Six Word Saturday

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

A new look- same old me!

This is me- a little battered by time

Portugal often reminds me of myself- a little battered by time

But still hopeful of a bright tomorrow

Yet still hopeful of a bright tomorrow.

A little quirky!

A little quirky sometimes…

And often down-at-heel

And often down-at-heel!

But still full of dewy promise

Just occasionally full of dewy promise

But more often, stubborn as a mule!

But more often, stubborn as a mule!

Happy to find a nice bench to chat on

Always happy to find a nice bench to watch the world from

And a boat or two, bobbing on the water

Or even better, a couple of boats, drifting on the water

This is my new look.  I wanted something a little “cleaner” and less cluttered, but I’m not entirely happy with it.  I still hanker after “the old look” and my nice header photo.  What do you think?  It definitely needs a bit of work, and I might well revert to type. That’s me all over!

Meantime, don’t forget it’s Saturday.  Have you got six words you want to share? Cate at Show My Face will be happy to receive them.  Just click on the link or the header to join in.

6wsButton

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Home is where the heart is?

IMG_2270

I seem to keep leaving mine behind.  It’s a bad habit!

Who wouldn't love a place that looked like this?

Who wouldn’t love a place that looked like this?

With Nativity scenes like this

With Nativity scenes like this

And this

And this

And a pontoon bridge like this

And a pontoon bridge like this

Countryside like this

Countryside like this

Washing on a line like this

Washing on a line like this

Even with moody skies like this

Even with moody skies like this.

Or how about happy dogs on a sunset beach like this

Or how about happy dogs on a sunset beach like this

Beside the ferry, abandoned for the winter

Beside the ferry, abandoned for the Winter,

Or maybe a view like this would charm

Or maybe a view like this would charm

Views like this

Or even, like this?

I expect you can see why I keep leaving my heart behind?  Each time, I say “Goodbye little house”, with a lump in my throat.

It’s Saturday again, and six words time. Cate at Show My Face is our hostess. Would you like to play?

6wsButton

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Oh, the weather outside is frightful…

IMG_2191But I’m one of the lucky ones- safe and warm!  It must have been a horrendous Christmas for those who were flooded or without power.  Nothing to do but try to smile and carry on.

Here, it’s been a mixed bag.  I didn’t have much luck on the beach at Crimdon on Christmas Eve.

I should have kept my eye on those clouds!

I should have kept my eye on those clouds!

The blue was disappearing at an alarming rate!

The blue was disappearing at an alarming rate!

Our skies have been very mean and moody!

How about this for a mean and moody sky?

But I wanted to reach the end of the cove

But I wanted to reach the end of the cove

I think that might be far enough!

I think that might be far enough!

Time to make a break for it!

Time to make a run for it!

Of course, we got wet!

Of course, we got wet!

But 2 minutes later, it looked like this.

But two minutes later, it looked like this.

Then we had a decidedly frosty day- our first this Winter!  The park looked very pretty.

Crisp and clear!

Crisp and bright!

The wildlife pond was looking rather handsome

The wildlife pond was looking rather handsome

But cold!

(if cold)

And part of the pond was frozen.

And part of the pond was frozen

But I loved the drama of the light.

But I loved the dramatic light through the trees.

Since then the winds have been wild, but I have no reason at all to complain. I’m sitting tight with my little snowman friends.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

Oh, the weather outside is frightful…

Hope you’re having a peaceful time in these days between Christmas and the New Year.  I won’t be around for Six word Saturday for a week or two.  Keep Cate company, won’t you?  And a very happy New Year to you!

6wsButton

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Tis the season to be jolly!

IMG_1993And jolly I have been!  But I’m starting to run out of steam.  Yesterday evening was spent in the lovely company of the lady friends I have known since school days. We ate and we drank.  We laughed and we hugged.    As always, when together, we were jolly.  None of us knows what tomorrow may bring.  So I’m wishing you, as I wished them, a wonderful Christmas and the happiest of New Years.  Peace and love!

Almost time to climb that chimney, Santa!

Almost time to climb that chimney, Santa!

I seem too have a thing about reindeer this Christmas!

I seem to have a thing about reindeer this Christmas!

See what I mean?

See what I mean?

This one's another old friend.

This one’s an old, old friend

The decorations were so pretty!

And this one was among the finery at Chatsworth.

Tonight I’m just going to curl up in front of the TV to watch the final of “Strictly”.  As I have from the very beginning, I’m supporting Natalie, but it doesn’t really matter who wins.  I just watch and admire.

I may find time to pop in on your blogs, but if I miss anyone, go right ahead and be jolly without me.  And don’t forget Cate at Show My Face!

6wsButton

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Santa Claus is coming to town!

IMG_1783

 IMG_2079

IMG_2003

IMG_2004

IMG_1791

IMG_1924

IMG_2022

IMG_1759

Are you ready yet?

Ready or not, it’s time for Six word Saturday.  Don’t forget to stop by at Show My Face to say Merry Christmas to Cate.  Have a good week everybody.

6wsButton

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Fancy a little Steampunk for Christmas?

Teaparty bookcoverYou may remember, earlier this year, I was privileged to attend a book launch for Steampunk Apothecary?  It was a wonderfully fun occasion for dressing up and eating lots of cake.

The authoress, Jema Hewitt, is a hugely creative and multi-talented lady, who works extremely hard at making a living, and always with a smile.  Today she is at Waterstones in Bradford, signing her books and demonstrating jewellery making.  I wish I could be there, but this post will have to be my contribution.

