Photography

From a bridge, to a barrage.
A completely different bridge

The bridge at the Whitewater Rafting Centre

If you saw my entry for the Weekly Photo Challenge this week, you might just have wondered what you would find if you crossed over that bridge. Come with me, and I’ll satisfy your curiosity.

You may remember that we started with this remarkable bridge

You may remember , I started with this remarkable bridge

The Infinity Bridge was constructed across the River Tees, at a cost of £15 million, and opened on 14th May 2009.  It was part of a massive regeneration project linking the river banks and providing a very pleasant environment for walking and cycling.  Full details are in the enclosed Wikipedia link, but a rather special feature is the sensory lighting system, which illuminates the bridge at night.  I have yet to play with this!

Footpaths stretch along both banks, leading in one direction to the town of Stockton.  The opposite direction leads to the Tees Barrage and eventually out to sea.  It can be quite an interesting bit of shoreline.  The Tees Barrage is used to control the flow of the river and to prevent flooding.  The waters beyond the barrage are permanently held at the level of an average high tide.   The Barrage, which opened on 22nd April, 1995, has a design life of 120 years!  It also incorporates a white water course,  a real crowd pleaser if an event coincides with a sunny day.

The Barrage always attracts the curious
And has many interesting angles
And curves
Like these.

And looking back from the Barrage, what can you see?

The Infiniity Bridge, of course

The Infinity Bridge, on the skyline, of course

Just look at that blue sky!

And just look at that blue sky!

Today all is calm on the White Water course

Today all is calm on the White Water course
Not a ripple disturbs the water.

Barely a ripple disturbs the water

But sometimes the Fire Brigade provide a little sport

But sometimes the Fire Brigade provide a little sport!

If nothing is happening on the white water, you can often find entertainment from the antics of the seals in the River Tees.  They seem as interested in the Barrage as are humans.  There is also a small nature trail, for a close up on the wildlife.  It can be a breezy spot though, so don’t forget to wear your warm jacket.  I did!

An object of great beauty
The Infinity Bridge, Stockton-on-Tees

The Infinity Bridge, Stockton-on-Tees

An object that tells a story was what Cheri asked for on the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge.  I hadn’t intended to take part this week but, returning from a flying visit to a retail park this afternoon, I caught a glimpse of one of my favourite bridges, silhouetted against a wonderful sky.  “Can we stop for just a minute?”  I asked, and was off like a whirlwind, clutching the camera.

The “story” for me is always what is on the opposite shore.  I love the “invitation to cross” that a bridge always provides.  How about you?

And again

Again

And again!

And again!

Have you entered yet?  I’m off to read some of the other “stories”.

Six word Saturday

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Today I’ve chosen a Header Photo

And it has a nautical theme

With a nautical theme, you may notice.

Those offshore windmills will be turning

Those offshore windmills will definitely be turning today

Because it's a bright and breezy day

Because it’s bright and breezy (you could substitute the word “cold”)

One of these days I'll take you on the "Monkey trail"

One of these weeks I’ll take you on the “Monkey trail”

More properly known as the "Headland Story Trail"

More properly known as the “Headland Story Trail”

But it's a little cold for lingering today

But not today- it’s a little cold for lingering.

Much more suited to the marina

And much more suited to the calm of the marina

Maybe you remember that last week my Header was a plain, bold black?  During the week I’ve tinkered about a bit and come to a few conclusions.  In the main, I’m happy with the plain Header, because I usually start my post with a photo, and there’s more impact this way.  But for a post like this, where I start with a logo, I think a photo looks better.

This generates its own problems, because the writing on the Header is white, and I cannot change the colour unless I pay to customise it.  So, I need to use a fairly dark toned photo for the writing to show up.  This limits my choice a little, but I’ve enjoyed playing with the Headers, and I expect you’ll be seeing more.  I’ll have to change it with each post or it won’t match, and if you visit another of my posts after this one, that won’t match either! (for anyone missing my old Town Wall header photo, it’s now consigned to my Flickr photos, in the sidebar)

Next week, the problem of Menus and Categories.  Do many of you use them?  If not, how do you go about finding posts?

As often happens, I’m using my Six word Saturday in a slightly unconventional way.  But it’s interesting, isn’t it?  Well, I hope you think so.  Cate at Show My Face will have lots of variations on the theme, so don’t forget to click on the link or the logo to join in.

