My lovely friend, Meg, is taking to the skies soon. I’d like to speed her on her way with warm wishes for a happy year. I expect she’ll be checking out a little sky writing herself. She’s a dab hand at finding Calligraphy.
Sky writing
Photography
Jo’s Monday walk : Springtime in Shincliffe
“Where will I find a crocus walk?” I asked my garden expert husband. “I’ve searched the web and can’t find one anywhere!” He gave me one of those looks, and said “You can’t find one, because there isn’t one. You’ll have to make do with snowdrops.” Now, I have nothing against snowdrops. Most years I visit our local snowdrop walk, in Greatham village. I simply felt a need for the uplifting surge of crocus colour.
Never one to let me down, as we drove towards Durham he said thoughtfully, “What about Shincliffe Village?” It seemed like a good idea. 
We parked in Durham and walked out along the river- a direction we’ve taken many times before. From nowhere, one of those sparkling Spring days had materialised. Rowing teams skulled by vigorously, and the whole world seemed to have taken up sport. A university town, Durham has no shortage of able-bodied youth to indulge in running, throwing and kicking a ball.
One side of the river is still barriered off, following a serious landslide a year or so ago. I was delighted to see that work has finally started on the precarious river bank. The path will be open again to walkers. A gentle sun filtered through bare branches, reflecting ethereally in the river.
Out beyond the extensive sports facilities, the path meets the A177 at Shincliffe Bridge. Cross over the busy road carefully and you reach ‘The Rose Tree’- a pub with an inviting beer garden. A sign directs you to Shincliffe Village. As you enter the village, you’ll see the Poplar Tree garden centre. Always busy, I’m never sure if the plants or the tea rooms are the main attraction. Beyond this point no-one but the inhabitants of the village seem to venture. Which is a great shame, unless of course you are a villager and value your peace and quiet.
Did I mention crocuses? I had a real treat in store. And not only the crocus, but a bevy of Spring beauty.
Shincliffe is regarded as one of the most affluent villages in Durham, according to Wikipedia. Which is a pity as I could quite see myself living there. I was surprised to find that the Anglo-Saxon origin of the name Shincliffe means ‘steep hill of evil spirits’. The history of the village goes back to Roman times, when there is thought to have been a ford where Shincliffe Bridge now spans the River Wear.
In the Middle Ages Shincliffe belonged to the Prior of Durham Cathedral. It was a largely agricultural community until coal mining came to the area, with a resulting expansion. I was unaware that Shincliffe had had a railway station, but it was in fact Durham’s first. It opened in 1839, as part of the line to Sunderland, but closed again in 1893. The closure of the colliery meant a dwindling population. Shincliffe today is a gentle haven, seeming to have not a care in the world.
A small green leads to a row of raised houses, set back from the road. Originally the Durham to Stockton road ran right through the village. The post office would have been a busy place then. Now it’s a private residence. In 1826 a tithe barn was consecrated to become a Chapel of Ease for the community. It proved a little too cold and draughty, and in 1866 became the Rectory.
John Wesley is known to have preached in Shincliffe in 1780, and in 1874 a Methodist (Wesleyan) chapel was opened- the pretty one in the photos. The parish church, St. Mary the Virgin, was only completed in 1851. Snowdrops swaddled the graveyard in a soothing white blanket. I lingered, reading a few headstones and admiring the rose coloured church doors.
I peered through the windows of the Seven Stars Inn rather longingly. It was already lunchtime but my husband had to get back for an appointment. Go and press your nose up against their menu. You might be tempted. Alternatively, try the Brambles tea rooms at the garden centre, or maybe The Rose Tree. For me, it’s a swift walk back along the river, but not before I look for Shincliffe Hall. A sign points to it, down a private road. But it’s by invitation only.
There are some interesting snippets of village history, if you’re minded that way, under the link ‘steep hill of evil spirits’. Shincliffe is easy to find from the city of Durham. Do you know of a ‘crocus walk’ near you? I hope you enjoyed mine. Spring is wonderful, isn’t it?
