Travel

Which ever Way
The swing bridge at Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales

The swing bridge at Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales

Earlier this week this bridge proved rather popular, and if I find a winning formula… well, you know how it is.  It was part of a five mile walk through lusciuous countryside in Swaledale.  I crossed over the bridge and followed the River Swale till I found another of my favourite ways- stepping stones.  Got your walking boots with you?

The swing bridge, or the doctors? Your choice.
Through a gate. The moors are capped with purple heather.
And there’s the bridge!
Set in stone.
I always like to read the history.
Over a stile
The stepping stones… but you might get a bit wet.
No worries- there’s another bridge.
And a confusion of signs.
Isn't the water a wonderful colour?

Isn’t the water a wonderful colour?

It was back to Reeth and the Copper Kettle Tearooms for us, but that’s another post.  This is my entry for Cee’s Which Way photo challenge on week 6.  Click on the crossroads to view the other entries.

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Weekly Photo Challenge : One shot, two (or three) ways

There are lots of ways to tackle this week’s Daily Post photo challenge- showing a subject in two different ways.  I was never much good at the “less is more” philosophy, so one shot isn’t really on the cards for me.

The Swing Bridge, Reeth, in the Yorkshire Dales
In close up but not in motion.

Reeth has the most beautiful setting on the River Swale in the Yorkshire Dales.  The Swing Bridge made me smile.  It didn’t so much swing as wobble if you jiggled about on it a lot.

The ferry point on Tavira Island
Looking down the channel to the open sea.

I wouldn’t jiggle too hard on this bit of rusty railing at the ferry terminal on Tavira Island in Portugal’s Algarve.  It’s just the salt air- I’m sure it’s safe!

The salt marshes at Barril
Briney water stretches forever

Or you could take the little steam train out to Barril Beach.  When the tide’s in the salt marshes look their beautiful best.

Lunch before we hit the boardwalk?
It looks inviting!

Before, or after, you hit the beach there are nice restaurants to linger in.

Ponte Romana in the twilight
Step forward a pace and you get a “free” umbrella

Evening’s always a good time to return to Tavira.  The sun settles over the river, and the swifts dart and play.

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When the lights go down you can often find a local celebration or Saint’s Day like this one at the Carmo, Tavira’s main church.  The service inside is broadcast on speakers, the priest’s beautiful voice soaring over the neighbourhood.

Did you enter the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge yet?  Come with me and we’ll check out some entries.

Six word Saturday

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Challenges and Awards- part of blogging?

When you started blogging, did you have any idea what you were getting into?  I know I didn’t.  I simply wanted a vehicle to communicate my delight in the world, and if I’m honest, an audience.  I hadn’t at all realised that there were hoops to jump through, or how addictive these would be.

But it wasn’t too long before I happened upon my first challenge- Six word Saturday.  Though I have soundly abused it, I liked the notion, and when I started out, I really intended exactly that- just six words, with a few photographs, so you wouldn’t get bored.  Since then we’ve wandered the globe together, and taken a lot of words with us.

Remember the fountains in the Rynek in Wroclaw?

Remember the fountains in Wroclaw’s Rynek?  Click on the photo to see the post

Six word Saturday brought me a lot of new friends, and introduced me to a fascinating world beyond that of my travel addiction.  Writers, poets, photographers, cooks, craftmakers of kinds I didn’t even know existed- they’re all out there.  I discovered any number of A-Z Challenges, and used one of them to pin both my Portuguese and Polish sagas to.

When I found Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post, I was astounded at what he could do with graphics.  More than that, Jake gave me a peg to hang my photos and stories on.   And my addiction to photography and challenges began.

A Turkish gulet gliding across the bay

A Turkish gulet at sunset- again, the photo will take you to the post

I became aware of more and more Challenges out there, many of them photographic, and the quality of some of the photographs is staggering.  Off I went in hot pursuit, until my week was overflowing. Here are just a few I’ve taken part in.  Click on the photo to see the post.

