Portugal

Best Moment Award

Awarding the people who live in the moment,
The noble who write and capture the best in life,
The bold who reminded us what really mattered –
Savoring the experience of quality time.

I am absolutely determined (well, a little bit anyway) to clear all my “unfinished business” before I go to Poland. What do I find, loitering in my Inbox, but a Best Moment Award. It’s a pleasing shape, isn’t it? Reminds me just a bit of Rafa’s Barcelona Trophy, but not quite so heavy.

No, I wasn't there! I very naughtily pinched this image from Zee News. Hope I'm forgiven.

No, I wasn’t there! I very naughtily pinched this image from Zee News. Apologies.

Moment Matters were kind enough to bequeath me this award, and then, just the other day, lovely Letizia of Dutch goes Italian nominated me again.

I misunderstood initially. I didn’t read the verse properly and had it fixed in my head that this was about a “best moment”. How to choose? So many best moments! And maybe, if I’m lucky, some best moments still to come.

Those incredible blue doors always bring back a magic moment

This one conjures a blogging friendship and a freezing day

How many times have I looked back at this wonderful moment

Shared golden moments in Warsaw’s Stare Miasto

And a truly amazing moment at the Festa dos Tabuleiros in Tomar

Haven’t we shared some beautiful moments, at home and abroad?

A very special wedding

And some wonderful sunsets

We’ve danced and we’ve sang

And made wonderful memories

But now it’s time to return to Poland

Where I hope to be making more beautiful moments to share. Thank you for indulging me. I’m going to pass on this award to some folk who have shared best moments with me.

The world according to Dina

Gallivance

East of Malaga

Writing between the lines

Photography of Nia

Going Dutch

I’ll be back in a week or so, but then I’m going to the Algarve, so all will be peaceful for a while. Enjoy!

Benches

Anybody seen the backgammon set?

You might have noticed I’ve got my “Greek head” on at the minute. Something to do with sunshine, or lack of. The above photo is one that was destined for my post A tale or two : Rhodes, but it escaped. I rather think it must have been holding back for Ailsa’s challenge this week.

A goodly knight sits on a bench in Constancia, Portugal

Bench with a view

Not so much a bench- more a chaise longue.

A silly bench livens up a wintry park

A bench facing “that” bridge, in Tavira

Almost missed this bench!

The riverside gardens in Tavira are full of shady benches

The challenges can be a lot of fun, can’t they? With Ailsa’s permission I’m going to use this post to ask whether anyone has heard anything of Jake of Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post lately? We all pass each other by and dash to the next challenge, but Jake has been strangely absent since his Entrance post. He has left no hint on there of his whereabouts, and hasn’t been commenting on posts as he normally would. Maybe he’s just busy, but I would like to be reassured if any of you know anything more?

Sorry, Ailsa, to use your post like this, but it’s been “nibbling” at me all week. Hope you don’t mind? There are some great bench shots over there so don’t forget to check them out. Thanks everybody.

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Entrance

I would love to be able to make an Entrance, but I’m more the kind of person who’s prone to falling up the step and making a fool of herself. I do know someone who can make a superb entrance though.

Lisa and Leo make the perfect entrance to married life

And she’s well equipped to make a neat exit too!

As ever, her hand sewing is exquisite.

When I first saw the big-eyed girl, looking around the door on Jake’s post this week, I thought of the other meaning of “entrance”- to fill with intense delight”. Lisa is well capable of this, too.

But neither of these photos are mine, so not really eligible for Jake’s challenge. My kind of entrance goes more like this:

Entrance to Whitby harbour

A well worn entrance in Tavira

Entry to a folk ceremony in Alte, in Portugal’s Algarve

The portal of the University in Wroclaw- a grand entrance

Entrance to the town square in Guimaraes

Entrance to a lighthouse?

Fun entrance

Old entrance

Heraldic entrance

As usual, click any photo to start the gallery rolling.

