Photography

Christmas in “Narnia”
Russet leaves for a russet lady!

Russet leaves for a russet lady!

My first surprise of the day.  Lisa swept towards me- “Mum, I’m here!”  The flowing locks were a dazzling tangerine orange.  “It was just time for a change. I was tired of the red!”  And it suited her.  She looked radiant and happy- a look I love to see.

The venue?  Chatsworth House in the beautiful Peak District.  Every year this glorious home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire is themed for Christmas. This year it’s “Narnia”and totally irresistible.  My daughter has been a lifelong fan of the book by C.S. Lewis and the numerous films, so I planned a Christmas treat, for both of us. It’s quite a distance from home and I’ve never been inside the house before.  For Lisa it was about an hour’s drive from Nottingham.  Me- I hopped on the coach!  After the hugs and kisses it was off to see the spectacular grounds.

There are more statues than you can shake a stick at!
And pieces of modern art too.
Bit big for my garden, Mum? But I love it!
A hot house exotic?

Sumptuous afternoon tea next, then the best bit!  Come with me to “Narnia”.

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There were dressing-up clothes for children in some areas, and of course, Lisa couldn’t resist!  A Christmas Trail, finding cuddly Aslans and clues along the way, was also meant to keep the children happy.  Guess who else enjoyed it?

This cape’s nearly big enough, Mum!
Sherry for you, “dear”?
She looks so like my Mum here!

Are you ready to be scared yet?  It’s time for the witch!

I was joking- she's much too pretty to be scarey!

I was joking- she’s much too pretty to be scarey!

Note the small Aslan, keeping her company.  Another clue for the Christmas Trail.  But now for the really sad part!

He's still breathing! It's going to be ok.

He’s still breathing!  It’s going to be ok.

Time for a feast!

Time for a celebratory feast!

All's well that ends well!

All’s well that ends well!

I hope you enjoyed my little trip to Narnia.  It was the best Christmas present I could ever have asked for.  And now, I really must get on with my Christmas preparations.  I haven’t even bought the tree yet!  But I’ve made a list.

Chatsworth House is the most delightful setting and I will be posting more about the house and gardens.  If you are anywhere in the vicinity, “Narnia” will be available till 23rd December.  The link will give you directions.  I can absolutely recommend it.

Six word Saturday

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Fancy a little Steampunk for Christmas?

Teaparty bookcoverYou may remember, earlier this year, I was privileged to attend a book launch for Steampunk Apothecary?  It was a wonderfully fun occasion for dressing up and eating lots of cake.

The authoress, Jema Hewitt, is a hugely creative and multi-talented lady, who works extremely hard at making a living, and always with a smile.  Today she is at Waterstones in Bradford, signing her books and demonstrating jewellery making.  I wish I could be there, but this post will have to be my contribution.

Maybe you have a daughter or niece who would like something from her Etsy store?  I know there are a few pieces I wouldn’t mind.  And you can buy the book on there too.  The recipes are unique.

Mr. Woppit is adorable! Do you remember him?

Mr. Woppit is adorable! Do you remember him?

Some of the sparkly things Jema collects

Some of the sparkly things Jema collects for her jewellery

The red-haired lady is my daughter!

A page from “Steampunk Teaparty”.  The red-haired lady is my daughter!

Another Jema creation.

Another beautiful Jema creation.

If you ask for the book at your local Waterstones, even if you don’t buy it, the store will register your interest.  Every little helps!  I can claim no credit for the photos. They are all from Jema’s Facebook page.

Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend.  Many thanks to Cate for hosting Six word Saturday.  As usual, click on the links for more details.

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Grand! A Weekly Photo Challenge
Sagrada Familia, reflected in the lake in Gaudi Square

Sagrada Familia, reflected in the lake in Gaudi Square

I just couldn’t help myself this morning!  I’ve already said farewell to Gaudi, and I’ve halfway constructed this week’s Six word Saturday.  But the Weekly Photo Challenge this week is irresistible, isn’t it? (you’re right- I don’t have tremendous willpower!)  Does grand come any grander than this?

And inside the aura deepens!

And inside the aura deepens!

The pathos in this figure

The pathos in this figure

And this

And the self containment of this.

I've never seen anything like it!

