Photography

R is for “rodzina”

Rodzina is the Polish word for family, and what an important word it is.

For many years “Polish family”, to me, meant just Dad. My English mother, Nancy, has been dead for 23 years, and, having no brothers and sisters, ours was a small family unit. Then came the fateful phone call. I’ve told the story countless times, but it still fills me with wonder.

Dad (centre) reunited with his brothers and sisters after 64 years

Unknown to him, in Poland, awaited an enormous family. Following the phone call, arrangements were made for us to visit.

From his second marriage, to Laura, Dad already had inherited quite a large English family. Laura was a lovely lady, but she died on Dad’s 70th birthday, leaving him saddened and lonely. My presence and that of my stepbrother, Tony, and his family, was not enough to fill the gap. My stepsister, Lynne, though always in touch, was far distant in Canada. That phone call changed Dad’s life. It also made quite a difference in mine.

Arriving at the farm with cousin, Adam

My cousin Marysia, and neice, Kasia

Ewa in the forefront, Marysia and Jadzia on the right

Cousins, Ewa, forefront, Marysia and Jadzia on the right- Dad, centrestage!

If you’ve followed any of my Polish A-Z you’ll know that I have 26 cousins (one for each letter of the alphabet?) so it’s impossible to show them all here. Off we went to Poland, with camera crew in tow. Dad was featured on North East Tonight on 15th March 2007. Watching the webcam still has me sniffling.

After a day or so in beautiful Kraków, with my cousin Adam, we drove north to meet the family. The cacophony of tooting horns and voices as we drove in through the farmyard gates will stay with me for a very long time. Then, in good old Polish fashion, jemy i pijemy– we ate and we drank! A drive through the woods helped Dad to familiarise himself with the place he had left behind so long ago.

Lighting candles

As all Polish visits seem to do, we ended up at the cemetery. They may celebrate life in fine style, but they never forget to honour loved ones. And the bigger the family, the more the farewells. Already I have said goodbyes to my much-loved Aunt Anna, and to uncle Włodek’s wife, Janina. Cousins Gosia and Dominik were both much too young to die. But life is seldom gloomy around my Polish family.

Life is full of smiles (here with neice, Ula)

Nephew Lukasz with his sister Weronika, soon to be wedded to Wojtek (front)

Her brother, Łukasz, and sister Weronika, soon to be wedded to Wojtek

Beautiful scenery, like Wawel Cathedral

These fountains at Pałac Sztuki in Kraków

A chess piece or two

And cake!

Dad has always been kind, caring and the very definition of a gentleman, whatever life has brought his way. You can read more of his story here. I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing tales of my rodzina Polska. Many thanks to Julie Dawn Fox, who started me off on this Personal A-Z series, and to my good friend at Frizztext for welcoming me to his A-Z. Please click on the links or the logos to see more.

Q is for Quinta

“Quinta” is the Portuguese word for a country home or farmhouse.

It’s something I’ve long aspired to, though I’m more likely to end up in a beach hut! This place on Armona would be fine, with bougainvilea tumbling over the walls, and a pot or two of welcoming hibiscus on the doorstep.

Isn’t it wonderfully tropical? Imagine those palms rustling in the breeze.

There’d be a lemon tree and a fig tree. Maybe a lime too, but no oranges. I’ve never liked oranges, though the blossom is very pretty. I have no idea how long it takes to produce a decent vintage of grape, but the notion of a few vines and their dangling temptation is very appealing.

A little grape trampling anyone?

A Portuguese house isn’t a home without an azulejo panel. Maybe even two!

There’s those tempting grapes again!

And a barco rabelo! What more would I need?

This view of the Douro might come at more than I can afford.

Especially with the swimming pool!

And I could live with wooden ceilings and floors! (The Vintage Hotel, Pinhao)

But I’m getting a little carried away now. It easily happens, doesn’t it? You know I’d never want to be too far from my salt marshes.

When I first visited Portugal I read my “Rough Guide” from cover to cover. One of the Algarve recommends was Quinta de Marim – a nature reserve with a tidal mill. It wasn’t far away, just 2kms east of Olhao, but finding it was a different proposition. I seem to have the ability to blatantly disregard directions in a guide book, while still being convinced that I am on the right track!

