Photography

Nostalgic

Funny how often two challenges collide, or rub shoulders. I had barely posted Urban Design on Friday when the Weekly Photo Challenge loomed into view : Nostalgic. Old films and Nat King Cole. But that very morning I’d been reliving nostalgia at the top of Christ Church tower.

I’d been on a mission to purchase a few “surprises” for my husband’s birthday next week. The sky was blue. My camera was in hand. What better time to climb the tower for the promised “bird’s eye view” of Hartlepool? I reached the top and was just starting to take some shots when I heard the door open behind me. Darn, I thought. It wasn’t a large space and I greedily wanted it all to myself.

The lady smiled at me, and of course, I smiled back, and as I never can resist doing, slipped into conversation. She had been born and raised in the town, but had later married an American and now lived in the States. Over the years she had visited mum and dad in Hartlepool, but now both were dead, and after settling their affairs she was saying a final farewell to the town. She had climbed the tower because at last she could, knee surgery having given her back that ability.

Looking at the town below us, we traded memories. Do you remember Lynn Street? The Indoor Market with it’s treasure trove of stalls? Corned beef slices, fresh from the tray? The sweet shop with chunky “rhubard and custards”? The docks were over there- do you remember the chain links and gangways? Hasn’t the town changed?

On and on we went, reminiscing, exchanging snippets of our lives. We parted, finally, and I made my way back down to the ground, full of nostalgia for what had been, but a little proud of the survivor that Hartlepool still is. I can’t show you the past, but I can show you the now.

It was dark inside but I still could capture the sun

A first peek!

View from Christ Church tower over Hartlepool

Remember Blacketts, and Binns? Long gone.

The story of the church

A new, and modern, stained glass panel.

I don’t want to repeat the photos you can see on Urban Design, but I did want to share the experience. I wish the lady the very best for the future. I so enjoyed our memories. This is my entry for Weekly Photo Challenge : Nostalgic.

Black and White weekly photo challenge : Bridges

A romantic view of Durham

Durham is a city of many bridges. The River Wear threads its way backwards and forwards between the historic houses, and it’s quite hard NOT to take a photo of a bridge or two.

Here we have two bridges for the price of one. Agree?

County Durham is known as the Land of the Prince Bishops and gets a small mention in the Wikipedia link. The “Prince Bishop” river cruiser has been tootling up and down a short stretch of this river for as long as I can remember.

Under the road bridge, looking back at the Cathedral.

Under the road bridge, looking back at “Prince Bishop” and the Cathedral.

I rarely visit Durham without strolling along the riverside path. The bustle of the Market Square and always busy Cathedral seem a world away.

This is the classic view, seen on numerous postcards.

The river has paths on both banks for some of its passage through the city, so you can meander like the river, and choose which bridge you want to cross.

Milburngate Bridge with castle and cathedral above.

Some years the weir is filled to the brim. Sadly, this year, erosion has affected the riverbanks in a few places. Part of our constant battle with nature.

There are always rowing boats tethered by Framwellgate Bridge.

Durham has a famous university, and for much of the year students can be seen sculling rapidly along the water’s surface. In June the regatta gives them the chance to show off their skills, and it’s a fun day out.

I’m normally very much a Summer person, but there is one event that takes place in Durham every second November that I hate to miss. During “Lumiere” many of the bridges are spectacularly lit. You can see this in full colour in my recent post Water under the bridge, but for this challenge I have to stick with black and white.

Trying to find the best vantage point to take the shot.

How about this one?

So that’s my take on Sonel’s Black and White photo challenge this week. I hope you enjoyed wandering the riverbanks of Durham with me. Let’s do it in colour another time, shall we?

I’m off to check out the other entries to the challenge. Sonel has given us quite a wide brief. The main stipulation is that we work with black and white only- no shades, which means my sepia friend is not allowed. The button below will take you to the home page of the challenge.

Six word Saturday

A week of scarecrows, and “fun”!

Castle Eden “bottle bank”?

As I was updating my Six word Saturday page yesterday I realised that this is my 70th Six word Saturday post. Amazing! It started out as a bit of fun, and I hope it still is? I posted my round up of the scarecrow festival in the villages on Tuesday, but I think I might just have a few more photos to share.

A “snorting good time” in Elwick

Elwick's a nice looking village with a beautifully well-kept green.

Elwick’s a nice looking village with a well-kept green. (and Bertie Bassett!)

But there were some rough-looking individuals there on Sunday!

But here's a pretty lady! Missummer Madness?

Here’s a pretty lady! Midsummer Madness? That was the theme.

