Weekly Photo Challenge

A Grand Day Out!
Looking out from the Cascade

Looking out from the Cascade

I suspect that whatever your criteria for grand might be, Chatsworth House could fulfil it.  I honeymooned in the Peak District almost 25 years ago, and the memory of its grandeur and the beauty of the surroundings remains with me. The house sits in extensive grounds, with a wooded hill rising up behind it.  I returned, with my daughter Lisa, on a day unbelievably lovely for December.

Statuary is everywhere.
But first, into the Conservatory to search out some delicate blooms.
No idea what these might be?
And could these be melons?
Then up through the Kitchen garden
The arches pleasing to the eye
And the Sensory garden, with its reflective prism,
Then into the woodlands.

I noted from Wikipedia that during World War II the house was occupied by 300 schoolgirls, for six years.  The Duke felt that they might be easier on his home than the soldiers who would otherwise be billeted there.  I’m not so sure!  In any event, they grew vegetables in the Kitchen garden to contribute to the war effort, and skated on the Canal Pond when it froze over.

Eventually you arrive at the top of the Cascade

Eventually you arrive at the top of the Cascade

Bewitched by the dancing fountains

To be bewitched by the dancing fountains

And the suitably disguised Pump house

And the suitably disguised Pump house

Onwards and upwards to the Grotto next, where you can sit in the bandstand, mistress of all you survey.  A lady visitor was obviously much pleased with her surroundings, and I tried, in my halting French, to exchange a few words.

Five relaxed and carefree minutes in the bandstand.
Lisa had a strong affinity with the Maze
While I rather liked this romantic-looking gate
But the curves of the beech hedges were my favourites
Several busts gaze at each other across a glade
And another beech hedge leads to the Rock garden.
Then it’s back to modern art at the bottom of the Cascade.

And if you’re very good, you just might try

A cream tea!

A cream tea!

I don’t feel that I’ve really done the gardens justice.  Maybe it’s because I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the house.  The “Narnia” Christmas theme made it very special.  I’ll be writing more about the house and its occupants later this week.

In the meantime, I hope you feel you’ve had a grand day out? (yes, I quite like Wallace and Gromit too)  I’m linking this post to Cheri’s Weekly Photo Challenge. Join me there?

Grand! A Weekly Photo Challenge
Sagrada Familia, reflected in the lake in Gaudi Square

Sagrada Familia, reflected in the lake in Gaudi Square

I just couldn’t help myself this morning!  I’ve already said farewell to Gaudi, and I’ve halfway constructed this week’s Six word Saturday.  But the Weekly Photo Challenge this week is irresistible, isn’t it? (you’re right- I don’t have tremendous willpower!)  Does grand come any grander than this?

And inside the aura deepens!

And inside the aura deepens!

The pathos in this figure

The pathos in this figure

And this

And the self containment of this.

I've never seen anything like it!

I’ve never seen anything like it.

I’ve already posted numerous photos of Sagrada Familia.  Please excuse just a few more.  I’ll be joining many others on the Weekly Photo Challenge. See you there.

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-bannerUplifting YELLOW – the colour of sunshine.

The Autumn colour in Richmond

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 glints through the leaves in Autumn

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!

6wsButton

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.

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.

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?

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.

The Golden Hour

The Military Bridge, Tavira

The Military Bridge, Tavira

Seen from the quayside

Seen from the quayside

And I guess you all know this one? Ponte Romana.

And I guess you all know this one? Ponte Romana.

But this is my favourite. The umbrellas look like ghosts.

But this is my favourite. The umbrellas look like ghosts.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist being drawn into this week’s photo challenge.  As soon as I saw the theme I was back on that riverbank in my head.  Hope you like the results.

Who wouldn’t want to take photos at this delectable time of day?  Check out the numerous wonderful entries at The Golden Hour.

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.

IMG_7114I’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.