I’ve never seen anything like it.

I’ve already posted numerous photos of Sagrada Familia.  Please excuse just a few more.  I’ll be joining many others on the Weekly Photo Challenge. See you there.

Edinburgh- looking up, and looking down!
Numerous cannons look down on Edinburgh city

Numerous cannons look down from Edinburgh Castle on the city

I spent a great deal of my time in Edinburgh last weekend looking up, or looking down.  To begin with the sky was bleak, making the perfect background for my WordPress snow.  I’m really not looking forward to the real thing, but so far we’ve been lucky.

This morning I’d like to share some photos on Debbie’s challenge, at Travel with Intent.  It’s all about looking up, or down.

I looked up hopefully at the sky. Just a hint of brightness?

I looked up hopefully at the sky. Maybe a hint of brightness?

In Princes St. I looked down on the gardens

In Princes St. I looked down on the gardens

And on the Christmas market

And on the Christmas market

And on the ice skaters!

And on the ice skaters!

The children looked up hopefully at the carousel horse.

The children looked up hopefully at the carousel horse.

Over on Calton Hill I looked up at sunkissed tombstones

Over on Calton Hill I looked up at sun brightening the tombstones

And down to Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament

And down to Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament

Then up at the setting sun

The sun was beginning to set

Over the distinctive architecture of the Scottish Parliament

Over the distinctive architecture of the Scottish Parliament

And all the way down the Royal Mile

The rosy hue stretched all the way down the Royal Mile

As I walked back across North Bridge

And draped a scarf over the skyline as I walked back over North Bridge

This time last week I was really excited at the prospect of visiting this lovely city. I’m so glad I did.  Happy weekend everybody!

Don’t forget to join the challenge if you’ve been looking up or down lately.

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 47
Who lives in a house like this?

I guess it’s about time to post my last sequence of windows from Barcelona. Life is moving forward at quite a pace.  At this rate I’ll soon be looking back at 2013! Anyone for a last wander in those Barcelona streets? Just click on a photo.

Looking up into Barcelona Cathedral
Such an elegant touch on the balcony
The exciting architecture of the Rambla
No such thing as ordinary!
Even in a shopping centre.
The prettiest of port buildings
You know I’m not greedy, but I’d settle for this one!

I can’t leave without one last salute to Gaudi.  He gave me so much pleasure with his beautiful houses, Casa Batllo and Casa Mila.

The stairwell at Casa Batllo- a vision in blue

The stairwell at Casa Batllo- a vision in blue

The romance of stained glass

The romance of stained glass

And in Casa Mila, the romance of a curtained window

And in Casa Mila, curtains rustle romantically at the window

Elaborate patterns
Sunset beyond the lace
What could be more nostalgic?

I’m joining Dawn again this week in her Lingering look at Windows.  Why not come and play?  Soon it will be Christmas windows!  Just click on the link.

Edinburgh- city of kilts and bagpipes
The lion and the unicorns grace Edinburgh Castle

The lion and the unicorns gracing Edinburgh Castle

The first sound I heard as I hopped off the coach at the end of Edinburgh’s Princes St. was the wail of bagpipes, leaving me in no doubt at all that I was in Bonny Scotland.  Renowned for my lack of sense of direction, no matter how hard I look at a map, I wandered onto North Bridge, gazing around for a landmark.  The city rose and fell all around me and, with a little sigh of relief, I spotted the Castle on its lofty mound.  Destination one was established!  Of course, the direction was up.

Those knees must be cold, mustn’t they?
A wee dram of whisky might help!
In England the skies had been blue, but here they were determinedly grey
No beacons blazing today!
Up we go!
The best views are down the barrel of a gun!

I had timed it nicely to arrive for the one o’clock salute.  The press of people was tight as we waited for the cannon to explode.  At the same time that the cannon is fired, across the city on Calton Hill a timeball drops on Nelson’s Monument.  Visible from afar, its original purpose was to enable the captains of ships on the Firth of Forth to set their chronometers for accurate navigation.

A nice moment occurred as I chatted to a neighbour.  A native of the city, he had never before managed to witness the dropping of the timeball.  I told him that I hadn’t been sure whether to head for Calton Hill or the Castle itself for the event. Neither had he, but he proceeded to show me that he had successfully recorded it on camera for posterity.  I wish I could show you!

