Six Word Saturday

Six word Saturday

Six Word silence for two weeks

Cheers of celebration!  You might have enough time to read everybody else’s Six word Saturday (mine are notorious for being a bit lengthy).

The reason for my absence?  As usual, my answer is in pictorial form.

Porto by night, courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

And in case that’s not enough of a clue, here’s a link to a previous post of mine.

https://restlessjo.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/d-is-for-douro/

You’ve guessed  it!  The time has finally come to make that dream a reality.  I don’t travel with any sort of gadgetry (not even the laptop- I sense withdrawal symptoms coming on already).  It’s just me, the husband and the notebook, and not necessarily in that order.  So there’ll be a lot of catching up to do when I get back, but I promise to come and see you all and check out what you’ve been up to.  Might even have the odd photograph!

Till then, stay safe, and don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face.  Her weeks aren’t always easy, but they’re always interesting.  If you miss me at all you can check out some of my previous 6WS’s on the button below.

Six word Saturday

Sparkling sea, clouds, boats and adventure?

The seafront at Hartlepool

A bright, clear day like this one always propels me to the sea shore.  On the horizon the chimneys of industry and the Power Station pump smoke into the atmosphere.  But on a day like this the sparkling water captures the eye and just won’t let go.

The sea is kept at bay by a defensive wall of rocks

It’s not the prettiest seafront.  The concrete defences are a sad necessity these days.  The local tip is just across the road, behind a low fence.  Sea coal often coats the beach- gritty reality.  Still the sun and the waves have the power to transport me beyond the merely physical.

Heading back to the harbour, the distant Headland peaks over the sea wall

The lock gates open to embrace the sea

Boat repairs and the sales office live side by side with the Coastguard

And then you’re into the marina proper

And every variety of boat is there

Mostly they’re white

If you’re lucky, the water goes on sparkling

And the adventure?  How could the high seas not offer adventure?  But my adventure is of a different nature this week and it’s time I paid tribute to Life is a Journey.  Reena has honoured me with the Adventurous Blogger Award.  I am constantly amazed at how far and wide my readers range these days.  Reena hails from the Philippines and is a relative newcomer to blogging.  If her photos of Rome by night are any indication of her talents, we have some treats in store.

In accepting the award I need to answer a few simple questions:

1. Where would you like your next adventure to be?

I’ve mostly only adventured in Europe and I have a serious hankering after the Far East.  All those temples and pagodas hold me in totally in thrall.  One day…one day.  Anyone out there want to offer me an assignment? (I know- get in line!)

2. Where would you recommend for an adventurous time?

Strange though it might sound, the island of Madeira.  There are many more exotic locations, but the landscape of Madeira is spectacular and very accessible.  You can go canyonning and levada walking in quite challenging terrain, and be surrounded by natural beauty.

3. What do you regard as the most interesting culture?

There are many oriental cultures I would love to experience.  Japan I would really love to visit, and newly opened Burma looks incredible.

4. What is your favourite holiday activity?

Exploring, exploring and more exploring.  I hate to miss anything. (nosey, my husband says)

5. What is the most dangerous activity you’ve undertaken?

The donkey ride from the harbour up to the cliff tops in Santorini.  I’m a bit of a scaredy cat and looking down a donkey’s nose into the caldera way below was more than enough excitement for me.  I much preferred the cable car ride back down.

6. What is your favourite quotation?

Not strictly a quote, but my mother always used to say “never let the sun set on your anger” and I agree one hundred percent.

7. Happiness is?

For me, simply a sunny day.

There, I’m all done.  Six Word Saturday, huh?  I do go on a bit!

I’m not going to nominate specific people to receive this award.  You adventurous types all know who you are and are very welcome to take up the award and run with it.  A previous 6WS page explains it better.  Please do go and visit Reena and make her as welcome to the blogging world as you’ve made me.

Just remains to say thanks to Cate at Show My Face.  See you all later today as I check out what you’ve done with your week?  The button below links to my previous Six Word Saturdays.

Six word Saturday

Our English Heritage – walk with me?

Well, the young uns are back at school and, as often happens, we’re enjoying a last glimpse of Summer.  Whoo- hoo!  Share with me a balmy day in Barnard Castle, Teesdale. 

A first peak at the River Tees, sparkling in the sunlight

And cascading over the rocks

I love the power of the water as it slaloms down the river

Around the bend and a hint of castle appears

And then the bridge

Isn’t this how a ruined castle should look?

While the river flows respectfully by

Over the bridge

My favourite shot

Stay close to the river and cross over another bridge

A strange one this, but you can sit in the middle and contemplate

Time to wander back up the High St

Maybe a little window shopping?

