Photography

The price of a unique home

Thatched cottage 3Santana on Madeira has some of the cutest homes I ever saw.  Beautifully maintained, I found it a little sad that I had to queue up for a look inside and to purchase a thimbleful of liqueur, when once such hospitality might have been offered freely.  Still, I suppose it’s a small price to pay to preserve these unique homes, with their triangular roofs, thatched in straw.  Once they were occupied by local farmers.  Now they are a mainstay of tourism in this rugged northern part of the island.

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Thatched cottageThey’re a little different from Jake’s chosen home this week, but equally unique.  Pay him a visit? It won’t cost you!  Just click on the logo.

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Do you pin?
One of Girona's many bridges

Crossing a bridge in Girona, Spain

Ramblas de Mar in Barcelona

Ramblas de Mar in Barcelona

London's Waterloo Bridge from the ferry terminal

London’s Waterloo Bridge from the ferry terminal
Most Tumski in Wroclaw, Poland

Most Tumski in Wroclaw, Poland

Iconic Tyne Bridge viewed from the Millenium "Eye"

Iconic Tyne Bridge, viewed from the Millennium “Eye”

I joined Pinterest soon after it started, but I’m pleased to report I never really caught the bug.  Life is simply too short.  But I do receive weekly updates and from time to time find myself ensnared. Especially when it concerns one of my favourite subjects- bridges.

Go Euro- Berlin

I’ve never visited the city of Berlin, but this random fact caught my attention.  Can it possibly be true?  Loving bridges as I do, the city has now moved significantly up my wish list.  Just how long it would take me to count them, I don’t know.  But I’d be game to find out.  Wouldn’t you?

GoEuro promise rail, coach and air in just one search.

In search of threes
Looking out to the platform
Waiting for the train
Poster detail- the good old days!

For those of you who think I spend my life languishing in the Algarve sunshine, here’s a look at Restlessjo’s everyday world.  Let’s start at the railway station, shall we?

A blue sky day!
But what’s on the horizon?
Another platform being towed into place

If the weather’s good, I don’t need to travel far.  Many of my shots are taken on Hartlepool Headland.  There are always boats, or some form of activity.  Now we have a fleet of windmills out at sea.  Look closely at the middle photo.

Can you see the pier in the far distance?
Here it is, much closer
And now, very close!

The promenade wraps around Old Hartlepool, as the Headland used to be known.  A brisk walk along it will surely blow the cobwebs away.  In the distance, signs of former industry.

The Fish Sands- well known in Hartlepool
On the town wall
And looking through it!

The town wall is probably the nicest part of the Headland, and certainly the warmest.  These were taken on a warm but strangely foggy day last Summer.  The fog disappeared as rapidly as it came.

Not such a bad old place, is it?  This is my entry for the Weekly Photo Challenge.  Did I tell my story in threes?

Six word Saturday

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Feeling “all at sea” this morning!

I need something soothing to look at.

And needing something soothing to look at.

This little guy too, I think

This little guy too, I think

He's ok now he's found a playmate!

He’s ok now.  He’s found a playmate.

Or two!

Or two?

And so am I!

And so have I!

Back on dry land.

Safely back to shore.

It was a “girl’s night” last night and I overindulged.  Feeling decidedly rocky today.  Hope you have a nice weekend planned.  Join Cate on Show My Face if you have time.  I usually do.

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A bridge too far?
Well, it is, isn't it?

Well, it’s long, isn’t it?

I had no idea that it would be so long!  But then, I’d only ever seen it from the sky as I flew over the Algarve.  I knew it to be a part of the swish resort of Quinta do Lago.  Not my usual stamping ground, but curiosity impelled me to take a closer look.

Parking alongside a selection of resplendent villas at Vale do Garrao, I descended some steps and followed the path around the salt marsh in the direction of the sea.

Vale do Garrao in the distance

The villas at Vale do Garrao

Sure enough, there was the beach

Sure enough, there was the beach

Not too many people to share it with!

Not too many people to share it with on a January day

I plonked myself down for 10 minutes, to enjoy the gentle warmth and the glinting sea.  Then it was time to head off along the beach, in search of the bridge.

And there it was!

And there it was, bridging the gap across the lagoon.

