Photography

Six word Saturday

Thursday’s still Special on a Saturday

Last Saturday you accompanied me to a rather wonderful cake shop in Kraków. Just so you don’t think that I spent the entire two weeks eating cake, I think you should come with me on a little stroll to the park.

It’s a very busy household I was staying in. Work in the bakery starts in the early hours and often Łukasz leaves home before 5. Ula combines study with learning the trade, sometimes in the cake shop till 10 at night. Their father, Adam, is at the helm of the bakery and machine manufacturing business all day long. Which leaves wife Marta at home, feeding and nurturing, whilst oldest daughter Weronika looks after eleven month old Bartek. So what was I to do?

Find a bench in the Park and watch the world at play. All was peaceful when I first arrived, but soon excited voices broke into my reverie. A posse of pre-schoolers were being coraled in the playground. Peace was gone, but a smile lit my face.

Paula makes Thursday special every week, and you know that’s still true on a Saturday.

Hope you have a great weekend. Why not share your six words with Cate, and I’ll be back on Monday with a Polish walk for you.

May wildflowers

I came home from Poland to a few days of lovely weather, which even saw me having breakfast in the garden one morning. The clouds are back now but I just made it to the cliff tops at Seaham in time to catch a few wild orchids to add to Jude’s collection of Wildflowers.

Jo’s Monday walk : Meeting Meg

If ever you need a sweet-natured soul to have a stroll with- or better still, a hug or five and a hoot of laughter- I have a peerless recommendation for you. I’m a little hesitant in writing this post because I’m not sure that I can do the lady full justice. If you saw Meg’s post, ul Piotrkowska with Jo, you’ll know that she has already done my job for me. And that is very typical of Meg. Swift to offer the hand of friendship, she turned my day in the city of Łódź into something quite extraordinary.

First, let me give you a little background. The key to Meg’s being in Poland is her wnuki, her grandchildren.( pronounced f-nooki, it’s another of those tricky Polish words) How many people do you know who would leave their beloved home (think ‘good for the soul’ quiet beaches, and Australian flora and fauna, all photographed by Meg in exquisite detail) to take up residence in Poland’s capital city, Warsaw, for a year? To be near those children. Speaking almost no Polish, and reduced, like myself, to a perplexed frown as conversations roll past her, Meg then agrees to meet with an English lady in an unknown city. To make it easier for that lady, she books 3 nights in the city, alone, almost immediately after a family trip to the Polish lakes.

And now for my part. I know all too well the frustrations of a lack of ability to communicate. Occasionally I have thought that ‘signing’ would be a better method than trying to speak the Polish language. I get by well on hugs and smiles within the family but that doesn’t go down so well with strangers. Understandably the family are not keen to let this nodding, smiling person go wandering in a big city, where few of them are keen to venture themselves. How can they know that it is in my nature to wander? That I thrive on it. I have even done a little research and know how to get to Łódź. And beyond that, I will have Meg!

It is with reluctance but great patience that Andrzej accompanies me to the bus stop, and we wait and wait. When I am almost convinced that it will not arrive, despite his phone call to the bus company and being told ‘Będzie’- ‘it will come’, a small white minibus hoves into view. Can you imagine the bubble of excitement inside me as the lush green of Springtime Poland slides past my window?

Enough! The audience awaits. I step off the bus almost into her arms and we make it to a corner cafe for much needed kawa (coffee, of course). And there I discover just how delightful a companion I am to have for my day of freedom. The cafe is situated on a corner of Poland’s longest street, Ulica Piotrkowska. With unfailing lack of sense of direction I point to the ‘top end’ of the street and suggest that we head that way. Meg smiles, and points the other way. Armed with a map from the TI and directions on how to find the bus stop from which I must later leave the city, cameras in hand and huge grins on our faces, we begin to walk.

As Meg has pointed out in her beautiful post, the architecture in Łódź is ravishing. There really is something for everyone, whether you favor shabby or chique. My tendency is always to beauty and elegance, but I can sometimes be won over by the forlorn and unloved. We are each other’s eyes, and at times it’s hard to concentrate, as smiles and snippets of conversation bob back and forth. I have never taken photographs in tandem like this, and it is a remarkable experience. Sometimes I pause to see what Meg has focused on, and later I realise that she was doing the same with me. How very wonderful to find someone who understands the joy of just being there.

