Six Word Saturday

Six word Saturday

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In Tavira, it goes like this…

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Down at the beach bar we have Santa and a lady friend, and a cute little tree.

Aside from the main town square, not a lot of money is spent on decoration, and Christmas is no worse for that.  A simple crib scene adorns a few street corners.  There is little money to spare, and food banks were operating in the supermarkets in late December.

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The council are keen to attract further tourism to Tavira, and they are spending money on infrastructure.  The natural assets and the sunshine are there for all to see, but down at Quatro Aguas major improvements are underway.  Jude might enjoy these brand new Benches.

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Maybe she’ll get to sit on them one day.  The view’s not bad….

Meantime, it’s Saturday and I hope you’re not too full of Christmas pudding to take a little stroll with me.  I’m not sure if Cate is playing Six Word Saturday this week.  It’s Boxing Day and that’s confusing, isn’t it?  Hope to see you all on Monday!

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Six word Saturday

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All I want for Christmas is…

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Nothing much, really!  A little more love in the world would be good.  Peace and harmony and all those things that go with the Christmas message. No-one going hungry or without shelter.  No children that are unloved or unwanted.  If only the Christmas fairy could make it so!

I haven’t written my ‘Dear Santa’ letter yet.  Maybe I’d better hurry.  Wishing you all a Christmas packed with peace and love.  I’ll be walking again on Monday.  Hope to see you then.

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Six word Saturday

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This pretty well sums it up

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Time spent with my daughter almost always involves cake and pretty things, and this week was no exception.  The shops were all a-twinkle and we gazed our fill.  A brisk walk through the park was rewarded with hot chocolate.  A shopping session required something a little more substantial.

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The Christmas market was fun but I never did find one of those angels.  I tried on a hat and thought about playing ‘hook a reindeer’, but I hung on to my Winter Pimms instead.  The Helter Skelter did look tempting though.

No doubt about it, Christmas has come to Nottingham.  I hope your preparations are going better than mine.  I have a naked Christmas tree in the corner.  Time to get my fairy out and find her some friends.  It won’t be quite so grand as this.

Just one more weekend to go.  Enjoy this one, and don’t forget to pop in on Cate with your six words.  See you on Monday, when we’ll get out for a walk together to blow all those cares away.  See you then!

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Six word Saturday

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Eye spy with my little eye

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Happy smiling faces in Leeds!  It was hard to hold a camera that night, it was SO cold, but it didn’t stop this family from having fun in their bubble. I was on my way to the Algarve, and that put a smile on my face too.

It was an early start and my son, being only 20 minutes from the airport, had offered a bed for the night.  It was only fair to stand him a decent meal in exchange, wasn’t it?  There were some very tempting aromas in the Christmas market, but a cosy restaurant seemed a much better idea. But not before I played ‘I spy’ on some of the stalls.  Here is one of my favourites.

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I’m home for a couple of days and then I’m off to Nottingham, to pay my Christmas visit to my daughter.  She promises me mulled wine on their market.  To keep out the chill, you understand?  But first I will be posting a Monday walk, somewhere warm.  I hope you can join me.

Have a great weekend!  Play a little Eye Spy with Michelle if you like, and certainly pop in on Cate with six words.

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What an end to the week!

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Tilting tipsily!

Idling till another storm

Thrashes their branches

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I think I’d better dedicate this to Festival of Leaves, while a few still linger!  It’s been a wild one, but not quite so bad as expected in my part of the world.  Good enough anyway to let me visit Lumiere at Durham last night without getting soaked.  If you get chance, do go! It’s on until Sunday evening and our sea glass wave was beautiful.  Then I came home to yet another horror story from Paris on the news.  What is our world coming to?

I hope you can enjoy a peaceful weekend.  These are the last of my photos from the Lakes.  On Monday I will be sharing one last walk and then taking a couple of weeks off. (the Algarve and a visit to my daughter beckon)  Please say ‘hi’ to Cate and the folks at Six word Saturday if you can manage it.  See you soon!6wsButton

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Damp and disheveled, but not disheartened

Cream scone, anyone?

Cream scone, anyone?

The day was not perfect, but there were compensations.  If you like jam and cream, of course.

Let it pour! I'm inside.

Let it pour!  I’m inside.

And there'a lovely fire

There’s a lovely fire

And the promise of better to come

And maybe those clouds will blow away

After a good night's sleep

After a good night’s sleep

Maybe tomorrow

Tomorrow’s another day!

Thank you so much, everyone, for your good wishes!  The gift of glassware from Meg was especially appreciated, but with or without presents I had a splendid time.  Yes, I did make it to that waterfall, but the trip on the lake steamer didn’t happen.  My own fault, as usual.  Willful, headstrong, but mostly happy, if sometimes just a little damp.

