Six Word Saturday

Six word Saturday

Wake up and smell the hyacinths!

I’ve been playing again. Can you tell? It all started when Suzanne wrote a guest post for Thursday’s Special entitled Abstract. Looking for a subject matter with which to create an abstract or two, I turned to the flowers I’d bought that day. I have never seen hyacinths used as cut flowers before, but I think they work rather well alongside a purple iris or two. And when I come downstairs on a morning, I have the wonderful fragrance of Spring.

I do have a tendency to get carried away though. Remember Lunapic?

It hurts your eyes after a while, but isn’t it clever? I used to love my kaleidoscope as a child, and what could be more abstract?

I hope you find something that makes you happy this weekend. Why not share it, in six words, with Cate at Show My Face. And Happy Mother’s Day to you ladies!

Six word Saturday

Black and White 5 day Challenge

I’m not one for photo processing, tending to prefer a natural look in my photos. I know they could all be greatly enhanced, but normally what I ‘see’ is what you get. This week I succumbed and have been taking part in the Black and White 5 day Challenge, and I quite like some of the results. My photo for Day 3 seemed to develop a life that it didn’t previously have when I converted it to black and white.

This is my entry for Day 4 and I like the bold lines of this composition in black and white. All week I’ve been having fun with the question ‘Have you guessed where it is yet?’ I’m pretty sure this one gives it away.

I need to say thank you to Pommepal for suggesting that I might enjoy myself once I started to play. She was right! And thanks also to Wilbur’s Travels for nominating me. If you don’t know these blogs, you’ll surely enjoy a visit.

There are only two rules for this challenge:

1. On 5 consecutive days, create a post using either a past or recent photo in B&W.
2. Each day invite another blog friend to join in the fun.

Today I’m inviting Yvette from Priorhouse Blog. She’s only just back from visiting family and will be in a whirl ‘catching up’ around the blogs, but she’s a whizz at challenges and can turn her hand to anything.

I’ll be doing a round up of the challenge tomorrow, with my final photo for Day 5. Thanks for tolerating this ‘intrusion’, Six Word-ers. I hope you have a happy weekend, whatever the colour. As always, I’m off to visit Cate at Show My Face with my ‘six words’.

Six word Saturday

Bringing Spring home from the Algarve

Irresistible blossom

Dew-kissed Iris

A downy head

Deeper blossom

A gentle wash of colour

Over the garden wall

Sweet perfection

Help, Jude! What’s this?

A solitary cistus

A single bougainvillea

Spring’s gentle tones were everywhere in the Algarve. Has Spring arrived where you are yet? In Australia they will just be exhaling after the scorch of Summer. My little corner of north eastern UK is shivery still. Much to look forward to.

Wishing you all a happy weekend! Have you got six words to share? Cate at Show My Face will gladly host them.

Six word Saturday

Home again, with just my memories!

Flying into Faro

Can it be 3 weeks since I took this shot? I love flying in, across the offshore islands, and looking out for landmarks. Planning what we’re going to do with all that time! The friends we’ll meet, the walks we’ll take, nice meals and restaurants to enjoy… Then, all too quickly, it’s gone, and I’m home again. But at least I have the blog to share a few of my memories.

First day there, I always stroll around Tavira, looking for changes and familiarising myself with ‘old friends’. This year I found myself fixated on benches! They were everywhere I looked. Jude has a lot to answer for!

Throughout the riverside gardens

There’s lots of temptation to sit

Spot the ‘deliberate’ mistake

The perfect place to look at my favourite bridge

But I really rather like this bike shot

Lots of choice today!

Even this, rather ugly duckling!

Did I hear you cry ‘enough benches!’ You have to be joking. Loads still to come. But for the sake of variety, I did spot a few other things, en route.

Like this face, on a door

This table decoration

And I know you love cakes!

I always like to check out any new shops, too. Casa da Bli on Rua da Liberdade was full of goodies- toiletries, wine and lots of pretty things.

Aren’t these lovely?