Part of the reassurance I tried to give my Polish family was that I would not be straying far from Ulica Piotrkowska, and there truly was little need to. Our first landmark is Plac Wolnosci, where I dance in delight at the passing trams. Meg finds this funny. There is every kind of transport along this street, but trams always bring a smile to my lips.

Looking up, past a rusty old gate, cavorting weasels (or maybe rats?) catch my eye, but I have my sights on Palac Poznanskiego, Museum of the History of Łódź. Time is precious and the weather superb so, having found our target, we agree to bypass it in favour of a leafy green space. Meg takes huge pleasure in the soft shadows and gently waving trees. My best efforts for Jude are rather pathetic, and I start to giggle.

We are at the very top of Piotrkowska, and turn to head back. On a corner of Plac Wolnosci, the church of Zesłania Ducha Świętego is bathed in bright sunlight. The door is ajar, and we enter quietly. There are only a couple of people knelt in silent worship and I manage a few shots, trying hard not to be intrusive. ‘Are you any good at mosaics?’ asks Meg. I shrug and try.

Time to decide where to eat. There are plenty of choices and we are agreed that an outdoor table will do nicely. Ordering from the board outside our restaurant, I manage to confuse the waitress. Or does she confuse me? Soup, and then nalesniki (pancakes) with spinach, appear in rapid succession. I decide to ask again for some wine, and am greatly relieved when it arrives.

Many confidences were exchanged before we continued along this engaging street. Rubinstein with his piano vied for our attention with local born poet, Julian Tuwim. Whimsy there was aplenty, and some quite enchanting sculptures of children.

Nifty little archways and passages lead off Piotrkowska, some of them quite irresistible. Most lead to restaurants and quiet courtyards, but the art gallery and cafe Surindustrialle was one of our best finds. Metal art from industrial waste. Take a look at the website and you’ll see what I mean.

I have so many more photos that I could show you, but perhaps you are getting weary. Meg showcases many of them brilliantly so, if you haven’t already paid a visit, I hope that you will do so. One good thing about this walk- it’s almost impossible to get lost. But reaching the end of Ulica Piotrkowska is another matter altogether. I don’t know if we got even halfway along its 4.9km.

All too soon it was time to look for the bus stop that would take me back to the family. A landmark for Meg in finding her way around the city, the main tram station was chiefly a source of happiness for me. I had glimpsed it, with curiosity, from my bus window on the way into Łódź. Just look!

A block further south and our grand street was starting to look a little more humble. A colossal renovation project, it’s hard to know when it will be finished. But our time together was almost at an end. The bus stop was found too quickly and we looked for somewhere to conclude our meeting. Not a cafe in sight, we subsided onto the bench and continued to talk. There was so much to ask… so much to say! But 45 minutes later the bus revved its engine and I reluctantly got on board. One last hug and a wave and Meg was gone. I was both exhilarated and bereft!

I realise that this walk is of a far more personal nature than usual, but I wanted it to be a tribute to a very special lady. I do hope you enjoyed your walk with ‘us’, and I very much hope that she and I will meet again someday.

Should you be tempted by what you’ve seen, you will find the Tourist Information website in Łódź a valuable source of information.

Thank you for your patience everybody. Often I visited your blogs whilst sitting on the sofa, as Dad and my cousins watched TV, but my Smartphone has its limits (or the truthful version- I do!) ‘Normal service’ should be resumed now. Welcome to my walks! Join in if you like. The details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. Time for a cuppa, isn’t it?

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It always tickles me how many of our place names are the same- Monteith St. for example. Thanks, Anabel!

Toronto: an urban walk

There’s no getting away from it- Susan is a lady after my own heart :

Just for the shell of it

Classical Glass

Yvette always supplies interesting people to compliment her doors (and walks) :

Thursday Doors (walk-ing)

I’m inclined to forget that Becky has an English blog. Come along with me and learn all about ‘navigations’ :

A lovely English stroll for a Monday

I have done this walk to the Algarve’s Fonte da Mesquita but, unlike Becky, I didn’t see the orchids. Sad face! :

A happy case of ‘orchidelirium’ on our walk to the spring!

