Hartlepool

Six word Saturday

Oh, the weather outside is frightful…

But I’m one of the lucky ones- safe and warm! It must have been a horrendous Christmas for those who were flooded or without power. Nothing to do but try to smile and carry on.

Here, it’s been a mixed bag. I didn’t have much luck on the beach at Crimdon on Christmas Eve.

I should have kept my eye on those clouds!

The blue was disappearing at an alarming rate!

Our skies have been very mean and moody!

How about this for a mean and moody sky?

But I wanted to reach the end of the cove

I think that might be far enough!

Time to make a run for it!

Of course, we got wet!

But 2 minutes later, it looked like this.

But two minutes later, it looked like this.

Then we had a decidedly frosty day- our first this Winter! The park looked very pretty.

Crisp and bright!

The wildlife pond was looking rather handsome

(if cold)

And part of the pond was frozen

But I loved the dramatic light through the trees.

Since then the winds have been wild, but I have no reason at all to complain. I’m sitting tight with my little snowman friends.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful…

Hope you’re having a peaceful time in these days between Christmas and the New Year. I won’t be around for Six word Saturday for a week or two. Keep Cate company, won’t you? And a very happy New Year to you!

Nostalgic

Funny how often two challenges collide, or rub shoulders. I had barely posted Urban Design on Friday when the Weekly Photo Challenge loomed into view : Nostalgic. Old films and Nat King Cole. But that very morning I’d been reliving nostalgia at the top of Christ Church tower.

I’d been on a mission to purchase a few “surprises” for my husband’s birthday next week. The sky was blue. My camera was in hand. What better time to climb the tower for the promised “bird’s eye view” of Hartlepool? I reached the top and was just starting to take some shots when I heard the door open behind me. Darn, I thought. It wasn’t a large space and I greedily wanted it all to myself.

The lady smiled at me, and of course, I smiled back, and as I never can resist doing, slipped into conversation. She had been born and raised in the town, but had later married an American and now lived in the States. Over the years she had visited mum and dad in Hartlepool, but now both were dead, and after settling their affairs she was saying a final farewell to the town. She had climbed the tower because at last she could, knee surgery having given her back that ability.

Looking at the town below us, we traded memories. Do you remember Lynn Street? The Indoor Market with it’s treasure trove of stalls? Corned beef slices, fresh from the tray? The sweet shop with chunky “rhubard and custards”? The docks were over there- do you remember the chain links and gangways? Hasn’t the town changed?

On and on we went, reminiscing, exchanging snippets of our lives. We parted, finally, and I made my way back down to the ground, full of nostalgia for what had been, but a little proud of the survivor that Hartlepool still is. I can’t show you the past, but I can show you the now.

It was dark inside but I still could capture the sun

A first peek!

View from Christ Church tower over Hartlepool

Remember Blacketts, and Binns? Long gone.

The story of the church

A new, and modern, stained glass panel.

I don’t want to repeat the photos you can see on Urban Design, but I did want to share the experience. I wish the lady the very best for the future. I so enjoyed our memories. This is my entry for Weekly Photo Challenge : Nostalgic.

Six word Saturday

From here

Hartlepool, viewed from Christ Church tower, on a sunny day!

to here

Tavira, in the Eastern Algarve- not quite so sunny!

In fact, a little moody.

But with a strong promise of blue.

And back!

As you can see from the centre photos, the weather was quite temperamental when we were last in the Algarve. I suspect that will not be the case this trip, as it’s in the 30’s currently. Oddly enough the Summer has arrived in the UK too (yes, even the north east!) so I won’t have to feel guilty about leaving my English friends shivering. It’s a win! win! situation.

So looking forward to dabbling my toes, and sharing special birthday celebrations with my husband. (his- I’m just a youngster- secret smile ) I also have a treat in store. For a couple of days I’m playing hostess to Cathy or Catbird as some of you will know her. Having left Oman she is now romping her way around Spain, and then Portugal, before returning home to the States. Her exhausting itinerary is here, but won’t it be fun?

Enjoy Six word Saturday, as well as the weather, while I’m gone. Many thanks to Cate at Show My Face. Back soon!

Urban Design

View from Christ Church tower over Hartlepool

I walked into town today, thinking about Jakesprinter’s theme for this week’s Sunday Post, Urban Design. I live on a green and leafy estate, with a variety of housing styles. Some of the older properties are full of character, but, as you approach the centre, many of them are rundown in appearance.

I was randomly taking photographs, and writing the captions in my head. As often happens, the shopping I had set out to do was on the back burner. We have a state of the art college of further education and I was thinking what a fine photo it would make, with the multi-national flags flying outside. Alas, the flags weren’t flying today, but the sky was a beautiful shade of blue. It struck me that it was the perfect day for something I had meant to do for quite a while- climbing Christ Church tower.

As a girl, I attended Sunday School at this church. Over time it fell into disuse, but then was given a brilliant new lease of life as an art gallery. A new stairwell has been constructed for safe access to the tower, from which the views were said to be wonderful. I was warned that the church bells would chime noisily every 15 minutes, and off I went.

Looking down on the bells and hoping they won’t chime just yet.

Almost there!

Wonderful to look through the old walls to newer Hartlepool.

Looking down Church St. to what used to be docks.

Looking down Church Street to what used to be the docks.

The railway station, and beyond, the Historic Quay and marina.

That shiny new College of Further Ed I told you about.

My husband’s beloved football ground- Hartlepool FC.