Porta da Vila, Obidos

Porta da Vila, Obidos- from Thursday: Lingering look at windows

The boardwalk in Cabanas- from CBBH Photo Challenge

The boardwalk in Cabanas- from CBBH Photo Challenge

Flowerhead in the rain

Flowerhead in the rain- from Sonel’s Black and White photo challenge : Abstract

I've rarely seen a more extravagant door knocker

A door knocker in Silves- from Cee’s Fun Foto challenge

Old gold plays on Medieval architecture

Medieval architecture in Wroclaw- Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge : Colours

I have loved every second of compiling my posts, but occasionally I tire of being led around by the nose.  Rebellion strikes and I think “no, I don’t want to write about ‘rhubarb’ this week”.  I want to follow my own muse. (if you can call the unlucky lady that)  And so I do.

But I owe a debt of gratitude to the people who launch and host these challenges.  They provide huge inspiration as well as introductions to other blogs, and require a major commitment of time and effort.  So a big thank you to all those whose challenges I have participated in.

You’re wondering where Awards come into this, aren’t you?  Many times I have used Six word Saturday to introduce and appreciate new awards, and this week is no exception.  I have an Awards page and kind people out there keep bestowing them, but it just isn’t possible to keep up and still do all the things you want to do.  So I’ll simply say many thanks to Opalla for giving me Inner Peace, and to Colline, for a Super Sweet Blogger Award.  There’s a link to each of their great blogs in the logos below.

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I guess I’ve exhausted my six words for this week, don’t you think?  You’d better follow the link to Cate at Show My Face to see exactly how the game should be played.  Many thanks for your patience.  Feel free to tell me about your favourite challenges and awards.

Thursday : Lingering look at windows, week 30
Window box outside the Queen Victoria pub in Durham

Window box outside the Victoria pub in Durham

I seem to have my English appreciation society head on firmly this week so I’m staying with the theme for my lingering look at windows.  On Friday evening I was in the city of Durham as the sun set.  Now there’s a place to be!  Mind you, the company and the wine were wonderful too.

Windows reflected in windows here!
The red and white theme seemed to be going on all along the street
Then I hit a patch of grey, traditional style cottages
I do like those red and white boxes though
And round the corner, brash modernity!
Durham University Library- brand, spanking new architecture
But it was a relief to return to something older

The sunset reflected beautifully for me in that last shot, then I was spellbound by the colours around the cathedral.

It was a good week for sunsets and I captured a couple in windows on our estate at home.

Such a dreamy sky
And then the crazy colours

You can’t get more quintessentially English than the village of Lealholm in North Yorkshire.  Every Summer they organise a Duck Race, and hundrerds of yellow plastic ducks are tipped off the bridge into the River Esk to race for it!  They were selling tickets when I was there last week.

One of the pretty little village shops in Lealholm

One of the pretty little village shops in Lealholm

That’s my English round up for this week.  What do you think?  Let’s get out into our English countryside while this nice weather lasts.

Many thanks to Dawn at Lingering Visions for being our lovely hostess for this challenge.  Do you have some windows you’d like to share?  Just follow the link.

No time like the present
Seaham's burgeoning marina

Seaham’s burgeoning marina

I was pleasantly surprised, on Saturday, to come upon the view above.  Seaham Harbour, as I’ve always known it, is a former mining village, whose pithead once dominated the landscape. Regeneration has taken place, and the marina and visitor centre for the RNLI now lie in the old harbour, with its iconic lighthouse banished to the distance.

Come and take a closer look at these galleries with me.

It’s still a working port (just about), so not all of it’s pretty.
But I did try to pretty it up.
The road drops down into the harbour
And looking back you can see across the bay.
Then you’re in the marina
And my favourite hobby, boat spotting.
Add a cafe and a visitor centre and you’re all set.
It’s a nice enough outlook.

There’s a great cafe called “The Lookout” pointing right out to sea, and below that some exhibition space.  I really enjoyed the visitor centre for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.  It’s full of photos, nautical maps and stories of heroism. There’s no entry fee but it’s a pleasure to slip a few coins in the boat.  The bravery required on these sometimes stormy seas is worth every penny, and the staff were informative and very pleasant.

