What to wish for this year? A lasting world peace seems as far away as ever, so I’ll content myself with staying local. I want to thank you all for your friendship in this year gone by. You inform and instruct me, and gladden my heart. I wish you all peace in your homes and in your heart. Happy New Year!
It’s a view that’s become very familiar to us over the years. On Christmas morning the church bells peel out, inviting us to celebrate a special birth. This year we didn’t have time to attend, but we were no less joyful as we made our way to our son’s home. It was a very special week because we’d already spent time with my daughter, in Nottingham, while James was working. We met him and his family for supper in the richly decorated Trinity Centre.
I know my daughter would love these arcades in Leeds. I always make time for a look, though I almost never buy.
The Victoria Arcade is very grand indeed and the price tags reflect this, though I seldom lower my eyes to take note. The galleries are stunning. The Thornton’s Arcade is more affordable, with novelty candles and framed artwork in the gift shops. Tempting…
Back on the streets, Christmas is everywhere. Fine dining at The Ivy. A glittering bow embracing an expensive jewellery shop. Just time for a wonderful, creamy Christmas confectionery.
But we’re at our destination now. The tree awaits, and soon, a very delicious, home-cooked family lunch.
Like most years, it had its ups and downs but mostly, for us, a good one. We end, healthy and happy, having spent time with those we love. I hope that you can do the same.
Just a walk or two, for old times’ sake :
And some wise words from Rupali :
Some stitches hold more than fabric
Natalie keeps up with the festive spirit :
Dazzling Light Displays in Nice
If Steve gets the sunshine there’s no more lovely place in the UK :
Warren Point, Stoke Beach and Noss Mayo
And for serious hikers (and I do mean ‘serious’), Nicole likes a challenge :
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Hike to Lake Humantay
Looking back I realised that last year’s post at this time was quite similar. I’ll have to change my habits next year. Meanwhile, I’m wishing everyone a peaceful, happy week. Unlucky if you have to work but many of us will enjoy the break. Take good care!
I will be travelling from very early on Monday morning, so I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a peaceful, happy Christmas. Though I know the two don’t necessarily go together, and there will be many folks who are sad this Christmas. We can only do our best so, from our house to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas!
”Well on his way, head in a cloud, the man of a thousand voices talking perfectly loud…”
It’s far from a Christmas carol, but it’s what was running through my head when I came upon this giant snowman in Loulé. Performed here by Paul McCartney, looking impossibly young. We all did, back then.
And then I carried on, to see what more fun I could find. Loulé usually focuses on the children, and we’re all big kids at heart. One little chap almost squeezed in for a better look before the Village of Dreams was officially open. Mum took her eye off him for just a second… but then grabbed him, just in time! I managed to have a peep over that fence.
The old part of this market town is quite compact, with a castle and retaining walls. The addition of a bear or two and a curious sealion are things I’ve come to expect at this time of year. And Santa, of course.
The shops take on a playful aspect, with glittering reindeer and articulated snowmen.
While the streets quietly acknowledge the season.
Ever alert, Michael spots a couple of band members crossing the street and we remember that it’s the Day of Immaculate Conception. Warming up for a procession? We backtrack through the streets to the mother church, Igreja Matriz de São Clemente. And, sure enough, the locals are gathering by the church door. We’ve seen so many of these processions, and there will surely be one in Tavira too, but one more won’t hurt. It’s Christmas, after all.
When the service finishes Nossa Senhora slowly emerges from the church, and is hoisted high. Her crown sits at a rakish angle and, after a few attempts to right it, the decision is taken to remove it. It wouldn’t do to have it fall off en route.
We could have rested on the last bench of Autumn, but instead we headed for a favourite restaurant and were happy to find it open. Many shops and restaurants are closed for the National Holiday. Fortunately I was still able to have my ‘Sin de Bocage’ dessert- luscious cream and raspberries with a little cake in the middle.
Full again, we ambled along to the Christmas Fair, nowadays held in a big old shed on the edge of town. Not so atmospheric as fairy lit streets, but more practical in terms of the weather. I bought a few small treats for the family, and off we went, home.
A last few shares before Christmas :
I think you know by now that Teresa LOVED Japan :
Travel Diary First Day of Tour – Day 4
Ali’s been taking in a bit of Alentejo coastline, and I think she liked it, but don’t miss the palace!
