Tag Archives: WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge

Narrow: Locks, Dams And The Douro River, Portugal

Posted on August 4, 2016 | 3 comments

The theme for this week’s photo challenge is narrow. When I was reviewing my photographs for this challenge I was reminded of a weeks cruise with Croisi Europe along the Douro river in Portugal. The river cruise was a seven-day leisurely return trip from Porto, in northern Portugal, to Vega de Terron on the Spanish border. We navigated several locks which was a first for me. I thought they were AMAZING!

Narrow entrance to a lock

Narrow entrance to a lock

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Approaching the lock

Approaching the lock

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A long way up

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It's a long way up!

It’s a long way up!

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Finally at the next level

Finally at the next level

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Crestuma-Lever Dam, Douro River, Portugal

Crestuma-Lever Dam, Douro River, Portugal

Useful websites:

Eco Tours Portugal

Croisi Europe River Cruises

One final picture to tempt you to visit the Douro!

View of Douro River in Portugal

View of Douro River in Portugal

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Posted in Activities in Portugal

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Gazanias – Unusual Daisies With Exquisite Detail

Posted on July 19, 2016 | 4 comments

I love the way the droplets of water linger on the petals and leaves like tiny bubbles. These are small details we often fail to notice yet when captured in a photograph remind us of the simplicity of nature.

Gazania

Gazania

Other details include the unusual combinations of colours.

Gazania (pink and cream striped petals)

Gazania (pink and cream striped petals) Photo taken in Spring

And bees gathering pollen.

Gazania with yellow and orange flowers

Gazania with yellow and orange flowers (photo taken in Spring)

While I find Gazanais relatively easy to grow, I disagree with the experts comment that they are drought resistant. If I don’t water my plants regularly they resemble a bed of birds nests.

Are Gazanias drought resistant?

 

Gazanias are not drought resistant. (July 2016)

Gazanias are not drought resistant. (July 2016)

Useful websites for care of Gazanias
About Home
Gardening Knowhow

This post was inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is ‘Details’

4 Comments

Posted in Flowers, Weekly Photo Challenge

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Image

Weekly Photo Challenge: Curve

The theme for this week’s WordPress photo challenge is curve. Initially I was drawn to architectural curves and the many photos I’d taken of archways and bridges. But how boring… so seeking inspiration I looked in the mirror and thought of ‘bodily ‘curve’s’ and the sculptures of Karl Heinz Stock displayed in the extensive grounds of Quintos Dos Vales wine estate near Lagoa in the Algarve.

Sculpture of Swinging Grace by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculpture of Swinging Grace by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculpture by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculpture by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculptures by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculptures by Karl Heinz Stock

How can bony be beautiful when you have curves like these?

4 Comments

Posted on June 24, 2016 in Things that make me smile, Weekly Photo Challenge

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Why am I here… ?

Posted on December 10, 2015 | 6 comments

This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is Eye Spy.

Sad Eyes

Sad Eyes

I see you,
do you really see me
behind the bars
of captivity… ?

6 Comments

Posted in Daily Life, Weekly Photo Challenge

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Transitions: The Evolution of Man

Posted on November 28, 2015 | 6 comments
The Evolution of Man

The Evolution of Man

The theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is Transition.

When you stop to consider how we have evolved and the stress of living in a high-pressured, money-grabbing, politically correct and power crazy world where tolerance and excuses breed intolerance, have we really progressed? Dog eat dog and all that…

6 Comments

Posted in Weekly Photo Challenge

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Weekly Photo Challenge – Wall

Posted on November 25, 2015 | 4 comments

This week’s Weekly Photo Challenge is ‘Wall’

Noticboard

This is  the noticeboard on my study wall. For the last year I have been staring at this piggin’ mess with the good intention of removing all the redundant pieces of paper, cards and ‘whatnots’ I keep, ‘just in case’. I now have SO much rubbish I can no longer see the woods for the trees. Talking of trees, there IS probably a  tree pinned to my noticeboard.

How about you. Is your noticeboard neat and tidy or a riot of paper such as mine?