Flowers for Jake!
Flowers in bread oven

Flowers in bread oven

You have to smile, don’t you?  Whenever I’ve done one of Jake’s challenges, I’ve always sang along to myself as I selected the images.  Don’t ask me why, but it’s become a habit.  I didn’t spot this challenge till late in the week so even by my standards it’s a bit late for a Sunday Post.

What am I singing?  Well, I was humming away to an old tune “Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing”…  I don’t know if you know it, but when I got to the line “gone to graveyards everyone” I realised what a very sad song of war it is.  And that just won’t do.  So, determined to make you smile, I’m singing the Move’s “Flowers in the rain”.  Far more appropriate for many of us, I’m sure you’ll agree?

Yes, it rains in the Algarve, but it's still beautiful!

Yes, it rains in the Algarve, but it’s still beautiful!

I think I may have seen these in England, too

I think I may have seen these in England, too

It's always amazing what you can find in the hedgerows

It’s always amazing what you can find in the hedgerows

Just growing completely wild and beautiful

Just growing completely wild and beautiful

Or tamed in the landscape

Or tamed in the landscape
I found this pretty fellow shining in some bushes

I found this pretty fellow shining in some bushes

But I always love a "pop" of colour

But I always love a “pop” of colour

So we'll end in the rain. This might be the guy for me!

So we’ll end in the rain. This might just be the guy for me!

As ever, I hope you enjoyed my singing.  You’re quite lucky not to be sitting here in the front room, with me! Please give Jake a little of your time and attention.  His graphics are totally inspiring (unlike my singing).

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Thursday’s Special in Cacela Velha
Beyond the wall

Beyond the wall

There are few places more special to me than the tiny village of Cacela Velha in the Algarve.  Long before I ever came to Portugal I had read about it in the Rough Guide.   A cobbled path surrounds the church, and on a day with even the merest hint of sunshine you can sit on a bench, with your back against the church wall, and gaze dreamily out to sea.

The occasional footfall disturbs and a visitor will appear, round the corner.  Some will nod, “Bom dia!” with a trace of a smile.  Others avert their eyes or focus on the view beyond the wall.  There are two benches and sometimes the other is occupied.  A bike might be propped against the wall. There is no transport into the village.  The birds sing, and alight shyly on the wall.  All is peace and tranquillity.

The lagoon stretches as far as the eye can see

The lagoon stretches as far as the eye can see

The clouds stir and endlessly fascinate

The clouds bump and blend- endlessly fascinating

After a while I rise from the bench and walk round to the front of the church.  The carvings around the door each tell their own story.

The church doorway, in Manuelline style
A noble head
And another
A knight of yore?
And a bull
Weaponry
Decoration
and the harvest.

The village is Sunday quiet, but then, it’s like that most days!  All of the activity centres on the cemetery and the bringing of fresh flowers.  But I know that this village can erupt into life.  I was there once for the Festival of Enchanted Nights.  Hookahs, Turkish tea and dancing ladies!  Can you imagine it?

There is really only one “wind around” street
The houses are all traditional style
Many with colour trim
The church is closed but the cemetery open
The well or “nora” is still central to village life

Changes come, as they surely must, but I so hope that Cacela Velha hangs on to the integrity which, for me, makes it a very special place.

Wishing Paula a very special Thursday.  It’s her birthday!

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Windows on the soul

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I have a strange entry for Dawn’s Lingering look at Windows this week.  Maybe a little mournful, and not playing strictly by the rules.  But I do think that these windows are rather beautiful, and hope that you will too.

Eternal roses

Roses for eternity

Sunflowers for Fernanda

Sunflowers for Fernanda

 Simplicity for Maria

Simplicity for Maria
Lilies and colour for Joao

Lilies and colour for Joao

More roses for Rosa

More roses for Rosa

Eternal health

Eternal health

The wife of Jacinto

The wife of Jacinto

And pretty pink for Teresa

And the prettiest of pinks for Teresa
All keeping each other company

All keeping each other company

In England we have nothing like this, and I am always drawn by this expression of love.  On a Sunday afternoon, in a sleepy Algarve village, family members come and go, bringing fresh flowers and relighting candles.  I watch quietly and respectfully, and then try to capture the serenity.  Even in such a tiny village, newer members have their problems.

