Thursday Lingering look at Windows

Thursday : Lingering look at windows, week 30
Window box outside the Queen Victoria pub in Durham

Window box outside the Victoria pub in Durham

I seem to have my English appreciation society head on firmly this week so I’m staying with the theme for my lingering look at windows.  On Friday evening I was in the city of Durham as the sun set.  Now there’s a place to be!  Mind you, the company and the wine were wonderful too.

Windows reflected in windows here!
The red and white theme seemed to be going on all along the street
Then I hit a patch of grey, traditional style cottages
I do like those red and white boxes though
And round the corner, brash modernity!
Durham University Library- brand, spanking new architecture
But it was a relief to return to something older

The sunset reflected beautifully for me in that last shot, then I was spellbound by the colours around the cathedral.

It was a good week for sunsets and I captured a couple in windows on our estate at home.

Such a dreamy sky
And then the crazy colours

You can’t get more quintessentially English than the village of Lealholm in North Yorkshire.  Every Summer they organise a Duck Race, and hundrerds of yellow plastic ducks are tipped off the bridge into the River Esk to race for it!  They were selling tickets when I was there last week.

One of the pretty little village shops in Lealholm

One of the pretty little village shops in Lealholm

That’s my English round up for this week.  What do you think?  Let’s get out into our English countryside while this nice weather lasts.

Many thanks to Dawn at Lingering Visions for being our lovely hostess for this challenge.  Do you have some windows you’d like to share?  Just follow the link.

Thursday: Lingering look at windows, week 29
Canvas portraits of windows in Casa das Portas

Canvas portraits of windows in Casa das Portas.

I’m focusing on a very particular group of windows this week.  Don’t be fooled by the dilapidated appearance of the wall above.  It’s part of a real and well deserved success story in Tavira, in the Eastern Algarve.  The shop, Casa das Portas (House of Doors), features the work of local artist Jane Gibbin.  Like myself, Jane fell in love with Tavira, spending hours photographing the local doors and windows.

The photos always seem to create a talking point.  As you’ve probably seen from some of my posts, Tavira has a delightfully down at heel look and is a great subject to work with.  Ten years ago, looking for something distinctive, but not too expensive, for the bare walls in our Tavira home, I was much taken with Jane’s doors and windows.  Poster form was the cheapest, so we selected three, had them framed, and today they have pride of place in our living room.

You can barely just see two of the framed posters here

You can barely just see two of the framed posters here

Jane started out with a market stall selling her photographs then, as interest grew, progressed to a shop in the warren of back streets.  As well as the photographs and posters there’s an eclectic mix of objects for the home, and pretty jewellery pieces.  I often stick my nose in and the assistant is unfailingly polite, even though I seldom buy.

In July 2011 success was confirmed when Jane opened a second shop, right beside Ponte Romana; a prime target for tourists.  The ideas continue to flow and at my last visit there were some lovely small canvases with paintings of the doors.  I was very tempted, as was Cathy who was staying with me at the time.  Her luggage was already overflowing, so she dived into a colourful heap of scarves instead.

Looking in
An eclectic mix
Windows and door paintings
Objets d’arts?
Nautical things (and reflections)
And finally.

My photos aren’t the best as I had one or two distractions that night (yes, Cathy!), but I’ve wanted to tell the story of the shops for a while.  For a clearer idea of them you might visit the Casa das Portas Facebook page.

I hope Dawn doesn’t mind a slightly different style of lingering at my windows (and doors) this week.  Please visit her at Lingering Visions to see the other entries, and maybe add one of your own.

Thursday : Lingering look at windows, week 28
The Camara or Council Offices in Tavira. I love the fountains.

The Camara or Council Offices in Tavira. I love these fountains at night.

Well, where else would it be this week?  The Algarve, of course.  In Tavira alone I gazed at lots of windows.  Linger with me?

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I collected a few more on my wanderings last trip.  Here are just a couple.  I’ll save some for a rainy day (hush, don’t mention that word!)

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I’m lowering the lights with Tavira, and off to check out Dawn’s and the other entries for this week’s Lingering look at Windows.  See you there?

