Jude is hoping for dramatic sunsets this week. They tend to be gentle around here. But I know that this is a scene beloved of Becky.
Take kindly to
#2020PhotoChallenge
Seascapes
What’s a person to do? Not enough days in the week to fit in all the challenges. I can’t deny Jude a Seascape, can I, and I don’t want to square these.
So Becky will have to wait till tomorrow. Sorry, hon! Back to play soon.
Six word Saturday
Still playing with moods, and colour
Black and white can look a bit bleak to me, but inject a hint of colour and the mood changes completely, doesn’t it? Brian was a bit naughty with his response to Jude’s 2020 Photo Challenge but I think we might have got away with it. Meantime, strange things are happening on Six Word Saturday. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Backlit Tavira
I’m not very good at following Jude’s directives, but as I wandered back into town from an evening stroll up the river, I had to pause to admire the sun’s fading light. I love the way it radiates across the sky. So peaceful! Join in at 2020 Photo Challenge #21.
Playing with shadows
You can’t get more dramatic shadows than those around the cathedral in Seville on a dark evening. I imagine it’s wonderfully peaceful now but the atmosphere was vibrant when I was last there. Today I’m playing with shadows for Jude’s 2020 Photo Challenge #18
I love the description of photography as writing with light. I’ve always considered myself a writer rather than a photographer.
I like photos to tell a story, or make me want to linger. How about you?
Six word Saturday
No beach walks until June 1st!
The State of Emergency in Portugal is to be lifted from Monday, 4th May, in gradual stages. I’m not happy that beaches won’t reopen until 1st June.
I’ll just have to make do! There are worse places to be, and plenty of curves and clouds to play with. 2020 Photo Challenge #17
So many varieties! Thanks, Jude! Or you can always be playful with Debbie’s wonderful Six Words. Either way, have a great weekend!
Jo’s Monday walk : Back to the salt pans
I make no apologies for being back among the salt marshes today, for they always captivate me. Especially when powder puff clouds drift away to the horizon in a pure blue sky, or luxuriate in salty sand puddles. It’s a landscape that changes mood with the weather; sullen and drab, until the sun sweeps aside the muted colours, bathing them, and me, in warmth and light.
As with Changing Reality I’m heading for the sea, but this time in an easterly direction, towards the small resort, Cabanas. A cycle path renders this area a hazard to walkers in peak times, but today I’m breaking new ground for me and striking out into the marshes.
You probably don’t recognise the cyclist’s bridge over the River Almargem from this angle, dwarfed as it is by the railway bridge. I always hope to catch a train trundling across, but it never happens. Turning my back on the bridges, I follow the river. Far better than trains, I have the prospect of flamingos in this calm stretch of water. And sure enough, there they are! Tiny at first, in the distance.
I hope to startle them a little, for they are beautiful in flight, but they remain oblivious and eventually I tear myself away. The way ahead looks promising. Behind me, a shimmering lagoon of water. The flamingos, mere specks.
I follow the curve of the rough path, towards the open sea at first, but then curving back around the salt pans.
The sludge and caramel colours and soft reflections blend together with the azure sky.
As I near the salt mountain I wonder at the giant ‘needle’ suspended in the sand. We’re approaching my Hula ladies again, graceful in the breeze.
There are two choices now- a return via the Salinas estate, or to continue on towards Fort Rato and back into Tavira that way. I opt for the first, and am gratified to snatch a photo of the train hurtling along.
One last look from the cyclist’s bridge and home to put the kettle on, another 9 or 10km completed. I’m sure there must be cake as a reward. I’m linking again with Jude’s #2020 Photo Challenge. This week she’s looking at curved lines and I feel sure I have a number here. No squares for me today, but #SquareTops does share a strong connection with salt.
I’m very lucky to have some lovely people following this blog. Drake is assuredly one of them :
Skywalker holds the line (no, not Luke!)
And a quiet little lady can show you Korean cherry blossoms in all their glory :
Experience the beauty of her world with Rupali :
Staying close to her new home, Janet loves the morning too :
Monday walk…Yes, indeed, I’m walkin’
While Amanda is happy to introduce you to her Home by the Sea :
And Eunice has found a new walk, close by :
A circular walk from Barrow Bridge
Indra will very happily take you to Central Park :
While Colline is taking her books for a walk :
Chocolates, anyone? Sorry, there aren’t any, but Natalie has the recipe for staying fit and well :
Life is Like a Box of Chocolates
I always enjoy a stroll with Flavia. And this time I’m singing…Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen!
While Su tempted me into a fabulous garden with her beguiling title :
And Irene looks back at London as it once was, and will be again :
A feast of photography from Cathy this week :
Morocco: Essaouira to Marrakech’s Bahia Palace
And in a completely different style, but no less beautiful, Lynn shares her world :
Local Walks: Back to Washington Park
I hope you found something to enjoy here with me today. I’ll be back walking next Monday. Stay safe till then!