But you'll have to make do with the cannon!

But you’ll have to make do with the cannon instead!

The sky was beginning to lighten as I made my way to my next destination- the Scott Monument on Princes St.  Not that I knew the way.  I followed my nose down some steps and eventually ended up lost in enormous Waverley Railway Station. From there the only way was up again.

I could have been tempted!

I could have been tempted!

Such fun! The sweepers were out on the icerink.
Up I go!
There’s the castle, and the Big Wheel.
The Christmas market was under way down below
It’s getting brighter!
Eye spy!
The wonderfully grand, Balmoral Hotel
That station’s so big, no wonder I couldn’t find my way out!
And there in the background, beautiful Arthur’s Seat

Next I headed for Calton Hill itself, curious to see up close the reason for the city’s nickname “Athens of the North”.  Sure enough, there was the incomplete Parthenon!  Funds did not allow for completion at the time of building.  It matters little now because it is part of a wonderful green space in the city.

Calton cemetery and the observatory
I found it a strangely atmospheric place
A sad spot, with tombs and Felon’s Prison its legacy.
Edinburgh’s volcanic history
And there it is- the incomplete Parthenon!
The views to the waterfront are superb!
Across the Scottish Parliament buildings to Arthur’s Seat.

I imagine you’re starting to tire a bit now.  I left the house before 7am to catch my coach, but the knowledge that I had just this one day spurred me on.  I won’t keep you much longer.

The day was sparkling as I headed downhill through a different cemetery to the Palace of Holyrood.  The queues didn’t allow me time to go in, but I managed a quick swish through the stylish Scottish Parliament building.  The sun was beginning to set and the lights to come on as I headed back up the Royal Mile.

Magnificent Arthur's Seat, viewed from Calton Hill

Magnificent Arthur’s Seat, viewed from Calton Hill

The Palace of Holyrood
The Unicorn
Just a peep through the gateway
Crossing the pond to the Scottish Parliament building
The shapely seating in the Debating Chamber
Our Dynamic Earth and Arthur’s Seat from the Scottish Parliament windows

Just time to pop my nose in Jenners to see the Christmas tree and marvel at the rides in St. Andrews Place.  The kilts were still twirling and the pipes a-calling as I returned, most reluctantly, to the coach.

High riding at the Christmas Market!

High riding at the Christmas Market!

Jenners Christmas tree

Jenners Christmas tree

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 46

Did you ever see such radiance?

Rather in the same way that I left visiting the Sagrada Familia till my last day in Barcelona, I’ve resisted posting about it.  I hoped against hope that I wouldn’t find it disappointing.  My hotel, of the same name, was just around the corner, so I had walked past on numerous occasions.  Not that it’s possible to just casually pass by the Sagrada Familia.  Each time, I would stop and stare, fascinated.  The stonemasons, seemingly oblivious to passers by, scaled the heights in flimsy cradles. But what would it feel like, inside?  Would it be a venerable space, or simply a crazily imaginative work of art?  I’ll let you decide.

The light cascades down over you

Light cascades through the windows, from the ceiling down.

I don't know if I was ever in a more beautiful space

I don’t know if I was ever in a more beautiful space.

From the almost traditional

From the almost traditional

to the surreal

to the surreal.

Strong colour

From strong blues

and rainbow hues

through rainbow hues

or rose pale

to soft and rosy pale.

Sunlit stains radiating off the pillars

Sunlight shimmers off the pillars

and hiding in corners

and hides in corners.

Even now, just looking at the photos and writing about it, I feel quite emotional. Hard to explain the impact of this place.  The altar, like nothing I had ever seen before.  I was feeling reverence, while down below, in the parishioners church, a service was taking place.

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A simple Christ

Then there was the tower to climb.  Fortunately, the lift did most of the work.

But following the stairwell was a slightly surreal experience

But following the stairwell was a slightly surreal experience.

Looking out past the trussed up new features

Looking out past the trussed up newer features

Were windows ever so strangely adorned?

Were windows ever so strangely adorned?

And then the exterior, worked upon for so long. (Gaudi began in 1883!)

