Writing

Picture the World : Madeira

It’s some time ago now that I completed a post for Picture the World. Naturally, I focused on Portugal. There’s nowhere of which I have more beautiful photos. However the project is still running at The Departure Board and I happened to notice that the slot for Madeira was still unoccupied. How can that be?

Madeira is one of the most ruggedly beautiful sights I have ever seen. Sheer drops along the north coast send waterfalls cascading into the foaming sea. In December you can have snow on the peaks, yet sensuous bougainvilea caressing the houses in the south of the island.

The levadas provide world class walking, in addition to the irrigation which is the island’s life blood. Every inch of the terraces is utilised to feed the islanders, and to produce the wine which is exported throughout the world. The Portuguese flavour is all there in the intricately tiled streets, but Madeira has a determined character all her own.

I was there not long before the dreadful floods of 2010 devastated the island. I watched the TV footage in horror as the flood waters tore through Funchal and the lovely spaces I had so admired. It is a tribute to the islanders that they picked themselves up so rapidly to restore their astounding natural beauty.

The Picture the World project requires only that I share one photo with you, but I can’t resist adding just a few more.

Funchal looking down from the castle (it’s a long climb)

Ornate tiled paths are everywhere

Rainbows too. The island is no stranger to rain.

Snow not so frequently, but visibility was limited and our coach had to turn back

Snow not so frequently, but visibility was so limited, our coach had to turn back

But everywhere the beauty is undeniable

To further the project, I’m nominating Cloud of Lace to supply an image of her homeland, Lebanon, and Freshly Pressed Compass & Camera because I know she has some exquisite photos of Bhutan. I look forward to seeing these, and in the meantime, many thanks to The Departure Board for the opportunity to share.

Sunday Post : Goals

Jakesprinter’s subject for this week’s Sunday Post is Goals. Not my favourite topic, but let’s play with it!

Estadio de Luz, Benfica

Estadio do Algarve

Both my husband and son are huge football fans, and can’t wait to check out the local stadium whenever we travel. Which leaves me free to look at more interesting things. And I do!

The former palacio at Estoi, now a hotel

Like the former palacio at Estoi, now a pousada, or hotel

An exotic plant (don't ask me which one)

Or these exotic plants (please don’t ask their name!)

Looking over Lisbon rooftops to the River Tejo

The view of the River Tejo in Lisbon was very pretty

But Tavira’s riverbank by night is lovely too

I could admire a restaurant sign or two

Or take a wild ride at the funfair

But most likely, I’ll linger by that bridge again!

And, next morning, wake in my lovely Tavira home

I don’t really have my goals for 2013 clearly defined yet. I surely plan to spend more time in Tavira, and to do some travelling around Portugal. I usually try to tie that in to a festival or event. Jerez and Cadiz have been beckoning me for a while, and I’m mildly curious about Gibraltar.

I absolutely must do something about my wilting language skills, particularly because I hope to visit Polish family again this Spring. A new self-hosted website, a photo book? Those decisions still haven’t been taken. Live my life as fully as I can, without hurting those around me. I guess that has to be my main goal. And if I could do a little good along the way, that would be magnificent. I’ll let you know how I do.

I’m sure there are some cracking goals on Jake’s page, so let’s hit the flying dragon logo link and go check him out, shall we? It’s always a pleasure.

Six word Saturday

Reflection,

a blessing or a curse?

The Museum of Hartlepool, reflected in the Mecca bingo hall

Some of you may remember a photo of the Museum of Hartlepool in my Sunday Post : New Year 2013? After I’d taken that shot and was walking towards the marina, I looked across to the Mecca Bingo hall, and guess what I saw, reflected in the windows, but the Museum?

The PSS Wingfield Castle, and me

My first shot wasn’t quite so successful, because I forgot that I would be reflected in the photo too! But perversely, I quite liked it. Earlier that morning I’d been exchanging New Year greetings online, and reading the latest posts of many of my favourites. It just so happened that the topic for the month on East of Malaga’s CBBH photo challenge was Reflection.

Not just in the photographic sense, but in the sense of looking back at the year that has been. And so you see that my six words this week refer not just to me forgetting that glass reflects whatever you put in front of it. Like every other year, 2012 had its share of good memories, and bad, to reflect upon.

Sunset on my favourite bridge in Tavira, reflecting in the river

I thought it might be fun to bring together these two challenges, and I hope that Cate of Show My Face, and Marianne at East of Malaga will forgive me taking liberties. It is a tradition with Marianne’s to share details of two blogs that you have commented on in the past month. I think this is a lovely idea so I’m delighted to introduce you to Barbara at JustaSmidgen. If you love food and good conversation, you can’t fail to be impressed with Smidge’s blog. And keeping relations truly international, meet Sam at Two Black Dogs. Warm hearted Sam celebrated her 5th wedding anniversary on New Year’s Eve, so pop down to Australia and say “hi”?