Lifeboats are the most complex and amazing vessels.
That grappling hook looks pretty fierce.
I love the patriotic colours.
The boat’s story gives me a lump in my throat
The display cabinets were a trip back in time.
Tinder boxes, old badges, all kinds of paraphernalia
A replica of RNLB George Elmy
I thought this was beautiful.

I gave a little history of the town, and it’s rather surprising connection to the poet, Lord Byron, in Windswept in Seaham.

There was a nice breeze blowing on Saturday, but not one to bend you double.  It’s raining again today so I’m using my normal walking time to look back at sunnier skies.  I almost forgot to mention the delicious pana cotta and Swiss chocolate icecream I indulged in.  I know there are a few of you with a sweet tooth.  “Leaf, bark and berries” was my cafe of choice.

A last look at the lighthouse

One last look at the lighthouse

Every which way?
A quick getaway by jet ski?

A quick getaway by jet ski?

With that blue, blue water and matching sky, you could be excused for thinking I’m somewhere exotic.  Well, it’s a matter of definition.  Seaham, on England’s north east coast, was enjoying a rare balmy day.

You can walk along the cliff top, or the beachside walk

You can walk along the cliff top, or the promenade, down by the beach

It's a nice little town

It’s a nice little town

With an industrial heritage

With an industrial heritage

And it’s the start point for my venture into Cee’s Which Way photo challenge.  There’s so much more I could tell you about Seaham, but I’ll save it for another day.  I know Cee rather likes a sign.  I almost captured this one.

Don't you love a coastal footpath?

Don’t you love a coastal footpath?

I wonder where else Cee might take me.  Click on the logo below or the links and we’ll go and see.

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Six word Saturday

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Classic example of getting it wrong!

The river bank at Yarm, North Yorkshire

The river bank at Yarm, North Yorkshire

A sultry Summer’s day seemed like an excellent time for a stroll by the River Tees, in search of a tempering breeze.  Yes, this is north east England I’m talking about.  Don’t fall out of your seat in surprise!  It happens.

We headed for Preston Park, knowing that we had access to the river there, and should be able to walk along the banks as far as the village of Yarm.  You’ll note that I said “should”.  It being an impromptu little outing, neither of us had consulted a map.

The park itself was heaving with picnics and families having a good time, so it was a relief to drop down onto the riverbank.  It felt wonderfully idyllic as we ambled through shoulder-high wild flowers, extravagant in their pink frocks.  The sunshine bounced and shimmered on the water.  All was right with the Bradley world.

Innocently following signs for The Cleveland Way, suddenly we found ourselves in the midst of a housing development.  The river was there somewhere, but we couldn’t find it!  Nothing to do but keep following our noses (and the signs) in the direction of Yarm.  It was a long walk beside a busy road!  I wished I’d had my bus pass with me.

Undeterred, but hot, we reached Yarm, and with relief descended again to the riverbank, alongside of the superbly positioned pub “The Blue Bells”.  Why it did not occur to us to seek refreshment at this point, I do not know, but good spirits were restored anyway.  Yarm is a pretty place, and peaceful, viewed from the opposite bank of the river.  Swans mingled with ducks and the bridge was in harmony too.

Again we were swathed in wild flowers, mainly whites this time, and meadows opened out behind us.  I was amazed at the form and variety of some of the plants, which seemed to have grown to a mighty height.  The sun beat hotly down as we followed the meandering riverbank.  Beautiful though it was, I was starting to wonder how much further, when catastrophe befell.

We had arrived at Eaglescliffe Golf Course, with its privileged riverside location, and there was no access beyond that point.  If it hadn’t been for substantial hedges I would have been a willing trespasser.  Irritatingly we could hear the golfers calling to each other, yon side of the hedge, but we had to head wearily inland to complete our walk.

We never regained the riverbank, but collapsed into “The Sportsman” for a reviving Guinness, then limped back to the car.  Fortunately the rest of the week’s walking was better planned.   Another lesson learned (till next time!)

