Photography

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 32
Leeds indoor market

Leeds Kirkgate Market

Returning from my daughter’s in Nottingham on Monday, the National Express bus decanted me into Leeds for an hour and a half, before my onward journey home.  It wasn’t the warmest of days and I was happy to escape into Kirkgate Market for a delicious chicken, mushroom and cheese pancake.  As an additional bonus I snapped a few windows in this beautiful building.

If you follow the link it will give you the convoluted history of the building.  For my purposes it’s enough to say that it’s the largest covered market in Europe, with around 800 stalls.  The market dates back to 1822, the first covered sections being added from 1850.  The domed, glazed roof was modelled on Paxton’s Crystal Palace in London’s Hyde Park.  It has enormous appeal.

One last snippet of information- Kirkgate Market was the founding location of Marks and Spencer, which opened initially as a penny bazaar.  A commemorative clock was unveiled to mark the centenary of M & S in 1984.  Today there is still a Marks and Spencer’s stall alongside the clock.

Famous Marks and Spencer and the centenary clock.
Anyone remember a penny bazaar?
The flower stalls are lovely.
And the dragons are splendid!
The balcony was used for “fancy goods”.
This way for fish!
That’s my little crepe bar along at the end.
I sat at the little “outside” table
Oops! How did this get in here?
Just a few sweets to finish!

Click on the gallery to wander the market with me.

Thanks Dawn, for reminding me every week how much I like windows.  To join the challenge, visit Lingering Visions.

Which way next?

IMG_7976 My stepping stones were much admired in last week’s Which Way post so I thought I’d share with you another idyllic and very English scene in the North Yorkshire village of Lealholm.  I don’t take many photos of people but this little family setting really made me smile.  Join me in the gallery.

Lealholm has the prettiest little bridge
And, of course, those stepping stones.
Here we have my husband looking downstream
At an intrepid youngster.
I love the patience of “big sis” and the determined little fella.
It’s a lovely tranquil spot.

Innocent pleasures!  It’s nice to see they’re still around.

I thought I’d take part in Cee’s Which Way Challenge again this week because it will be fortnightly from now on.  Alternate weeks will be a black and white photo challenge, and that’s a whole different ball game.

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Weekly Photo Challenge : Carefree
Flying high in the Algarve.

Flying high in the Algarve.

I struggled a bit to find carefree this week.  It’s not always gifted to us, is it?  But if there’s anywhere I can find it, you might know it would be in my beloved Algarve.  Click on the gallery below and maybe lighten your spirits.

Dipping and diving- what could be more carefree?
How about my swing seat, poised for action?
My favourite island, Armona, always promises carefree
Especially on the beach.
Nothing more carefree than children, even in a crocodile.
A ride on a toy train might do it, or would you choose the bike?
Flowers spilling over promise carefree to me.

I’m feeling better already.  Have you entered the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge yet?  Hoping this finds you in a carefree frame of mind.

Six word Saturday

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Visiting daughter in Nottingham- back Monday.

A ship's figurehead

Lisa as a ship’s figurehead

Market Square, Nottingham
Lisa in the teacup fascinator she made.
We’ll put the kettle on
And sit on the settee
Or maybe at the table she hand decorated
And I’ll admire the flower arrangements she made for her wedding
And the photos on the sideboard. That’s Mam in the middle.

Visit Cate at Show My Face for more Six word Saturdays.

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Thursday : Lingering look at windows- week 31

I’m struggling to fit eveything in tonight because I’m going to my daughter’s in Nottingham for the weekend tomorrow.  But it’s Thursday, and that means a lingering look at windows, right?

I thought I’d simply show you more of the trompe l’oeuil windows that I featured in Sonel’s black and white photo challenge this week, but in colour, of course.  Which is quite amusing because Dawn at Lingering Visions has chosen to use black and white photos for the challenge.  They are really fabulous, so do go and look.

My “windows” are a feature of the Italian restaurant “La Spaghettata” in Durham.  I think you’ll agree, they lend a wonderful atmosphere.