Eventually we got there, and I loved what I found. Nothing very fancy. A few nature trails. Wild flowers thriving quite happily in the salt air. The gentle lap of the water flowing through the tidal mill, itself just an old quinta. I need to go back, and soon.

Salt marshes at Fuzeta

The tidal mill at Quinta de Marim

This post hasn’t gone quite the way I thought it would, but this is my Personal A-Z Challenge, and I hope you’ve enjoyed it so far. My customary thanks go to Julie Dawn Fox for conceiving the challenge, and to Frizz who daily inspires and entertains me. This week his A-Z has reached QQQ. Follow the links and logos for a little inspiration yourself.

Six word Saturday

Uplifting YELLOW – the colour of sunshine.

Autumn colour in Richmond, North Yorkshire

Even a sunshine bird like me can’t help but thrill to the colours of Autumn. Crispy days, with the water running dark and the sun shining bright…

And glinting through the leaves.

Here is my gallery of yellow for this week. Click on a photo to roll with me.

Got to love this smack of yellow!

The Carmo Church, Tavira- just a subtle tinge of yellow

Crazy yellow at the seaside!

Beautiful stained glass yellow in the Ratusz in Krakow

Old gold gently washes medieval architecture in Wroclaw

Sunflower yellow rules this display!

My stepdad, Joe, hated the colour yellow, but Mam loved her roses

Here’s a bold statement for a door!

Livingstone daisies light up the beaches on the Algarve

More craziness- Carnival time in Loule

How delicately pretty is this?

And this is simply exquisite!

My kaleidoscopes of colour have brightened my Saturdays over the last few weeks. I can’t resist the opportunity to add this one to the Weekly Photo Challenge, the hue of you.

Join Cheri’s challenge, or simply stay here, nice and comfy with Cate at Show My Face. The world’s your oyster!

Boats, and more boats!

I always wanted a houseboat!

Do you know, I think I know what it must feel like to have your name up in lights on Broadway! Or, maybe Shaftesbury Avenue? Not once, but twice this week I have found my name in a blog! Fame, notoriety, or just really lovely friends? I think you know the answer.

First I’m invited to go Split-toning with Sonel. Now you know, and I know, and even Sonel knows that technique and me are strangers when it comes to photography. But I have been known to mess about a bit.

Whilst I was thinking how best to approach this, I suddenly found myself a sparkling diamond on Paula’s beautiful Thursday’s Special. What’s a girl to do but slap on some powder and paint, add a few spangles, and step onto the landing stage. Ahoy there!

The marina transformed!

Of course, I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m like a child with a paintbox- a splash of this, a dash of that! I only know what I like, and am limited to Ulead Photo Express 4.0 to effect the changes.

I like a working boat too, don’t you?

I could have sketched this myself? Maybe not!

I’m not at all sure that this is appropriate but I really like the effect. I used a variation of “Oilpaint” in Ulead Photo Express. I think it looks a bit like a negative, or a picture in a child’s colouring book.

I don’t mind a boatyard, now and then

And Sonel knows I like sepia. It’s kind of my era!

Such an exotic name for a tiny boat!

This is a watercolour effect- unsure if it’s appropriate, but I really like it.

I rather like the reflection on this one

This blue effect seems to bring the photo alive to me

But, for me, it comes alive with the blue effect.

Talking of reflections, this one I really like

Talking of reflections, this one I really love

And with a pink tint, too.

This little wooden craft is a favourite of mine

Do you like the blue tint?

And in the harbour mighty PSS Wingfield Castle

And finally, in the harbour, mighty paddlesteamer PSS Wingfield Castle

Sepia takes it right back in time, don’t you think?

I have to humbly apologise to Sonel if this wasn’t quite what she intended. Do, please, visit Sonel’s Corner to see how it really should be done, and maybe try it yourself. She is an expert in my eyes, and also the loveliest friend.

Meantime, the star of the show is Hartlepool marina. I have spent many happy hours there taking photographs of boats. Paula knows I love them. I’d like to say thank you to her for making my Thursday very special. Do you have something special you’d like to share? Thursday’s Special is the place to do it.

Six word Saturday

Whiter than white- the theme continues.

Will I ever tire of seeing this frock?

Lisa tells me that she’s worn it three times so far, including once at Carnival in Venice. That’s not bad going for a wedding dress, is it? I’ve been dusting off a few white memories myself.

