Photography

Remember those clouds?

The heavens descend to Hartlepool marina!

They landed in Hartlepool marina!

So much of photography is being in the right place at the right time, isn’t it? I’ve done a lot of walking in the past few days because it’s been too nice to be indoors. I was wearily heading home on Saturday teatime as the sun dipped in the sky. Looking for the shortest possible route, I headed through Hartlepool marina, and this was my reward.

A handful of clouds were swimming

The boats reflected sharply in the sea of clouds. I simply stood and stared.

An ordinary view, blessed with sky magic

I felt like this majestic pair, totally at peace.

A smile on my face, I carried on towards home. If you didn’t see it, I was chasing clouds on the horizon earlier in the week. I seem to have shepherded them to our marina.

I’m linking this post to Paula’s Thursday’s Special. So is Paula. Go take a look.

My cloud fixation

The blue horizon

These days I seem to have one eye permanently on the sky. Cloud formations totally fascinate me. They bump into and fold around each other with such gay abandon! From the moment the sun slips over the horizon I’m aware of their constant movement. Maybe it’s the restlessness in me that is drawn by them as they wander far and wide.

Nowhere are the clouds more wonderful to watch than on the coast. Why is it that the sea seems to push the clouds away and hang on to the blue, even when the land is covered in thick cloud? I’m sure there must be a meteorological explanation. Meantime, join me in a cliff top walk.

Layer upon layer of cloud rolls out to sea

I was on the coast just north of here, not far from the former pit village of Easington. There are few signs these days of the coal mining industry. The occasional lift shaft is preserved as a reminder, along the coastal trail. According to Wikipedia this is the only place on earth with dolomitic limestone cliffs on the coastline. The railway runs up the north east coast, often providing sweeping views out to sea.

Notice the goods train in the foreground

This is the most peaceful of images to me

Easington village straggles away in the distance

But my eyes can’t escape that blue horizon

The clouds are starting to break up

As the train rattles over the viaduct

No mistaking the ruggedness of these cliffs

The sign says it all!

I love their rugged beauty

But don’t get too near that cliff edge, like me!

Walking back the sun glints off the water

And I return to the pit lift, where I started out

I hope you enjoyed cloud gazing with me. See you next time!

Tiptoe through the … snowdrops?

Fragile and beautiful

I’d better get a wiggle on! Last Sunday I went on a snowdrop walk, but it’s March already and there are crocuses everywhere. Soon, those tulips will be along. Or is that wishful thinking?

A yellow straw trail sounded much better than slithering in the mud, as I had on previous years. The sky was looking ominous and the Community Hall was already full of tea slurpers. I had the snowdrops all to myself!

It was all done rather delightfully, with random snowdrop “facts” breaking up the sea of green and white. You can pause the slideshow if you need to, to read them properly.

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Greatham , a small village 3 miles south of Hartlepool, is the site of the Hospital of God, founded in 1273 by the Bishop of Durham. Originally the hospital was founded to aid the poor, but it became over time “a house of entertainment for gentlemen”, according to Wikipedia. I’m not sure if this is a euphemism, but certainly the grounds are very grand, and contain the chapel of the parish church, St. John the Baptist. The main building now functions as a nursing home.

It is a lovely building

But you can see the rain wasn’t far away!

The blossom was barely clinging to the trees

The rain made me scurry for the car. Another triumph for the waterproof jacket! But not before a quick shot of the Corn Lady on the village green.

No wonder she looks grim!

Six word Saturday

Time to send a Spring bouquet!

Daphne (or so my husband tells me)

A lilac hebe (I think!)

A pretty-in-pink primula

Early blossom

More of the daphne

And the blossom

The prettiest iris

I just liked these!

Forsythia through the fence

One last spray of daphne

The hydrangea head- a vestige of Winter

And who shall I send it to? Why, all of you, of course, but with a special thought for friends who are having a hard time right now. I hope the flowers help to lift your spirits. I wish you all a joyful weekend. Keep smiling!

The spirit of Spring, looking down?

Don’t forget to link to Cate with your six words, if you can.

The price of a unique home

Santana on Madeira has some of the cutest homes I ever saw. Beautifully maintained, I found it a little sad that I had to queue up for a look inside and to purchase a thimbleful of liqueur, when once such hospitality might have been offered freely. Still, I suppose it’s a small price to pay to preserve these unique homes, with their triangular roofs, thatched in straw. Once they were occupied by local farmers. Now they are a mainstay of tourism in this rugged northern part of the island.

They’re a little different from Jake’s chosen home this week, but equally unique. Pay him a visit? It won’t cost you! Just click on the logo.

Do you pin?

