dunes

Six word Saturday

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How to dance a jig doll!

Sssh, whisper it, but I think we may just have turned the corner into Spring?  Yesterday I spotted a hint of pink blossom in the trees, and the curves of crocuses throughout the town were valiantly trying not to shiver.  I was still caught in a shower of sleet midweek, but I’ve also been out, striding along clifftops and beaches under wonderfully breezy blue skies.  Want a quick look?

The beach at Hartlepool Headland and derelict pier in the background

The beach at Hartlepool Headland, with derelict pier in the background

The retreating tide

The retreating tide

Approaching the pier

Approaching the pier

My sea monster

My sea monster

The dunes back of the beach

The dunes back of the beach

The habitat of the dunes

The habitat of the dunes

The good old days

The good old days of Crimdon Dene, resort?

The caravan park that remains

The caravan park that remains

Not a good place to throw the stick for your dog

Not a good place to throw the stick for your dog

And home, over the stream

And home, over the stream

Highlight of my week?  Dancing a jig doll!  It was totally unexpected.  At my first ever visit to our local branch of the U3A, the entertainment was a lovely couple, Ron and Pat Keady.  With Ron on guitar and vocals, Pat demonstrated her versatility and love of Appalachian music and dance forms.  The Auto Harp (or dulcimer) was unfamiliar to me, but I recognised the Jew’s Harp and spoons, of course.  When the paddle and the jig dolls appeared, I was enthralled.  Even more so when they were passed around for the audience to try.  Bashing away at the paddle, I thought I did a very creditable version of “Jambalaya”- for a beginner!

What fun!  I think I’m putting one on my Christmas list.  If you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, the YouTube video links below will demonstrate.  You will love the dog! (second clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzNEgMNV8UM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwuRfGDOrsY

Don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face this sunny Saturday, and share your week.  Hope it was a good one?  Click on the button for my previous 6WS’s.

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Weekly Photo Challenge : A Day in my Life

Start the day with a sparkle

Start the day with a sparkle

I love pink grapefruit!  Followed by coffee and toast.

Coffee and non edible books

Coffee and non edible books

That reminds me- I must start my Polish lessons (again!).  It’s less than 4 weeks till my next visit.

This being a Saturday, (I know! I know, I’m seriously late posting and should just scrape the deadline) it’s time to scoot across the park to my zumba class.  No photos, to protect the innocent, but we do have fun.  Grab any food shopping we need in town and bus back home as the legs are tired.  Make a panini for Mick, cooked breakfast for James and collapse with my laptop, quiche and salad.

Often I will spend the afternoon online while the lads watch sports, but this Saturday is the first truly sunny day in months!  “Do you fancy a walk?” I ask Mick, cautiously.  And then we’re bundled up against the cold and striding along the beach.  It’s so exhilerating, I forget tiredness.

The beach at Hartlepool Headland- almost empty this lovely day

The beach at Hartlepool Headland- almost empty this lovely day

Part of our industrial heritage

Part of our industrial heritage

Somebody's been this way!

Somebody’s been this way!

And beyond!

And beyond!

Getting nearer

Getting nearer

Heading for the gap

Heading for the gap

The pier has rotted away

The pier has rotted away

Consumed by the sea

Consumed by the sea

Beautiful in its ugliness

Beautiful in its ugliness

I love this prehistoric  monster

I love this prehistoric monster

Straight down the barrel

Straight down the barrel

And out the other side

And out the other side

Looking back

Looking back

And into the dunes

And into the dunes

It’s a scramble up to the top.  Still with me?  The pipes belonged to Steetley Magnesite, a magnesium producing company, but the site has been derelict for some time.  The chimney, which could be seen for miles up and down the coast, has recently been demolished and new homes are to be built there.

It’s not a part of town I often visit but there is a very interesting old cemetery too.  Spion Kop Cemetery dates back to 1856, and is formed from a combination of sand dunes and ships ballast, providing a rare natural habitat.

The derelict site

The derelict site

The nature reserve

The nature reserve

Spion Kop Cemetery

Spion Kop Cemetery

Jewish headstones and a wealth of local history

Jewish headstones and a wealth of local history

The town's symbol on the gate

The town’s symbol on the gate

And back along the top of the dunes

And back along the top of the dunes

Pleasantly exhausted!  You too?

Home for a cuppa, put the feet up, and after an interval, make spag bol for tea.  Too tired to take any more photographs.  Glass or two of well deserved red to end the day.  Thanks for your company.

This is my almost late entry for The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge.  Click the link to share lots of daily lives.