Sue has a warm heart and is a great espouser of good causes, but she likes a bit of fun too!

Where Do Beavers Live?

Nothing I like better than a watery walk! Geoff chucks in a chateau or two and I’m happy :

Moi Aussi#walking#france

And some London buildings, including lovely St. Bride’s :

H is for Hawksmoor and his boss….

Drake takes us ‘home’ to beautiful Samsø in Denmark :

Here comes the sun

We’re biking again in California, but you can get off to check out the neighbourhood :

My weekly ramble- From my front door

A hint of mystery next and a great yarn, told in Tish’s best raconteur mode :

The Tale of a Hidden House that once hid a King

And while we’re storytelling, I was delighted to have the ‘other’ Sue for company this week :

Of castles, a dancer, dragon’s teeth and tunnels…

Denzil has found us some green and pleasant land that isn’t England :

Walking in the Voerstreek

And Gilly, England at its finest :

Lanhydrock, a National Trust Stroll

That’s it for another week! Many thanks to all of you for your support and for walking with me. I hope that this week brings you much pleasure.

Jo’s Monday walk: Mertola

In a week or so of very mixed weather, we drove north from the Algarve in radiant sunshine. I was certain that luck would desert us as we crossed the border into the Alentejo. For a little while hazy clouds veiled the sun, but then Mertola was displayed in all her glory.

If ever you want to step back into Portugal’s Moorish past, this is a fine place to do it. I don’t intend to do a lot of talking, partly because I don’t have the time, but also because these cobbled streets cast their own magic. All you really need to do is follow.

Your first sight of the town, as you cross the bridge over Ribeira de Oeiras, is the castelo perched high above you. It’s enough to whet your appetite. There is parking on Estrada de Circunvalacao and from there Alves Redol leads quietly upwards, until you reach the viewing point in the photo above. Below, tables are laid at a riverside restaurant and the Guadiana squirms away into the distance.

On Largo Vasco da Gama, the blue and white of ‘Casa Guadiana’ is tucked into a corner where you melt in summer. Needing to stretch our legs first, we pass by the tiny Mercado and the Tourist Information centre. (where you can acquire a town map) A remarkable walled street invites you to follow it’s contours. Could you decline?

The doors, balconies and mysterious chimneys captivate. Each one a story in itself. I stop to watch a lady shaking and pegging out a tablecloth. And then there’s the beautiful clock tower, Torre do Relogio. Alluring, isn’t it?

Rua Combatentes da Grande Guerra follows the river. Just another clue to the turbulent history reenacted here, in this serene and peaceful setting.

I’ve passed by the Camara Municipal, with its stylish red balconies. Red and ochre compliment the white so well, the shabby blending well with the chique. Turning up Rua Dr. Antonio Jose de Almeida, I am but following my nose, not sure where to look next.

The decision is made for me when I spot this playful graffiti on a peeling wall. Isn’t it beautiful? And on the other side of the narrow street, an elegant vermilion door, with a single flower tucked into the window. Never forget to look up too! Overhead, ornate drain pipes open mouths wide.

Intent on the lovely distractions, almost without realising it you’ve climbed up to the castle walls and are looking down on the Oeiras tributary of the River Guadiana. Time to inject a little history as we approach the castelo and the lovely Igreja Matriz. The Mother Church began life back in the 8th century as a mosque. In 1238, Christian knights conquered the town, led by Santiago ‘Mata Mouros’.(the Moor killer) The Koran was replaced by the Bible, and the mosque converted to Nossa Senhora da Assuncao. A keep was added to the castle, but the church retains its ‘mihrab’ (prayer niche) to this day.

New pathways and landscaped gardens have been added since I was here last, and a huge project is ongoing to excavate the ruins of the town and elaborate mosaics. In May every odd year a Moorish festival takes place in Mertola. I must ensure to attend in 2017 to inspect progress.