A window, barely visible for sculpture

A window, barely visible for sculpture

And one exquisitely surrounded

And one exquisitely surrounded

What is one to make of it all?

What do they make of it all?

I hope I have managed to convey some of the beauty and artistry of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia.  It’s fair to say, there is nowhere else like it. What an incredible man was Antoni Gaudi, “God’s Architect”.  The current projection for completion is 2033.

This is my contribution to Dawn’s Lingering look at Windows this week.  I wasn’t disappointed.  I hope you weren’t either?  Meantime, Debbie, over at Travel with Intent has asked if I would like to link this post to her challenge, Look up, Look down.  So that’s a lot more folks to visit, isn’t it?  Happy Thanksgiving, all!

That last snippet of Autumn
Through a fence, lengthening shadows and a last hint of colour

Through a fence, lengthening shadows and the last hint of colour

The jacket and me went walking again today.  Goodness it was cold, but glorious, once I was striding along.  The village of West Auckland in County Durham is one I have often driven through but never before stopped in.  Our walk leader was born and bred there so this bright, late Autumn day seemed a good time to take a closer look.

The village green, with its claim to footballing fame

The village green, with its claim to footballing fame

I love that last vestige of colour in the trees
There was a curious horse or two along the way.
The shadows were long. Yes, that’s me!
A gurgling stream and a green bridge.
Those horses again!
A bare-looking tree and pebble beach
And the brightness of berries.

How strange that this quiet village should be a part of footballing history!  In 1909 West Auckland FC represented Great Britain in the inaugural World Cup competition in Torino, Italy.  A team largely made up of coal miners, they struggled to raise the finance for the trip.  Despite this they went on to beat Swiss team FC Winterthur 2-0 in the final, and even retained their title in 1911, beating Juventus 6-1!  Those were the days!

Me, I’m relishing any dry, bright days when I can get out and about.  Me and the warm jacket, that is!

Six word Saturday

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Did I tell you about Girona?

Striking, isn't it?

Striking, isn’t it?

My day trip from Barcelona.  There’s a story or two to tell, but as I only have six words, it’ll have to be pictorial.  Just click on the gallery.

It’s a city of cobbled streets and arcades,
tall buildings,
a stunning cathedral,
with a majestic location
and cloisters.
It has the sweetest weathervane
and the longest town walls,
with interesting views over the city.
but I wasn’t fond of the bollard that tripped me up!
There are smart cafes,
and interesting architecture.
A table up some steps beckoned to me
In the shade of the lovely buildings I could watch passersby.

Girona in a nutshell.  I wanted to come here in May for the flower festival, but it was more peaceful in November, and a wonderful escape from the city.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Beautiful, isn’t it?

I’m playing Six word Saturday, thanks to Cate at Show My Face.  Click on the links or the header and you can play too.  Happy weekend!

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Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau- a Modernista triumph

IMG_0583Scaffolding, barriers and grey skies are not what you want to see on your first afternoon in Barcelona.  I had already had a glimpse at Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, and was still trying to assimilate what I had seen.  A stroll along Avinguda de Gaudi led me to this spectacle.  According to the guidebook it was Hospital de Santa Creu i Sant Pau, the work of Modernista architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner.

I had read about his incredible work of art, the Palau de la Musica Catalana, but this building was nothing like any hospital I had ever seen.  Apparently when it was completed in 1901 it was the most advanced in Europe. Domenech i Montaner conceived of a hospital which was modern and functional but also aesthetically pleasing.  He designed 12 pavilions, each with a different medical speciality, and linked them with underground passages. Light, ventilation and decoration were crucial to his plan, with open spaces for the use and wellbeing of the patients.

Standing on tiptoe I tried to take a shot of these magnificent buildings.  I never truly believe that barriers like this are meant to exclude me, so I made a circuit of the enormous site, looking for a way in.

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You can see, it didn’t happen!  But I saw enough to be seriously impressed. When I got home I checked the website and it seems that guided tours are available. You get to wear a crash helmet and orange jacket too.  Never mind! There never was time for everything in Barcelona, and I have a new passion in life- Lluis Domenech i Montaner.

I know that Paula has a healthy curiosity about life too, so I’m hoping she’ll enjoy this tribute and welcome it into her Thursday’s Special.

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