Durham

Thursday : Lingering look at windows, week 30

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

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.

Thursday : Lingering look at windows, week 25

A rainy day on Durham Cathedral roof, looking down on the Castle.

Maybe not quite window in the conventional sense, but I could, and did, look through it. Some of you wandered Durham’s riverbanks with me earlier this week, and I make no apologies for taking you back again today.

It’s quite a special week for Durham because the Lindisfarne Gospels have been returned, for a short while, to their rightful home in the north east. Created 1,300 years ago, in honour of St. Cuthbert, they are on loan from the British Library and will be on display until 30th September. Palace Green, in front of the Cathedral, is a deservedly beautiful location. Ticket sales are booming. The link above will show you why. Meantime, a few more Durham windows.

The University Library is the location for the Lindisfarne Gospels.

While you’re in Durham, book the Castle tour- it really is fabulous!

Looking out into the castle courtyard.

The stained glass window in the castle chapel.

The lovely windows and cloisters of Durham Cathedral

More “windows” on the Cathedral roof.

The Dun Cow. And thereby hangs a tale..

The Masonic Hall windows

With fabulous detail.

The buildings in the city exude character

And finally, (for Lorna at Tearoom Delights) a nice pot of tea.

How lucky are the students at Durham University? They get to use the castle as “digs” and dine in the fabulous Great Hall. Taking photos isn’t allowed but I would suggest you take the tour if you’re in Durham to see the Gospels. It’s bookable in the same building. My post Discovering Durham will give you a lot more information.

Next week I shall be gazing through some real windows in the Algarve, so won’t be taking part in this challenge. But I expect I’ll have a few shots to bring back.

Off now to check out the other entries at Lingering Visions. Have you a few windows you’d like to share? Dawn will be delighted.

Black and White weekly photo challenge : Bridges

A romantic view of Durham

Durham is a city of many bridges. The River Wear threads its way backwards and forwards between the historic houses, and it’s quite hard NOT to take a photo of a bridge or two.

Here we have two bridges for the price of one. Agree?

County Durham is known as the Land of the Prince Bishops and gets a small mention in the Wikipedia link. The “Prince Bishop” river cruiser has been tootling up and down a short stretch of this river for as long as I can remember.

Under the road bridge, looking back at the Cathedral.

Under the road bridge, looking back at “Prince Bishop” and the Cathedral.

I rarely visit Durham without strolling along the riverside path. The bustle of the Market Square and always busy Cathedral seem a world away.

This is the classic view, seen on numerous postcards.

The river has paths on both banks for some of its passage through the city, so you can meander like the river, and choose which bridge you want to cross.

Milburngate Bridge with castle and cathedral above.

Some years the weir is filled to the brim. Sadly, this year, erosion has affected the riverbanks in a few places. Part of our constant battle with nature.

There are always rowing boats tethered by Framwellgate Bridge.

Durham has a famous university, and for much of the year students can be seen sculling rapidly along the water’s surface. In June the regatta gives them the chance to show off their skills, and it’s a fun day out.

I’m normally very much a Summer person, but there is one event that takes place in Durham every second November that I hate to miss. During “Lumiere” many of the bridges are spectacularly lit. You can see this in full colour in my recent post Water under the bridge, but for this challenge I have to stick with black and white.

Trying to find the best vantage point to take the shot.

How about this one?

So that’s my take on Sonel’s Black and White photo challenge this week. I hope you enjoyed wandering the riverbanks of Durham with me. Let’s do it in colour another time, shall we?

I’m off to check out the other entries to the challenge. Sonel has given us quite a wide brief. The main stipulation is that we work with black and white only- no shades, which means my sepia friend is not allowed. The button below will take you to the home page of the challenge.

Water under the bridge

I seem to have done quite a few posts on bridges. But Jake is back, so how can I say no? Jake’s Sunday Post is always a cause for celebration. I might even have to open another of those bottles of wine!

I love the violet hues of this photo. It was taken in Durham in 2011, during a biennial event called Lumiere. The light installations over and beside the River Wear were like nothing I have seen before. If you’re fortunate enough to be near Durham this November, I can promise you a beautiful evening of colour and sound when Lumiere comes to town.

Water flowing under a bridge will always hold me captive, drifting in the current. Where would it take me, if I let it? A lifetime has slipped past while I wonder. All just water under the bridge.

You probably recognise this bridge, but I can share a view of it you won’t have seen before. It hangs on the wall in my favourite cafe, Anazu, on the riverfront in Tavira. It’s in 3-D, though you really can’t tell from my photo.

Not that I’m often inside the cafe. The pavement outside has the view that I love. I have watched so much water pass under the bridge, but some will have seen very much more. I found this black and white photo in the Galeria Palace museum in the town. Times may have changed but the water flows on.