Meantime Cate has celebrated her 1000th post! Congratulations, and thanks for letting me share my six words (and photos), Cate. Follow the links for an interesting Saturday, folks? Catch you next week.

A Special Place

We all have places that we regard as special. St. Mary’s Church at Whitby holds that special quality for me. During the Summer I was there, proudly showing my Polish neice, Basia, our English Heritage. A lovely elderly gentleman was holding court, comfortably seated, with coffee in hand. He explained that he was waiting for his wife to finish walking the dog, a task he was no longer up to. Whilst he did so, he was more than happy to entertain all comers, with tales of the church and it’s history.

Reluctantly, we pulled ourselves away. My own elderly gentleman (dad) was waiting in the car, not able to walk too far himself, and we still had awe-inspiring Whitby Abbey to see. Before we did so, we were urged to come back again in December, when the church would be alight with dozens of Christmas trees. On Monday I returned, and this is what I found.

Trees in every style and colour

Each sponsored by a local business

A local gallery

Craftware

Gift shops

Natural products

Modern style

Ornate

Traditional

The Captain Cook Museum

Put the kettle on Ma! Teashops galore.

And, of course, the fishmongers

Just to complete the occasion I was treated to a carol service from one of the local schools, busy rehearsing for the real thing. They sounded wonderful.

Small voices raised to celebrate the birth of Jesus

St. Mary’s is a delightful church. The tower and basic structure date from Norman times, around 1110. A hodge podge of styles have been added since, but it is the box pews that draw the eye, each carpeted and upholstered with cushions. Overhead galleries are rarely used today, but the large charcoal stove is an essential element with our coastal chill.

Whitby is probably best known for its association with Bram Stoker. He lived there from 1890 to 1896, and set an important scene from Dracula at the church. I imagine that the graveyard on a dark Winter’s night is a scarey place indeed, but the church interior is a joyous space. It was described by Simon Jenkins in “England’s Thousand Best Churches” as “part folly, part museum, part large parlour”. You should see it for yourself, and I can think of no better time than when the Christmas trees are in residence. (10.00- 15.00 daily until 3rd Jan., excepting Christmas and Boxing Day)

The graveyard and Whitby Abbey

St. Mary’s from the Abbey grounds

Looking back at church and Abbey from Whitby pier

It is a bit of a climb up to St. Mary’s and the Abbey, but it’s also possible to get there by road if you can’t manage the steps.

Do you have a special place to share? Please do.

Ice-mare!

I have a valuable lesson to share. Ice is “see through”! I expect you thought that was “transparently” obvious, didn’t you? I simply found it quite difficult to obtain effective photographs of ice sculptures, out in the street. Excuses over, I did thoroughly enjoy myself trying, at York’s Festival of Angels.

An innocent bystander peeps through the angel wings

The city of York was as festive as anywhere I’ve ever been at Christmas time, and the Festival of Angels added its own charming dimension. Local businesses sponsor the ice sculptures, most of which are traditional Christmas images of angels and snowflakes. The large handsome slug produced an exclamation or two, however. The sponsor? A certain restaurant chain that accompanies its food with “green stuff”.

A slippery slug!

Mr. Slug illustrates the fact that I should have waited a while to let the frosting on the ice sculptures melt a little. I’ll know better next time but I was keen to see them all before too big a crowd gathered.

A rather frosty angel

Rudolph was almost defrosted

And the penguin was halfway there!

But the angel won, hands down, quite rightly

The crowd were mostly in good spirits as they wove in and out of the narrow streets. The presence of an “Ice Bar”, selling delectables such as Baileys in a frozen chocolate cup, undoubtedly helped. Mulled wine flowed sweetly too. And there was always Earl Grey in the tea shop.

It speaks for itself

Naturally Santa was there

And an Ice King, who must have had chilly nether regions

Even the barrel organ was feeling festive

Never tell me the British don’t have a sense of humour

York’s a good looking city, and there’s always something to see. I was also checking out Vintage shops, and in passing couldn’t resist a few more shots.

A former cinema, turned furniture store!

The Merchants Hall is quite special

St. Martin's Church hovers in the background

St. Martin’s Church makes a lovely backdrop

I would have liked a few more ice sculpture photographs, but they do say “life is for learning”, don’t they?

Ice Christmas trees?

An ice Charter of York

An ice polar bear

And finally, a snowflake

My apologies for not doing full justice to the amount of work that must have gone into these incredible pieces of artwork. I hope you managed to gain just a flavour of the event, and my thanks to York for being gracious hostess to the Festival of Angels.

Six word Saturday

Freezing fog

Frost

And Ice Sculptures

Ice Sculptures? What? Where? Sorry, but this is a bit of a tease.

