Photography

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-bannerLast week PINK , this week blue!

Whitby harbour, North Yorkshire

Whitby harbour, North Yorkshire

It’s been a very Whitby sort of week when it comes to the blog so I may as well finish as I started.  I’m often blue on grey days, but this week I didn’t have much excuse.

How's this for a cliff top view?

How’s this for a cliff top view?

The sea and sky exquisitely matched
With just a few weeds for distraction
And the rock shelves below
Walking the Cleveland Way
Add a splash of green
What a situation for a caravan park! Whitby Abbey in the background.
Saltwick Nab in all it’s glory!
And the rocks below.
Two specks on a beach
Patterns and shadows
You can just see where the caravans are perched
Turning the corner you can see Whitby pier
Can blue get any bluer?
Getting closer
And then you reach the Abbey
Don’t forget to look around St. Mary’s Church.
Down the steps! Easier than climbing up.
If you’ve still got energy there’s the old pier
Or maybe a cruise on a pirate ship

Hope you enjoyed the trip?  I still have some more shots for a rainy day. Click on any photo to see the gallery.

My grateful thanks to Cate at Show My Face.  Her life seems much harder than mine.  Click on the link or the header to see what’s been happening in her week.

6wsButton

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 37
Window panel on a cottage door in Whitby

Window panel on a cottage door in Whitby, North Yorkshire

Don’t you think this is lovely?  I’ve been visiting Whitby for many years and I always walk down the main pier for the lovely views back at the town and out across the bay.  Picture postcard pretty though it undoubtedly is, the weather can sometimes be bleak on that North Yorkshire coast.  This little window panel seemed to me to speak volumes of the nature of the place.

Out on the pier itself, in glorious weather, there are more windows to see.

The bluest of skies accentuate the lighthouse.

The bluest of skies accentuate the lighthouse.

From top- to bottom!

From top- to bottom!

The beach is overlooked by a row of holiday cottages.  I’d already walked the clifftop and the pier, so time for a sit down and a bite to eat.  But the cobbled Whitby streets are always full of pirate treasures.

Justin's Chocolatier has a sumptuous window

Justin’s Chocolatier has a sumptuous window

The window in close-up

The window in close-up

And “ye olde tea shoppes”!

Yes, please!

Yes, please!

In the end we found an old favourite.

With it's cosy inside, looking out to the courtyard

With it’s cosy inside, looking out to the courtyard

It was just the ending needed to our day.

It was just the ending needed to our day.

Don't you think?

Don’t you think?  But I’m a coffee person, really!

I have to admit to having a naughty glass of wine, but then, the setting was so nice.  If you’re in Whitby, look out for Sanders Yard.

Meantime it’s thanks to Dawn at Lingering Visions for encouraging me to look through windows.  If you have some you’d like to share, follow the link and meet me there.

Weekly Photo Challenge : from lines to patterns
River Esk at Whitby

River Esk at Whitby

I really have no business being here this morning but the sky is grey again and I’m focussing my mind on the beautiful sunny day we walkers had at Whitby on Monday.  It was sparkling!

Out on the old pier

Out on the old pier

That's Saltwick Nab in the distance.

That’s Saltwick Nab in the distance.

A bollard always makes a good shot, don't you think?

A bollard always makes a good shot, don’t you think?

Or what about some "dinosaur's feet"?

Or how about some “dinosaur’s feet”?

Thanks to Cheri at the Weekly Photo Challenge for lifting my spirits.  Click on the link to lift yours.

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Not enough week- too many challenges!

imagesCA3IIGP0So, I’m going to do “a challenge within a challenge”.

PINK! 

How boring, I thought!  That means girly things, flowers and sunsets.  But you know from last week that I love flowers and sunsets.  It’s two years this week since my first post and in all that time I’ve only done the CBBH Challenge four times, though I love Marianne’s work at East of Malaga.  Time to up the numbers!

Pretty pink, in Silves

Pretty pink wall, in Silves, the Algarve

This is the flower I keep seeing everywhere at the minute
Pink perfection, the hydrangea
Or it’s paler friend
This guy is just about finished in our garden
But there’s always plenty of pink shrubbery
Two shy little pinks
The subtlety of these tiny pinks with their protective berries
But for pure flamboyance!

Enough of the flowers.  How about some girly things?  As usual, click on any of the gallery photos for close ups and my cheery commentary.

Anyone got a birthday today?

Anyone got a birthday today?

Such a cute purse!
Sophisticated lipstick holder?
Little girls have such lovely choices these days!
And matching sneekers?
Are you a Minnie fan?
Pooh is gorgeous for tiny tots!
I guess I have to accept it- Winter’s coming

Which sunset to finish with?  That’s the question!

Do you like this one, reflected in the puddle?

Do you like this one, reflected in the puddle?

Or the drama of this one?

