Thursday’s Special

Paula’s (Lost in Translation) challenge this week is Tall.

Cascais

Following her idea of a lighthouse I have opted to show this  beautiful blue and white striped pepper-pot structure, which is topped by a small glass beacon.

During the 1750s, on a rocky shoulder overhanging the sea, a small fort was erected that was part of the maritime defence of Cascais until the 19th century. In 1762 it was modernized, and began its function as a lighthouse in 1868 after losing its military value.

In the lighthouse museum are gathered representative pieces that illustrate its activity whilst it was a lighthouse, featuring a series of optical devices from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as an audiovisual centre where a multilingual documentary about the lighthouses of Portugal is exhibited.

You really need to wear good sunglasses when visiting this site – the white glossy tiles of the exhibition centre and auditorium throw off a blinding light in the sunlight which quite hurts the eyes! The tiles are laid slightly unevenly so the apparently plain surfaces catch the light and have a subtle iridescent quality.

I have been promising to show this to my blogging friend Jo for a very long time! I hope she enjoys it 🙂

A lingering look at Shropshire

Paula’s black and white Sunday this week is all about Rural Living.

rural-landscape-b&w

I was going to post a view from my new house, but then I thought it would be nice to show off a bit more of the beautiful Shropshire landscape which has kept me company during the past four and a half years. Just a couple of miles walk from the town you find yourself with views like these. I have to say I will miss them. The Ent-like trees, the dead straight hedgerows, the sheep in the fields, the tracks of tractors, the black and white timber-framed houses and the hills. Shropshire is a beautiful rural county and I think this image captures its beauty.

Please visit Paula to see other blogger’s thoughts about rural living.

Thursday’s Special: A literal translation

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Paula’s Thursday Special this week features Meg as a guest challenger and her topic is Calligraphy. Please take a look. You won’t be disappointed.

My immediate thought was of the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Sydney. I would have liked to have looked for a less literal translation, but I hope these will do. This wonderful oasis in the city made me feel calm and relaxed and balanced. In harmony you could say.

Do take a close look at the bamboo.

No leeks…

…but lots of other Welsh subjects to celebrate St David’s Day today (1 March)

collage for St David's Day

Clockwise from top left: Burry Port lighthouse, Pembroke Castle, Red Kite, Laugharne Castle, Dylan Thomas Writing Shed, Weobley Castle, Harbourmaster Hotel Aberaeron, Dinefwr Castle, Kidwelly Castle, Daffodils, Spring lambs, Rhossili Beach, St Mary the Virgin Rhossili, Dylan Thomas Boathouse, River Aeron, Dryslwyn Castle
Centre: The Black Mountains Range (Brecon Beacons)

Living on the English / Welsh border I have been fortunate to explore the lovely Welsh counties and its many, many castles and beaches and landscapes.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

Light… and Dark

Paula’s black and white Sunday this week is all about Light.

silhouette

One of the things I do love about winter is how trees become so beautiful with their bare limbs free of leaves so that the structure shows against the sky. Sometimes, as in this case, the sky behind also has a beauty of its own with interesting cloud formations and shooting into the sun produces a monochromatic image without much post-processing required.

silhouette-1

Please visit Paula to see other blogger’s light filled images.