I peered with interest at the ruins and promised myself to find the site online when I got home. Here it is. For us it was time to head back down, past Igreja Matriz, and search out somewhere to relax. Ever alert, my other half had noted a cafe at the back of the small Mercado. ‘Cafetaria Manu’ has a tiny terrace overlooking the Guadiana, and you can buy cake or a simple sandwich to accompany an excellent glass of wine.

From the eastern end of the Algarve, Mertola is easily reached on the virtually traffic free IC27, which leads north from Castro Marim. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, and hope that you did too.

This is a scheduled post and I won’t actually be home until Thursday, so I apologise if my responses are a little scanty at first. I didn’t want to leave the gap between walks for too long, and needed to write this while it was fresh in my memory. Thank you all for your lovely company and support. I only have a few shares this week but I’m hoping you’ve been saving them for my return.

As usual, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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I’m starting with a lovely man in Hamburg and an unusual look at life – thanks, Tobias!

U3: Landungsbrucken- St. Pauli

A head for heights will help but is not essential to accompany Anabel, but money could be!

Toronto: an island walk

And Jackie tells me that Chinatown is great for food :

Spadina St

Geoff’s rambling again! I think we should humour him, don’t you?

K is for Kensington and Khelsea #atozchallenge

This next is a bike ride so I’m afraid you’ll have to jog to keep up with Kathrin!

My weekly ramble

Hope this finds you happy and well. I’ll be back in person soon. Roving temporarily suspended….

Just one more… or is it two?

So little time this week, but how can you resist late April snow on an Amelanchier? I just had to tiptoe across the garden in my ‘jamas. Barely ten minutes later the sun was had melted most of it away. Was I imagining things?

No more macros from me. I’m catching a plane early tomorrow. But you might squeeze one in? Jude would love it if you could.

I ought to disable comments but by the time I work out how to, it’ll be tomorrow, so please excuse me if I don’t reply. Bye for now! See you in 2 weeks. Stay well!

Jo’s Monday walk : Lambkins and bikes!

Just before I made off for the Algarve I had time to squeeze in one last walk. I’ve been to the North Yorkshire village of Great Ayton many times, and had not really expected to share with you another walk there. 150 photos proved me wrong, and I think you might like to share one or two of them. Who can resist wobbly, white lambs?

I almost didn’t get there because our walk leader’s car was sick, but I bestowed the walk leader badge on my other half, and off we went.

It was a bit fresh, and misty, but with the bunting flapping wildly, we crossed over the narrow bridge and headed up the side street out of the village. More about the bunting later. There’s a sign pointing out a public footpath, which leads between houses and a big hawthorn fence, round past the cricket pitch, over a field and down to a stream. Are you still with me so far? It’s tricky!

This is where you should end up. Cross over the little bridge and you come out into a country lane. More bunting and a bridge with a scruffy sign, pointing to Easby and Kildale. You don’t want either of those options today, so proceed gently uphill past Brookside Farm.

The goose, though handsome, is the honkiest, noisiest creature. The cow, much more placid. At about this point we were joined by a young ex-army man, out looking for fresh air and exercise. Hadn’t he come to just the right place! We chatted pleasantly along the lane. The conversation was of Pisa and travels abroad, and I totally missed the fact that the farm cafe was open. Not like me, at all! The husband was more alert but didn’t point it out till after we’d parted company with our walker friend. We directed him uphill towards Captain Cook’s Monument. A much sterner test for the legs, and one that we declined that day.

The daffs were everywhere, and a sprinkling of primroses too. As we hailed the morning rider, White Cottage came into view, with a stunning fanfare of rhododendron. The crossroads here lead down to Little Ayton, and continue on into Great Ayton itself. Probably the recommended route for strollers but, if you choose to puff and pant uphill, you will find a footpath off to your left. This takes you across a field. If you’ve timed it right, you could be in for a real treat.