How lovely is this dahlia? It’s a huge bloom!

If you click on a photo below it will start the gallery rolling.

Symi 1 in Rhodes harbour

The simple beauty of wild cistus on the hillsides of Portugal.

Beautifully framed white doors.

Who’s whiter than Snoopy? (and do you remember Flat Ruthie?)

A handsome caballero on his white stead

The blue and white of the azulejo

Pretty Guimaraes, European City of Culture 2012

The white village of Sanlucar de Guadiana, on the River Guadiana

Keeping watch over the Guadiana from the opposite shore

Side saddle and elegant whites.

A small boy in Greece

Speaking of elegance, I did love Chania in Crete

Wall niches in the Algarve.

My delicate white hellebore

Our garden last Winter (I hear there’s going to be lots more soon?) Dreading it!

Can anything beat a rose for loveliness- even a fading one? (like my memories)

I’ve become a person of few words on Saturdays. Have you noticed? My husband loves the peace and quiet, but more than that, it seems to fit better with Cate’s challenge. Thanks for indulging me.

Visit Show My Face to share your six words and read a few others. It won’t take long! Just click on the header or the link.

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 39

A blurred view of the Tyne Bridge, through the bus window!

Not a promising start, as we drove across the Tyne Bridge into Newcastle-on-Tyne. Only minutes before, the sky was bright blue. I was meeting my lovely friend, Pam, for coffee so I didn’t really mind. As usual, we had a good catch up, then strolled through the shopping centre. Looking up, I observed that blue had been restored.

"Windows" in the ceiling reveal the blue beyond

Ceiling windows reveal the blue sky beyond

Pam was wonderfully tolerant of me happy-snapping random things. (I won’t tell you what she said about the glass in the ceiling!) This phone store window display caught my eye.

iPhones? Yes, please!

Glad to know the Berlin temperature is no better than here!

Seems that the Berlin temperature is no better than here!

When it was time to go our separate ways, I planned to do a little shopping. It was cold outside, but so clear and bright I couldn’t resist having a little more fun with the camera. Newcastle is a beautiful city.

See what I mean? Check out the gallery below.

Some of Grainger Street’s many windows

This is the Northern Goldsmith’s building

The sombre grey is lit by tiny fairy lights

Nothing sombre about Moss outfitters

Amazing what you see when you look up!

In sometimes rather incongruous surrounds!

Thought you'd like to see the splendid Angel of the North on the side of the bus

I really like the splendid Angel of the North on the side of the bus!

But my favourite view is still the reflected one.

Thank you for accompanying me on my lingering look at windows this week. Hope all’s well with you? Please visit Dawn at Lingering Visions to see the other entries and maybe show us a few windows of your own. It can be fun!

N is for “não faz mal”

It seems ages since I was in Portugal, though in fact it was only in July. In the words of a little Portuguese phrase, “não faz mal”- it doesn’t really matter. Não faz mal is a bit like de nada in Spanish, but said with a Portuguese shrug of the shoulders, meaning “It’s ok!”

Portugal will still be there waiting for me, but I can’t help feeling a bit regretful. Autumn is a lovely time to be there. My walking group will be back in action after the Summer heat. So many things I miss.

Like the liquid gold skies on our rooftop

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My mind drifts back over times and places I’ve shared with you, and maybe some I haven’t. Like my favourite island Armona.

A pretty beach house on Armona

And another!

The caraval “Bom Sucesso” which sails from Olhao

The beautiful brickwork in the town gate, Faro

Displays in the Maritime museum

The tidal mill at Quinta de Marim

Columbus Bar- a cool place to chill in F aro

Não faz mal! It really doesn’t matter. Click on a photo to see the gallery. I’m nostalgic today but who knows what tomorrow might bring?

Fabrica as the evening falls

Grateful thanks to Julie Dawn Fox for inspiring my Personal A-Z series, and to Frizz, who always welcomes people to his world. The links will take you there.

Six word Saturday

Would you believe, GREEN this week?

Do you sense a theme going on? Green has never been one of my favourite colours. I always feel it needs something else to “lift” it or to provide contrast, but that’s probably my lack of skills with a camera. In a week of not much happening, I thought I’d try to entertain you with a gallery of green.