A little nonchalant fishing was going on elsewhere in the village.

But a good time was being had by all.

There was even pizza for the hungry.

And Laurel and Hardy seemed to approve.

But everyone was agreed- they all loved the caterpillar!

To see the full parade of scarecrows, click on It’s Show Time! Wishing you a fun week too!

Meantime I should say thanks to Cate at Show My Face for hosting all my Six word Saturdays. Don’t forget to pay her a visit, and if you’ve any spare time you can look back at my 70 by clicking on the button below.

See you next week for number 71!

Thursday- Lingering look at windows, week 24

Sunrise framed in my front window

I’m staying local with my windows again this week. In fact, some of them are downright personal! You want to look through my windows? I’m warning you- I’m a very slovenly housewife. You may need to bring your own duster.

This is the view from our kitchen window through the conservatory

The view from the conservatory into the garden. Watch out for spiders!

Our front window reflected in the mirror (no, I never clean that!)

Our bedroom window. Sorry- I’m blocking the view.

This looks through the conservatory into the garden

Gorgeous end of day photo from the bedroom window. Hello neighbours!

And speaking of the neighbours, isn’t this sweet?

I took some nice window photos in Durham yesterday, but I think I’d better save them for next week. You can have too much of a good thing you know. Incidentally, anyone know of a good window cleaner?

Please excuse my slightly frivolous contribution to Lingering look at Windows this week. Thanks Dawn. I’ll be round to check out some more entries later.

Black and white photo challenge : Neighbourhood

Hartlepool marina

I didn’t really expect to take part in Sonel’s Black and White photo challenge again this week. Then I saw the subject matter and just couldn’t resist having a little play around.

I have an awful lot of shots of my neighbourhood, so the real challenge was in finding out which ones might best convert to black and white. I find I have a preference for sepia. How about you?

I love the hunched shadow at the rails on this photo.

The sky on this particular day was practically black already!

How wild and angry does this look? The houses are huddled against it!

I can watch the sea leaping the pier all day

I can watch the sea trying to leap the pier all day.

But this is undoubtedly one of my favourite shots from Hartleppol Headland.

But this is undoubtedly one of my favourite shots from Hartlepool Headland.

Thanks again, Sonel, for getting me to look at my world a little differently. I rather like what I see. This challenge business is a little addictive, isn’t it? I’ve seen some wonderful entries already. Come with me to Sonel’s Corner and take a look. How about these for a start?

http://geriatrixfotogallerie.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/black-and-white-weekly-photo-challengeneighbourhood/

http://travelwithintent.com/2013/06/26/el-born-barcelona/

http://marantophotography.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/a-beautiful-spot-in-the-neighborhood/

http://bopaula.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/black-white-photo-challenge-neighbourhood/

http://weliveinaflat.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/abandoned-but-for-the-sun-and-moon-above/

http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/black-and-white-weekly-photo-challenge-neighbourhood/

It’s show time!

Ingenious! The eyes flash as you approach it.

It must be Summer because it’s annual scarecrow festival time again in two of our local villages. Last year Elwick truly excelled themselves with a Royal Jubilee theme. Can a year have passed so quickly? This year we’re indulging Midsummer Madness.

I timed it very nicely on Sunday morning because within seconds of returning home it was bouncing with rain. Summer, Wimbledon fortnight (sorry Rafa), rain on your strawberries- it’s all one!

Welcome to Elwick!

The theme this year was Midsummer Madness.- here he is!

And that’s “his” foot you can see round the corner!

Almost every planter has one of these.

But there’s only one caterpillar!

Some ladies sat aloof on a bench

But Bertie Bassett was right there on the village green

And the Spotted Cow’s always in the thick of things

Snowmen at the beach- that’s definitely madness!

A hula-hula girl- that’s more like it.

The village shop went a little crazy!

And every scarecrow festival needs a pink pig, right?

The village shop was selling these little guys

And gals!

It’s a pretty village, don’t you think?

With its own Queen of the Fairies- Titania

The school’s entry featured Bottom, of course

And Puck!

While over the road things were going swimmingly!

Note the umbrella pointing to the sign.

Looking at those clouds it’s nearly time to run!

And that’s just half the story, because the two villages compete. In the interests of fairness I went to Castle Eden on Monday. It was a grey, surly day and some of the scarecrows had had a good soaking from the downpour. But the village spirit was still in evidence.

Cricket, anyone?

Another Bottom?

And Madness gets in everywhere!

It’s a smaller village than Elwick

But still has a lively sense of humour!

And a splash of colour here and there

Guess who?