~Postcard from Porto Covo, Portugal
You usually get a cracking view on Jim’s walks, but he works hard to earn it :
Great Carrs, Swirl How and Grey Friar from Wrynose Pass
It looks chilly in Alice’s hometown but she stays warm and cheerful :
You don’t have to spend money to enjoy the festive season. Just take a walk with Lyssy :
NYC Fifth Avenue Holiday Tour 2025
While Natalie is treating us to a wonderful Christmas spectacle :
And Jude provides a beautiful ending :
That’s it for me for walks, until after Christmas. We have a giddy couple of days in the UK, seeing both daughter and son, and back to the Algarve late on 26th December. I’ll still be around in the meantime and will pop by to wish you all a Merry Christmas.
There are days when it’s just perfect out on the salt marshes, here in the Algarve. Soft wisps of cloud hover over the water, and are echoed below. In the stillness, birds call out urgently to each other, sounding the alarm. We pose no threat, but that isn’t how they perceive us, in this land of sky and water.
Even using my camera as my diary, which is how I tend to think of it, it’s hard to remember the sequence of events, but these photos each prompt memories. Often of laughter filled get togethers, after a walk or, increasingly as November gives way to December, farewells, ’till next year’. Every little ‘nugget’ tells a story in my mind.
That idyllic view at the restaurant ‘Monte Velho’ as we sat feasting, which turned to torrential rain just 10 minutes later. Our backs to the downpour, we pulled our jackets close and moved on to the next course. Preceded by a rainbow and followed by sparkling sunshine. The little library on a back lane in Pechão and the tiny ‘village’, created from painted pebbles. All part of a walk with friends, which started badly but ended beautifully with a birthday lunch.
We walk with several different groups, enjoying the variety this brings. Estorninhos is a small village, less than half an hour’s drive, in the hills above Tavira. Graham likes a bit of adventure and led us intrepidly around the reservoir, admonishing us not to fall in. Some groups permit dogs to accompany their owners. GT is elderly and plods along slowly, never far from Chris. Milo is much more frisky and delights on hurling himself into any water he can find, then shaking vigorously.
Last weekend the world of racing came to the Algarve, first with volatile rally cars around the streets and out into the countryside, and then with bikes and quad bikes on the sands at Monte Gordo. I went along to the latter out of curiosity. Thrills and spills, and sand flying everywhere. It was a breezy, wrap up warm day if you weren’t participating.
Far more tranquil, we attended an exhibition of ceramic tiles in the Galeria Palace in Tavira. This recounts the whole history of azulejos in Portugal from the early 16th century to date.
Adopted from Spain, using Moorish techniques, they were incorporated into the Royal Palace of Sintra around 1508. The Duke of Braganza commissioned tiles from Antwerp in 1558, for his palace at Vila Vicosa. This introduced a new method to Portugal: tin-glazed earthenware, or majolica, enabling painters to work quickly on the tile surface. Lisbon opened workshops, using this style. Initially tiles were used on altars, for religious purposes and heraldry. The art has spread far beyond this to the modern tiles we see today, adorning buildings everywhere.
Meanwhile, Tavira is getting into Christmas mood. How about you?
Looking pretty, with a Bench for Jude and just a little bit of Holiday Fun, for Ann-Christine!
Time to share a few more walks. Thanks very much everybody :
Teresa had a terrific time in Japan. I hope you’ve been following along :
Travel Diary in Shibuya & Shinjuku – Day 2
Travel Diary in Asakusa – Day 3
Remember Cheryl in Seoul last week? This is a little too adventurous for most of us, but beautiful :
Hiking Samaksan in early winter
Something different to do on a November birthday, Shazza?
Walking Alpacas (and Sheep!) in Dunsop Bridge
No matter the day, Steve and Linda love the moors :
Wacka Tor and Corrindon Ball Gate
Bag Tor, Pinchaford Ball and the Riddon Range
While Sarah takes a detailed look at a little more of Florence :
A short walk between two Florentine piazzas
Next week will likely be my last Monday walk till after Christmas, but I’ll keep you updated. Until then, happy Advent!
I can’t resist sharing a few doors from Medina Sidonia this week. The town made quite an impression on me. Check out the gallery, and then say hello to Dan. He’s celebrating 5 years of #Thursday Doors this week.
I have a feeling that this should be a medley week, but I have one more post to share from Spain, so let me introduce you to Niebla. Where, you might ask? This is one of those places that seems to have had a glorious past, but you might not hurry there today. Travelling back to the Algarve from Medina Sidonia, I wanted somewhere to break the journey. It was a Friday and we wanted to stay well clear of Sevilla, with its attendant traffic problems. All went smoothly and we arrived in Niebla, in Huelva province, in late morning. The Roman bridge over the Rio Tinto was a promising start. You might dimly remember that we had a superb day out at the Rio Tinto mine last year.