I don’t think I ever saw such bright, white, new ones! One of the little fellas had managed to find his way out of the field, and away from the safety of his mother’s side. He was scrambling frantically to find a way back in, while Ma looked on in exasperation. I stood politely and quietly by, holding the gate just a little ajar for him. I didn’t want any adventurous brothers or sisters skipping out to join him. But I need not have worried. With a twitch of his stubby tail, he was under the gate and gone, with barely a backwards glance.

For us, the trail led on, very muddily, over the railway tracks and back down into the village. Where finally all of that bunting was explained.

The Tour de Yorkshire is coming to the village on May 1st, and the villagers were out in force, bedecking and festooning with bunting and bikes.

And I’m not done yet! Past the cascades and along by the river, romantically trailing willows, still there’s more bunting and bikes to see. I think they’re going to have a high old time on 1st May, don’t you? I almost wish I could be there.

As we returned to our car, parked by the riverside, my husband spied a rather lovely magnolia. I couldn’t quite get close enough for a decent shot, but I found a reward of a different kind. A tiny raised gate led into the churchyard beyond. I had stumbled upon James Cook’s childhood church, All Saints, dating from the 12th century. In this lovely spot, his mother and siblings are buried.

If you happen to be in the area on May 1st, Stage 3 of ‘Tour de Yorkshire’ starts in Middlesbrough and races down over our beautiful Moors, ending at Scarborough on the north east coast. Myself, I will be in Poland, but I might just catch a glimpse on the sports news. A map and full details of the route are contained in the links.

I’m glad I managed to fit in this post, not least because it gives me the opportunity to showcase some amazing walks. Where else will you find Korcula, the Shropshire Hills and Katmandu, all on the same page? Please don’t miss any of them. Huge thanks to all my contributors, and to all of you for your patience in my absence.

I’m going to have to take liberties again, because very early on Thursday I’m off to Poland with Dad. I don’t return until 12th May and will have only limited internet access whilst there. If you would like to share a walk in the meantime, you’re very welcome to do so. Details are, as always, on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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If I had to shortlist places to see before I finally vanish, Hawaii might well be on it. You will enjoy this!

My weekly ramble

And just to totally convince you, Carol’s taking us to a waterfall :

Manoa Falls

Geoff took me to familiar and much loved haunts with this walk :

G is for the Greenwich#atozchallenge

Becky gave me the gentlest of nudges before I set off for the Algarve. Isn’t this walking bliss?

On the trail of Nightingales

Anabel finds the loveliest chateau, and a little bit of mud!

Chatelherault

Shakespearean sonnets make for an interesting garden stroll with Trav Trails :

Sonnets and Flowers

And Jackie is out looking for signs of Spring in Toronto :

A Walk along the Humber

Another walk I’d really love to take for myself one day. Say hello to the folks on this lovely island :

Top Views of Korcula- Walking Route

I love a walk that’s a bit different, and Karen provides exactly that!

The Goods Line

While Gilly takes us for a lunch time romp among the bluebells :

A lunchtime escape

Seriously good ‘value for money’ from Denzil, with a city walk and boat trip too :

How to spend a day in Ghent

A lovely welcome home arrived from Susan. So like one of my own Tavira beach walks :

Rock Walk 2

And what can you say about Tish? An astoundingly beautiful return visit for me, which I thoroughly enjoyed :

Happy Earth Day from the Shropshire Hills, some of the world’s Oldest Rock Formations :

I would not have believed it possible to have so much delight on a homecoming. My cup runneth over, Badfish!

Last Supper in Katmandu

So there we have it, for a couple of weeks. I have some lovely Algarve walks to share with you, but they’ll have to wait for a little while. I might try to schedule a post for May 9th, the Monday before I come home, but it would probably be more sensible to wait until 16th. In the meantime, I will visit and share as much as I can. Do look after yourselves, won’t you? And very happy walking!

Jo’s Monday walk : Back on the beach

Whenever we go walking on our north east England coastline, we keep an idle eye open for sea glass. Usually it’s in milky soft hues, but bottle green and turquoise are not unknown . The little chap above had us well fooled. He’d obviously swum out of a child’s bucket, to twinkle up at us from the beach.

I won’t be walking with you next week, so I’m determined to leave you with some sunny images. Last week was a little glum, wasn’t it?

