Grassington

On a grey, murky Easter Sunday afternoon, after a rather nice dinner had been eaten and washed up, I decided to focus on my next challenge. Julie Dawn Fox kindly tagged me to take part in HostelBookers Seven Super Shots. You can see what Julie made of the challenge by clicking on her link above. Quite appropriate that there’s a chocolate Johnny Depp to be viewed. I didn’t get any Easter eggs. Did you?

A photo that takes my breath away

The Ria Formosa from Cacela Velha

You might know that I’d be starting in the Algarve. I have more beautiful shots from there than just about any place I’ve ever been- not surprising really. This is a good time to point out that many of the photos on my blog are the handiwork of my husband Michael (he would say the better ones!) As we sometimes share a camera, it can get confusing, but for the purposes of this post I have to stick to photos that I’ve taken.

The above shot comes from the very first time I witnessed the natural beauty of the Eastern Algarve, in the tiny hamlet Cacela Velha. It really was breathtaking, and a moment I love to recapture.

A photo that makes me laugh, or smile

James goes paddling

This is one of many engaging photos of my son James that make me smile. He was a charming toddler and easily found entertainment wherever in the world he happened to be. Water was inevitably a success. This was on Rhodes. Can’t you tell?

A photo that makes me dream

North coast of Madeira from Porto Moniz

I’m fairly sure that this is one of Michael’s photos- oh dear, you’d better disqualify me! It encompasses everything that I love in a photo- water, mountains, blue sky. I thought Madeira one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Cascades of flowers everywhere, distinctive buildings, fabulous scenery and wonderful levada walking- most definitely a place to dream.

A photo that makes me think

Part of the wall in the Jewish Cemetery, Krakow

I was very moved by this section of wall, constructed from the headstones wilfully destroyed by the Nazis during the Second World War. I have been too cowardly to visit Auschwitz. Just the descriptions of the teeth, hair and glasses massed in cabinets has me in bits. I really can’t make myself go there. But Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter of Kraków, speaks to me of the past, and I was intrigued by the synagogues I saw there. The area is now quite tourist orientated, but if you are able you should experience one of the free walking tours that are available.

A photo that makes my mouth water

A "quejinhos do ceu"

I’m not much of a foodie and I rarely remember to take any photos of food- I just eat it! I was delighted with this exquisite little cake though. I was in the small village of Constancia in Central Portugal, at the junction of the rivers Zezere and Tejo. It’s a lovely peaceful spot for canoeists and nature lovers (unless you time it to arrive on a Youth Festival weekend, as I did)

In the tiny village square with its pelourinho (ornate pillory), visible from our hotel bedroom, we lingered for a coffee at the end of the day. I have a fondness for the pastel de nata (custard tart), widely available in the Algarve, but the proprietor, Luis, advised me that they only had the local delicacy, quejinhos do ceu. What a find! It looked as good as it tasted- a strong hit of almonds. Strictly for sweet toothes!

A photo that tells a story

Mummers at Grassington Dickensian Festival

Not the best of photos, but a memorable occasion. The Dickensian Festival in the Yorkshire Dales village of Grassington is one not to miss if you’re in the area in December. Together with nearby Skipton village, festivals are staged over 3 successive weekends.

The whole is in aid of local charity and you are quite likely to be offered “a kiss for 20p” from a nice-looking young shepherd. (no, that’s NOT my main reason for going!) The Mummers have many a tale to tell, and if you’re into audience participation they’ll happily include you. The day closes with a procession through the streets, following Joseph and Mary as they search for shelter at the three village inns.

The photo that I am most proud of (aka worthy of the National Geographic)

Porta da Vila, Obidos

I’m out of my depth here as I am no technician when it comes to photography- I just know what I like and do my best to capture it. You knew I’d end with Portugal, didn’t you? I’m going to give you two to chose from, since that one in Madeira wasn’t really mine. That way I can legitimately claim seven. The Porta da Vila is part of the town walls of Obidos – another place you don’t want to miss if you have the opportunity. I was there at the time of a Medieval Fair, which really added to the atmosphere, but the liqueur Ginja de Obidos, served in chocolate cups, makes it a great venue at any time of year.

Sunset in Cabanas

I can never resist a sunset and am often up on our roof terrace at the end of the day, listening to the birds and watching the changing sky. The above shot was taken in February, during an evening stroll along the boardwalk in Cabanas, just a few miles east of Tavira, in the Algarve. I like to think I’m getting better at taking photos, but in reality I’m very hit and miss.

