Photography

Weekly Photo Challenge : Sea

IMG_9070There’s nothing I like better than to crest the brow of a hill and see it sparkling in the distance.  It’s like a magnet from then on and my gaze keeps returning to it, imagining myself on that shore.  I’ve lived within sight of the sea for most of my life, and cannot imagine a time where I couldn’t stroll on a beach at will.  It’s lucky for me that there are endless stretches of cliff top walking in my rugged corner of north eastern England.

IMG_9087IMG_9092IMG_9095IMG_9099IMG_9108IMG_9110IMG_9112IMG_9115These photos were taken this morning on the stretch of coast just south of Seaham.  You may remember, I posted recently about the town and its regeneration in No time like the present.

This is my entry for the Weekly Photo Challenge.  The sea is a subject that never fails to engage me.   I’m off now to check out the other entries.  Come with me?

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-bannerFamily fun in all its guises!

A Mad Hatter’s tea party!
With the cutest rabbit
And, of course, the Dormouse.
Not quite sure about the worm but Mariusz liked him.
Mole was good for hugs though.
Arek is the one with boundless energy.
Rafal was endlessly patient with his younger brothers.
And Mum, Grazyna, is always full of smiles.
We did some serious stuff birdwatching in the hides too. Sssh- be very quiet!

Fun is guaranteed when my Polish family from Norfolk come to visit.  The above shots were taken at Saltholme, a local birdwatching nature reserve.  Click on any photo to follow the story line.

The sun shone on us in Durham.
The views were wonderful up on the Cathedral roof.
And the floral displays made us smile.
Especially these little guys!
We found the Hartlepool sampler
Then we crossed a bridge or two. All worn out! (except Arek)

In Durham, we took the Castle tour (Rafal is considering Durham University, based in the Castle, as one of his options).  I was delighted to find that it was the first day of the flower festival in the Cathedral, but it was, of course, busy.

More fun is anticipated today.

What have you been doing with your week?  Share it in Six word Saturday.  The links or the header will take you there.  Hope you have a happy weekend!

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Capture the Colour 2013

My lovely friend Suzanne, The Travelbunny, has tagged me to take part in this year’s Travelsupermarket competition, Capture the Colour 2013.  When you’re at my level it’s just a bit of fun, but the prizes are brilliant, and some of the entries I’ve seen so far are pure inspiration.  Nothing to lose, right?

The door is just about to open.

A string of white rosary beads on the Carmo Church, Tavira.

The above shot is my entry for White.  I used it in a Six word Saturday post when I’d just returned home from the beautiful Eastern Algarve. I was trying to get the images out of my head and back to my “real world” in England.

Romantic Summer evenings weren’t so easy to forget.  Blue was the mood, and leads to my second entry from Tavira, pictured  below.

A moonlight wander.

A moonlit blue for an evening stroll.

But eventually you settle back in and start to plan for the next excitement.  A wedding anniversary certainly helped.  The trompe l’oeuil effect in my favourite Italian restaurant in Durham provided me with an interesting Green entry, and a good post for the Lingering look at Windows series.

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Atmospheric green and trompe l’oeuil in La Spaghettata.

I looked through a lot of Polish windows earlier this year too, none more lovely then my Yellow entry.  The Ratusz stands prominently in the market square, Rynek Główny, in Kraków.  I had often looked at it in admiration but it wasn’t till I climbed the tower that I found these gems.

Through the windows of the bell tower of the Ratusz or Town Hall in Krakow

Yellow stained glass windows in the bell tower of the Ratusz (Town Hall)

I thought long and hard about my last colour, Red.  I know that this isn’t a prize winning shot but to me it’s very special.  It captures all the warmth and vibrance of the amazing occasion which was my daughter’s Steampunk wedding this year.  My red-haired lady and her beloved cut a dashing pair.  Lisa made her gown and Leo’s red frock coat.  I think she deserves a place in this post.