Reaching the top boxes is for the fit and agile

Reaching the top boxes needs a head for heights

Windows come in all shapes and sizes, don’t they?  For a very different view, visit Dawn- A Lingering look at windows-  week # 5

Quinta de Marim
The tidal mill at Quinta de Marim

The tidal mill at Quinta de Marim

This is the perfect Algarve walk when it’s too nice to be indoors, but not warm enough to sit on a beach.  Doesn’t that boardwalk call to you?  It does to me.

Quinta de Marim is part of the Ria Formosa nature reserve.  A 3 km trail leads through the pines and around the salt marshes, taking in the lovely old tidal mill en route.  The main purpose of the reserve is conservation and education.  The best option is to buy a map for a couple of euros and go at your own pace, but a guided tour is also available for advanced bookings.

No putting out to sea in this, I don't think!

No putting out to sea in this, I don’t think!

In the distance you can see the island of Armona

In the distance you can see the island of Armona

The tidal mill is the highlight of the reserve

But for me, the tidal mill is the highlight of the reserve

It sits proudly on the water

It sits proudly on the water

Looking out to sea

Looking out to sea

The views from the roof are captivating

The views from the roof are captivating

Sky and sea become one

Sky and sea blend into one

In a bird watcher's paradise

In a bird watcher’s paradise

A place where the spirit soars

A place where the spirit soars

I had never come across the concept of a tidal mill before and so was pleased that, inside the mill, display boards explain how it works.

Light floods in, illuminating the mill wheels

Light floods in, illuminating the mill stones

The ebb and flow of tide is what makes the mill work

The ebb and flow of tide is what makes the mill work

I had never seen anything quite like it before

I had never seen anything quite like it before

In season I believe the mill operates a small cafe, but it was closed when I was there.  The rest of the reserve incorporates salinas (or salt pans), a traditional farmhouse, a bird hospital and several hides for birdwatching.  Traditionally Portuguese water poodles were kept here- a special breed with webbed toes, once used in the fishing process.  These days they are most often seen in public demonstrations.

A Portuguese water poodle in action

A Portuguese water poodle in action

The reserve is close to Olhao Camping, and is signed off the E125 just before you reach Olhao, if you’re approaching from the east.

Six word Saturday

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A new look- same old me!

This is me- a little battered by time

Portugal often reminds me of myself- a little battered by time

But still hopeful of a bright tomorrow

Yet still hopeful of a bright tomorrow.

A little quirky!

A little quirky sometimes…

And often down-at-heel

And often down-at-heel!

But still full of dewy promise

Just occasionally full of dewy promise

But more often, stubborn as a mule!

But more often, stubborn as a mule!

Happy to find a nice bench to chat on

Always happy to find a nice bench to watch the world from

And a boat or two, bobbing on the water

Or even better, a couple of boats, drifting on the water

This is my new look.  I wanted something a little “cleaner” and less cluttered, but I’m not entirely happy with it.  I still hanker after “the old look” and my nice header photo.  What do you think?  It definitely needs a bit of work, and I might well revert to type. That’s me all over!

Meantime, don’t forget it’s Saturday.  Have you got six words you want to share? Cate at Show My Face will be happy to receive them.  Just click on the link or the header to join in.

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A Lingering look at windows- a little fun in week # 4
Our neighbourhood Dalmation, Louie

Our neighbourhood Dalmation, Louie

I’m feeling kind of mischievous this week.  While I was in the Algarve, I did a little spying on the neighbours.  I had to be careful though.  Some of them were looking right back at me!

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Have you spied on any windows this week?  Dawn at Lingering Visions would love to see them (and so would I).  So, why not share?

Six word Saturday

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Home is where the heart is?

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I seem to keep leaving mine behind.  It’s a bad habit!

Who wouldn't love a place that looked like this?

Who wouldn’t love a place that looked like this?

With Nativity scenes like this

With Nativity scenes like this

And this

And this

And a pontoon bridge like this

And a pontoon bridge like this

Countryside like this

Countryside like this

Washing on a line like this

Washing on a line like this

Even with moody skies like this

Even with moody skies like this.

Or how about happy dogs on a sunset beach like this

Or how about happy dogs on a sunset beach like this

Beside the ferry, abandoned for the winter

Beside the ferry, abandoned for the Winter,

Or maybe a view like this would charm

Or maybe a view like this would charm

Views like this

Or even, like this?

I expect you can see why I keep leaving my heart behind?  Each time, I say “Goodbye little house”, with a lump in my throat.

It’s Saturday again, and six words time. Cate at Show My Face is our hostess. Would you like to play?

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