Romantic by evening

Romantic by evening

Thursday : Lingering look at windows, week 25
A rainy day on Durham Cathedral roof looking down on the Castle

A rainy day on Durham Cathedral roof, looking down on the Castle.

Maybe not quite window in the conventional sense, but I could, and did, look through it.  Some of you wandered Durham’s riverbanks with me earlier this week, and I make no apologies for taking you back again today.

It’s quite a special week for Durham because the Lindisfarne Gospels have been returned, for a short while, to their rightful home in the north east.  Created 1,300 years ago, in honour of St. Cuthbert, they are on loan from the British Library and will be on display until 30th September.  Palace Green, in front of the Cathedral, is a deservedly beautiful location.  Ticket sales are booming.  The link above will show you why.   Meantime, a few more Durham windows.

The University Library is the location for the Lindisfarne Gospels.
While you’re in Durham, book the Castle tour- it really is fabulous!
Looking out into the castle courtyard.
The stained glass window in the castle chapel.
The lovely windows and cloisters of Durham Cathedral
More “windows” on the Cathedral roof.
The Dun Cow. And thereby hangs a tale..
The Masonic Hall windows
With fabulous detail.
The buildings in the city exude character
And finally, (for Lorna at Tearoom Delights) a nice pot of tea.

How lucky are the students at Durham University?  They get to use the castle as “digs” and dine in the fabulous Great Hall.  Taking photos isn’t allowed but I would suggest you take the tour if you’re in Durham to see the Gospels.  It’s bookable in the same building.  My post Discovering Durham will give you a lot more information.

Next week I shall be gazing through some real windows in the Algarve, so won’t be taking part in this challenge.  But I expect I’ll have a few shots to bring back.

Off now to check out the other entries at Lingering Visions.  Have you a few windows you’d like to share?  Dawn will be delighted.

Thursday- Lingering look at windows, week 24
Sunrise framed in my front window

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.

The view from our kitchen window through the conservatory

This is the view from our kitchen window through the conservatory

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

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

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

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?

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.

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- 23
You'll have to excuse these windows for not being very clean. I'll have a word with the bosun.

Not too clean, these windows?  I’ll have a word with the ship’s bosun.

When I was a little girl, our town had docklands.  I remember being fascinated by the chain bridges that linked them all together.   I would walk with care over the wooden boards, water on either side of me.  Then we were no longer competitive at the shipbuilding game, and a wealth of skills were laid to waste.  Years passed, with the town in decline.  Still, we can be tenacious in this north eastern corner of England.

A happy ending, of sorts, is on display every day at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience, our recreation of an 18th Century seaport.  The website incorporates a brief history of Hartlepool, and details of HMS Trincomalee, restored locally and the only British warship still afloat.

Come and gaze with me into the windows of an 18th Century seaport.

Let's walk round the quay together. I love this reflected windows shot.

Let’s walk round the quay together. I like this reflected windows shot.

The tailors first- you've got HMS Trincomalee too, of course

The tailor’s first- got to be suitably attired. (and HMS Trincomalee, clearly reflected! )

The swordsmith's- do take care in here!

The swordsmith’s- they’re pretty sharp in there!

Wax figures? A strange one this.

Wax figures? A little strange, this one.

Shadrach Moggridge- a fine name for a Chandler

Shadrach Moggridge- a fine name for a chandler!

The upstairs window looks good too

The upstairs window looks good too.

All very useful!

So many useful things!

A gunmakers, naturally!

A gunmaker’s, with shot, naturally!

The printer's- useful again!

The printer’s- useful again!

Head in hands- he must have got it wrong! (best yet reflection of the Trinc?)

Head in hands- he must have got it wrong! (best yet reflection of the Trinc?)

Turn around. There she is, HMS Trincomalee.

Turn around, and there she is, HMS Trincomalee.

The windows look a little cleaner from the outside. :)

Those windows look a little cleaner from the outside.

Hope you enjoyed my tour.  Come up and see us sometime.  It really is quite fascinating inside the shops.  I think I put my time to good use at Sunday’s visit to the Steampunk event.

Dawn, I hope you approve my choice of windows?   Many thanks for hosting Thursday : Lingering look at Windows.  I enjoy exploring your world too.