I’m very late with this post, and Jake will already be working on entrancing us with next week’s theme, so I’d better hit that Publish button. No accidents this time!

Come and meet Jake via the links or the lucky snake logo. His graphics are amazing and all visitors are made truly welcome.

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Sentimental Value

Jake gave us a beautiful post this week for his theme, Sentimental Value, and I almost decided not to take part. I have so many silly, sentimental things that I’ve hoarded down the years, and some of them are deeply personal. But this is a travel blog, isn’t it, so in the interests of “the show must go on”, I’ve found some things that I can share with you.

Ticket montage

Over the years I don’t know how many ticket stubs I must’ve pushed into a handbag pocket as a souvenir of whichever boat ride or ancient monument. Some of them, I forget are there till months later. But recently I had a great idea. I’m going to compile some of the more colourful ones (as above) and decoupage them onto a coffee table top. Well, if I’m truthful, I hoped that my daughter might do this for me, as she’s so much better at crafty things. Still, I think I might manage. What do you reckon? It would make a great conversation piece, wouldn’t it?

I’ve kept old Snoopy watches that no longer work, cards that I have to cull every year otherwise they’d flow down the stairs, and, of course, postcards. I used to buy them in quantity, in case the holiday photos weren’t a success. In these digital days that’s not such a problem, but I still struggle to pass a postcard stand without a surreptitious glance. I also used them as a holiday diary. Nowadays I’ve progressed to a notebook.

Let’s share a couple of favourites. Why would I want to part with them? The memories are invaluable.

The Dalyan peninsula, Turkey

Salzburg in Austria

Kas, also in Turkey

Sukiennice, Krakow

And, of course, Tavira

I’m feeling thoroughly sentimental now. Thanks, Jake. I’ll be over to check out the other entries later. Click on the lucky snake logo or the links to go with me.

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Bay

A Turkish gulet gliding across the bay

It seems like most of my life I’ve been admiring bays. I can get lost in this photo, which was taken by my husband on our honeymoon, oh, so many years ago. I’m tempted to go and dig out the photo albums and meander around a Greek Island or two, but this is Jake’s challenge for the Sunday Post this week. I’ll never make it in time if I wander off down Memory Lane.

Bodrum has the perfect Turkish bay

Sirmione on Lake Garda is a bit special too

Algarve clifftops overlook many fabulous bays

Like this

And this

I love peeking at a bay through flowering shrubs, don’t you? Madeira, of course.

North Yorkshire bays are seriously rugged

Often with leaden skies

Robin Hood’s Bay is a beautiful Yorkshire village

And this is the bay- no Robin Hood in sight

The slideshow runs when you click on the first photo.

We have some wonderful bays with pebbly beaches, remnants of our mining heritage, just up the road from here. I planned to take the camera along after lunch, but it’s bouncing with rain. I guess I’ll stick to memories, and the other entries on the Sunday Post. I’m sure to find some beautiful bays there.

Visit Jake with me by clicking on the lucky snake logo or the links.

Framed

I very much like to frame a subject, so when I spotted East of Malaga’s challenge for this month, I had two responses:
1. I absolutely love these photos,
2. If I can possibly squeeze out a little time somewhere, I shall make a submission. After all, a monthly challenge does give you quite a bit of leaway. So, here I go!

Sunrise framed in my front window

The Museum of Hartlepool and HMS Trincomalee.

Hartlepool Headland with a good splash of the colour.

Still in Mary Rowntree’s

Frames in Pier Arts and Crafts and Saltburn Pier

Looking out from the Alhambra

Clerigo tower window, framing Porto

Climbing Porto’s Clerigos Tower for magnificent views

The old Council Chambers form a perfect frame in Guimaraes

Barnard Castle high street sedately framed

A rainy day on Durham Cathedral roof looking down on the Castle

Framing the River Tees at Barnard Castle

The statue in Hardwick Country Park, Sedgefield

Where I like to end my days- my Tavira roof top

What did you think? Too many? I do love the drama of them. Click the first shot to see them in gallery form.