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The swing bridge at Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales

The swing bridge at Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales

Earlier this week this bridge proved rather popular, and if I find a winning formula… well, you know how it is.  It was part of a five mile walk through lusciuous countryside in Swaledale.  I crossed over the bridge and followed the River Swale till I found another of my favourite ways- stepping stones.  Got your walking boots with you?

The swing bridge, or the doctors? Your choice.
Through a gate. The moors are capped with purple heather.
And there’s the bridge!
Set in stone.
I always like to read the history.
Over a stile
The stepping stones… but you might get a bit wet.
No worries- there’s another bridge.
And a confusion of signs.
Isn't the water a wonderful colour?

Isn’t the water a wonderful colour?

It was back to Reeth and the Copper Kettle Tearooms for us, but that’s another post.  This is my entry for Cee’s Which Way photo challenge on week 6.  Click on the crossroads to view the other entries.

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Black and White weekly photo challenge : Windows (and doors)
Spotted in the entrance to The Station, Richmond

An interesting view of windows and doors in The Station, Richmond.

You could be forgiven for thinking that I’m still participating in Sonel’s Abstract black and white photo challenge with the above shot, but you would be wrong.  One of many things I have gained from the challenges is the desire to look at things a little differently, and to experiment now and then.  No-one encourages this more than Sonel, and she very much enjoys to “play” with her photography and create wonderful effects.

Sonel gave us permission to post this week, although the challenge is sadly concluding.  You probably know I’m partial to windows (and doors) so I’m happy to contribute one last time.

A quirky window in Durham

A whimsical window in Durham

Trompe l'oeuil windows in a favourite Durham restaurant

Trompe l’oeuil windows in a favourite Durham restaurant

Spag B & W 2It was our 24th wedding anniversary yesterday and, in addition to receiving 24 red roses, I was taken to a favourite Italian restaurant in Durham, “La Spaghettata”.  The trompe l’oeuil panels always capture my attention, and I thought you might like them in black and white.

Colour will always be my first love, but I have enjoyed my flirtation with black and white.  I hope you have too.

Sonel, I don’t care whether you show me your delightful Vervet monkeys in black and white or in gentle colour.  All that matters is that you continue to share your enormous talents with us, as, and when, you can.  On behalf of all of us who have taken part in your Black and White photo challenge, thank you.

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Weekly Photo Challenge : One shot, two (or three) ways

There are lots of ways to tackle this week’s Daily Post photo challenge- showing a subject in two different ways.  I was never much good at the “less is more” philosophy, so one shot isn’t really on the cards for me.

The Swing Bridge, Reeth, in the Yorkshire Dales
In close up but not in motion.

Reeth has the most beautiful setting on the River Swale in the Yorkshire Dales.  The Swing Bridge made me smile.  It didn’t so much swing as wobble if you jiggled about on it a lot.

The ferry point on Tavira Island
Looking down the channel to the open sea.

I wouldn’t jiggle too hard on this bit of rusty railing at the ferry terminal on Tavira Island in Portugal’s Algarve.  It’s just the salt air- I’m sure it’s safe!

The salt marshes at Barril
Briney water stretches forever

Or you could take the little steam train out to Barril Beach.  When the tide’s in the salt marshes look their beautiful best.

Lunch before we hit the boardwalk?
It looks inviting!

Before, or after, you hit the beach there are nice restaurants to linger in.

Ponte Romana in the twilight
Step forward a pace and you get a “free” umbrella

Evening’s always a good time to return to Tavira.  The sun settles over the river, and the swifts dart and play.

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When the lights go down you can often find a local celebration or Saint’s Day like this one at the Carmo, Tavira’s main church.  The service inside is broadcast on speakers, the priest’s beautiful voice soaring over the neighbourhood.

Did you enter the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge yet?  Come with me and we’ll check out some entries.

Six word Saturday

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Challenges and Awards- part of blogging?

When you started blogging, did you have any idea what you were getting into?  I know I didn’t.  I simply wanted a vehicle to communicate my delight in the world, and if I’m honest, an audience.  I hadn’t at all realised that there were hoops to jump through, or how addictive these would be.

But it wasn’t too long before I happened upon my first challenge- Six word Saturday.  Though I have soundly abused it, I liked the notion, and when I started out, I really intended exactly that- just six words, with a few photographs, so you wouldn’t get bored.  Since then we’ve wandered the globe together, and taken a lot of words with us.