The frost and fog were genuine enough. Those are some of my Nordic Walking friends, (with reindeer antlers and tinsel, but distant, so as not to embarrass anybody) on the beach on Thursday. Don’t feel too sorry for them- they scoffed an enormous Christmas lunch afterwards!

The Ice Sculpture photos have yet to be taken. I’m off to the Festival of Angels in York today, and hope to come back with lots. Of course, I can’t be certain of this. I don’t think I’ll be the only one there, so I may end up with lots of photos of the backs of heads. Wish me luck!

Have a good weekend everybody, and don’t forget to check out the other Six word Saturdays on Cate’s Show My Face. The links and header will take you there.

Sunday Post : Concept

My weekend was a bit of a wreck, so my Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post simply didn’t happen. But I had given some thought to the theme, Concept, and am feeling seasonal and a little nostalgic.

“So this is Christmas, and what have you done?” So tragic, Lennon’s death. Can you believe that it was 32 years ago?

I wonder what Christmas means to you? My conception is the traditional one, the important factor, the boy child who was conceived. “Unto us a boy is born, King of all Creation”. Every Christmas my little wooden stable comes down from the loft, complete with nativity scene.

Nativity scenes come in many forms. The original is credited to St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. He wanted the emphasis to remain with the religious significance of Christmas rather than materialism and gift giving. These days, Christmas markets and all, I rather think materialsim has won.

I have heard of, though not yet seen, the szopka nativity scenes traditionally exhibited at Christmas time in Kraków. They date from the 13th century, and include elements of architecture. A yearly competition is held in Rynek Główny to determine the best. That must be exciting!

Image of a szopka from Wikipedia

Religion doesn’t play a huge part in my life, but I do love the carols at Christmas time. “Peace on earth, goodwill to all men” seems like a good maxim to me.

The wreath is in it’s traditional place on my fireplace, and the cards beginning to arrive. My Polish family always send cards which celebrate the birth of our Lord.

Why the Christmas tree? The evergreen tree, which does not lose its leaves in winter, is regarded as the symbol of eternal life. I have lots of “old friends” on my tree.

And some beautiful hand made ornaments, proudly given to me by my Polish family on my first visit to Poland, though I’ve never been there at Christmas.

And, of course, topped by the angel made for me by my daughter Lisa.

I wonder if Jake’s going to use Christmas for his theme next week? If so, I’m ahead of the game, and that’s a first!

Do you have a concept you feel like sharing? You’ll always be made welcome at Jakesprinters Sunday Post. Click on the flying dragon logo to be transported there.

Sunday Post: Concepts (francineinretirement.wordpress.com)
SUNDAY POST: Concept (chikawithyeneyes.wordpress.com)
Sunday Post: Concept (scsurfbutler.com)
Sunday Post: Concept…Are We Teaching Our Children to Gossip? (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)

Six word Saturday

Technology may have defeated me- again!

I’m battered and bruised today! Don’t be fooled by Mrs. Sparkly, though I am indeed grateful to Elisa of Autumn in Bruges for nominating me. Truth is, I really need a bit of glitter to cheer me up.

In the main I’m very grateful to WordPress for hosting my blog. I don’t know if it would ever have happened without them, as I am one of life’s technologically challenged. This week I seem to have thrown a spanner in the works. My photos all want to appear in thumbnail size, no matter how hard I try to resize them! I have petitioned WordPress for help- I mean, where’s the joy in a thumbnail sized photo? In the meantime, I’m limping through my Six word Saturday, “sans photos”.

What do I have to do to earn my sparkles? Quite simply, answer ten questions.

1. Describe yourself in seven words:

Restless, discontented, inadequate, sunloving, hopeful, enthusiastic, moody

2. What keeps you up at night?

Worry, and WordPress- not necessarily in that order.

3. Whom do you aspire to be like?

Anyone who travels, for a living or for fun

4. What scares you?

Me, in the mirror on a morning! And those awful dreams I have, thankfully rarely, where something terrible has happened involving a loved one. I wake up in a cold, black fear and can’t shake it for hours.

5. What are the best and worst things about blogging?

Don’t get me started! You lot, of course- my lovely friends across the world, and the doors that open that I maybe never dreamt of before. You know the worst thing, don’t you? Hmm- starts with the letter t and ends in ology!

6. What was the last website you looked at?

Never a dull day in Poland -one of the winners in the Expat Awards 2012, and a cracking blog I’ve since subscribed to.

7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My discontented nature.

8. Slankets, yes or no?

Not really bothered. My daughter bought me a lovely kimono one year. I seldom wear it but it’s a bit like a slanket, I suppose.

9. What are you wearing now?

Jamas, but any minute now I’ll have to sprint for the stairs and get dressed or I’ll be late for zumba (again!)