Many thanks to all of you who keep me company each week. I do appreciate you looking over my shoulder and enjoying the view. If you’d like to join in with a walk of your own, you’d be very welcome. Details are on my Jo’s Monday walks page. Just click on the logo above.
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The joy of having a son. Ask Jesh- she’ll tell you!
Anabel’s found a mural by one of my favourite street artists :
Saints and sinners : a Glasgow urban walk
Smidge had me packing my bags to head for the Borders with this post :
Jackie is STILL strolling around in Mexico! Would you credit it?
Amy has some ravishing gardens for us this week :
Two ‘newbies’ up next! Please say a big hello to Liesbet :
Walking and Seeing the Real Berkshires in Connecticut
And then please meet slightly offbeat sailor Ellen!
Going for a walk in search of Wild Pigs
If you don’t mind getting awfully wet, you might like a ‘walk’ with Jaspa?
Or maybe an adventure in the desert with Drake would suit you better?
Perhaps you’d like to see another side to Geoff? You’ll have to go and look. I can’t give the game away!
While Denzil tries his hand (or feet?) at long distance walking :
GR571 : Comblain-au-Pont to Aywaille
Paul does some amazing things with the Scottish countryside :
RAW around the edges. A day at Loch Leven
And lastly, Lee Ann shows us some of beautiful Brisbane :
Southbank Gardens of Friendship
Hope you enjoyed all the contributions. They’re fantastic, aren’t they? Many thanks again for your lovely company. Have a great week!.
Six word Saturday
This is the final part of my 3 Days, 3 Quotes challenge and I’d like to say a big thank you to The Happy Traveler for my nomination. If you’ve enjoyed it and would like to join in, please feel free to do so. And now for my six words…
Where does your heart lead you?
Inevitable that it should be the Algarve, don’t you think? But maybe not so inevitable that it should lead to the Weekly Photo Challenge?
Hope you have a happy Saturday and a great weekend! Don’t forget to call in on Cate. See you on Monday for another walk?
3 Days, 3 Quotes- Day 2
When I was much younger I had a bit of a yen for Kerouac, and the lifestyle. Even today, ‘On the Road’ resonates, for a lady with a restless streak.
Another day dawns
Another adventure begins, in a place that I love.
I hope that it may long continue.
The Happy Traveler kindly nominated me for the 3 Days, 3 Quotes challenge. I have one more quote to come tomorrow. If any of you would like to join in with some quotes of your own, please do feel free. Meantime, have a happy Friday!
3 days, 3 quotes
“In one drop of water are found all the secrets of the oceans”- Kahlil Gibran
I spent very little time at the beach on my recent trip to the Algarve, but there’s an ugly/beautiful stretch of river beach quite close to our home in Tavira. On a warm, February, late afternoon I sat on a rock and just let my thoughts drift right out there, with the tide.
The Happy Traveler has kindly nominated me for the 3 Days, 3 Quotes challenge. It’s taken me the longest time to respond. Too much daydreaming and not enough action? I apologise!
I’ll be back tomorrow with another quote. If you’d like to take up the challenge, please feel free to do so. Happy Thursday to you!
Jo’s Monday walk : Souter Lighthouse
My part of the north east coast of England is littered with lighthouses! The jagged coastline traditionally needed the big guys to flash a warning to passing ships. Times have changed, but the coastline remains as rugged as ever.
Souter Lighthouse was the first in the world to be designed and built specifically to use alternating electric current. The lighthouse opened in 1871, and was decommissioned in 1988. It continued as a radio navigation beacon until 1999, when it was finally closed. Today the National Trust own the property and open it to the public.
It’s only a couple of weeks since I was at Roker lighthouse, on a properly murky day. This walk heads north from there, along the cliffs to the magnificent lighthouse at Souter. There’s a long promenade backing the fine stretch of beach, perfect for galloping horses. A straggle of charming houses follow the bay. I’m tempted to take a seat.
