I really meant to add a ‘twinkle’ to the WordPress weekly challenge last week. But then I decided to save it, for you. You might be needing it by now. Christmas can be a challenging time, but I’m doing my best to be laid back this year. I hope you’re managing to do the same.
I think the snowman’s managed it!
Just off to wish Cate Merry Christmas too. 52 Six word Saturdays is no mean feat!
If you saw my posts about Castle Howard at Christmas this week, you’ll know I’m quite fond of Chatsworth House in Derbyshire too. I noticed that they’ve extended their opening hours into the New Year. Here’s a peek at their video if you think you might be tempted?
It looks fun, don’t you think?
This was my second shot at Six word Saturday this week. I was Nordic walking on the beach on Thursday, playing with my phone camera (the others were not amused- it was way too cold to linger!) A big black cloud swept in, showering us with hail and sleet, and the camera point blank refused to work. Remember my ‘let it snow’ post last week?
Still, I quite liked the photos the camera took. Here’s just a sample (with WordPress snow!) :
Beware that cloud!
However you plan to spend the run up to Christmas, I hope you won’t get too stressed. Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face to share your six words.
Especially on a Christmas chalet!
Or a trendy Christmas tree
The tree ornaments would like some too
And Santa, naturally!
Not to mention the Gingerbread Men
Aren’t these modern ornaments smart?
Nice for the trendier home!
But this is the one that won my heart
Is there any more to say?
I’ve resisted turning on the WordPress snow till now, but why resist any longer? I think it’s definitely coming! I’d better start shopping.
Have a merry weekend, then wrap up warm for my walk on Monday. I wonder if Cate’s done all her shopping yet? Visit her on Six word Saturday to find out.
But such a pretty one!
My Christmas season has started already, with a dinner party and a zumba one! Barely just got the energy to post Six word Saturday, so here are a few restful images from the Algarve.
Peace and quiet at the Carmo Church
Gently stranded on the shore
Admiring that last glint
As the sun goes down
Maybe a stroll in the Praca
The first hints of an Algarve Christmas
A beautiful house sign
And a wise old owl, for Gemma
I haven’t posted in the week because I’ve been having conversations with Margaret-Rose Stringer about the best way to load an image to WordPress. I’m still not sure that I have it right, but you can read M-R’s thoughts here.
Now, where shall I take you walking on Monday? That’s my next decision. Meantime, have a great weekend and don’t forget to pop in on Cate at Show My Face.
My lovely friend Sherri gave me my six words this week. I was still busy thinking along the ‘Joy is‘ lines when she left me this comment- ‘I now have Ian Drury’s famous words ringing through my mind ‘Reasons to be cheerful, one, two, three…’ ‘ Sherri always manages to make you feel good, even when she’s not feeling great herself. And I love the song!
The joy continued as I walked down the road. When did I last see so much colour, still in the trees at the end of November? It really is beautiful. How can it fail to lift the spirits?
Sunshine after the rain
Beautiful, isn’t it?
Even the ones lying in puddles are pretty!
And then you have lovely mopheads of hydrangea
During the week, I provided huge novelty value for a gentleman walking his dog in our local cemetery. I wasn’t visiting a grave, but passing through on my way into town. This old cemetery has a huge swathe of trees and I deemed it a fine opportunity to test out the camera function on my new smartphone. My face must have been a picture as I repeatedly produced ‘selfies’ of me scowling into the phone, totally incapable of switching to landscape mode, or whatever it’s called!
Eventually I ‘cracked it’, but the dog was not amused. He and his master had by then completed several circuits of the cemetery, each time the dog having a little snarl at my heels. I must have looked like a grave robber! I smiled apologetically at his owner, waving the ‘camera’. He then ventured near enough to point out a nice wood sculpture, just in case I’d missed it. When I’ve sorted out processing, I might be able to share some of the photos with you, but that’s definitely for another week! Meantime, let’s enjoy a Festival of leaves. It’s the last week for entries.
More joy when I bumped into a friend that I haven’t seen for the longest time. Following radical back surgery, he was looking great! One last little treat- I bought myself a bunch of tiny rosebuds for just £2. They’re beaming away at me from the hearth- red, lemon and peach. So- let’s have it! What brings you joy?