“Less is more”! Another of those expressions I never quite took to heart.

Speaking of hearts, there are some very warm ones in our blogging world. Simply Charming is just such a person, so if you haven’t yet met her, make just a few minutes of time to go and say hello. If you have, pop by anyway. You’ll get a warm welcome.
Marianne likes us to share two bloggers whose posts we have commented on in the past month. It’s never easy to choose, but I’m sure Paula at Lost in Translation won’t mind me spreading a little love in her direction. She spreads lots in mine. Paula has a very individual and beautiful style. Go take a look.

That’s me worn out and it’s still early! Worse yet, I’ve been so engrossed that I haven’t noticed it’s snowing wildly and I’m travelling up to Northumberland today to meet Viv in France. (is that 3 introductions? oh, never mind!) Wish me luck!

Many thanks, Marianne. Visit East of Malaga to admire and take part.

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Arrangement

An Arrangement naturally speaks to me of flowers. For many years I have been captivated (wasn’t that last week’s theme?) by the artistry of the Chelsea Flower Show. Each year I think, maybe this year? Well, it might be, but in the meantime let me show you some of the most striking arrangements of flowers that I have ever witnessed.

Once every 4 years Tomar in Central Portugal comes alive with the Festa dos Tabuleiros. When you see the number of paper flowers involved I think you will know why it only takes place 4 yearly.

Let the show begin!

One of 400 breadbaskets carried aloft at the Festa dos Tabuleiros, Tomar

I couldn’t believe my eyes!

Balanced on 400 heads!

A once plain house declares its colours

Blooming lovely!

Even the church got in on the act

This was a favourite

Bluer than the sky!

So pretty!

Simple, but effective

Wall art!

A bouquet?

Spot the natural or the fake?

Not a plain street in town!

I’d love to live over this shop

A shady spot!

A truly amazing moment at the Festa dos Tabuleiros in Tomar

What a statement!

Chelsea it’s not, but every bit as special in it’s own way. Click on the first photo to start the slide show rolling. This link will take you to my original post on the Festa dos Tabuleiros. What a day that was!

What else does arrangement signify? Arranged marriages came to mind, probably because I’m reading a historical novel at present. Check out Jakesprinter’s page to see other interpretations. Just click on the lucky snake logo or the link.

A Sunday Treat

Of all the activities I might have seen myself pursuing in the Algarve, croquet was pretty low on the list. Nevertheless on a damp, lacklustre Sunday, a warm welcome awaited at Bela Romao Croquet Club, and even a cosy log fire!

The invitation had come by way of the walking group I love to join whenever I am in the Algarve. I have to confess that a sausage fair at Querenca had marginally more appeal. But I had been to Querenca on a grey day (yes, the Algarve does have them!) in a previous year, and truthfully, I’m not all that keen on sausages.

Querenca on a cloudy day

So, the decision was made!

I had passed by on the E125 heading for Olhao many a time, but been completely unaware of the existence of the croquet club. Up an unobtrusive track, a hefty door awaited. A touch of the intercom and a smiley-sounding voice greeted me. The door rolled back to reveal a large expanse of drive, and above, an attractive villa. Climbing the steps to the pool, I looked for the lovely views to the coast that were promised. This was a day for using the imagination, but the potential was definitely there.

The swimming pool. Maybe another day?

It was two in the afternoon and play had been suspended for lunch. Curious, I advanced into a small lounge, bar and restaurant. The decor was welcoming, the open fire warm, and the tinkling laughter of our hostess, Lita, a pleasure. I was shown to a bench seat by the window, with a menu to peruse. The salmon salad with teriyaki was a natural choice for me, and my husband was very happy with Irish potato cakes, meat pattie and blackpudding. Was it the lovely wine in the icebucket that was giving the room that cosy glow?

From the dining room window

The cosy dining room and bar

A warm glow from the table lamp

My salmon terijaki salad

That naughty peach melba!