And just across the street, this handsome fellow

We listened to some excellent Fado too, at newly opened Fado com Historia. A post will follow.

A wonderful performance, at Fado com Historia

Naturally, we got out and about walking in the beautiful countryside, and I hope to entertain you with some of that in my Monday walks. But I can’t resist a snippet or two, while I’m daydreaming.

Spot any benches?

With tables too!

And awfully nice eucalyptus trees

And how about this for a view?

And a place to just sit and stare!

Of course, what Jude really wanted to see this month was black and white benches, so I have no choice but to conform. But not before I share a sunset seat.

For lovers

Will this do, Jude?

For those of you not familiar with the Bench Challenge, please follow my link and all will be explained. Please conform a little more than me though. I don’t want to make Jude cross.

Meantime, have a lovely weekend. It’s a glorious Spring day here in the north east of England so it’s not so bad to be home. Please do find time to visit Cate at Show My Face and share your six words, won’t you?

Six word Saturday

Just time for a brisk walk!

You know, already, where this is!

So much about London is iconic, isn’t it? This time last week, I was whirling along the city streets! I still have a canal walk to share with you, but today I’m saying goodbye for a while.

Talking of iconic!

How blue is that sky?

South Bank Winter?

You’d hardly think so, would you?

Isn’t it beautiful?

I like to see a bit of industry

Ahh, that’s what he’s making!

A different kind of industry!

And another icon!

Under Blackfriar’s Bridge next. I hadn’t walked this part in a long time so it felt new to me, though some of it’s very old. I love the contrast.

Who knew this was here?

Industry of old

And times gone by

Sleekly modern London in the making

Who can fail to love this bridge?

Yes, Meg, I know I’m going to be teased mercilessly about rivers and bridges, but how can I not show you London’s finest, in the short time that I have?

St. Paul’s, across the Millenium Bridge

Can you tell that I’m just a little in love with our capital city? I had a fine weekend, but it’s back to the peaceful life for me. Early tomorrow morning I fly to the Algarve, hoping to find more blue skies. I’ll probably struggle to reply to many of you today, but hopefully I’ll make it up to you when I’m back.

Don’t forget the 6Friends Theory competition, will you? You never know what could happen. And, of course, visit Cate at Show My Face to share your week. I hope it was a good one.

Six word Saturday

To be, or not to be?

‘The Globe’ theatre, in miniature

This weekend finds me in London, on a blogging event with the Mercure hotel chain. They are launching a major competition based on the 6 Friends Theory. More of that to follow!

Just so that you know I haven’t been wasting my time, I popped into The Globe theatre at Bankside and did the tour. It’s a reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original Globe, and I’ve wanted to visit for years. (another tick in box!) Now I want to go back and see a play there. Maybe next trip? The exhibition space was very interesting too, though I didn’t have nearly enough time. Here’s just a glimpse!

Never can resist a knight in shining armour!

Or a nice gown

The stage hangings were from New Zealnd

And were wonderfully crafted

And quite dramatic!

You could even be a model for a Shakespearean gown!

Fortunately, I didn’t have time before the bell rang for the tour, but the lady seemed to be enjoying herself. I was disappointed with my photos of The Globe itself. With dazzling bright skies (yes, I was lucky again!) and deep shade, I struggled to get clear images, but my memories are intact. If I had longer I would love to visit the new indoor Jacobean Theatre in the complex. (one off the list, and two back on!) Sam Wanamaker’s vision and tireless energy in driving the project has finally come to fruition.

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That’s it for now! It’s time for breakfast and some more sight seeing. Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face to share your six words. Apologies if I don’t respond to you for a while. Home this evening!

Six word Saturday

To be at peace with myself.

Like those clouds, i'm going to let it all drift away

Like those clouds, I’d like to let it all just drift away

How quickly a week passes! After last week’s funk and all your kind wishes, I’m resolved to stop skittering about and simply enjoy what comes my way.