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Hope you enjoyed our very English walk this week.  Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to take your map with you!   Do make time for Six word Saturday, with  Cate at Show My Face.

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Thursday: Lingering look at windows, week 29
Canvas portraits of windows in Casa das Portas

Canvas portraits of windows in Casa das Portas.

I’m focusing on a very particular group of windows this week.  Don’t be fooled by the dilapidated appearance of the wall above.  It’s part of a real and well deserved success story in Tavira, in the Eastern Algarve.  The shop, Casa das Portas (House of Doors), features the work of local artist Jane Gibbin.  Like myself, Jane fell in love with Tavira, spending hours photographing the local doors and windows.

The photos always seem to create a talking point.  As you’ve probably seen from some of my posts, Tavira has a delightfully down at heel look and is a great subject to work with.  Ten years ago, looking for something distinctive, but not too expensive, for the bare walls in our Tavira home, I was much taken with Jane’s doors and windows.  Poster form was the cheapest, so we selected three, had them framed, and today they have pride of place in our living room.

You can barely just see two of the framed posters here

You can barely just see two of the framed posters here

Jane started out with a market stall selling her photographs then, as interest grew, progressed to a shop in the warren of back streets.  As well as the photographs and posters there’s an eclectic mix of objects for the home, and pretty jewellery pieces.  I often stick my nose in and the assistant is unfailingly polite, even though I seldom buy.

In July 2011 success was confirmed when Jane opened a second shop, right beside Ponte Romana; a prime target for tourists.  The ideas continue to flow and at my last visit there were some lovely small canvases with paintings of the doors.  I was very tempted, as was Cathy who was staying with me at the time.  Her luggage was already overflowing, so she dived into a colourful heap of scarves instead.

Looking in
An eclectic mix
Windows and door paintings
Objets d’arts?
Nautical things (and reflections)
And finally.

My photos aren’t the best as I had one or two distractions that night (yes, Cathy!), but I’ve wanted to tell the story of the shops for a while.  For a clearer idea of them you might visit the Casa das Portas Facebook page.

I hope Dawn doesn’t mind a slightly different style of lingering at my windows (and doors) this week.  Please visit her at Lingering Visions to see the other entries, and maybe add one of your own.

Eastern Algarve, Portugal

DSCF0219How’s this for lazy? My take on the Eastern Algarve in 200 words. Do you think it works?

kirstymichelleallen's avatarTwo Hundred Word Travel

Head east from Faro and a different Algarve awaits- a world of water, salt marshes and sensuous sandbars.

Follow Phoenician footsteps through Tavira. The town’s past can be seen through the glass floors of the Galeria Palace, or find present day Tavira viewed upside down in the Camera Obscura. Gaze out to the saltpans across tessoura tiled roofs. Luxuriate in a fig and almond ice cream from Muxagata’s kiosk, as you count terrapins in the riverside gardens. As the light fades, cross over Ponte Romana for a lingering glass of port at Anazu. Later, make Luis smile at A Taska by savouring his cogumelos sauce.

Nearby Santa Luzia has back streets like nowhere else. Tile patterns run amok. Take the lazy steam train to Barril’s iconic anchor beach, and walk briskly back. Catch the Armona ferry from Olhao. Shifting sandbars and shell-patterned beach homes await…

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Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Locks, knockers and handles
I've rarely seen a more extravagant door knocker

I’ve rarely seen a more elaborate door knocker, if a bit chipped!

I’m very often admiring of the door knockers and handles in the Algarve, and when I saw the subject of Cee’s photo challenge this week- well, you just knew I’d want to share them, didn’t you?  They’re so elegant.

Fish in Faro
Fatima’s very delicate hand
And then there were two!
Beautifully framed white doors.
Tightly clenched in Tavira

Thanks, Cee, for giving me another excuse to revisit a wonderful holiday.  That’s it!  No more. (well, not till the next time, anyway)

Off now to check out some more entries to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge.  Click the link and come with me.