In the far distance, Praia de Faro

In the far distance, Praia de Faro

A burst of colour awaits at Quinta do Lago

And on the shoreline, a riot of colour

While the bridge stretched all the way back to the beach

The bridge stretches all the way back to the beach

This is Quinta do Lago

But now we’re in elegant Quinta do Lago

From the map it looked as though there was a footpath to where the car was parked.  Otherwise it would be a long walk back along the beach.   Following the path, I was surprised to discover a large saltwater lake, with pedal boats tied up for the Winter.

The lake and the country club

The lake and the country club

Back in the land of unaffordable housing

Back in the land of unaffordable housing

But the flora and fauna are free

But the flora and fauna are free

And the bird life in the marshes

And the bird life in the marshes

The colours melting into one another

The colours of nature, sublime!

It just goes to show that you don’t need a pot of money to enjoy the Algarve.  The beauty is all around you and it’s free.  The walk took just a couple of hours and the sun was beginning to dip as I returned.

Flying home, I didn’t see the foot bridge, but I did get a hazy shot of the road bridge out to Praia de Faro.  It was a little cloudy, so not too sad to leave!

The road across the Ria Formosa to Praia de Faro

The road across the Ria Formosa to Praia de Faro

And from another angle

And from another angle

A Lingering look at Windows : week 8
Leo the lion looks out hopefully

Leo the lion looks out hopefully

Remember I was in York last week for Lisa and Leo’s wedding anniversary? This window would have fit quite nicely in the Valentine’s collection, wouldn’t it?  Missed the boat, again!  It wasn’t really the weather for window shopping, but everything looked so tempting.

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And when the rain finally drove me inside, I looked through the pretty stained glass windows of The York Tap at the vaulted station roof.

IMG_3485It’s been a bit drier here this week.  Did you linger outside any windows?  I know Dawn did.  Pop over and take a look.

Six word Saturday

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One hundred Six word Saturday posts!

Shall we celebrate with cake?

Shall we celebrate with cake?

I first joined this challenge on 7th January, 2012.  I had only been blogging for a couple of months and didn’t really have a clue what I was doing.  I simply knew that I wanted to write about travel, and that I needed to extend my readership.  I loved playing with words, too, and the challenge gave me that opportunity.

Two years later, and where am I?  Well, I’ve travelled all right.  Remember Barcelona, or even Porto?

Was there ever a stranger landscape?

Was there ever a stranger landscape? I loved Gaudi’s Barcelona

A very special city for me, Porto

A very special city for me, Porto

I’ve taken you with me many times to my lovely Tavira, and to Poland to meet the family.  We’ve wandered around the streets, stately homes and cliff tops of England (and over the border to Edinburgh, too)  We’ve made some strange discoveries together.  Remember Saltburn-by-the-Sea?

Knitted mermaid on the pier at Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Knitted mermaid on the pier at Saltburn-by-the-Sea

And, of course, you’ve met my lovely daughter and been introduced to the concept of Steampunk. Those cakes in the header were consumed in her presence (no, not ALL of them!)

Lisa in the teacup fascinator she made.

Lisa in the teacup fascinator she made.

In the course of my journey I’ve met some wonderful people.  I’ve learned a little about all kinds of subjects.  So many of you are good at crafts!  My lovely friend Viv has taught me to appreciate poetry, and provided me with cheerful company at Northumberlandia on a bitterly cold day.  And along the way I seem to have picked up an obsession with photography.

A Monkey Puzzle tree in close-up

A Monkey Puzzle tree in close-up, from my “Green” series

I must have done a few things right because this morning my number of “followers” topped 2000!  What can I say except thank you very much to each and every one of you who has liked or commented on one of my posts.

Since joining Six word Saturday I have contributed every week, unless I have been abroad.  I’m well aware that my direction has changed since the beginning, and that 6WS may not be the best vehicle for what I like to do.  I have to thank Cate at Show My Face for her tolerance in allowing me to push the boundaries of six words.  You could say “gentle manipulation”?  I hope you’ve all enjoyed my company as much as I’ve enjoyed yours.  If you’d like to see where two years has taken me, click on my Six word Saturday page.

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A Lingering look at Windows: week 7
A hint of mystery

A hint of mystery and the exotic behind these doors

I’m sure you can’t begin to guess where I was lingering this week?  Does Preston Park Museum ring any bells?  I thought I might do the Winter Garden and the Victorian Street separately- you know, big finale!- but I didn’t want you tiring of the subject.  So we’ll just take a quick peep in the conservatory before moving swiftly on.