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Posted in Weekly Photo Challenge

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Statue Infante D. Henrique and the Mercado de Escravos – (Slave Market) in Lagos

Posted on April 12, 2014 | 13 comments
Infante D. Henrique

Infante D. Henrique

The statue of Infante D. Henrique (Henry the Navigator), sits pride of place in the Praça do Infante Dom Henrique within a few metres of the “Slave Market”. Born March 4th, 1394 Henry was an important figure in the Portuguese Age of Discovery and sponsored exploration voyages in search of new trade routes down the coast of Africa. In 1434 Gil Eanes set sail from the Port of Lagos in the Western Algarve. Although his voyage was initially a voyage of exploration, the ships returned with slaves, spices,  gold dust, kola nuts, ivory, chilli pepper and birds.

The “Slave Market” (Mercado de Escravos), and the first in Europe was built in 1444,  now opens its doors as a Museum.

Mercado de Escravos – (Slave Market)

Slave Market Museum, Lagos

Slave Market Museum, Lagos – Portugal

I’ve passed this innocuous looking building on many occasions without a second glance. But it’s only now that I’ve researched its dark history (no pun intended) I discover it was the first gateway to the slave trade in Europe. Incredible!

Other great explorers of this era include Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama and James Cook.

References: Wiki – Lagos, Portugal and Infante D. Henrique.

This post was inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge.

13 Comments

Posted in A-Z of Portugal, culture, History, Portuguese Culture, Tourist Information, Weekly Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge: Unusual

Posted on September 6, 2013 | 10 comments

The theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is “Unusual”.

There's a pig's ear on my plate!

There’s a pig’s ear on my plate!

This is an unusual photograph of a piglet’s ear. Yes, you read correctly, and what’s more, I was about to eat it!

Lunching with some friends I reluctantly ordered Leitão assado à Bairrada (suckling pig). “Okay, no pig deal,” I thought as squirmed in my seat not wanting to appear whimpish.

The last time I had suckling pig it was just like chunks of roast pork. No problem!

The problem comes when you talk, drink copious amounts of wine and you do not pay attention to what is served up on your plate. It was only when I readjusted my vision (I should wear glasses), paused with fork hovering over the offending article, turned it round for closer inspection, that I realised what it was and pushed it to one side in disgust.

“You’re not going to leave that, are you?” our friend asked.
I nodded, unable to speak.

“That’s the best bit,” he announced as he immediately stabbed the offending ear with his fork, and ate it!

Priceless

You may also remember
Tales from France – Tete de Veau – bone out! and Cozido à Portuguesa,

To think the gastronomic highlight of my week used to be: Fish’n chips with mushy peas on a Friday night!

10 Comments

Posted in Daily Life, Humour, Portuguese Recipes and Food

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The “Golden Hour” – Just Before Sunset

Posted on July 12, 2013 | 36 comments
The "golden hour", just before sunset

The “golden hour”, just before sunset

The theme for this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is The Golden Hour.

In photography, the “golden hour” is the first and last hour of sunlight of the day.

The golden hour - just before sunset

The golden hour – just before sunset

The last sunlight hour is my favourite time of day, and one I love to spend close to water. This particular evening I took myself to the beach with my writing notepad, pen and camera. What better place to be alone with your thoughts and write poetry…

As I lay motionless with camera poised a heron stopped to admire the view before continuing on his way.

Heron at sunset

Heron at sunset

The final photograph was taken at exactly the same time as those above but for some reason the exposure is totally different.

The Golden Hour

The Golden Hour

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ38 18 x optical zoom
All the above photographs were taken on Auto and not digitally enhanced.

I take my camera everywhere – do you?

36 Comments

Posted in Photographs of Portugal

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No Way!

Posted on April 24, 2013 | 15 comments
You must be pigging joking!

You must be pigging joking!

When I saw the theme for this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge was “UP”, I immediately thought of this photograph! No, I was not persuaded to climb up a snaking ladder to the top of this enormous slide. As I pointed out, I may be cabbage looking but I’m not completely mad.

So, who’s daring enough to try one of these slides?

15 Comments

Posted in Daily Life

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