Did you spot the fish restaurant sign? Latimers boast smoked haddock, leek and potato pasties. Noted, for later. A sign on the cliff top claims 6 and three-quarter miles to the Tyne Ferry. We won’t be going that far. The smooth expanse of beach left behind, below us rocks scatter the shoreline. Fascinating grooves and grottoes hug the cliff’s base. The potential for shipwreck is easy to see.
Ahead, in the grass, a stone circle has been formed, not unlike a maze. I don’t understand its significance, but there are old military bunkers nearby. The track is a little slippy from recent rain and, peering at the rock formations below, I lose my footing. No damage done! But, looking at the seat of my jeans, I realise that I’m not quite presentable enough for a restaurant. I hope you weren’t looking forward to that pastie.
My favourite part of the walk lies ahead. The stacks teeter at the water’s edge, harbouring only gulls on lookout duty. A first glimpse of Souter’s flamboyant red appears on the horizon. Nearing, I can see the indentations in the rock face, and the stranded islets, clinging to shore.
And then the cove known as The Wherry. In former times there was a Lad’s Wherry and a Lassie’s Wherry, for fishing expeditions and picnics in the bay. A central rock split the bay in two. Nowadays, in part due to erosion, the sea separates the rock from the shoreline at high tide.
Souter lighthouse is about 3 miles south of the River Tyne. Beyond the river, 7 miles to the north, St. Mary’s lighthouse at Whitley Bay is a sister Victorian lighthouse to Souter. With good visibility, the one can be seen from the top of the other.
I love the sound of a foghorn but, were I married to a mariner, the sound would fill me with dread. The Souter foghorn has seen several incarnations, and is still occasionally sounded on special event days at the lighthouse.
Souter lighthouse was revolutionary. Quoting from Wikipedia, “the 800,000 candle power light was generated using carbon arcs and not an incandescent light bulb, and could be seen for up to 26 miles. In addition to the main light a red/white sector light shone from a window in the tower below the lantern, to highlight hazardous rocks to the south; it was powered using light diverted (through a set of mirrors and lenses) from the landward side of the main arc lamp.” As Souter was never automated, it remains pretty much in its original operational state. I thought that this might make a good subject for Paula’s Traces of the Past.
The grassed area north of Souter was once a thriving mining community of 700 people. It was completely demolished after the mine closure in 1968, and the population rehoused in new council housing in Whitburn. A brief history of Souter can be found on the National Trust website, along with details of opening times and how to get there.
Now I know that you will be worrying about your stomach by now. Latimers having been ruled out, I’m glad to inform you that the lighthouse has its own very pleasant cafe. Would you like to try a ‘Singing hinnie’? A warm griddle scone.
Sadly I cannot take you into the lighthouse. It was half term on my visit and very busy, I’m pleased to say. Maybe another time? You might also like my Roker Pier walk. I’m up to my second cup of coffee this morning, after a spectacular sunrise. Please put the kettle on and join me in a visit to some great blogs.
Many thanks to all of you who contributed this week. I’m really happy you can still find time to join me. For any newcomers, you can find details on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.
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Benches or snow? Which is it to be? Let’s start with a Gallivant in the woods!
I’ve never been to Mexico, but Jackie’s making up for me. Puerto Vallarta this week :
Amy finds the perfect bench for Jude, while I just laze on the beach!
Monday Walk : A Beach Walk and February Garden : Monochrome
I was blissfully happy with Drake this week, even wearing my gloves!
Turns out I couldn’t even say this correctly, but now I’ve had lessons from Smidge :
I just about managed to avoid getting splashed by Debbie this week :
Broadstairs to Margate : an easy coastal walk
Or absolutely drowned by Jaspa!
Rough Seas Off Land’s End, Cornwall
Wild water doesn’t seem to stop life from happening Down Under, with Pauline and Jack :
Finishing with spectacular beauty in Hawaii! I’ve told Carol I’m green 🙂
Thanks again, everyone! I love having your company. Have a great week! If you’re needing some travel inspiration, pop over to Monday Escapes. See you there!