Choose between ancient pub and “ye olde tea shoppe”

Who are these little characters?

Back to the bandstand and turn right, signed Bowes

And a chateau awaits, now Bowes Museum

But who is the gargoyle waiting for?

The view from the terraces

The griffin’s spotted something

Much to our surprise, a Bengali wedding is taking place

Heritage of every kind.  Hope you enjoyed our little stroll?  It was too warm to hurry.

Still sunny today and I’m off to walk across the park to my zumba class.  That’ll tire me out for the weekend!  Have a good one, won’t you?

Many thanks to Cath of Show My Face, our lovely lady hostess.  Click on the link or the banner to see full details, and you can follow my activities on the button below.

Six word Saturday

Taking my foot off the pedal

Having motored a bit to reach my 100th post earlier this week, I’ve taken my foot off the pedal, just a little.

The chief reason for this is that I needed some time to plan my upcoming visit to Porto and the Douro valley.  I sometimes wish I was one of those “jump in and experience it as it comes” travellers, but I’m not.  I’ve looked forward to this trip to the north of Portugal for so long, and I’m desperate to get it right.

Apart from that, I’ve been enjoying everything the English weather can throw at me.  And it packs quite a punch.

Across a cornfield

Do you like the “colour pencil” effect?

I love the poppies in with the corn

And the reflections in the mossy pond in Whitburn village.

A little rain?

Marsden Rock

Marsden with a swirl? Well, it was windy!

Tile effect, I rather like, too.

Or a pretty version?

Now I’m exaggerating! It didn’t snow at Souter Lighthouse. Not quite.

But it does look rather nice spotlit?

It was blustery as only an English Bank Holiday can be, but I did enjoy our walk.  And another opportunity to play, of course.

Back to my maps and guide books.  Hope you’ll be joining me next week on Six word Saturday?  Many thanks to Cate, our kind hostess, on Show My Face, where you’ll find all the details of how to play, and this week’s other entries.  Click on the button below for more fun.

Six word Saturday

This week I learned to play

You might have seen my entry for Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post this week.  Now I love Jake’s challenges, but the subject was Black & White and I had no idea what I was going to post if it wasn’t old wedding photos.

The current tendency to edit photos has completely passed me by, aside from a little judicial cropping.  I usually like my photos to look the way I see them through the camera.  So I had little idea what could be achieved, until I opened up Photo Express.  “Tint” provided the perfect solution for Jake’s challenge, but there was a whole box of tricks that I’d never even noticed before.

Exit boring old stick-in-the-mud Jo, enter Jo at the cutting edge (I always did like to exaggerate). And I learned to play.

became

became

Then I got a bit more adventurous.

became

and

became

Fabric effect, you see?  I quite liked that.

So I tried another

became

So then I went a little wild, and

became

Bubbles chasing along the beach.  Kind of cute?

Now don’t laugh at me.  I know I’m not very accomplished.  But I AM learning, be it ever so slowly.  There were lots of effects I didn’t really like, and others I didn’t quite know how to use.  I doubt my little bit of learning is going to radically change the look of my posts, but you never know.

By the way, does anybody know if you can turn black and white photos into coloured?

So that’s my 6WS for this week and I have Cate at Show My Face to thank for being so tolerant.  If you’d like to join in, the link or the banner will take you to Cate’s page for more details.  Or you can have a look back at my efforts to entertain.

Six word Saturday

A walk on the lilac side

Last Sunday, our anniversary, was a day of “have to do” things, but I had a little indulgence planned for Monday.  One of my favourite places locally, I eagerly await the blooming of the heather on the North York Moors.  It’s late this year, and what can become rampant, rolling plum is still a gentle lilac, but no less lovely for that.

A sea of lilac

Climbing back into Castleton village

If I lived in the village I’d have to take the whole of August off, just to sit and gaze, and meander through the heather.

Back to reality and our stomaches were calling, so we wandered into Castleton and I had a glorious chicken and leek pie at the Downe Arms.  The service was wonderfully friendly and the range of food impressive in this old stone village pub.

It’s quite a haul back up the hill to the parking, but you can take it slow.

Join me next week on Six Word Saturday?  Grateful thanks to Cath of Show My Face, my hostess.  The header and the links take you to her page to join in, and read the other entries.  It’s kind of my Saturday gossip!

Six word Saturday

Zumba fit, or fit to drop?

No photos this week!  Well, you try taking part in a 3 hour Zumbathon and taking photos at the same time.  It was in aid of our hospice so I’m sure the local rag will have it adequately covered.