Nope- that sky’s still grey.

I got into conversation with one of the guests, and she described it as a “home from home”. It certainly had that kind of atmosphere, and I found myself thinking that I would be more than happy with a home like this.

After lunch we were offered a complimentary game of croquet. Lita was full of enthusiasm and I hesitated, but Michael had just polished off a large peach melba and was happy to return to Tavira. The views were still a little murky but I promised myself a return visit to enjoy Lita’s hospitality again.

I’m wishing I was there this Mother’s Day. You, too? Enjoy yours, ladies, wherever you are.

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Captivating

Can’t resist having a little fun with this week’s subject Captivating. So many things in life can be captivating, including Jake’s Lucky Snake logo with it’s hypnotic eyes. It captures my imagination, holds it, and makes me smile- that’s a great definition of captivating.

Me, capturing “me” and an elephant

I loved this elephant clock, proudly displayed on the mantelpiece at Thrumpton Hall. I had just waved Lisa off on honeymoon and was speeding through the building, trying to capture as much as I could of this most captivating of venues. Posh frock packed away, and not expecting ever to visit the Hall again, every click counted. I didn’t mind being caught on camera. It was one more bit of evidence that I really was there. It wasn’t just a fairytale, though it well might have been!

This is how it looks without me- even more captivating!

I find this photo rather captivating too. All of twenty years ago.

Lisa and James, in Nottingham marina

Sentiment set aside, today I’m feeling much more mischievous. Is this a captivating image? Who is captive here? We were sitting on the seawall at Lagos watching the water dogs perform- a very captivating sight.

Which one is me?

Held captive by the camera! I’m developing a liking for this kind of shot, though I suppose it belongs more to the subject of shadows. Just for today, I’m calling it a captive image.

The prisoner, in his exotic jail

I found this little fellow somewhat captivating, and his happy friend below. The gnomes of Wrocław were endearing in the extreme, and I expect I’ll have to return someday to track down a few more.

Friendly, or Wellwisher gnome

But the photo I find most captivating of all, has to be this one. I will never forget the moment that I stood stock still and simply stared. Porto, with all it’s crumpled and faded beauty, is a memory that will stay with me forever.

Hauntingly lovely Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, Porto

I know that Jake’s Comments box is going to be packed full of captivating images this week. One of my Sunday pleasures, when the chores are done, is to admire the other Sunday Post entries. Come with me? Just click on the lucky snake logo or the links.

Six word Saturday

First signs? We dare to hope!

I just looked back at my 6WS for this weekend last year, and sure enough, it was full of crocuses (or even, crocii?). It’s been pretty miserable here the last week or so, but the flowers don’t seem to have noticed. A garden just around the corner produces the most beautiful tiny deep purple iris each Spring, but you have to be quick- they only last a few of days.

Purple iris

I thought we might take a stroll through some Portuguese countryside to get us in the mood? It arrives a little earlier there.

First we’ll cross a shallow ford

A pause to capture these. Sorry, but I don’t know their name.

A mother and her lamb view us with caution

A mother and her lamb view us with some caution

And then tiny Malhada do Peres, enhanced by the almond blossom

And then the hamlet of Malhada do Peres, enhanced by the almond blossom

Beautiful in close-up

The river bed is pretty dry, even this early

Then there’s this little jewel- a wild orchid

Obviously bird lovers live here (or builders!)

I’ve never seen these fruit on a cactus, either

All in all, a treasure trove, I think you’ll agree? What does Spring herald in your part of the world?

As usual, I’m sharing my Six word Saturday, courtesy of our kind hostess Cate, on Show My Face. Click on the header or links to join in or view the other entries. You know you want to!

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Portugal

Best Moment Award

Benches

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Entrance

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Sentimental Value

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Bay

Framed

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Arrangement

A Sunday Treat

Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : Captivating

Six word Saturday

First signs? We dare to hope!

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First signs? We dare to hope!

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