The other half wanders through the shot, distracting me from getting a level horizon. The one below is better. (and minus my shadow!)

The tide was advancing rapidly that day, and I had to do my famous teetering on rocks act, camera stowed safely in my pocket. Why is it that he has so much better a sense of balance? He kindly came back to hold my hand, or we might never have got there.

It’s a coastline with an industrial past, so the rocks are always interestingly speckled and battered. And there’s the sea glass to enjoy.

Not forgetting the occasional sea monster! There’s one structure that always draws the eye. Rotting timbers and frayed stumps simply add to the appeal of the magnificent remnants of Steetley Magnesite’s pier.

I never tire of shooting it, from all angles. The last shot is a good example of convergence, isn’t it? Sonel pointed one out to me the other day. If you’re looking for photographic skill combined with creativity, hers is a great place to visit.

At this point you have a choice. So long as the tide cooperates you can carry on along the craggy coastline, towards Crimdon Dene.

Sometimes the wind whips up, swirling the sands around you. Click on the last photo in the gallery above and you’ll be able to make out the pier, in the far distance. We’ve walked quite a way. You can continue through the Dene, catching a bus back down the coast road, or you can retrace your steps along the beach.

Eventually you come back to Hartlepool Headland, with it’s proudly standing town walls. It’s been a safe haven for me for many a long year. Look beyond the harbour, and on the horizon you can just make out the industry along Seal Sands Road, where we went seal spotting last week.

On the Headland, Mary Rowntree’s tearooms have a lovely view across the harbour. But I feel I know you well enough to invite you back to mine. I’ll just pop the kettle on. See you soon!

My posting will be haphazard, to say the least, for the next month. I’m deserting this safe haven for my familiar Algarve one, where I usually switch off from the world and its worries. I hope to have another walk for you on Monday, 25th April, but just a few days after that I will be accompanying Dad to Poland for 2 weeks. Another family visit and lots of smiles.

If, in the meantime, you’d like to share a walk, please feel free to do so, but be aware that I might not be able to share it for a while. Many thanks for your continuing support. As usual, the logo above will take you to my Jo’s Monday walk page.

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SO excited to kick off this week with a walk by Lucile! If you don’t know her, you’re in for a treat (and if you do, you’ll expect the best, and not be disappointed). AND she’s in Portugal!

Walking through Sights and colours of Lisbon

Introducing a blog called MyScribblez next. All scribblers amongst you, please pop over and say ‘hi’ :

Quebec on Foot

Drake likes the ladies, especially in an artful pose :

Blooming nudity

The scenery around Greenock is a nice surprise. Take a look with Anabel :

The Greenock Cut

You won’t be surprised to find that Jackie likes shopping :

St. Lawrence Market

Or that Ellen has a badly behaved dinghy? Maybe it’s been reformed since this post :

Going for a Walk : Coromandel Town (or Coro pies are best)

Smidge has some nice romantic looking photos from the Scottish Borders :

Dryburgh Abbey & The River Tweed

And Susan… how about close encounters with a good-looking cow or two?

Sadie’s Walk

Denzil got up at the crack of dawn for this walk, so he deserves your appreciation :

GR571 Stage 4 : Trois-Ponts to Vielsam

And getting me nicely in the mood for the Algarve- thanks a lot, Becky! Your place or mine?

Exploring the Grande Rota do Guadiana

That’s it folks! Thanks again for all the shares and for the pleasure you give me. Take care of yourselves.

Six word Saturday

It’s not all lamb and salad!

Nor is it the best of photos, because it was an exceedingly murky day. As Mam used to say, ‘it’s not all lamb and salad’- in other words you have to take the rough with the smooth. Monday just gone was the perfect example of ‘rough’. As a general rule, our group don’t walk when it’s wet, but we had already set out for Hurworth Burn when the weather decided not to cooperate. Nothing for it but to pin on the grin and go.

The company was still good, even if the view was… indistinct. Gorse provided a little colour, but it’s a real contrast with my Burgeoning Spring, isn’t it? There’s usually a reason to be joyful if you look for it, and I did have the opportunity to practise some Macro.