Or maybe the drama of this one?

Well, I guess that’s enough pink to complete this challenge, and hopefully entertain my Six word Saturday readers too.  Thanks, Cate, for double hostessing!

With her challenge, Marianne traditionally invites you to introduce two bloggers whose posts you have commented on in the past month.

I have been following Richard at A Bit of Culture since he started his blog, and long before that with his superb, informative articles on Simonseeks.  Go and say “hi” for me!

Having accepted that Christmas might just be around the corner, I thought you’d like to see Cath’s beautiful craftwork on Lizzie Rose Jewellery.  She likes Portugal too, so we’re bound to be friends.

Naturally, a pink logo to finish!  Don’t forget to visit East of Malaga.

6wsButton

Thursday’s Special : the Transporter Bridge
Just a gentle warning not to cross when the bridge isn't there!

Just a gentle warning not to cross when the bridge isn’t there!

A while ago the distant silhouette of the Transporter Bridge appeared in the background of one of my photos.  Paula expressed interest in it, so I thought it might be nice if it were the subject of a Thursday’s Special.

It is, in fact, quite a special structure. The concept of the transporter bridge was invented in 1873 by Charles Smith (1844-82) the manager of the iron works in, would you believe it, my home town, Hartlepool.  It is a type of movable bridge that carries a segment of roadway across a river. The gondola is slung from a tall span by wires on a metal frame. The design is used to cross navigable rivers where shipping traffic needs to pass.  Fewer than two dozen of this type of bridge have ever been built, according to Wikipedia.

Unfortunately Mr. Smith’s proposal was rejected by the local council, but the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge finally came into being in 1911.  At 259 metres wide and 69 metres high it is the second largest such bridge in the world.  The gondola can carry 200 people and 9 cars, and crosses the River Tees in 90 seconds.

The approach to the bridge
The gondola is on the far shore
There are steps up to the top if you’re feeling adventurous
But it’s not often open. I’d love to do it (I think!)
It’s a long way across!
A “close up” of the gondola
Just a few steps!
It looks quite flimsy from here
But it’s a solid structure.
Looking out across the Tees.
The sky was quite moody today.
Time to move on, I think. I haven’t got the brolly!

The bridge never operates on windy days so I wasn’t surprised to find as I approached it that the gondola wasn’t moving.  It wasn’t till I returned home that I discovered that it’s currently closed for repair!  The good news for me was that I had uninterrupted views across the river.  The bad news- the gondola was stranded on the far shore so I couldn’t get across.  But I did discover a cycle track from which I could take even more shots.

Isn’t it a beautiful structure?
You can get a better impression of size from here.
I love the shape of it.
The darkening sky adds drama to the industry on the far shore.
A boat comes chugging beneath it
And off into the distance.
I can’t resist looking back.
More drama!
Boats gather in the mouth of the river (you need to stand on tiptoe!)
It’s a busy industrial landscape, with Roseberry Topping just visible in the distance..

It’s many years since I travelled that way regularly, in my commute to work.  Often on chilly Winter mornings I stood on the riverbank, waiting for the gondola’s approach.  When it landed and I stepped aboard there was always a frisson of excitement.  Now the bus boringly follows the road and crosses the Tees via Newport Bridge.

The Transporter is not so regularly used these days, but a Visitor Centre, on the far shore, pays tribute to its exciting past (and its star performance on the TV sit com Auf Wiedersehn, Pet) but that’s a trip for another day.  The links tell the full story, and if you click on any photo you’ll get my usual running commentary.

I hope that Paula enjoys her virtual visit to the Transporter Bridge with me, and that you’ll all join her on Thursday’s Special.  The pretty logo below will take you there.

jupiter-widget_text

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 35
Saltburn cliff lift with its stained glass windows

Saltburn cliff lift with it’s stained glass windows

This is my third post about Saltburn-by-the-Sea in a week!  Something about “if a job’s worth doing” rings a bell. It is a charming town with a strong hint of Victoriana and quirkiness that has always appealed to me.  It’s situation on the North Yorkshire coast, overlooking Huntcliff Nab, is beautiful.  The cliff lift is the star attraction, and extremely useful if you don’t want to make the long haul up to the town from the beach.

Saltburn Cliff Lift is definitely red..
It’s a steep drop!
Not a great shot but I had to be quick- the lift was going down!
A look back at last year’s Jubilee yarn bombing, on the promenade above the pier.

If the cliff lift’s not in operation, a stroll through Valley Gardens will bring you back up to the town by a more leisurely (but still steep!) route.  After the recent floods you might need your wellies, but in Summer it’s a beautiful woodland stroll beside the tawny stream.  As a real treat the Prince Charles miniature steam train runs through the woods in the holiday season.  I had just missed it and it was safely stowed in the engine sheds, but I found these rather whimsical windows in the childrens’ wildlife-watching area.