Remember the fountains in the Rynek in Wroclaw?

Remember the fountains in Wroclaw’s Rynek?  Click on the photo to see the post

Six word Saturday brought me a lot of new friends, and introduced me to a fascinating world beyond that of my travel addiction.  Writers, poets, photographers, cooks, craftmakers of kinds I didn’t even know existed- they’re all out there.  I discovered any number of A-Z Challenges, and used one of them to pin both my Portuguese and Polish sagas to.

When I found Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post, I was astounded at what he could do with graphics.  More than that, Jake gave me a peg to hang my photos and stories on.   And my addiction to photography and challenges began.

A Turkish gulet gliding across the bay

A Turkish gulet at sunset- again, the photo will take you to the post

I became aware of more and more Challenges out there, many of them photographic, and the quality of some of the photographs is staggering.  Off I went in hot pursuit, until my week was overflowing. Here are just a few I’ve taken part in.  Click on the photo to see the post.

Porta da Vila, Obidos

Porta da Vila, Obidos- from Thursday: Lingering look at windows

The boardwalk in Cabanas- from CBBH Photo Challenge

The boardwalk in Cabanas- from CBBH Photo Challenge

Flowerhead in the rain

Flowerhead in the rain- from Sonel’s Black and White photo challenge : Abstract

I've rarely seen a more extravagant door knocker

A door knocker in Silves- from Cee’s Fun Foto challenge

Old gold plays on Medieval architecture

Medieval architecture in Wroclaw- Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge : Colours

I have loved every second of compiling my posts, but occasionally I tire of being led around by the nose.  Rebellion strikes and I think “no, I don’t want to write about ‘rhubarb’ this week”.  I want to follow my own muse. (if you can call the unlucky lady that)  And so I do.

But I owe a debt of gratitude to the people who launch and host these challenges.  They provide huge inspiration as well as introductions to other blogs, and require a major commitment of time and effort.  So a big thank you to all those whose challenges I have participated in.

You’re wondering where Awards come into this, aren’t you?  Many times I have used Six word Saturday to introduce and appreciate new awards, and this week is no exception.  I have an Awards page and kind people out there keep bestowing them, but it just isn’t possible to keep up and still do all the things you want to do.  So I’ll simply say many thanks to Opalla for giving me Inner Peace, and to Colline, for a Super Sweet Blogger Award.  There’s a link to each of their great blogs in the logos below.

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I guess I’ve exhausted my six words for this week, don’t you think?  You’d better follow the link to Cate at Show My Face to see exactly how the game should be played.  Many thanks for your patience.  Feel free to tell me about your favourite challenges and awards.

Thursday : Lingering look at windows, week 30
Window box outside the Queen Victoria pub in Durham

Window box outside the Victoria pub in Durham

I seem to have my English appreciation society head on firmly this week so I’m staying with the theme for my lingering look at windows.  On Friday evening I was in the city of Durham as the sun set.  Now there’s a place to be!  Mind you, the company and the wine were wonderful too.

Windows reflected in windows here!
The red and white theme seemed to be going on all along the street
Then I hit a patch of grey, traditional style cottages
I do like those red and white boxes though
And round the corner, brash modernity!
Durham University Library- brand, spanking new architecture
But it was a relief to return to something older

The sunset reflected beautifully for me in that last shot, then I was spellbound by the colours around the cathedral.

It was a good week for sunsets and I captured a couple in windows on our estate at home.

Such a dreamy sky
And then the crazy colours

You can’t get more quintessentially English than the village of Lealholm in North Yorkshire.  Every Summer they organise a Duck Race, and hundrerds of yellow plastic ducks are tipped off the bridge into the River Esk to race for it!  They were selling tickets when I was there last week.

One of the pretty little village shops in Lealholm

One of the pretty little village shops in Lealholm

That’s my English round up for this week.  What do you think?  Let’s get out into our English countryside while this nice weather lasts.

Many thanks to Dawn at Lingering Visions for being our lovely hostess for this challenge.  Do you have some windows you’d like to share?  Just follow the link.