Pussy willows are lovely, aren’t they, even when wet? Can’t share them with Jude, because these aren’t in a garden.

I’m walking again next Monday (I’ve booked sunshine!), but that will be my last post for a while. You might have noticed a lack of Algarve photos lately. That obviously means it’s time for a bit more ‘lamb and salad’.

Have a happy weekend, whatever your weather! Spare a minute to drop in on Cate with your six words?

P.S. I don’t normally do ‘plugs’ but if you saw my 6WS last week and liked the ‘teapot book’ you might like to look at Joanne’s stuff.

Burgeoning Spring

Blustery showers, radiant sunshine, raging clouds and nodding ‘daffs’- it must be April again!

I was feeling a little sorry for the horses who live in a field, near to my home. The ground has never fully dried out from persistent rain earlier in the year, and plodging seems to be the order of the day. Not that they appear to mind, and there’s plenty of ‘dry’ field for them, if they decline to paddle. I stopped to watch for a while. The grass must have been extra juicy for it’s drowning, because they were quite single-minded in their munching. Excepting for one, very determined, guy. I thought he was trying to eat the fence post, in a form of protest. As I watched, it dawned on me that he was actually trying to dislodge it, rocking it back and forth with his teeth. Crafty fellow! A getaway in the making.

While Jude potters around in her new found garden, ‘getting a little closer’ to new growth, I’ve been out poking in a few hedgerows. My finds… a woodland creature, sculpted smooth by nature’s hand… tiny buds of blossom, sparkling on bare branches… catkins aplenty.

I’d wandered into Summerhill Country Park. It being school holidays there are youngsters burning up energy on the BMX track. They wave at me and ask if I’ll take their photos. I smile, and oblige. Why not?

Those clouds are creeping up on me again, and it’s time to head for home. In a gully I spot what I take to be wild anemones. Bright yellow in colour, I promised to ‘ping’ Tish if they crept into a post. There’s a lot of nature sharing going on these days.

I don’t expect Jude will mind them either. And she’ll know if anemones can be yellow as well as white, and blue.

Funny, they look just like buttercups when I view them up close, but they were twice as big. I’ll never make a botanist. Do join Jude in her Garden Challenge. This month the theme is Macro.

Jo’s Monday walk : Seal sanctuary

Today’s walk brings us full circle with where my Monday walks began, just over 2 years ago, in Greatham Creek. Doesn’t time fly? And have I worn you out yet? There are days when I feel quite weary myself.

On Wednesday I woke with that restlessness upon me. The sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds and I needed to be out. My partner in crime suggested Saltholme, the local nature reserve, but somehow that felt too tame. I don’t do compromise well, but we headed along the Seal Sands Road, in that direction. It’s an area I find very depressing, and if you saw my Forbidding skies on Thursday, you’ll know what’s coming.

Heavy industry crowds the skyline, and the power station’s ugly presence broods malignantly nearby. If you can ignore that, there’s a world of wildlife to explore. To give it it’s grandest title, this is Teesmouth National Nature Reserve, a site of more than 350 hectares.

Natural England have recently extended the footpaths and installed bird hides. Parking on Seal Sands Rd, you can cross over A178 (carefully- you don’t want to be run over by a bus!) and follow the path beside the creek, out towards the sea. In the distance you can see the Transporter Bridge, in Middlesbrough. Closer to hand, a family of swans usually enjoy the salt water.

Looking back, A178 spans the creek, and on the far shore industry looms, threateningly. But we won’t be intimidated. A ragged sign on the fence gives a clue to the area’s past. There are still defence structures to be seen, and if you are interested this document gives full details.

The skies alternately boil and shimmer, as I follow the path beside the creek, and along to the first bird hide.

If you click on the last shot you might be able to make out the windmills of the offshore wind farm. Here they look very distant, but it’s not so.

This is a remnant of the military installations, but history goes much further back. In Medieval times the area was important for its salt, which was extracted by boiling salt water until the liquid evaporated, leaving behind precious salt crystals. For thousands of years, the sea swept across the Tees estuary, exposing mudflats and sand bars as it ebbed. Defensive banks were built against the tides, changing the flow of the currents. Gradually the ground lost its saltiness and became fit for agriculture. Sheep grazed on the salt marshes, growing the thick fleeces sold by medieval monks to much of Europe.