The evening light fades and the moon rises in the sky on a warm Summer’s night. I stand beside my bridge and look out to sea. I’m filled with hope that I might return. Well, who wouldn’t be?

It only needs me to remind you that Jake’s place is a good place to be, on a Sunday or any other day. Please click on the logo below or any link to pay him a visit.

Framed

I very much like to frame a subject, so when I spotted East of Malaga’s challenge for this month, I had two responses:
1. I absolutely love these photos,
2. If I can possibly squeeze out a little time somewhere, I shall make a submission. After all, a monthly challenge does give you quite a bit of leaway. So, here I go!

Sunrise framed in my front window

The Museum of Hartlepool and HMS Trincomalee.

Hartlepool Headland with a good splash of the colour.

Still in Mary Rowntree’s

Frames in Pier Arts and Crafts and Saltburn Pier

Looking out from the Alhambra

Clerigo tower window, framing Porto

Climbing Porto’s Clerigos Tower for magnificent views

The old Council Chambers form a perfect frame in Guimaraes

Barnard Castle high street sedately framed

A rainy day on Durham Cathedral roof looking down on the Castle

Framing the River Tees at Barnard Castle

The statue in Hardwick Country Park, Sedgefield

Where I like to end my days- my Tavira roof top

What did you think? Too many? I do love the drama of them. Click the first shot to see them in gallery form.

“Less is more”! Another of those expressions I never quite took to heart.

Speaking of hearts, there are some very warm ones in our blogging world. Simply Charming is just such a person, so if you haven’t yet met her, make just a few minutes of time to go and say hello. If you have, pop by anyway. You’ll get a warm welcome.
Marianne likes us to share two bloggers whose posts we have commented on in the past month. It’s never easy to choose, but I’m sure Paula at Lost in Translation won’t mind me spreading a little love in her direction. She spreads lots in mine. Paula has a very individual and beautiful style. Go take a look.

That’s me worn out and it’s still early! Worse yet, I’ve been so engrossed that I haven’t noticed it’s snowing wildly and I’m travelling up to Northumberland today to meet Viv in France. (is that 3 introductions? oh, never mind!) Wish me luck!

Many thanks, Marianne. Visit East of Malaga to admire and take part.

Six word Saturday

Enjoying the lull.

Ready for fireworks?

Not a lot going on this week

A Hartlepool sunrise

A little more rain

A walk round Durham, the river brim full

Popped into the new T.I to avoid a shower

Popped into the new T.I., to avoid another shower

It’s dark early

Soon be time to take the tree down

Peaceful, huh? Hope you enjoyed my Six word Saturday, and that your New Year celebrations are as raucous as you want them to be. See you next year.

To join in, or read other 6WS posts, click on the header or the link.

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.

Sunday Post : City

When I was 18, all I wanted was the city. And what a city it was! London- fun, fashion and the centre of my universe. Jakesprinter has reminded me of that, with his theme for the Sunday Post this week, City.

Covent Garden, where the entertainment’s always good

The Fan Museum in Greenwich, such an unexpected treat

The skyline with it’s newest addition, The Shard, climbing upwards

As I grew older, it didn’t seem the place to raise a family. I returned to my northern roots. But the city was never too far away, whether I needed culture, or just a place to crane my neck to look up at the sky.

Note Newcastle’s moody northern sky

Still, you couldn’t want a finer cityscape than Gateshead’s Millenium Bridge

A city with more serenity- Durham, clad in its Autumn colours

But not lacking for a spectacular, and cultural event- Lumiere 2011

Life can be quixotic, and for me this came in the form of my Polish family, rising from the embers of the past. The cities it brought me to explore were survivors, and especially beautiful for that.

Coach and horses in Krakow’s mighty Rynek

All of Krakow’s history is on display on Wawel Hill

Talking of survivors, where better than Warsaw’s Stare Miasto?

Or the Rynek (market square) in Wroclaw

Wroclaw has cultural humour too, with its army of gnomes

I don’t truly consider myself a city person any more, but just sometimes I lose my heart to a city. (You knew there was a song in there, bursting to get out, didn’t you? Yes, I always did want to see San Francisco, but I haven’t made it there yet)

I expect you know the city I’m talking about. I’ve talked about nothing else since I got home.

It’s a city full of colour

Beauty

History

Life

Trams

Boats

Character

Amazing churches

And azulejos, of course

So yes, I have lost my heart to a city by a bay, but it’s not San Francisco. It’s Portugal’s fine northern city, Porto. As usual, I have Jake to thank for allowing me to share these memories, old and new. What does a city mean to you? Jakesprinter’s bound to have lots of great examples. Follow the links or click on the flying dragon logo to share.