Seriously, I thoroughly enjoyed taking part.  On a warm summer’s evening, we gathered on the rugby pitch.  It was a real “sisterhood” moment.  As the sun set, however, we were joined in our final moves by the lads from the rugby club, “fresh” from their practise session.  Now that would’ve made a fine photo!

And there’s more to come.  My zumba teacher, Jaki, has secured a float for the Headland carnival this year.  So guess what I’ll be doing this afternoon?  Well, I haven’t taken part in a Carnival since February.  I’m long overdue!

Thanks for reading, folks, and don’t forget to visit Cath’s Show My Face to see what everyone’s been up to this week.  Submit your own and I’ll come visit you!

Six word Saturday

My week as a tour guide

My weeks are often hectic, but this one has excelled itself- mostly in a good way.  The Polish family from Norfolk are coming soon, so I’ll keep this brief.

If you’re ever in Durham, book the Castle tour- it really is fabulous!

Just one highlight- the carved pews in the Chapel

The University Library is having a makeover. These are the glass entry doors. Pass through to buy your tickets for the Castle tour. The Lindisfarne Gospels are coming soon- awesome!

Replica door knocker at the Cathedral- they won’t turn you away.

A rainy day on the Cathedral roof. Of course, we still went up there!

Newcastle Quayside, celebrating the Olympics

A view from my favourite “Eye” (Gateshead Millenium Bridge) across to the Sage Theatre

And of course, the Millenium Bridge from the Baltic Gallery viewing platform

Welcome to York- the Medieval gatehouse sits nonchalantly beside traffic lights.

The city walls are a great place to start

The gardens at the Treasurer’s House

We used to make brass rubbings here.

I could definitely use a seat in one of the numerous shops.

Or maybe Betty’s Tearooms would be a better choice? (just visible in the corner)

St. Mary’s unique church at Whitby

It was a pleasure talking to the church warden. So many tales to tell.

Whitby Abbey is incomparable

The setting is superb

And the craftsmanship- how did they achieve this?

I have really appreciated seeing my world through my niece’s eyes, and will miss her when she goes to Norfolk tomorrow.  She has one further week in the UK before her return to Poland.  We certainly packed a lot in.  I haven’t included the local stuff, the 1st birthday party, or the one for my 96 year old aunt, Isa!

I’m sharing my world on the invitation of Cath of Show My Face, and am grateful for the opportunity to do so.  If you have six words that would sum up your week, why not join in?  Just follow the links or the header to do so.  More 6WS’s on this pretty button.

Six word Saturday

Just as promised, a few photos

The iconic Ratusz (Town Hall), in the Rynek (Market Square)

And in close up

Ooh, look Mum!

Such a pretty square, even on a grey day.

Look up! Look up!

Oh did my legs ache when I got to the top of St Elizabeth’s to take this for you!

And this!

The Cathedral on Ostrow Tumski

Yes, I climbed this one for you too!

That’s Dad sitting down there under the yellow umbrella at Jan Pawla 2 Hotel!

The Cathedral up close

Remember the magical bridge from my last 6WS? This is how it looks in close up!

A peaceful spot on the River Odra

And a rather more playful one! I tested out that lounger. It works just fine.

Still feeling playful? Delightful Plac Solny.

And some more children having a good time.

Remember the Polish Eagle? This one’s above a bank.

The Oratorium in the fabulous University buildings.

The ceilings are wonderful- and don’t miss Aula Leopoldina

The dancing fountains at the Centennial Park

My lovely niece, Basia- more about the gnomes later.

I really have to stop now, but I took well over 300 pictures of Wroclaw.  I think you’ll agree it was worth it?  Tempted to visit?  You should be.  Sadly I can’t lend you my wonderful family but I had a truly great time and can’t thank them enough.

I should also thank Cath of Show My Face for the opportunity of sharing these with you.  Six Words?  Not exactly, but if you follow the links you’ll get the idea, and maybe join in next week.  See you then?  The button below or my 6WS page will take you to more Saturday fun.

Six word Saturday

A week in Wrocław – lucky me!

Tumski Most (Bridge), Wrocław- from Creative Commons

On Monday, I’m off with Dad to spend a week in Wrocław. (pronounced Vrotswaf, for those of you who’ve been following my A-Z  of Poland)  I’ll be imitating the weather when I get back, and deluging you with photos, so beware!

While I’m gone, feel free to browse my Six word Saturday posts, and join in, courtesy of Cate of Show My Face.  Many thanks to her for being a great hostess.