What can you see?
Maybe this window’s better?

Back on the cliff top, the town is full of grand old Victorian houses and a spattering of shops.  Maybe a little window shopping before you hunt out a cafe with a view?

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

If you didn’t see my post about the yarn bombing on the pier, have a look at Six word Saturday.  The sea creatures are delightful and the views of Huntcliff Nab are pretty wonderful too.

Meantime, many thanks to Dawn at Lingering Visions.  I love writing posts about windows.  How about you?  Click on the link to see this week’s entries.

Than

Cee’ s Which Way challenge- no. 8
Approaching the coastal footpath north of Seaham

Approaching the coastal footpath north of Seaham

Better get my skates on with this challenge- I’m running out of week!  I am determinedly clinging to blue skies and beautiful walks, even if the reality might be changing.  You may remember this walk from my Weekly Photo Challenge: Sea?  I love the coastal footpaths around our coast.

Isn’t this stone wall a beautiful feature?
A convenient place to leave your flask?
I liked that the pillars had poems relating to the stones
A lovely idea.
Step through onto the footpath and we’re off!
No lingering on that bench!
Sometimes there are tributes to a loved one along the way.
Teasles tickle the skies!
A cheery biker scoots by as we cross over the bridge
And a horse keeps a wary eye on us.
Hawthorn Village? Almost there!
The end’s in sight.

Click on a photo to step out with me.  You can choose which way.

Many thanks to Cee for the encouragment .  Click on the link or Cee’s logo to view the other entries.

Which-Way-Banner1

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-bannerA most unusual point of view

Many’s the time I’ve strolled down Saltburn pier, but it’s never looked like this before.  Roll the gallery for a few smiles.

Beautiful beach huts
A cute crab!
An elegant jellyfish and anemone friends.
The detail is beautiful.
Such a nice view of The Smuggler’s Inn in the background
Crazy yellow at the seaside!
Donkey ride anyone?
Knit and Purl are adorable.
Another jellyfish.
Lobster for tea?
Or shrimp?
Is crab red when it’s cooked?
Gone fishing!
Too much seaweed around here!
A stripey seahorse and his mate.
HELP!
Dangling pretty!
Huntcliff Nab, dramatic in the background.
Just hanging around!
A jolly lighthouse.
A dog and his master take a closer look?

I felt so sorry for Saltburn when I saw the news this morning.  There was extensive flooding after yesterday’s torrential rain.  This morning they’ll be cleaning up.

Yesterday I posted this young lady in the Weekly Photo Challenge which required a a shot from an unusual point of view.  She is very winsome but not in very good focus.  In retrospect I would have been better using either my first or last gallery photo, don’t you think?  Do you have a favourite?

IMG_9301

That’s my six words (and a bit) for this Saturday.  If you’d like to join Cate at Show My Face for Six Word Saturday you’d be very welcome.  The explanation is in the header and the links.

Weekly Photo Challenge : an unusual viewpoint

IMG_9301This is a first for me- a single photograph!  There is a good reason, as I will be posting more in Six word Saturday tomorrow, but this little mermaid seemed to fit the bill perfectly.  The view is of Huntcliff Nab at Saltburn-by-the Sea, another of North Yorkshire’s charming seaside resorts.  A tradition has grown up in recent years of festooning available railings with knitting.  Last year was, of course, the Royal Jubilee, but I was very taken with this year’s seaside theme, artistically draped along Saltburn pier.

I’ve written about Saltburn before, in a post called Secrets, which gives a little of  the area’s history.  Meantime, I hope you like my entry for this week’s Daily Post challenge.  Huntcliff Nab is beautiful in its own right but I love an Unusual Point of View.  Click on the link to view the other entries.

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 34
The view out across the lake

Looking out across the lake, with the Transporter Bridge in the background.

Maybe you remember that I was at Saltholme nature reserve last weekend with some of my Polish family?  The RSPB website describes Saltholme as “big skies, fantastic wildlife and a friendly welcome in the heart of Teesside”.  We certainly had a good time with our Mad Hatter’s tea party.

The landscape is highly industrial with chemical works and Power Station on its doorstep, but the wetlands are a prime site for migrating birds.  At low tide you can also enjoy seals basking on the riverbanks of the estuary.  The state of the art visitor centre and wildlife reserve has breathed new life into a less than desirable area.

The modern windows of the visitor centre, industry on the horizon.
There are plenty of spotlights!
Panoramic windows come into their own when the weather is inclement.
The hides have “windows” for spying on the birds.
There’s even a little good advice.
Captive birds are stencilled on the windows. to enhance that view
Isn’t that a nice thought?

I was having so much fun with the family, I missed week 33 of Dawn’s challenge, but I’m back to play this week.  Check out the other entries at Lingering Visions.  I bet you’ve seen some windows you’d like to share?