A moment this Summer, sitting in my pergola

Green acorns

A splash of red makes all the difference

A vintage bus in Wensleydale

These berries are still green

But these are luscious pink!

Steam traction in Great Ayton village, North Yorkshire

A hint at the changing season- gorgeous Chinese lantern

It’s such an English colour, isn’t it? And the colour of that little green demon, jealousy, of which I’m often guilty. The leaves are falling at an alarming rate, so I guess this is my goodbye to Summer. Next week’s colour is sure to be Autumn.

Time to see what’s befallen my friends on Six word Saturday this week. Follow the links or click on the header to visit Cate at Show My Face.

Which Way? The Cleveland Way!

You know I love it!

I think I may have warned you that I still have a Whitby clifftop shot or two up my sleeve? Well, Cee is giving me the perfect opportunity to show them off.

Whitby or Robin Hood’s Bay?

Today, Whitby wins!

This whole coast is protected by the National Trust.

Nice acorns!

Tempting to drop down into the bay?

Sidling past Whitby Abbey

And down the infamous steps.

Now we’re here you may as well come and see a little more of Whitby, if you’re not bored, of course? As usual, click on a photo to see it in gallery form.

Along the pier is a good way to go.

I’ve been that way a time or two!

Over the iconic swing bridge.

100 years of history

So, let’s cross over it.

Fishing trip anybody?

This little guy’s game.

A poetic ending!

Well, I think I’ve probably got Whitby out of my system, for the time being. The Goth Festival’s taking place there at the end of this month. Now there’s a spectacle you oughtn’t to miss!

Thank you so much, Cee, for hosting Which Way? I’ve enjoyed every step of it. Click on the links or the logo to read more about the challenge.

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 38

Icecream, anyone?

I think, by now, most people who follow me will have a pretty good idea of how the place where I live looks. I’ve trekked you north and south of here, showing you some spectacuilar scenery, and a little industrial grunge too. What you won’t have seen much of, until now, is our neighbouring seaside “resort”, Seaton Carew.

Like such resorts throughout Britain it’s a little tacky, but in the summer months it’s a mecca for young and old alike. (and I’m not just talking bingo!) It has a decent stretch of beach, a paddling pool and, of course, amusement arcades to part you from your pennies. There’s really only one street to it, so you can’t exactly be overwhelmed.

Two fish and chip shops scowl at each other across the main street, and you can buy burgers and icecreams from the kiosks. No candy floss, though. I used to love that sugary smell and watching it whizz around the drum. These days I’m rather fond of lemon tops. I love the sharpness before you get down to the slurpy icecream. How about you? What’s your favourite seaside treat?

The Almighty Cod

With it’s almost elegant seating outdoors

Or good old fashioned Youngs.

Don’t you always forget the bucket and spade? Dad can queue at the chippie while mum nips in here.

Or there’s the “sit down” option at the Waverley Cafe.

Then there’s the arcades. You know you want to!

I don’t know that I’d book a holiday here, but there are a couple of nice hotels and some B & B’s. The Staincliffe is popular as a wedding venue, and has made a bid for notoriety by naming the Darwin Room after a local character who pretended to have died to get his hands on his insurance. He paddled off into the sea and was never seen again. (until he was spotted in South America) Don’t say we don’t have a sense of humour in the north east.

The Marine Hotel on the seafront

The notorious “Darwin Room”- fine dining, indeed!

The Nordic walkers often have a Christmas carvery there.

How about this for windows?

I thought I’d better show you these windows before the last of our hoped-for Indian Summer disappears. It’ll be too cold to linger soon and we’ll all be clutching our hot chocolates.

There’s always Red’s when you need to warm up!

Hope you enjoyed a saunter through Seaton with me. I never mind lingering at a few windows. Visit Dawn at Lingering Visions to spy out a few more.

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Photography

R is for “rodzina”

Q is for Quinta

Six word Saturday

Uplifting YELLOW – the colour of sunshine.

Boats, and more boats!

Six word Saturday

Whiter than white- the theme continues.

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 39

N is for “não faz mal”

Six word Saturday

Would you believe, GREEN this week?

Which Way? The Cleveland Way!

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 38

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Uplifting YELLOW – the colour of sunshine.

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Whiter than white- the theme continues.

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Would you believe, GREEN this week?

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