Lisa and Leo leaving the church

Lisa and Leo leaving the church

I hope you enjoyed my selections as much as I enjoyed the chance to look back.  Time to look forward and nominate 5 people to take part in the challenge.

Cathy of Catbird in Europe (just to confuse you, she’s now Nomad, Interrupted)

Lynn at Blue Brightly

Seonaid at Breathe of Green Air

James and Terri at Gallivance  (an unfair advantage here, methinks!)

Guntha at Movin’ On

I know that in making these selections I’ve kissed goodbye to my chances, but it’s all about the taking part, isn’t it? (boo! hoo!)  You have until 9th October to get your entries in folks, and you don’t even have to wait to be nominated.  All the details regarding entry are at Travelsupermarket.com.  Just follow the link.  Good luck!

Thank you, Paula
"Sunshine on the water makes me happy"

“Sunshine on the water makes me happy”

A litttle while ago, Frizztext, whom I’m sure most of you will know and admire, placed this video in my Comments box and gladdened my heart.  It’s John Denver singing “Sunshine on my shoulders”, a song that always brings a lump to my throat.

Beautiful, isn’t it?  I thought I might follow it up with a few shots that always make me smile.

A lazy day when the umbrella was needed to keep the sun at bay

A lazy Tavira day when the umbrella was needed to keep the sun at bay

I love the angle of this boat on the water

A little boat to sail away on.

This hibiscus is planted outside our house and welcomes us back each trip.

This hibiscus is planted outside our house and welcomes us back each trip.

Everything that makes me smile about the island of Armona

Everything makes me smile about the island of Armona.

The storks in Faro old town

The storks in Faro old town

The smallest participant at the folk fair.r
A cumberbund dilemma!

Endearing scenes from the Folk Festival

Those tents by the river always mean something good's happening.

Those tents by the river always mean something good is happening.

My rooftop, too!

From earliest morning, I love each of my days.

Not possible to leave out that bridge, is it?

Impossible to leave out my bridge, isn’t it? Like this angle?

Irresistibly drawn back to that beach.

But I’m irresistibly drawn back to that beach.

Flowers, ever present, in every season.

Flowers, ever present, in every season.

Paula, who is always Lost in Translation, asked what inspires you.  This is my offering, with thanks to Paula and the inimitable Frizz.

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Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- week 32
Leeds indoor market

Leeds Kirkgate Market

Returning from my daughter’s in Nottingham on Monday, the National Express bus decanted me into Leeds for an hour and a half, before my onward journey home.  It wasn’t the warmest of days and I was happy to escape into Kirkgate Market for a delicious chicken, mushroom and cheese pancake.  As an additional bonus I snapped a few windows in this beautiful building.

If you follow the link it will give you the convoluted history of the building.  For my purposes it’s enough to say that it’s the largest covered market in Europe, with around 800 stalls.  The market dates back to 1822, the first covered sections being added from 1850.  The domed, glazed roof was modelled on Paxton’s Crystal Palace in London’s Hyde Park.  It has enormous appeal.

One last snippet of information- Kirkgate Market was the founding location of Marks and Spencer, which opened initially as a penny bazaar.  A commemorative clock was unveiled to mark the centenary of M & S in 1984.  Today there is still a Marks and Spencer’s stall alongside the clock.

Famous Marks and Spencer and the centenary clock.
Anyone remember a penny bazaar?
The flower stalls are lovely.
And the dragons are splendid!
The balcony was used for “fancy goods”.
This way for fish!
That’s my little crepe bar along at the end.
I sat at the little “outside” table
Oops! How did this get in here?
Just a few sweets to finish!

Click on the gallery to wander the market with me.

Thanks Dawn, for reminding me every week how much I like windows.  To join the challenge, visit Lingering Visions.

Weekly Photo Challenge : Carefree
Flying high in the Algarve.

Flying high in the Algarve.