I really like this old row of houses

With a more traditional scarecrow

Add a touch of whimsy

Barbecue time, or Christmas? I’m not sure.

But definitely not a beach day!

A good effort by both, I think you’ll agree? Next year we’ll plan the weather better. If you click on the galleries you’ll get my guided commentary. All part of the service! (with a smile) And if you still haven’t had enough of scarecrows, you can click the Royal Jubilee link for a look back at last year’s sumptuousness.

Water under the bridge

I seem to have done quite a few posts on bridges. But Jake is back, so how can I say no? Jake’s Sunday Post is always a cause for celebration. I might even have to open another of those bottles of wine!

I love the violet hues of this photo. It was taken in Durham in 2011, during a biennial event called Lumiere. The light installations over and beside the River Wear were like nothing I have seen before. If you’re fortunate enough to be near Durham this November, I can promise you a beautiful evening of colour and sound when Lumiere comes to town.

Water flowing under a bridge will always hold me captive, drifting in the current. Where would it take me, if I let it? A lifetime has slipped past while I wonder. All just water under the bridge.

You probably recognise this bridge, but I can share a view of it you won’t have seen before. It hangs on the wall in my favourite cafe, Anazu, on the riverfront in Tavira. It’s in 3-D, though you really can’t tell from my photo.

Not that I’m often inside the cafe. The pavement outside has the view that I love. I have watched so much water pass under the bridge, but some will have seen very much more. I found this black and white photo in the Galeria Palace museum in the town. Times may have changed but the water flows on.

The evening light fades and the moon rises in the sky on a warm Summer’s night. I stand beside my bridge and look out to sea. I’m filled with hope that I might return. Well, who wouldn’t be?

It only needs me to remind you that Jake’s place is a good place to be, on a Sunday or any other day. Please click on the logo below or any link to pay him a visit.

Weekly photo challenge : the world through your eyes

You’ll be getting entirely the wrong impression of me. Or maybe not!

When I walked into the conservatory last night the sun was glinting off the wine bottles and making pleasing patterns on the wall. I reached for a glass, and looking around had that “all’s right with the world” moment. Plenty of time for a sip, but first, the camera…

It’s not the best shot I ever took, but I love the warmth of the sun bouncing off the walls. It’s in short supply some days. Inadvertently I’m reflected in the glass. This really is “the world through my eyes”, at least on a Saturday night. Follow the link to check out the other entries.

Six word Saturday

Time to try a new challenge?

This one’s for Sonel

She tells me that she likes horses.

I love writing my little photo stories and the emphasis is always on the story. Along the way I’ve met some superb photographers, and sometimes been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the person behind the camera. I’m dedicating this post to Sonel, who this week started the Black and White Photo Challenge. The subject for the first entry is Nature.

So, it’s time for a little gentle experimentation. I am astounded by the facility with which even someone as inept as me can change the appearance of a photograph. Whether that results in a good photo or a bad photo, I’m really not equipped to say. I only know what I like. Mostly that means a world of colour, from palest pastels to vibrant reds. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate black and white and all those interesting sepia shades.

I love the drama of my north eastern coastline

Cliffs like these are common enough in Yorkshire

Cliffs like these are commonplace in Yorkshire

But flowers? To me it seems a little cruel to divest them of their colour.

What about my delicate hellebores? I think they need their jewel colours.

And how can this black and white version be called a sunflower?

I know it’s chiefly my lack of skill, but I think I will be using black and white sparingly. I’m more than happy to leave it to the experts. Sonel’s images are amazing. She’s even designed a wonderfully dramatic rose logo to accompany the post. So, what are you waiting for? Go there right now and admire, and then join in. If I can do it, you surely can.

Oops! Nearly forgot to thank Cate at Show My Face for letting me participate in Six word Saturday.

Let’s make a splash!

Start the day with a zing!

I’m looking at greyness out of the window again, but I’m determined to see colour. It’s Icelandic poppy time of year. How fabulous are these?

I LOVE this one!

Or how about this? Wicked, isn’t it?

Nestled there so prettily

These guys are good too.

Let’s just talk a little flamboyance!

But these really capture my heart

So there you are. Monday doesn’t have to be grey.

Have a good week!

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Photography

Nostalgic

Black and White weekly photo challenge : Bridges

Six word Saturday

A week of scarecrows, and “fun”!

Thursday- Lingering look at windows, week 24

Black and white photo challenge : Neighbourhood

It’s show time!

Water under the bridge

Weekly photo challenge : the world through your eyes

Six word Saturday

Let’s make a splash!

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A week of scarecrows, and “fun”!

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