I love clouds! Except, of course, when I’m bumping down through them on an aircraft, but that’s a different story. I’m only two weeks away from my next visit to the Algarve, and the tingle of excitement is there already. Before that I have a couple of days in London, so peace will not come so easily. The buzz of the city will surround me.

I have lots of cloud photos! These were snatched from the car

I have so many cloud photos! These were snatched from the car

These too!

So many times I’ve watched the sun come up through my front window and set again in the evening, behind my home. The peace and wonder of it all envelopes me, and I love it.

That first glimmer of sunlight

Till the last curtain fall

Just beautiful, isn’t it?

Wishing you all peace this weekend. I may post for Six Word Saturday next week, but I’ll be in transit so my response will be slow. In any case, the world will keep on turning. I hadn’t seen the Daily Post challenge when I posted this, but really- what could be more serene?

Please don’t forget to share your week with Cate at Show My Face, and maybe join me for a walk on Monday? I’ll look forward to it.

Six word Saturday

A very frustrating couple of days!

But I’m still smiling!

I can’t begin to explain the frustrations, nor is it appropriate, but I almost didn’t make Six word Saturday this week. Now that I’m here, I’m simply going to share a few more lovely pieces of glasswork from the National Glass Centre at Sunderland, and make a hasty exit!

I’d love some of these for next year’s tree

And how about these?

They’re just so sweet!

Hard to pick a favourite!

January is now well into its stride, so it’s time to put all that behind me. Join me for next Monday’s walk, won’t you? We can stop off at the National Glass Centre for coffee afterwards.

Hope you all have a good weekend. Hang on to your hats- it’s wild out there! I’m off to check out Cate at Show My Face. She’d love you to play too.

Six word Saturday

Just a last remnant of Christmas!

On New Year’s Eve I paid a visit to St. Mary’s Church in Whitby. High on the cliff top, the chilly graveyard looks out to sea but, at this time of year, inside the church is bathed in a warm glow.

It’s the light of numerous Christmas trees, contributed by the community, and a huge boost to the church funds. If you’re lucky you might even catch a carol service.

There are some beautiful Advent scenes

And a wealth of ornaments

Such as these

And this cute guy

And his little friends

Quite adorable, aren’t they?

Can you see the hummingbird?

The close up wasn’t so great!

And, naturally, there were owls

A last dusting of WordPress snow sets them off rather nicely. I saw a little of the real thing on the road across the Moors- but not much! I guess you know now where my Monday walk will be taking us next week? Winter woollies will be required.

Until then, enjoy your weekend, and don’t forget to call in on Cate at Show My Face. You wouldn’t want her to play Six Word Saturday all alone, would you?

Six word Saturday

The quiet bit in the middle

With just a hint of sparkle

One set of lights have already blown on my tree, but we’re still looking festive. Just a quick round-up of the neighbours… the photo above is for Colline.

Remember these guys from last year?

And here I go, spying on the neighbours!

Santa comes in all shapes and sizes

Like this old friend on my mantlepiece

And there’s always a snowman or two

And, of course, beautiful cards!

That sum’s it up, doesn’t it? Hope you had a good Christmas and are looking forward to a new year. I’m just going to pop in on Cate at Six Word Saturday. See you soon!

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Six Word Saturday

Six word Saturday

Wake up and smell the hyacinths!

Six word Saturday

Black and White 5 day Challenge

Six word Saturday

Bringing Spring home from the Algarve

Six word Saturday

Home again, with just my memories!

Six word Saturday

Just time for a brisk walk!

Six word Saturday

To be, or not to be?

Six word Saturday

To be at peace with myself.

Six word Saturday

A very frustrating couple of days!

Six word Saturday

Just a last remnant of Christmas!

Six word Saturday

The quiet bit in the middle

Wake up and smell the hyacinths!

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Black and White 5 day Challenge

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Bringing Spring home from the Algarve

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Home again, with just my memories!

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Just time for a brisk walk!

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To be, or not to be?

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To be at peace with myself.

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A very frustrating couple of days!

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Just a last remnant of Christmas!

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The quiet bit in the middle

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