Orchids are beautiful, aren't they?

Orchids are beautiful, aren’t they?

There weren’t any comfy seat pads on the chairs and the doors were firmly closed, so I took the hint and kept walking.  And this was my reward!

And this was my reward!

A toy shop window to press my nose up against

So I did!

So I did!  Sorry- I know some of you don’t like Pierrots, but he was loveable.

Maybe chocolate is more your thing?

Maybe chocolate is more your thing?

Or objects d'art?

Or objects d’art?

No shortage of that!

No shortage of those!

I do know one or two of you who don't mind sweets!

I do know one or two of you who don’t mind a sweet treat!

Remember any of these?

Remember any of these?

A few of the shops don’t qualify for this post.  The blacksmith didn’t have a window, as such- just lots of tools.  I wandered into the printers and a very nice young lady was setting up the press to print some cards.  She was well bundled up against the cold, as she needed to be with the door wide open.  I couldn’t photograph her cheerful smile as it was a little dark in there.

But I did find an ironmonger, for the practical ones among you

But I did find an ironmonger, for the practical ones among you

And a photographer, for the family portaits

And a photographer, for the family portraits

This was my very favourite! Apologies for the poor quality of the photo

This was my very favourite shop!  Apologies for the terrible quality of the photo.

I know what some of you are waiting for.  I saw this sign but couldn’t find anywhere to buy an alcoholic drink, though I looked very hard.

Promises! Promises!

Promises! Promises!

So it had to be the tea rooms and the "temperance drinks"

So it had to be the tea rooms and the “temperance drinks”

But you know what I forgot to take a photo of?  The Victorian sponge sandwich on the counter. You’ll just have to take my word for it that it was very nice.  Just in case you’ve missed any of my Preston Park Museum posts, you can find them here, and here, and here.  Understatement- that’s what I’m going for!

Meanwhile I wonder what kind of windows everyone else is showcasing this week.  Find them at Dawn’s The Day After.  I believe she’s gone all romantic this week.

Six word Saturday

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The case of the disappearing train!

Full steam ahead!

Full steam ahead!

Or just a bookcase?

Or simply a bookcase?

During the week I’m going to take you to a wonderful museum at Preston Park, in North Yorkshire.  Because it’s Saturday and I only have six words to describe it (smile!), I’ll just give you a little taster, like the Header above.

A perfect way to tell the time

A perfect way to tell the time!

Snuff anybody? No thanks, but the case is stunning.

Snuff anybody? No thanks, but isn’t the case stunning?

And of course, there are costumes.

And of course, there are costumes.

As I walked into the museum I looked at a “faux” bookcase- or so I thought!  I’d just turned away to the cabinets when, with a mighty roar, the steam train came clanking through.  Then disappeared just as suddenly, and all was still.

Yes, I’m still playing with Headers, but have rejected the “Random” option.  I like a little more control over how I look!  “Menus” aren’t much of an option either, as I’m only allowed one with this theme.

Do join us at Six word Saturday!  There’s always something going on, and Cate at Show My Face will be most happy to receive you.  Just click on the link or the logos.

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More fun with windows!
The morning looked promising through my front window

The morning looked promising through my front window

Which was good, because I planned to travel up to Durham on the bus, to meet a friend for coffee.  After a brisk 20 minute walk, I was on board.

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My friend lives in the “New Inn” and works in Durham City, which has a goodly selection of coffee shops.  Unfortunately we have to cram all our news into her lunch hour, but it does leave me time to wander with the camera.  And you know how I love to do that.

  • I managed to capture a few windows and their reflection in the river

    I managed to capture a few windows, and their reflection in the River Wear

    That way I can claim double the amount of windows!

    That way I can claim double the amount of windows!

    A little gentle window shopping never comes in wrong either

    Time for a little gentle window shopping too

    Especially quirky ones, like this!

    Especially when I can find quirky ones, like this!

    I had intended to take a few more bus window shots on the way home.  Well, I was just getting in the groove!  But the bus windows were so filthy I could barely see out.  Perhaps it’s just as well.

  • I can’t seem to get out of the habit of of taking a Lingering look at Windows.  How about you?  I know Dawn loves them.  Are you joining her this week?