I struggled a bit to find carefree this week.  It’s not always gifted to us, is it?  But if there’s anywhere I can find it, you might know it would be in my beloved Algarve.  Click on the gallery below and maybe lighten your spirits.

Dipping and diving- what could be more carefree?
How about my swing seat, poised for action?
My favourite island, Armona, always promises carefree
Especially on the beach.
Nothing more carefree than children, even in a crocodile.
A ride on a toy train might do it, or would you choose the bike?
Flowers spilling over promise carefree to me.

I’m feeling better already.  Have you entered the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge yet?  Hoping this finds you in a carefree frame of mind.

Six word Saturday

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Visiting daughter in Nottingham- back Monday.

A ship's figurehead

Lisa as a ship’s figurehead

Market Square, Nottingham
Lisa in the teacup fascinator she made.
We’ll put the kettle on
And sit on the settee
Or maybe at the table she hand decorated
And I’ll admire the flower arrangements she made for her wedding
And the photos on the sideboard. That’s Mam in the middle.

Visit Cate at Show My Face for more Six word Saturdays.

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Thursday : Lingering look at windows- week 31

I’m struggling to fit eveything in tonight because I’m going to my daughter’s in Nottingham for the weekend tomorrow.  But it’s Thursday, and that means a lingering look at windows, right?

I thought I’d simply show you more of the trompe l’oeuil windows that I featured in Sonel’s black and white photo challenge this week, but in colour, of course.  Which is quite amusing because Dawn at Lingering Visions has chosen to use black and white photos for the challenge.  They are really fabulous, so do go and look.

My “windows” are a feature of the Italian restaurant “La Spaghettata” in Durham.  I think you’ll agree, they lend a wonderful atmosphere.

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The swing bridge at Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales

The swing bridge at Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales

Earlier this week this bridge proved rather popular, and if I find a winning formula… well, you know how it is.  It was part of a five mile walk through lusciuous countryside in Swaledale.  I crossed over the bridge and followed the River Swale till I found another of my favourite ways- stepping stones.  Got your walking boots with you?

The swing bridge, or the doctors? Your choice.
Through a gate. The moors are capped with purple heather.
And there’s the bridge!
Set in stone.
I always like to read the history.
Over a stile
The stepping stones… but you might get a bit wet.
No worries- there’s another bridge.
And a confusion of signs.
Isn't the water a wonderful colour?

Isn’t the water a wonderful colour?

It was back to Reeth and the Copper Kettle Tearooms for us, but that’s another post.  This is my entry for Cee’s Which Way photo challenge on week 6.  Click on the crossroads to view the other entries.

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Black and White weekly photo challenge : Windows (and doors)
Spotted in the entrance to The Station, Richmond

An interesting view of windows and doors in The Station, Richmond.

You could be forgiven for thinking that I’m still participating in Sonel’s Abstract black and white photo challenge with the above shot, but you would be wrong.  One of many things I have gained from the challenges is the desire to look at things a little differently, and to experiment now and then.  No-one encourages this more than Sonel, and she very much enjoys to “play” with her photography and create wonderful effects.

Sonel gave us permission to post this week, although the challenge is sadly concluding.  You probably know I’m partial to windows (and doors) so I’m happy to contribute one last time.

A quirky window in Durham

A whimsical window in Durham

Trompe l'oeuil windows in a favourite Durham restaurant

Trompe l’oeuil windows in a favourite Durham restaurant

Spag B & W 2It was our 24th wedding anniversary yesterday and, in addition to receiving 24 red roses, I was taken to a favourite Italian restaurant in Durham, “La Spaghettata”.  The trompe l’oeuil panels always capture my attention, and I thought you might like them in black and white.

Colour will always be my first love, but I have enjoyed my flirtation with black and white.  I hope you have too.

Sonel, I don’t care whether you show me your delightful Vervet monkeys in black and white or in gentle colour.  All that matters is that you continue to share your enormous talents with us, as, and when, you can.  On behalf of all of us who have taken part in your Black and White photo challenge, thank you.

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