A second bird hide but a distinct lack of wildlife, though the sign tells us of plenty. Maybe the birds are all at nearby Saltholme, where they will undoubtedly be better fed. And then, the strangeness of the brine fields.

The landscape changed enormously after World War II. In the 1960s the area east of A178 was intensively developed for brine fields and the storage of petrochemicals. Pollution in the estuary had been heavy, but when Natural England became involved the site became a Special Protection Area. Careful management and reclamation has helped to restore and maintain the natural habitat.

Returning along the creek, my sharp eyed companion spots a grey mammal, paddling his leisurely way out to sea. They are one of the great success stories of the nature reserve. 200 years ago a seal population of around 1000 lived in these mudflats. A survey in the 1930s failed to reveal any. They had been decimated by hunting and pollution. Today there are about 100 seals, and several pups are born each summer.

Thriving in the midst of all that ugliness. It’s good to know, isn’t it? The sign boards ask you to respect the seals privacy and remain behind the hide. While this may not be the prettiest Landscape, I do hope that you found it interesting.

I know how you all like a cuppa after a walk. RSPB Saltholme is just 2km south of this site, and the cafe has a panoramic lake view. The website includes a map and full details of the area.

Two years and more of walking. It must be time to put the kettle on! Many thanks to all of you who’ve supported me along the way, and made such wonderful contributions. Details of how to join me are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo. You’ll be made very welcome.

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Riverside walks are among my favourites. A smattering of history makes them even better. Thanks, Anabel!

Bothwell and Blantyre

Denzil is leading us intrepidly, step by step, across Belgium :

GR571: Aywaille to Stoumont

Jackie combines sunshine with some rather intriguing sculpture this week :

Lenora Carrington

Liesbet takes us roaming about in Connecticut, just one last time :

A Walk in Housatonic Meadows State Park

Time spent with Drake is absolutely never wasted!

Actually needed more time

Ruth joins us again, amongst some beautiful tree ferns :

Fern Tree to Spring Falls

Something I know you won’t be able to resist! A trip to Narnia, with Debbie :

From Narnia to Albert Bridge

Just a little optimistic this early? Elaine goes looking for Bluebells :

In search of Bluebells

Miriam’s got herself great company for her rather cloudy walk :

Meandering in Mount Macedon

Jaspa’s walk was written with Easter very much in mind :

Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem

BiTi is in love with green. Colour themed walks? Not a bad idea!

A Study in Green on my walk

Coincidentally, Geoff is already ahead in this game :

Three Greens

Please say hello to Patrick, who’s just starting a walking challenge :

52 Hike Challenge- No. 1

And to lovely Pat, ‘living life almost gracefully’, in Florida :

Walk in the Park

This week Susan goes looking for seals, (Snap!) and trying not to tumble over cliffs!

Estero Bluffs Walk

While Pauline captures all of nature with her camera. Don’t miss this gem!

7 Day Nature Photo : Day 1- a walk in the national Park

That’s it for another week! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I have one more walk for you next week and then I will be missing for a little while. Have a great week everybody!

A note for Joanne : If you’re reading this, there’s a conversation between me and Bill Blackwell, who used to live on the creek, in the comments on my Greatham Creek post. It starts- “I am one of the lucky kids whose family had a boathouse on the creek. At 80years old my memories go back to when in my opinion the creek was at its best, with more people than seals,yet I very much enjoyed the photos.”

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Photography

Six word Saturday

Thursday’s still Special on a Saturday

May wildflowers

Jo’s Monday walk : Meeting Meg

Jo’s Monday walk: Mertola

Just one more… or is it two?

Jo’s Monday walk : Lambkins and bikes!

Jo’s Monday walk : Back on the beach

Six word Saturday

It’s not all lamb and salad!

Burgeoning Spring

Jo’s Monday walk : Seal sanctuary

Thursday’s still Special on a Saturday

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It’s not all lamb and salad!

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