Six word Saturday
Which one makes the better square?
There’s a cycle path from Tavira to neighbouring Cabanas, and this bridge spans the narrow River Almargem along the way. It struck me as perfect, in the original, for Jude’s #2020PhotoChallenge on converging lines. But it works as squares too, don’t you think? Up and over the Top! We’ll be passing this way on my Monday walk. Meanwhile, have you got Six Words to shed a little light for Debbie?
Jo’s Monday walk : Capelinha and the lanes
Following on from last week’s walk down to the sea, I suggested I’d take you around a few of the country lanes and tracks, almost on my doorstep. When we first bought our house in Tavira, there was very little property behind us. From the rooftop we not only had our lovely sea view, but tree tops and greenery rolling away into the gentle hills. Time, and development, being what it is, much of this is now interspersed with rooftops. But it still only takes 5 or 10 minutes to be in open countryside.
When we direct people to our home we always say, stay on the E125 road through Tavira and take the turn off signed Fonte Salgada at the roundabout. Our peaceful estate is on the left hand side, but if you continue on, you will be directed towards an animal sanctuary and a chapel. This is the area known as Capelinha, a small scale but quite beautiful land of orchards.
Quinta de Capelinha lies not far along the road. This was once the home of Manuel Joaquim Tavares Pais de Sousa e Andrade, Viscount and Baron, as well as Councilor and Mayor of Tavira, back in the 19th century. The derelict family chapel sits by the roadside, abutted by a modern home and horticultural business, which specialises in fruit trees.
Today we will stay on the country road to Fonte Salgada, but there are several turn offs- narrow trails that weave in and around the orchards.
I pause to admire ripening carobs, and somewhere distant I can hear the sound of bells and the bleating of a lamb whose mother is out of sight. The next turn off is ours, but just ahead lies the village of Fonte Salgada itself. Should we take a look?
Sleepy in the midday sun, there’s not a lot to the village. A café, closed at the minute, but no shop, so far as I could see. A grain or cattle store, and a well. Nowhere to spend your Saturday pocket money.
The road leads on up into the hills and I turn back to continue my walk. There has been plentiful rain this Spring, a relief after a long, dry Winter. The fields overflow with wildflowers and the air is scented with the heady aroma of orange blossom.
Figs ripen on the bough and the grass ripples with daisies. The eloquence of the sky is a constant source of pleasure.
You’ve seen that last house before. From wide, sweeping views I’ve turned down one of the many tracks leading back towards home. Here I can dither and dawdle at will, eye picking out subjects that appeal. Those little rock cairns seem to be flourishing. And don’t the limes look exquisite?
The potato vines play hide and seek with the daisies, and a brave few remaining rock cistus turn their pretty faces up to the sun. Plants I cannot name still have the power to enchant. A stony path climbs gently past wizened olive trees and I’ve not far to go. The air feels fresh and alive, raindrops clinging on in more sheltered places.
I am taking this opportunity to link to Jude’s #2020 Photo Challenge. I know the vistas will appeal. There are quite a few converging lines, and she never can resist a plant or two. Funnily enough she is wandering down Cornish lanes in her post this morning. A sign of the times?
A lovely wander with Jude :
I had to include this one from Cathy. I was with her every step of the way!
Cinque Terre: A vineyard walk in stunning Manarola
Serendipity has Sheetal in another of Cathy’s destinations. Not strictly a walk, but too beautiful to leave out :
Travelling into the Tuscan World
Rupali takes us to another beautiful city. I hope to follow her, one day :
Natalie stays close to home, but still finds beauty :
Life and Trumpeter Swan Sightings
Wherever he is, Drake is always perceptive :
And Eunice, too, is staying in her own neck of the woods :
That likeable rogue, Jonno, is still out and about, with his missus :
Just the name of this one wins me over! Thanks, Alice :
Janet’s Monday walking again! And any other day she can get out and about :
Becky looks back on (or forward to 🙂 ) an Algarve favourite :
Rambling in the Algarvian hills
Let’s close with Cathy. No-one is more prolific! I love this symphony in blue :
Morocco: A day among the blue boats of Essaouira
I can occasionally get lost in these lanes, my sense of direction being lamentable. I hope you enjoyed wandering with me. Have a good week, stay safe, and see you next time!
Hill Top Heaven?
This snippet from a walk gives me a house on a hill top, for Becky’s #SquareTops, and some subtle vertical lines for Jude, my main focus today.
Come and sit on our sunny patio! It’s hard to get verticals vertical sometimes. Which line to line up with? As you can see, it’s been raining.
And, in fact, we had the biggest storm ever last night. Talk about theatricals! It’s raining still, so plenty of time to join in with #2020PhotoChallenge. I don’t mind sunny rain. Join me?