Have a great weekend, won’t you?  I’m just going to pop in on Cate at Six word Saturday.  See you Monday at the waterfall?

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Are you ready to be frightened?

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Maybe not so scary?

Maybe not so scary?

NOT a good advertisement for this cafe!

NOT a good advertisement for this cafe!

But this one's definitely hungry

But this one’s definitely hungry- sugar mouse, anyone?

I’ve never been a big fan of Halloween but I hate to be a killjoy.  You have to enjoy the ingenuity and enthusiasm on display.  The cafe in our local park has put the Christmas tree up, but decorated it Halloween style.  Just a few adjustments and they’ll be good to go for another festive season. Help!!!  It’s barely November…

Have a great Saturday, however you spend it!  Cate was very late last weekend so I missed many of you with my duck tales.  Hope it was a good one. Don’t forget to share your six words, if you can.

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Oh no! Not a duck decoy!

Hello ducky!

Hello ducky!

His friends are looking worried!

His friends are looking worried!

But this guy's not going anywhere

But this guy just refuses to move

It's ok- there's plenty of food

It’s ok- there’s plenty of food

Yes- but there could be a storm approaching

Yes- but there could be a storm brewing

It's fine- look, I've found a shelter

It’s fine!  Look, I’ve found a shelter

And it's big enough for all of us

And it’s big enough for all of us

No!!!!! Can't you read! It's a decoy!

No!!!!!  Can’t you read?  It’s a decoy!

Well, thank goodness we spotted that in time!

Well, thank goodness we spotted that in time!

Not very bright, those ducks!
Look how peaceful it is over here

Strolling in the country park at Sedgefield last week, I spotted the duck decoy sign.  I’d never noticed it before but it gave rise to my little Saturday story. (if you magnify the sign, you will see that it was a method of trapping ducks for the table at the ‘big house’)   Hope it gave you a smile.

And while I’m in the park, here are two photos I took on the boardwalk, just perfect for Verena’s Festival of Leaves.  It’s a lovely autumnal challenge you might like to visit.  But don’t forget to pop in on Cate, will you?  Happy Saturday everybody!

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Seeing the beauty in the ordinary

What can be more ordinary than salt?

What can be more ordinary than salt?

Beautifully packaged, of course

Beautifully packaged, of course

Or a cluster of shells on a beach

Or a cluster of shells on a beach

Even the broken ones are pretty

Even the broken ones are pretty

And some are shining jewels

And some are shining jewels

A discarded ducky on a beach

A discarded ducky in the dunes

Or a ladybird sitting on my sunglasses

Or a ladybird sitting on my sunglasses

I can even see beauty in the shadows round a broken bench

I can even see beauty in the shadows round a broken bench (though not the vandals who did it!)

Just me, reminiscing about time spent in the Algarve, before I launch myself into a grey English day, but it could fit with Cheri’s post. This week we’re looking for the beauty in the every day at The Daily Post.

Wherever you are, I hope you’re having a good day and making the most of your surroundings.  See you on Monday for one last Algarve walk.  But first I need to visit Cate and Six word Saturday.

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Waiting for a little night music!

The sun begins to set over FIESA in the Algarve

The sun starts to set on FIESA, in the Algarve

Click on any photo to view the gallery

I recognise that frown!
Not so sure about this?
With a swish of her skirt!
What ARE they thinking?

What ARE they thinking?

Willy Wonka!

Disapproving of Willy Wonka?

The musical

It’s Show Time!

Songs from the musicals
Phantom
And Che!
What did I say?

What?  What did I say?

Not late again!

Not late again!

Such a sad Pierrot
Serenaded by Angels
And a mournful Geisha

I’ve visited the International Sand Sculpture FIESA, at Pera, several times, but never in the evening. This Summer I arrived just as the sun was starting to fade.  At first I wandered, nodding and smiling in recognition, and admiring the craftsmanship.  Choosing favourites.  Gradually the sand sculptures took on colour.  Just a spotlight or two at first.

The Beatles
And Queen
With Lennon
Time to sit in the cafe with Laurel and Hardy and wait

Time to sit in the cafe with Laurel and Hardy, and wait

For the colours to deepen

For the colours to deepen

With great drama!

Enhancing the drama

And a smile or two

With a smile or two

And a frown!

And a frown!

A thoughtful d-j

Don’t knock the d-j!

And that inimitable group again!

Or the world’s greatest rock band

I imagine you’ve guessed that the theme this year is Music.  FIESA started in 2003 and runs from late March till October each year, so if you happen to be in the area, you just have time!  Full details are on the link.

Hope I’ve kept you entertained for a little while.  Have a great weekend and don’t forget to join me on Monday for a walk.  Better just pop in on Cate first, with your Six word Saturday.

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