Maybe you have a daughter or niece who would like something from her Etsy store?  I know there are a few pieces I wouldn’t mind.  And you can buy the book on there too.  The recipes are unique.

Mr. Woppit is adorable! Do you remember him?

Mr. Woppit is adorable! Do you remember him?

Some of the sparkly things Jema collects

Some of the sparkly things Jema collects for her jewellery

The red-haired lady is my daughter!

A page from “Steampunk Teaparty”.  The red-haired lady is my daughter!

Another Jema creation.

Another beautiful Jema creation.

If you ask for the book at your local Waterstones, even if you don’t buy it, the store will register your interest.  Every little helps!  I can claim no credit for the photos. They are all from Jema’s Facebook page.

Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend.  Many thanks to Cate for hosting Six word Saturday.  As usual, click on the links for more details.

6wsButton

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Gone to Edinburgh.  NOT Christmas shopping!

I’ve booked a last minute seat on a Christmas shopping coach trip to Edinburgh, just for the day.  It’s years since I was in Edinburgh, and never at Christmas, so I’m quite excited to see Princes St. with its fairy lights.

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh- courtesy of Wikipedia

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh- courtesy of Wikipedia

Doubt I’ll get up as high as Arthur’s Seat, but you never know! I do know it will be COLD though.  Leaving at the crack of dawn so I won’t be able to link to Six word Saturday till I get home. See you then!

6wsButton,

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Did I tell you about Girona?

Striking, isn't it?

Striking, isn’t it?

My day trip from Barcelona.  There’s a story or two to tell, but as I only have six words, it’ll have to be pictorial.  Just click on the gallery.

It’s a city of cobbled streets and arcades,
tall buildings,
a stunning cathedral,
with a majestic location
and cloisters.
It has the sweetest weathervane
and the longest town walls,
with interesting views over the city.
but I wasn’t fond of the bollard that tripped me up!
There are smart cafes,
and interesting architecture.
A table up some steps beckoned to me
In the shade of the lovely buildings I could watch passersby.

Girona in a nutshell.  I wanted to come here in May for the flower festival, but it was more peaceful in November, and a wonderful escape from the city.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Beautiful, isn’t it?

I’m playing Six word Saturday, thanks to Cate at Show My Face.  Click on the links or the header and you can play too.  Happy weekend!

6wsButton

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Fit to drop!  An apt expression!

This weeks’ Six word Saturday was to have been :

Getting Barcelona out of my system!

but the first is far more appropriate.  I took part in a zumba marathon last night, for the local hospice, and Lumiere at Durham absorbed all of my evening on Thursday.  I thoroughly enjoyed both but the mountain of ironing is giving me baleful looks, not to mention visiting all your lovely blogs.  What’s that saying- “the show must go on?”

Come on- hop on your bike and let's go!

Come on- hop on your bike and let’s go! (El Quatre Gats, Barcelona)

Placa de Catalunya, the transport hub, is always busy- pigeon feeding is strangely popular!
Personally, I prefer the fountains.
Bikes are very popular transport in the city- not so sure about zebras?
You can ride the funicular
Cable cars
Even a biplane in the funfair!
Stroll on La Rambla
Or on the atmospheric Rambla de Mar
It’s such a great shape!
And, if you’re very good, you can go on a boat trip with Las Golondrinas
But not the world racing yacht. Sorry!
How about a pedalo, as the sun wanes?
Past this armless, but rather endearing couple, on Passeig de Colom

As always, you can click on any photo to set the gallery rolling.  Well, I’m tired but happy now.  Any volunteers to do that ironing?  No, I thought not!

Instead, why not join Cate at Show My Face?  I always do!  See you next week.  Hope it’s a good one for you.

6wsButton

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-bannerBarcelona- a feast for the senses!

You knew I'd get there, didn't you?

You knew I’d get there, didn’t you? Fabulous Casa Batllo!

I’ve been overwhelmed by all your birthday messages and good wishes, and would simply like to say thank you to my wonderful blogging friends.  I will be slow getting back to you as I have a zillion things to do and 600+ photos to sort through.  I just wanted to let you know that Barcelona fully lived up to expectations, and to share a few thoughts.

I've never seen anything more beautiful than Parc Guell!

I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than Parc Guell!

Or heard anything more noisy than these geese gaggling!

Or heard anything more noisy than the geese, gaggling at the Cathedral!

Or been more surprised by a hospital!

Or been more surprised by a hospital!

Or loved detail more!

Or loved detail more!

And patriotism!

With a dash of patriotism!

Or loved Christmas decorations more, even before they've been lit!

Or loved Christmas decorations more, even before they’ve been lit!

Or taken a more wonky photograph in a famous loo!

Or taken a more wonky photograph in a famous loo!

Or loved a theatre more!

Or loved a theatre more!

Or climbed more steps!

Or climbed more steps!

Or seen more boats!

Or seen more boats!

And definitely not bigger or more smiley boats!

And definitely not bigger or more smiley boats!

But you know what the finale is, don’t you?  Never have I been more in awe of a piece of architecture!  It is magnificent!

The Basilica of Sagrada Familia

The Basilica of Sagrada Familia

Expect to be bored lots more in the coming days!  I had the BEST time.

Thanks as always to Cate for letting me abuse Six word Saturday.  The links or header will take you there to join in the fun.

6wsButton