So I’ll pass on the challenge to someone I know can do much better:

Francine in Retirement

I am knocked out by the photography on all your blogs and I don’t know how you’ll pick just seven. You also need to tweet your post to HostelBookers to let them know you’ve taken part at #7SuperShots. Don’t forget to check out Julie’s Johnny Depp!

Every year it seems there are more and more Christmas festivals and markets. I’ve never had the authentic experience of a German Christmas Market. Totally a sun-lover, pretty as a picture the markets might be, but I’m less than keen to embrace the biting cold and streaming eyes that often accompany them. Never the less, I have an abiding memory of a crisp, cold December day when I was utterly transported by a Christmas Festival.

River Wharfe at Grassington

Grassington is a small town in a wild and beautiful location in the Yorkshire Dales. In ferocious weather it’s every bit as difficult to get to as an alpine village, but, on an English Winter weekend in December, it casts a spell.

Pipe Organ "Dignity"

Buckets are rattled at you as you pass the fire station and a lovely old pipe organ gives you pause- long enough to notice the sign inviting you in for refreshments. It is, after all, an event in aid of charity. But as you progress to Main Street, the sights and sounds capture you, and the magic of Grassington Dickensian Festival takes over.

Organ grinder at work

First, the organ grinder, twirling out his sounds, then a homemade cakes and biscuits stall. None of your ordinary old cakes here- chocolate tart with raspberries has my name written all over it. Jewellery and crafts, chestnuts, honey roasted cashews, spit-roasted pork- my nose doesn’t know which way to turn. The chill in the air persuades me that a hot chocolate laced with brandy will be just the thing.

Get your hot chocolate here!

Clutching it to me for warmth, I smile at the age-old antics of the Mummers, drawing in the crowd. Morris dancers hop and skip. Best not to loiter, unless you want a starring role.

The Mummers sing-song

The Mummers and a "corpse"

Morris dancers entertain the crowd

Maybe after another hot chocolate and brandy? No, better to turn to the serious business of selecting a few small gifts from the many and various shops and stalls. On Main Street, Gemini glistens with metal and gems, whilst Rustic Rabbit sparkles with every imaginable Christmas bauble.

Rustic Rabbit's Christmas window

As the day draws on and the pallid sun retreats, the atmosphere begins to build for the main event- the procession. The town crier hovers by the brazier where torches are on sale to light the streets. The youthful shepherds and kings, who have manned the hospice stall all day, quench their thirst at the Black Horse Hotel, still uninhibitedly selling 20p kisses for charity.

Town crier

Black Horse Hotel

At 4pm sharp the procession is off and gathering momentum through the streets, the crowd following on. A sharp rap on the door- “Is there any room?” asks Joseph, at the first hostelry. “No room” booms the landlord. On to the second and third of the town’s inns, the torches flickering, the atmosphere electrically charged. Again the response, “no room”, and the crowd stifle a groan. We exchange anxious looks, but the ending is inevitable- a return to the manger erected in the square. Christmas carols have never sounded so poignant.

The procession

Suddenly it’s all over and the stall holders are packing for home. The shops are open for a while longer if you’re quick, the queues gone now. I seek shelter myself in the warmth of The Forester’s Arms. Shrugging off my coat, I listen to the impromptu performance of carols from the fine voices gathered by the pool table. The joy and wonder of Christmas is here in Grassington.

This year the final Saturday of Grassington’s 30^th Dickensian Festival takes place on 17^th December. For the first time ever there will be an ice rink on this final weekend. The festival is staged on three consecutive Saturdays in December, while 8 miles down the road, neighbouring Skipton has a Yuletide Festival on corresponding Sundays.

The town’s three inns all supply reasonably priced accommodation, or an opulent stay can be had at 5 star Grassington House Hotel. Park and Ride is available, and coaches visit from far and wide. Full details are available on http://www.grassington.uk.com/dickensian%20festival/dickensian.htm, with a video to get you in the mood. A useful little booklet, “One hundred things to see on a walk through Grassington”, can be very cheaply purchased from most of the town’s shops and pubs. Proceeds go to charity and it will enable you to have a better look at this deserving little town and the beautiful surrounds.

Everything changes with time, but I do hope that popularity doesn’t spoil this wonderful event. All the way home I sing to myself “There isn’t any room for strangers”.

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Seven Super Shots

Grassington hosts 30th Dickensian Festival

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