In all of this, I have to spare a thought for our American friends, fighting freezing temperatures and snow. In parts of Australia they have the opposite problem, sweltering heat! All in all, it’s not looking too bad to be here in England right now. If you can find time, don’t forget to say hello to Cate at Show My Face. Without her, what would I do with my Six word Saturday?
Halloween, Algarve style
You might wonder what a random bunch of Algarve kids are doing in my Six word Saturday. Lovely Colline in Toronto was kind enough to link a Halloween walk to my Monday walks feature. When I said I’d seen some small ‘trick or treaters’ whilst out walking in the Algarve, Colline, who is a teacher, said that she’d love to see them. I thought that you might too.
The skyline that I love
Truthfully, it’s not been much of a week. I’ve sniffled and snuffled my way through it, looking out of the window hopefully for blue skies, of which there have been few. To be fair, we are clinging on to random bursts of Autumn colour, which I witnessed yesterday at t’ai chi, after a day of miserable rain. The sun burst forth at teatime, just in time to set, and this morning a soupy grey fog is pushing up against the windowsill. Soon I shall determinedly make my way out into it. I’m tired of being cooped up.
I’m missing my empty beaches
But it’s not all doom and gloom. I finally managed to activate my new smartphone last night and am looking forward to playing with Instagram (don’t hold your breath!). Maybe my old friend will be waiting for me on that shoreline, refreshed from it’s swim. Time will tell!
Meanwhile I’ll look forward to next year’s ‘trick or treaters’
Happy weekend to you all! Don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face to share your Six word Saturday. I’ll be cosied up watching ‘Strictly’. See you on Monday, for my walk!
I seem to’ve got myself in a bit of a hole!
You’ll be able to find out where on next Monday’s walk, but meanwhile I have some serious catching up to do! I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has left comments on the blog in the past week. I’ll be visiting you as soon as I possibly can.
I had a wonderful birthday, and the smile on my face wasn’t even seriously dented when my mobile phone made a bid for freedom from the bottom of my bag and swam off beneath the ferry! It did, of course, provide much amusement for the other passengers. I hope you’ll excuse me if I simply post a quick gallery of highlights.
Rounded off nicely with a stroll by the river
Such delightful memories! Here’s wishing you all a wonderful weekend. I’m off to visit Cate at Show My Face and check out Six Word Saturday. See you soon!
Just watching the waves
Back in April I introduced you to the Hartlepool Story Trail. It seems a long time ago and I’ve strolled on the Headland many times since then. This has been an unbelievably mild October! A little wild and windy at times but I really haven’t wanted to be indoors. So, on Tuesday, when the wind was blowing me inside out but the skies were bright, I battled the Headland again.
It’s always more sheltered beside the Town Wall and so, after a brisk walk beside the sea, I headed for relative calm. How is it that you can always find something if you’re not looking for it? There, staring me in the face, was the elusive no. 13! How many times must I have walked past it, unknowing? Or has somebody been playing tricks with me and ‘spooked’ it away? It is Halloween soon, you know.
Would you believe I missed it?
It’s not a pretty thing, but it’s titled ‘Lifeboats Gallantry’ and on closer inspection I read that it pays tribute to the many acts of gallantry of our local lifeboat men. I’m so glad I finally found it.
Happy Six Word Saturday! I won’t be taking part next week. With any luck I’ll be at A garden fair at Estoi Palace in the Algarve on Saturday. But I’ll be taking you for another Jo’s Monday walk before I go. Don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face, will you? And enjoy your weekend!
A tiny leaf, wrenched away from its bigger brothers and sisters
Pretty, aren’t they?
I think I like this shadow as much as the leaf itself!
Can it be holly and ivy time already?
The conkers have already fallen
But how delicious are these?
Are you enjoying this lovely Autumn season? It passes all too quickly. Come and share in the festival of leaves this weekend. I’m sharing mine on Six Word Saturday. I know Cate won’t mind.
What will you be sharing? Whatever it is, I hope you have a joyful weekend.
I have a lovely friend who likes owls. I can understand that. There is something very appealing about the little guys. Funny thing is, I seem to see them everywhere I go these days.
But don’t forget the baby!
Had any good owl sightings lately? You’ll probably find some when you’re out Saturday shopping.
Enjoy your Saturday, whatever you plan to do. My first job is always Six word Saturday. Cate at Show My Face has been running this challenge for the longest time. Join in if you’d like.
restlessjo 
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