Capture the Colour

Colour is so much a part of our world. The challenge to capture it in a memorable way has been set by Travelsupermarket.com, and a formidable array of talented bloggers have already joined in. Amongst them, Kathryn, of Travel with Kat, who has very kindly nominated me. Many thanks, Kat. I’ll do my best.

The challenge requires that you submit a blog post with an image for each of 5 colours- red, white, blue, green and yellow. Full details are to be found on the Travelsupermarket website. The top prize, £2000 to spend on travel, is definitely worth a little effort.

Blue

The Marquess of Londonderry, encapsulated in a snowdome- Durham “Lumiere” 2011

I’m starting near to home with a photo that cost me a black eye. So captivated was I by the light installations at Durham City’s “Lumiere 2011” that I forgot to look where I was going and went head over heels over a concrete block- ouch! I shall exercise more caution when I return to Durham for “Lumiere” 2013, but return I most certainly will. The illumination of Durham’s historic buildings was simply spectacular. I loved the blue of the Snowdome, but equally beautiful were “The Waterfall”, and the Lindisfarne Gospels projected onto Durham Cathedral.

White

A sparkling white carriage makes its stately way around Rynek Glowny in Krakow

My first sight of Rynek Główny in Kraków was charged with emotion. I had the arm of my Aunt Anna tucked into mine. We had met, for the first time, just days before. She and Dad were separated when he was only 15, and reunited 64 years later, with grateful thanks to the internet. The Market Square with its medieval Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) will always be special to me. The horse and carriages are a little cliched, but perfect for my white photo, from my K is for Krakow post.

Red

One of 400 breadbaskets carried aloft at the Festa dos Tabuleiros, Tomar

My red photo transports me immediately to July 2011. The Festa dos Tabuleiros takes place just once every 4 years in Tomar, Central Portugal. The streets dazzle in swathes of multi-hued paper flowers and the 4 feet high breadbaskets are paraded on the heads of 400 or more dainty ladies. Crisply dressed young escorts slip an arm around each of the waists and help to balance the weight. It’s a sight I will never forget.

Yellow

Such a mix of ancient and modern, the architecture of Wroclaw

I loved the subtlety of the old gold of this building in Wrocław’s colourful Rynek. Polish architecture is an intriguing mix, much of it reconstructed following the wholescale devastation of World War 2. It’s my offering for yellow.

Green

The Queen of Hearts on the village green in Elwick

I’m coming home again for my green choice. National pride was strong in my local village, Elwick, when they gave their annual Scarecrow Festival a Jubilee theme. It was so much fun and the sight of the characters from Alice in Wonderland playing croquet on a traditional village green brought many a smile.

Travelsupermarket request that we pass this challenge on to 5 more bloggers, so I’m very happy to nominate:

Marcia of La Chica Writes

Andrew of Have Bag, Will Travel

Richard of A Bit of Culture

Robin of Bringing Europe Home

Zoe of Zoetic Epics

Good luck everybody!

Sunday Post : Splendid

Would you believe it, he’s got me singing again! Jakesprinter that is. His theme for this week’s Sunday Post is Splendid. So what was I singing? “Love is a many splendoured thing”, of course. Quite appropriate as it’s my wedding anniversary this week.

Splendour is a wonderfully old fashioned word. It suggests to me churches and ornate beauty. Splendid is maybe a little more casual?

Durham Cathedral and Cloisters

Wawel Cathedral in Krakow

St. Elizabeth’s Chapel, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Wroclaw

Oratorium in Wroclaw University

Ruined Whitby Abbey

Silk panelled walls in Newstead Abbey

The Moors understood the concept of splendid extremely well.

The Lion Courtyard, Alhambra Palace, Granada

A room with a view (Sacromonte, from the Alhambra)

Gardens of the Real Alcazar, Seville

As usual, I had great fun with this. What will Jake come up with for me to sing along to next week? You’ll have to come back to find out. Better still, why not join in the challenge yourself? Follow the links or click on the flying dragon logo for details.

Don’t forget to check out some of the other great and varied entries:

http://cyclingrandma.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/monet-at-the-ny-botanical-garden/

http://cuoreq.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/sunday-post-splendid/

http://imagesoftheheart.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/sunday-post-splendid/

http://bopaula.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/sunday-post-splendid/

http://drieskewrites.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/sunday-post-splendid/

http://canoecommunications.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/splendid-lines-of-waterfalls/

http://36beauty5.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/sunday-post-splendid/

http://nprimopiano.wordpress.com/2010/01/10/white-stars/

http://africatoalgarve.blogspot.pt/2012/08/splendid.html

http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/sunday-post-splendid/

http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/weekly-photo-challenge-splendid/#comment-1017