Six word Saturday
An explosion of colour and fun
After flirting with Monochrome this week, I though it time to inject a little colour into our lives. It seems ages since I waved and cheered with the crowd as the Carnival floats passed me by in Loule, but it’s only a couple of weeks. After 110 years of celebrating the event, this Algarve town really knows how to party. Can you shimmy? Or make like a pirate? Or maybe, be a mermaid?
Whatever you choose, you need to be good with paper flowers, and happy to smile and wave for three hours. That’s a lot of waving!
There’s always a Pierrot, and lots of dancing girls. The children are spellbound; many of them in costume and eager to be a part of it all.
There’s a large political element to the whole festival. The Portuguese love an opportunity to have a ‘dig’ at their politicans and celebrities. They have a valid point because money is very hard-earned in this country. But this is a time of celebration and it’s all done in a wonderful, family oriented spirit. And, of course, there are a few jiggling ladies for the dads.
The pirate theme is highly appropriate. Most people would agree that politicians rob and plunder. And if all else fails, there’s always Pinocchio.
I hope you enjoyed your trip to this year’s Carnival with me. Next year, maybe come along and we’ll party?
Meantime, it’s the weekend again. Hoping you’ll have a good one. Don’t forget to pop in on Cate at Six Word Saturday. And save some energy to come walking with me on Monday!
Monochrome or not?
“Use your imagination”, said Jude, “and hurry up about it!” She can be very bossy, but I’m trying to be obliging because the lady is stressed. Moving to the place of your dreams after years of wishing and hoping… well, it has its challenges.
So I took my imagination to a beautiful garden, and tried to turn it into Monochrome. But I couldn’t live without a splash of colour.
It seems quite wicked to rob these beauties of the colours with which nature endowed them. Sigh! The things you have to do for a friend. If I’m going to mess with Mother Nature, I might as well enjoy myself. This little cyclamen is my favourite.
How about you- do you like Monochrome? Hurry over to Jude’s place! The challenge only runs till the end of February.
Jo’s Monday walk : Rocha da Pena
Some walks are a really hard act to follow. After last week’s Almond Blossom Trail, in blissful sunshine, I was really looking forward to taking you to the heights of Rocha da Pena. I envisioned the landscape, dropping away below me, and my eyes gazing far out to sea. Unfortunately, the dismal cloud wrapped around the rock had other ideas. Every day in the Algarve cannot be paradise, can it? But what I can offer you is good company, some wonderful plant species, and… oh, yes- cake! What’s a little drizzle between friends?
The drive out into the Algarve countryside is beautiful in itself. A little challenging, and you do have to like hairpin bends. This is another walk that features in the Walking Trails in the Algarve, (p.72) and once you arrive the signage is good. The walk begins beside a cafe, Bar das Grutas, and a strong coffee is just the thing to set you up. Don’t expect a smile from the proprietor, however. Or maybe it was just the weather! Taking a look at those clouds, I think we’d better get going!
It’s uphill, of course, but not too steep, and there’s plenty to hold your interest. Plants nestle in unsuspected places. I’m walking with a group and every now and then a voice sings out ‘don’t miss this one!’ I’m being teased a little, but I like it. The challenge is to keep up with the group, yet still record my individual delights.
There are a few signboards, pointing out things of interest, and I’m reminded of the fires that swept this mountain range, soon after we’d bought our Algarve home. Driving along the coast, or even down on the beach, a black pall of smoke could be seen on the horizon. It must have been terrifying to be up here, as the fires raged for 4 days, in 2004. Hard to imagine on this moist day, when so much has renewed and revitalised.
I’m soon on the hunt for the wild bee orchids which, I discover, like this predominantly calcareous outcrop. I can’t be cross with the weather when I learn that late January/early February is the perfect time to see them, rain or shine. The plateau rises to a height of 479 metres at Talefe, which roughly translates as ‘trig point’. All this richness and diversity has led to the Rocha being a ‘Special Protected Area’, by law.