Thursday- Lingering look at Windows- week 22

Where might I linger this week?  I’ll be getting myself talked about!  I believe I promised you some English windows.  Now, how to present them?

The glass-panelled arched ceiling of Malt Cross Cafe in Nottingham

The glass-panelled arched ceiling of Malt Cross Cafe in Nottingham

You know I spent the weekend in Nottingham?  The above was the venue for the book launch of “Steampunk Apothecary”.  If you want to see some of the antics, have a look at An extraordinary, but delicious, affair.

The Malt Cross Cafe is an historic grade 2 listed building and we were fortunate to have the use of the upper gallery.  Below, there’s a bar which sells delicious savouries.

Nottingham isn’t short on interesting venues, and windows.

Don't you love the light through this window in Nottingham's Newstead Abbey

Don’t you love the light through this window in Nottingham’s exquisite Newstead Abbey?

The previous weekend I was in Newcastle-on-Tyne and found myself very taken with these windows.  I think the building is currently being used just for office space, but at least it’s still there in all its glory.

What do you think?
The prettiest windows I’ve seen in a while
You can tell I like them!

 

England’s towns and cities have some of the loveliest windows you’ll ever see.

Peterborough Cathedral
The Cambridge colleges are the equal of any in the world
The beautiful “Backs” in Cambridge
Reflecting windows in the heart of the shopping centre on Grainger St., Newcastle
English charm and very industrious, too. Whitby, of course.
The atmosphere in Whitby’s St. Mary’s is so serene, despite the Dracula connection
But for Tudor style you can’t beat York
While these filigree beauties at Whitby Abbey are simply timeless

Did you stroll through my galleries?  We really must stop meeting like this.  It’s getting to be a habit.

So, what do you think?  Can England take on Poland and Portugal in the windows challenge?  Thanks Dawn for providing me with a little more fun this rain-soaked English day.

Don’t forget to check out the other Lingering Windows entries, and maybe participate?

Thursday- Lingering look at Windows- week 21

I’m determined to be on time with this challenge.  Truthfully I don’t have much choice because tomorrow I’m off to Nottingham, to attend a Steampunk book launch with my daughter.  You can imagine what fun that’s going to be!

Last week I shared a few Polish windows with you, so it’s only fair that this week I do the same for Portugal, don’t you think?

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You can pause the gallery to read the captions if you hover over it.  Clever, huh?

But my very best Portuguese window has to be this one.  Anyone who has walked through this gate and looked up will recognise it- fabulous Porta da Vila, in Obidos.

It's in the town walls of Obidos.

So what do you think, Poland or Portugal?  I really can’t choose because I love them both.  Many thanks to Dawn at Lingering Visions for hosting this challenge.  Don’t forget to check out the other entries, and maybe add one of your own.

I guess it’ll have to be English windows next week?  We’ll see.

Lingering look at Windows- week 20

Who doesn’t love windows?  Looking out on a bright Summer’s day.  Looking in, when the lights are on, all cosy on an Autumn evening.  I’m always drawn by the lamplight.  Or by sunshine, of course.

But if you’re going to linger over them, the windows have to be a bit special, don’t they?  I think I can offer a few from my recent trip to Poland.

Beautiful stained glass yellow in the Ratusz in Krakow
Wonderfully shabby peeling windows on Ulica Grodzka
Another bell tower window
One plain, one fancy window on Ulica Kanonicza
The lovely Mariacki Church, from the bell tower
Love this trompe l’oeil window side by side with a real one at the bookshop

I climbed the narrow circular steps of the Ratusz with my cousin, Adam, and neice, Ula.  The views through the art nouveau windows were definitely special, even on a murky day.  Ula confessed to me that they’d never climbed the tower before, even though they live in Kraków.  I should show you how it looks from the outside.

You don't even know how beautiful the windows are from down below

You really can’t tell how beautiful the windows are from down below

I’ve enjoyed my first attempt at a lingering look at windows.  Thanks, Dawn, for a really nice idea, and sorry it’s taken me so long to join in.  I’m already thinking which windows I can use for next week’s challenge.   Off  I go to look through a few more.