the ball, so it’s a good job I’m a walker. Our start point is on the Hart to Haswell walkway, just north of Hartlepool Headland. Are you ready? We’ll need to step out briskly to keep warm!

You can already see and smell the sea as you cross the bridge

You can see, and almost smell, the sea as you cross the bridge

Through the gate, the path leads down towards the sea

And then, a glimpse of beach

The gorse is beginning to flower- always an encouraging sign. Depending on how high the tide, you will probably find a ribbon of water, wriggling its way towards the sea.

The curve of an errant strip of water

With the sun so low, the water glimmers electric blue

With the sun so low, the water glimmers an electric blue

You have a choice at this point. You can stay down at beach level or ascend a gentle gradient to the golf course. There is a public right of way, but you venture there at your own risk.

In other words, keep your head down!

I prefer to climb a little for the views along the coast

In both directions

I like an empty golf course!

Maybe the wind has deterred them

But I don’t mind

Just a little windswept?

Probably not 'sitting on a bench' weather!

Certainly not ‘sitting on a bench’ weather!

The advantage of being up on the tops is that you can remain in the sun for a little longer. Below, on the beach, the shadows rapidly lengthen and you need to increase your pace.

The shadows have swept the beach almost bare

As the sun retreats, out to sea

I gallop along, but pause, intrigued by the sand patterns

And the blueness of the sea

Fascinating, aren’t they?

We’re not too far from the Headland now, and you may recognise a landmark ahead. The pier that once belonged to Steetley Magnesite, and betrays our industrial past, has featured in several of my posts. I find it a compelling sight.

Steetley pier in the distance

And in close up

It’s a little like a magnet to me, and I have to admit that I probably overdid it on this walk. You can about face and retrace your steps at any point, but having reached the pier I had determined to continue to the Headland. It’s the only place nearby where you can obtain refreshments.

The promenade on the Headland

The sun was rapidly sinking as I walked

And my reward- a dazzling sunset

I confess that I did not walk all the way back. There is a bus from the Headland which would take me home. I was rather lucky on this occasion, and met some friends, who’d been having scones with jam and cream in Mary Rowntree’s. They kindly offered me a lift. You just never know what might happen when you go out for a walk! I hope you enjoyed this one.

Time to thank all my lovely contributors again this week. They will take you to some ravishing places! Pop the kettle on and settle down for a good read. If you happen to have a walk you’d like to share, I’d be delighted. My Jo’s Monday walk page tells you how.

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No-one can tell a story like Tish Farrell! I know that you will enjoy…

To the Isle of Dwynwen, Welsh Saint of lovers

Another shot full of drama from Cardinal! Anyone been to Oslo?

Winter Sunset

Debbie takes us to Ljubljana. That girl gets to the loveliest places!

A Short Plecnik Walk

No need to venture beyond this garden, in South Africa! Let Sonel show you around :

In our Garden

Amy’s educating us about the Banyan tree next. Who knew?

Which Way?

And there’s a beautiful sequel to Paula’s walk from last week. Don’t miss it!

A Walk among the Menhirs- Sequel

You knew that Drake would be here again, didn’t you? Indoors, this time!

Indoor walking!

Use Feng shui and prayer flags to boost your energy? Like Elena :

Wind Horse in the Mountains

For complete contrast, a luxurious stroll, with beetroot tart and salad- with Rosemay :

On the Heritage Trail, South Perth

And while we’re down that way, let’s finish the day deliciously, in Canberra with Jude.

R G Menzies Evening Walk

What’s better than a walk? A walk and a steam train ride, of course! Many thanks to Lisa :

Kawakawa-Opua Cycle Trail

Absolutely fantastic walks! I really hope you can find time to read them. I’ll be back with you next Monday, but after that there’ll be a short break. Happy walking in the meantime!

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

England

Jo’s Monday walk : to Camden and beyond!

Ephemeral

Six word Saturday

I went looking for reflections, but…

A bench for all seasons

Explore the Elements

Six word Saturday

Just time for a brisk walk!

6 Friends Theory- trip of a lifetime!

Jo’s Monday walk : London by Moonlight

Six word Saturday

To be, or not to be?

Jo’s Monday walk : Dodging golf balls!

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I went looking for reflections, but…

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Just time for a brisk walk!

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To be, or not to be?

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