Christmas

Christmas wishes

The lights are sparkling brightly in Tavira this year, my first ever Christmas in the Algarve. You have to be careful what you wish for. Last Christmas I shared the chaos in the UK, along with the hugs, kisses, love and laughter, before returning gratefully to my home here, vowing not to do it again. This year, deprived of family, there’s nowhere I’d rather be. But if we can’t be with them to share the hugs, nothing can stop us from sharing the love. That never changes. Thank you all for sharing it with me. On the eve of Christmas I’m counting my blessings, and wishing you a peaceful, happy Christmas, surrounded by love. In the end, that’s all that matters.

Six word Saturday

O come, let us adore him…

Our hotel room looked directly out on Leeds Cathedral.  On Christmas morning the bells rang out, inviting us to celebrate a special birth.  I hope you had a beautiful time, too.  Happy Six Word Saturday!

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Jo’s Monday walk : Christmas in Tavira

I know you don’t have much time for walking this week, but I thought you might like a little stroll with me?  Tavira is looking very pretty on an evening.  Come and see the lights!  We needn’t walk far.

Ponte Romana and the riverside are strewn with blue lights.  The Military Bridge is finally being dismantled, after 29 years as a ‘temporary’ structure.  That’s how things are around here.  Things take time!  But the end result is usually worth it.

It does leave a question mark over this New Year’s Eve firework display.  In recent years the fireworks have been launched from the Military Bridge.  Maybe they will use a barge on the river.

The fountain wasn’t here when we first came to Tavira.  We’ve seen a few changes.  In the austerity years the Christmas trees were simple wooden structures.  Now we sparkle and shine, and things are looking up.

Round the corner, couples pose in a shining star.  Last year we had a giant bauble, which now takes pride of place in Faro marina.

In the run up to Christmas there have been carol concerts, both in the old Mercado and in many of the churches.

Much needed rain arrived, putting a bit of a dampener on scurrying shoppers, and delaying our visit to the bombeiros Nativity scene.  Three days later, blue skies inevitably returned and the town was bathed in warm sunshine once more.

I shall be sad to leave, but I’m off to England today, to share a few Christmas hugs.  You’ll scarcely miss me before I’m back, on Thursday.  I hope that, wherever you are in the world, you get your share of hugs this festive season.  Wishing you joy always (and cake!)

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Not many shares this week, but all are very welcome.  Join me soon, on Jo’s Monday walk.

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Debbie always astounds me with her photography.  This one is a beauty- please don’t miss it!

A wander through Christmas at Kew

The sky can be endlessly fascinating.  Come cloud-gazing with Janet :

Sunset walk

Some places still look beautiful dripping wet!  Drake never minds the weather :

Beyond the rain

Emma showcases her beautiful artwork, in lovely Donegal :

The Burtonport Old Railway Walk, Ireland

While Eunice pursues her love of street art, in Dublin :

A day out in Dublin

Cathy regretfully completes her pilgrimage :

A day in Santiago de Compostela

And Hikeminded shares some beautiful images from Germany :

Odenwald: Engelberg Monastery and Miltenberg

Lastly, spare a thought for Australia.  What a nightmare this Winter has been for so many!

Hills of Sand

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Six word Saturday

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

This is how Christmas looks in my part of the world.  Darkness and Light.  And a few Square skies.  How about you?  However you spend it, I hope that your Christmas is full of love.  And maybe just a little magic?  Thanks, Tom!

Now, off you go to Debbie’s world, for a little upside down skiing.  And don’t forget to take Six Words with you!

Counting my Blessings

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Traditional though it may be, I really don’t want to waste the time and energy reviewing my year.  If I’m patient a day or two, WordPress will do it for me, and those of you who’ve put up with me all this time deserve better.  What I do want to do is to say a heartfelt thanks to all of you!  It’s been a good year for me and I have many reasons to count my blessings.  Please know that all of you out there number among them.

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You probably don’t need to look very hard to realise that I’m sharing the beauty of my daughter’s tree.  The hand-made trimmings give it away.  It helps to keep her near to me.  Sentimental old fool!

Not all of us have had such a happy year, yet most of us are survivors.  One such lady, whose beautiful post this morning caught my eye, deserves some Christmas love.  I hope that you are all as prepared as you need to be to spend a joyful Christmas.

 

Six word Saturday

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All I want for Christmas is…

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Nothing much, really!  A little more love in the world would be good.  Peace and harmony and all those things that go with the Christmas message. No-one going hungry or without shelter.  No children that are unloved or unwanted.  If only the Christmas fairy could make it so!

I haven’t written my ‘Dear Santa’ letter yet.  Maybe I’d better hurry.  Wishing you all a Christmas packed with peace and love.  I’ll be walking again on Monday.  Hope to see you then.

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Six word Saturday

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This pretty well sums it up

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Time spent with my daughter almost always involves cake and pretty things, and this week was no exception.  The shops were all a-twinkle and we gazed our fill.  A brisk walk through the park was rewarded with hot chocolate.  A shopping session required something a little more substantial.

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The Christmas market was fun but I never did find one of those angels.  I tried on a hat and thought about playing ‘hook a reindeer’, but I hung on to my Winter Pimms instead.  The Helter Skelter did look tempting though.

No doubt about it, Christmas has come to Nottingham.  I hope your preparations are going better than mine.  I have a naked Christmas tree in the corner.  Time to get my fairy out and find her some friends.  It won’t be quite so grand as this.

Just one more weekend to go.  Enjoy this one, and don’t forget to pop in on Cate with your six words.  See you on Monday, when we’ll get out for a walk together to blow all those cares away.  See you then!

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Warmth

Does this give you a warm glow?

Does this give you a warm glow?

It does me!  But I admit that a large part of that is memory.  I took it at Chatsworth House last year in the company of my daughter.  The visit made my Christmas special and I still feel a warm glow thinking about it.

I rarely see my daughter at Christmas but the lure of Narnia brought her to Chatsworth and I managed to meet her there.  That represents warmth to me.  How about you?

This is Lisa, 'keeping warm'

This is Lisa, ‘keeping warm’

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Warmth.”

Six word Saturday

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The quiet bit in the middle

With just a hint of sparkle

With just a hint of sparkle

One set of lights have already blown on my tree, but we’re still looking festive.  Just a quick round-up of the neighbours… the photo above is for Colline.

Remember these guys from last year?
And here I go, spying on the neighbours!
Santa comes in all shapes and sizes
Like this old friend on my mantlepiece
And there’s always a snowman or two

And, of course, lovely cards!

And, of course, beautiful cards!

That sum’s it up, doesn’t it?  Hope you had a good Christmas and are looking forward to a new year.  I’m just going to pop in on Cate at Six Word Saturday.  See you soon!

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