The town’s history dates back some 3000 years, and it was a commercial centre known as Ilipla in Roman times. It has a 2km wall surrounding the perimeter, and a castle dating from the 15th century. Like most of Andalucia, it fell under Muslim control, and it was occupied by the Arabs for 544 years. This is very evident in the town’s architecture.
A doubtful claim to fame suggests that Niebla was the first place in Spain for gunpowder to be used. The town surrendered to Catholic King Alfonso X in 1262, following a 9 month siege. He generously allowed the Muslims to remain. In 1364 the County of Niebla was formed. In the 15th century it passed into the hands of the House of Medina Sidonia and then to the Alba estate. In the 19th century landed estates were finally abolished.
Unfortunately we didn’t see the town at its best. A huge restoration project is taking place, which meant that much of it was hidden behind barriers. But we were happy to wander and see what we could. The church of Santa Maria de la Granada, formerly a mosque, stands proudly on Plaza de Abastos. The asaquifa (a kind of patio with arcades) is a remnant of the Muslim faith, and was the area reserved for prayer for Muslim women.
The bell tower of the church was formerly a minaret, used to call the faithful to prayer. The ruined San Martin church was also a mosque, but was donated by Alfonso X to the Jews, who turned it into a synagogue, and finally it reverted to a church. The other notable building on the square is the Casa de Cultura, as the name suggests, a cultural centre, but previously a hospital.
The town was so quiet that we concluded everyone must be at lunch. The small indoor market was the only exception, a last few purchases taking place. I wondered if there’d be any cake left.
Possibly we’ll return to Niebla when the restorations are complete, to explore more and visit the castle and walls. A good time might be for the Feria, in late October. There are six gateways within the walls, including the Puerta del Embarcadero. It once gave access to the river, but is now attractively ruined.
Apparently there was a Roman road from the Rio Guadiana to Italica in Sevilla, which passed through Niebla and over Puente Romana. In 1875 the Riotinto Railway came into service, linking Huelva with the mine, with a railway station in Niebla. The line was very active until its closure in 1984.
That’s all I can tell you about Niebla, so I’d better make a peace offering….
Time for a few walks. Thanks, everyone. Do you have one you’d like to share?
A climb or the cable car? You know which one Anabel will choose :
North Wales 2023: Llandudno and the Great Orme
Carol has me wondering about nationhood and national pride, in this lovely Lithuanian city :
Soothing autumn colours and reminiscence from Seoul :
An easy hike to N-Seoul Tower in Autumn
You have to hand it to Steve and Linda- still smiling in spite of the rain :
Whitchurch Down and Sampford Spiney
Much warmer, and more exotic, Smitha takes us deep into Kenyan woods :
Exploring Karura Forest: Nairobi’s Urban Oasis
Finishing with a blaze of woodland glory from Jude. Watch out for the Owlman!
The first day of Advent today and the WordPress snow took me by surprise. I’ve turned it off for the time being- it didn’t quite look right, but we’re counting down to Christmas. Have a healthy, happy week!
Well, that’s it! At last I can relax and put my feet up, now November’s at an end. I might need a cushion or two, but it’s all good. Thanks so much, Becky, for the shadow inspiration. You’ve sparkled brightly all month long. Sending hugs, Jude- I expect you have a few more benches to share. Full steam ahead now into December. See you all tomorrow.
Sorry for corrupting Simon and Garfunkel’s beautiful lyrics. Most bridges shadow water, don’t they? This is the new one, crossing the inlet to Praia de Faro in the Algarve. The old bridge lies alongside, in its shadow. Maybe one day they’ll dismantle it, or it’ll just fall in the sea. What a month it’s been! We have all shared some amazing shadows. Huge thanks to Becky for orchestrating.
The Medina Sidonia Archaeological Museum comes as something of a surprise, on Calle Ortega, one of the town’s many whitewashed streets. Barely are you through the front door when you are confronted with the ruins of an ancient Roman street from the 1st century AD. A variety of artefacts trace the history of the town back through the ages.
You are led through the complex to a sequence of tunnels which illustrate the sanitation system of the Romans.
It’s a little eerie even though it’s broad daylight outside. I was very taken with some of the exhibits. They included a sculpture of a child’s face that I found very appealing, a tiny fragment of mosaic, one of the most beautiful bowls I’ve ever seen and the mouthpieces of recorders and flutes- an extraordinary find.
I’ve managed to square most of them because we are drawing to the end of November Shadows. If you’re ever in Medina Sidonia, I can highly recommend this small museum.
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