The boards also refer to narcissus calcicola, which I take to be a simple daffodil. I’m wildly excited when I come upon a carpet of these tiny beauties, so much smaller than any I have seen before. I think I probably have more than one variety here.
Up on the heights, with the daffodils, lie the remains of a defensive stone wall, believed to date back to the Iron Age. It’s been attributed to Celtic people who lived on the Iberian peninsula in pre-Roman times. (6th-1st century BC)
There are caves you can explore, currently inhabited by two locally endangered species of bat. The largest cave, known as ‘Moor’s Grotto’, was used as a final desperate refuge in the 13th century, according to legend. The Almohad Moors tried to hide there, before being slain by the Portuguese troops of King Afonso III.
After a speck or two of drizzle, a tantalising glimpse of hazy sunlight appears in the distance, as we drop back down the trail. I look wistfully towards the open door of an unlikely ‘Mini Museum’ in the village of Penina, quietly going about it’s business. But my walking friends have lunch firmly in mind. No loitering allowed! I guess I’ll have to come back, on a sunnier day, and perhaps do the walk in reverse.
If you’re thinking you’ve seen that door before somewhere, it was one of many in Life is full of choices. Within a matter of minutes we’re back to our start point, and not a moment too soon as the skies open. The Bar das Grutas supplies food, but we hop into cars and head for the village of São Romão, near São Bras de Alportel, where we have a reservation. A warm welcome awaits us at Cafe Correia. And cake, of course!
I’m including a link to an excellent website, Walk Algarve, where you will find full details of the geology, and flora and fauna to be found at Rocha da Pena, with a little more history. And now, that cake’s made me thirsty. Time to put the kettle on.
Thanks everybody for keeping me company on my walks, and for entertaining me with yours. I hope you enjoyed this one and, if you have a walk you’d like to share, details can be found on my Jo’s Monday walks page. Just click on the logo above.
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I’m not a huge fan of snow but if anything could persuade me… Anabel just might :
Canadian Rockies : Lake Louise
And Colline gave it a good try! Canada definitely seems to be the place for it :
Come over to the ‘dark side’ with Drake? He does it beautifully!
Congratulate Jesh? She deserves it!
Me and Jackie, still singing, down Mexico way! And why wouldn’t we?
Jaspa does go to some fascinating places! I’d really like to visit this one :
The Templar Tunnels of Acre, Israel
A little summertime warmth, Down Under, with Rosemay would be good too :
The French Connection : Bunker Bay
Geoff and his dog go bounding through the sand dunes!
Life’s a Beach#glorioussuffolk
While Snowdon Student takes a break from his studies to head for the hills again :
Jude is busy getting ready to move to Cornwall, but still found time to share. That’s a friend for you!
Scrobbesbyrig/Shrewsbury : Town Trail Part 1
It looks a bit busy in Macau, for me. Anyone been there? Thanks, Lee Ann!
A stroll through the Old Town of Macau
Pauline gave me an early morning nudge this morning!
I’m well and truly re-acclimatised to the UK again. Not sure where to take you next week, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be walking somewhere. Many thanks again, and I hope you all have a great week!
Six word Saturday
There is a season,
Turn, turn….
In Faro old town, in the Algarve, it was mating season for storks. Everywhere you looked, they were swooping through the sky, calling and shrieking to each other. The cacophony had everyone riveted to the spot, staring upwards. Try as I might, I couldn’t capture a good photo of these magnificent creatures in flight. I was always a wing beat, if not two, behind them.
Fortunately, the architecture almost compensates. Have you noticed the seasons changing? The Weekly Photo Challenge would love you to share. Me, I’ll probably be singing ‘that song’ all day!
And popping in to see Cate at Six Word Saturday, of course. Enjoy your weekend! Hope to see you on Monday, for a walk.
restlessjo 
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