Crossing a bridge in Girona, Spain

Ramblas de Mar in Barcelona

London’s Waterloo Bridge from the ferry terminal

Most Tumski in Wroclaw, Poland

Iconic Tyne Bridge, viewed from the Millennium “Eye”

I joined Pinterest soon after it started, but I’m pleased to report I never really caught the bug. Life is simply too short. But I do receive weekly updates and from time to time find myself ensnared. Especially when it concerns one of my favourite subjects- bridges.

I’ve never visited the city of Berlin, but this random fact caught my attention. Can it possibly be true? Loving bridges as I do, the city has now moved significantly up my wish list. Just how long it would take me to count them, I don’t know. But I’d be game to find out. Wouldn’t you?

GoEuro promise rail, coach and air in just one search.

In search of threes

Looking out to the platform

Waiting for the train

Poster detail- the good old days!

For those of you who think I spend my life languishing in the Algarve sunshine, here’s a look at Restlessjo’s everyday world. Let’s start at the railway station, shall we?

A blue sky day!

But what’s on the horizon?

Another platform being towed into place

If the weather’s good, I don’t need to travel far. Many of my shots are taken on Hartlepool Headland. There are always boats, or some form of activity. Now we have a fleet of windmills out at sea. Look closely at the middle photo.

Can you see the pier in the far distance?

Here it is, much closer

And now, very close!

The promenade wraps around Old Hartlepool, as the Headland used to be known. A brisk walk along it will surely blow the cobwebs away. In the distance, signs of former industry.

The Fish Sands- well known in Hartlepool

On the town wall

And looking through it!

The town wall is probably the nicest part of the Headland, and certainly the warmest. These were taken on a warm but strangely foggy day last Summer. The fog disappeared as rapidly as it came.

Not such a bad old place, is it? This is my entry for the Weekly Photo Challenge. Did I tell my story in threes?

Six word Saturday

Feeling “all at sea” this morning!

And needing something soothing to look at.

This little guy too, I think

He’s ok now. He’s found a playmate.

Or two?

And so have I!

Safely back to shore.

It was a “girl’s night” last night and I overindulged. Feeling decidedly rocky today. Hope you have a nice weekend planned. Join Cate on Show My Face if you have time. I usually do.

A bridge too far?

Well, it’s long, isn’t it?

I had no idea that it would be so long! But then, I’d only ever seen it from the sky as I flew over the Algarve. I knew it to be a part of the swish resort of Quinta do Lago. Not my usual stamping ground, but curiosity impelled me to take a closer look.

Parking alongside a selection of resplendent villas at Vale do Garrao, I descended some steps and followed the path around the salt marsh in the direction of the sea.

The villas at Vale do Garrao

Sure enough, there was the beach

Not too many people to share it with on a January day

I plonked myself down for 10 minutes, to enjoy the gentle warmth and the glinting sea. Then it was time to head off along the beach, in search of the bridge.

And there it was, bridging the gap across the lagoon.

In the far distance, Praia de Faro

A burst of colour awaits at Quinta do Lago

And on the shoreline, a riot of colour

While the bridge stretched all the way back to the beach

The bridge stretches all the way back to the beach

But now we’re in elegant Quinta do Lago

From the map it looked as though there was a footpath to where the car was parked. Otherwise it would be a long walk back along the beach. Following the path, I was surprised to discover a large saltwater lake, with pedal boats tied up for the Winter.

The lake and the country club

Back in the land of unaffordable housing

But the flora and fauna are free

And the bird life in the marshes

The colours of nature, sublime!

It just goes to show that you don’t need a pot of money to enjoy the Algarve. The beauty is all around you and it’s free. The walk took just a couple of hours and the sun was beginning to dip as I returned.

Flying home, I didn’t see the foot bridge, but I did get a hazy shot of the road bridge out to Praia de Faro. It was a little cloudy, so not too sad to leave!

The road across the Ria Formosa to Praia de Faro

And from another angle

A Lingering look at Windows : week 8

Leo the lion looks out hopefully

Remember I was in York last week for Lisa and Leo’s wedding anniversary? This window would have fit quite nicely in the Valentine’s collection, wouldn’t it? Missed the boat, again! It wasn’t really the weather for window shopping, but everything looked so tempting.

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And when the rain finally drove me inside, I looked through the pretty stained glass windows of The York Tap at the vaulted station roof.

It’s been a bit drier here this week. Did you linger outside any windows? I know Dawn did. Pop over and take a look.

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Photography

Remember those clouds?

My cloud fixation

Tiptoe through the … snowdrops?

Six word Saturday

Time to send a Spring bouquet!

The price of a unique home

Do you pin?

In search of threes

Six word Saturday

Feeling “all at sea” this morning!

A bridge too far?

A Lingering look at Windows : week 8

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Time to send a Spring bouquet!

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Feeling “all at sea” this morning!

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