10. Tell us something about the person who nominated you :

Elisa is another restless soul, like myself. She is London based at present, and hasn’t quite yet worked out her future. I know how that feels! Do have a look at her Travels.

I’m passing a little sparkle on to :

Tay in Europe

Travel with Laughter

Simply Captured

All are joyful and beautiful blogs so do please have a look. I’m off to fight with my photos again, but not before I give thanks to Cate at Show My Face, who has allowed me to whinge my way through this week’s Six word Saturday. Click on the header or links to find out more about the challenge. If you want to cheer me up you can click on the button below and visit some of my previous 6WS’s, which DID contain photographs. See you next week?

Six word Saturday

A dinner party! Who to invite?

: Elizabeth 1

: Will Shakespeare

: Philippa Gregory

: Michael Palin

: Paul McCartney

: John Lennon

: Napoleon Bonaparte

: Helen Mirren

In time honoured fashion I’ve been invited by Just Fletcher to host a dinner party, with guests of my choosing, of course. I thought it might make a diverting Six word Saturday post?

At the top of the table I’ve got Elizabeth 1, looking very stern, so I’ll have to mind my P’s and Q’s. What a character! What a life she led, though not one that you could really envy. Will Shakespeare’d be good with the courtly speeches, and I might just get the chance to ask if he really did travel to Italy, and put paid to all that controversy.

I’m sure Michael Palin will be interested, and interesting too, travel being his subject. In any case, he can charm the birds from the trees. If Lennon gets a bit disrespectful, Palin and McCartney’ll do the soothing, diplomatic stuff, but rapier wit won’t be in short supply.

I’ve loved Paul McCartney and his music for as long as I can remember, and wouldn’t it just be great to have those two together one more time? With both in mellow mood, now that fate has delivered both a punch or two. Maybe a future classic will be scrawled upon the table cloth, as the evening wears on.

An avid reader, I’ve only recently returned to historical novels, and it’s the fault of Philippa Gregory. She lived and worked for a time in my part of the world, so I’ve always been mildly curious about her. I was checking out some books at my local library, and “The Red Queen” was on the counter. I could resist no longer, and was absorbed by the storytelling. Elizabeth 1st will surely be surprised at where women find themselves in society today.

Which brings us to Helen Mirren. Well, every dinner party needs a touch of glamour, doesn’t it? Maybe she can console poor Bonaparte. Such a sad ending to all those aspirations.

So what do you make of my choices? I’m not going to nominate anyone, but if you have an inspirational line up that you’d like to share, I’d enjoy to read your post. Have a look at Just Fletcher’s Virtual Dinner for starters (or dessert). Cate of Show My Face has been more than tolerant of my Six word Saturdays. Follow the link or click on the header to see how it should be played.

Before I go, I’d like to share a follow up to my last week’s 6WS. For anyone interested in Steampunk fashion, here’s the next instalment of Jema’s interview.

http://www.themuse.tv/2012/11/gothic-glam-steampunk-fashion-part-2/

Sunday Post : Natural Resources

This Sunday morning, as the rain sloshes down, I’m thinking that many people will be battling nature this weekend, as they watch the rising floodwater. Jake has chosen Natural Resources as the subject of this week’s Sunday Post. We are blessed with wonderful nature all around us, but I can’t help reflecting on how resourceful man has had to be in both harnessing and utilising nature.

The reservoir at Stanhope- a beauty spot for walking, guarantees water, should we ever have another drought!

The winter meltwater gushes over the weir at Grassington

The River Wear at Durham gets pretty full at times too

On a gentler day you can stroll over and beneath Durham’s bridges

Our woods and streams provide perfect picnic spots

For centuries we’ve been harvesting the crops and fields

Here come those clouds, but they won’t trouble the modern windmill

Whilst on our coasts, sea defences have become mandatory

And we have tamed the tide to provide a safe harbour

And a lovely marina to linger and admire

I’m sure you can think of many more instances. The rain is easing and I hope the flood damage isn’t too severe this time.

It was a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning but now the Sunday lunch beckons. Well, it will if I cook it first. I’ll be back later to check out all the entries for Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post. You too? Don’t forget to click on the flying dragon or the links.

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Writing

Picture the World : Madeira

Sunday Post : Goals

Six word Saturday

Reflection,

a blessing or a curse?

A Special Place

Ice-mare!

Six word Saturday

Freezing fog

Frost

And Ice Sculptures

Sunday Post : Concept

Six word Saturday

Technology may have defeated me- again!

Six word Saturday

A dinner party! Who to invite?

Sunday Post : Natural Resources

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Reflection,

a blessing or a curse?

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Freezing fog

Frost

And Ice Sculptures

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Technology may have defeated me- again!

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A dinner party! Who to invite?

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