But never far away, a little industry and the sea.

And there you have it- a beautiful use for an unwanted church, and the town planners current version of Hartlepool.

I’m a little late with this challenge, but I always love to support Jake. Come with me to look at his wonderful graphics, and check out the other entries. The lucky snake or any of the links will take you there.

Weekly Photo Challenge : A Day in my Life

Start the day with a sparkle

I love pink grapefruit! Followed by coffee and toast.

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

Part of our industrial heritage

Somebody’s been this way!

And beyond!

Getting nearer

Heading for the gap

The pier has rotted away

Consumed by the sea

Beautiful in its ugliness

I love this prehistoric monster

Straight down the barrel

And out the other side

Looking back

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 nature reserve

Spion Kop Cemetery

Jewish headstones and a wealth of local history

The town’s symbol on the gate

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.

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

I love it, but hate it!

Just a smattering, seen through the conservatory window

It’s coming! It’s coming!

Run upstairs and look out of the window

Let’s check out the park

So pretty and ethereal

Not frozen- yet!

Water glistens on the tree

There I am, but look at that sky!

Droplets were melting and blowing off the trees

Just one romantic couple

Noone sitting on the benches today

A delicate snow bush

Over the hedge, the bowling green

No tea and cake in the pavilion today

The melancholy clock tower

You know what I’m talking about. Magical soft fat flakes that have me rushing out to play. Followed by grumpy Alice a day or two later, when it’s turned to a slippery grey skating rink.

Click on the first photo to see them in gallery form. It’s clever, isn’t it?

Have you got six words to sum up your week? Cate at Show My Face will be delighted for you to join in. Click on the header or the link to find out more.

Sunday Post- New Year 2013

It’s been a busy writing week for me (always a good thing!) so I’ve saved Jake’s Sunday Post till today. After all, it’s New Year’s Day, so it fits the subject. Apart from a few sore heads, I’m hoping it’s going to be a beautiful new year for you all.

What will the New Year hold for me? I’ve barely started to plan yet, but there are a few certainties. The first will be my daughter’s wedding in early February. Oh, the photos of that are going to be so much fun! Steampunk/historical- can you imagine? And of course, I’ll be back in my beloved Tavira, and have some Polish family to visit.

In the meantime, let’s welcome the New Year.

Our first snowdrop, sparkling in the sunshine

Yesterday was just the weather for a brisk walk in the lengthening shadows

The houses on Seaton Green are still traditionally decorated

With interesting details, like the postbox

It was a little “fresh” on the prom

But some families still braved the beach

It was bright and cheerful yesterday, as it is again today, and the camera’s just itching for some more fresh air. Me too!

The Museum of Hartlepool was peaceful.

Just made it round the marina as the sun started to set

Don’t you love to look at boats? I can’t help myself.

Especially unusual ones!

This isn’t at all the post I meant to write for Jake, but it’s how I spent the time this New Year when I wasn’t cooking, so I guess it qualifies? I’d better hurry and post it. Already in New Zealand it’s another day.

Please come and look at Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post with me. He puts so much work into them. Just click on the flying dragon or the link.

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.

Six word Saturday

Firework Display or Strictly Come Dancing?

Fireworks over Hartlepool Headland- courtesy of Tony Dowson

Beautiful aren’t they?

I can almost hear the “ooh”s and “aah”s

I was born on Guy Fawkes Day, so fireworks on Bonfire Night always seem like a personal celebration for me. I’m like a big kid when I hear the “whoosh” and “zip, zip, zzzip”. But I hate the cold. Our town firework display takes place on the seafront, and as parking is always an issue, involves an invigorating walk beside the sea to get there. The lights of the boats twinkle far out on the water and on a sharp frosty night the stars are needle bright. Romantic, but cold!

So usually I wrap up warm, and we make the bracing walk, then come home smelling of smoke. This year I’m not sure if I want to. The Winter seems to have come around too fast, and I’m just a little sad.

Inimitable compere, Brucie, with dazzling Tess Daly

Flavia’s flying!

Temptation beckons in the form of “Strictly Come Dancing”. I love the show with a passion and have done since its beginnings. I even watch the fanzine every night! For a whole half hour the laptop is switched off (well, sometimes) as I watch the dance sequences over again.

The past few years we’ve recorded the show while we’ve gone to the fireworks, then there’s something to look forward to when the “ooh-ing” and “aah-ing” stops. Shall we do that again this year? I’ll have to wait and see.

None of the images are my own this week. My very talented stepbrother, Tony Dowson, is a professional photographer and took the fireworks shots when the Tall Ships came to Hartlepool in 2010. (what an occasion that was!) The others are borrowed from Strictly.

Are you joining in with Cate’s challenge? The details are all in Show My Face, or you can simply click on the header. Have a happy and safe Bonfire Night, and wrap up warm.

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Hartlepool

Six word Saturday

Oh, the weather outside is frightful…

Nostalgic

Six word Saturday

From here

to here

And back!

Urban Design

Weekly Photo Challenge : A Day in my Life

Framed

Six word Saturday

I love it, but hate it!

Sunday Post- New Year 2013

Six word Saturday

Enjoying the lull.

Ready for fireworks?

Six word Saturday

Firework Display or Strictly Come Dancing?

Oh, the weather outside is frightful…

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From here

to here

And back!

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I love it, but hate it!

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Enjoying the lull.

Ready for fireworks?

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Firework Display or Strictly Come Dancing?

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