Debbie from Travel with Intent has given us the challenge of power for this week’s One Word Sunday.
My featured image is three wind turbines seen from the window of the Eurostar. We were travelling through Beaulencourt, France. This would be titled Clean Power.
䷡䷡ ䷡䷡ ䷡䷡ ䷡䷡ ䷡䷡ ䷡䷡ ䷡䷡ ䷡䷡ ䷡䷡ ䷡䷡
This week’s challenge for Monochrome Madness is hosted by Margaret and the theme is Buying and Selling.
We stopped at Williams (also the name of the town) many years ago for a break on our way down South. Of course dear hubby couldn’t resist picking up a new sweater, made in Australia of course.
A spot of colour for this one. This is the shopping outlet in Bicester, England. Famous for high end shops like Prada for heavily discounted items.
Another one from Bicester. Here I am with my sister-in-law and my dear mum. As you can see we are all heavily laden having bought many items. A lovely day to look back on.
Taken in Corfu Old Town as we were sauntering down one of the small streets. I was intrigued as to how witches and ice cream went together. A couple inside the shop buying ice cream.
My son and his wife looking to buy gifts for friends back home. The shop owner patiently waiting for a sale. Maddy is not one for haggling, luckily Laurence learnt from the best – his own dear father.
Another pop of colour for this one. A buyer haggling for a better price with the seller. This was taken as we walked along this cobble stoned street in Gjirokastër, Albania. There are certain places where haggling is acceptable and even expected.
This is from Brick Lane, London. The original signs are still up. It looks like an apartment now.
The last one also from London. I am standing outside my favourite perfume shop. Of course I couldn’t go in and not buy a bottle!
A fun challenge and a chance to wander down memory lane once again. I’m also linking to Leane’s Monochrome Madness post as Leane is the lady who started it all.
The Lens Artist Challenge this week is hosted by Ann Christine, the theme is Harmony.
My featured image is a mural from a suburb in Perth. Two women connected by a central beam piercing the moon. Cosmic energy working simultaneously with nature.
The two photos below are from the gardens at Monet’s home in Giverny.
“If you live in harmony with nature you will never be poor; if you live according to what others think, you will never be rich.” – Seneca
Each green leaf, plant, and moss blends harmoniously with each other.
A mural of a jazz player painted on the brick wall of a cafe in Paris. The intermingling colours working well together.
Outside Rossio Railway Station, Lisbon
A bronze sculpture of a man playing a traditional Portuguese guitar along with his accompanying singer. You can just imagine the harmonious partnership.
This was a wonderful theme and I had fun looking through my archives. A great way to spend a grey Sunday afternoon.
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It’s been a while since I posted what I’ve been reading, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t read anything! This post brings a thriller, a love story and historical fiction. Something for everyone.
Dervla McTiernan is a favourite author and I’ve enjoyed everything she has written. Her latest was no exception. Three Reasons for Revenge was a real page turner. Three packages sent to three different addresses with one connection. It’s up to Detective Judith Lee to find the connection. She had better act fast before it’s too late.
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On a completely different note I absolutely loved Heart the Lover by Lily King. This was recommended by a friend, I had not come across this author before.
This one definitely has mixed reviews. You either love it or hate it, I looked at reviews after. Whether you don’t agree with the plot, it is beautifully written. The story revolves around three students. Sam and Yash who are best friends and our narrator who is tangled up in the middle. It is passionate, sad, happy and unbearable all at once. One of my favourites so far this year.
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After I read quite intense books I look for something cosy and historical, there are plenty around too. I enjoy Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian period dramas. Although not always cosy, quite unsavoury times for many of the people who lived then!
I found another new author – Ashley Gardner. There is a whole series based on Captain Gabriel Lacey. Having just returned from the Napoleonic Wars, burned out and injured – he is looking for something to help fight his melancholia. He soon becomes interested in the fate of a missing girl. Leading him through the sordid underworld of street girls to the top echelons of society, he finds himself in frequent danger.
I’ll be going back to this series as this author writes well and keeps you guessing.
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Joining Debbie from Deb’s World for Whats On your Bookshelf
Time for this great challenge, one where you can share what you have read or gather ideas for your next book. It is hosted by Debbie @ Deb’s World and others. I have read some excellent books in the last couple of months and have been meaning to share for a while, so here goes. The last one I read first.
Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle – and has the social media accounts to prove it. Her charming farmhouse on her working ranch is artfully cluttered, her husband is a handsome cowboy, her homemade sourdough boules are each more beautiful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers and industrial-grade ovens behind the scenes? What Natalie’s followers don’t know won’t hurt them.
Then, one morning, Natalie wakes up in a strange, horrible version of reality. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Is this a hoax? A reality show? A test from God? One thing Natalie does know is that it’ll make one hell of an Instagram post…Goodreads
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha
This was an excellent debut and so well written. It covers so many topics. I didn’t see the end coming and it had me guessing. There were many mixed reviews, you either love it or hate it. I loved it, even though Natalie is inherently unlikeable! She would have done well to follow Buddha’s advice.
The latest anti-hero from David Baldacci, Walter Nash – from scrawn to brawn. I loved both of these and luckily there wasn’t too much of a wait before the second one was out. The first one Nash Falls left a real cliffhanger. I do like a book that lets you escape into it. I hope to see more of Walter Nash in the future.
“The quietest revenge is to not give you the satisfaction of seeing my anger.”
At last I found a new author. Two cosy crime capers featuring Lewis and Audrey and a host of others.
10 Marchfield Square can be confusing as we get to know all the residents in Marchfield Square. I loved how Lewis and Audrey worked together and each brought something different into their lives.
Murder Like Clockwork sees Lewis and Audrey working together again after Audrey finds a dead body in one of the apartments where she cleans. Trouble is no-one will believe her as it has disappeared 20 minutes later. All except Lewis who is thrilled to be investigating another murder again.
“The impossible could not have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances” – Agatha Christie
I enjoyed both of these novels and will be looking forward to a third in the series.
During March we made the difficult decision that it was time to downsize. Although we have No. 1 Daughter and the two munchkins living with us now we all needed to have our own space.
First up was engaging estate agents, which No. 1 son did for us. Working in property gives him the edge and able to convey succinctly what we wanted. Two agents quickly came and went. Before they had even given proposals I knew I was more comfortable around the first one, Susan. From here on was where I became overwhelmed and began having restless nights.
It was the decluttering that was beginning to take over my thoughts. We had a go at the dreaded “tool cupboard” in the garage that has long been the bane of my existence. We being my dear hubby and me. We managed one shelf in two hours and I gave up when he lovingly held a decade old ball of string and said “this is good is twine, we might need it”. Most just got moved onto another shelf.
I asked him also to remove a can of paint that had become stuck. Disaster struck as he pierced the bottom and paint quickly started spreading. He came to me and said “I’ve just made an unholy mess”. At this moment Susan’s assistant rang to say she had arranged 6 tradesman to come around the following week for quotes. I said we need the painter now to help us with this mess. She came to my rescue and sent around a handyman, who cleared up within minutes.
During March No. 1 daughter backed her car into the moving electric gate and knocked it off its tracks. Fortunately we have a wonderful neighbour who came around and fixed the problem. The next day after coming out of an appointment she saw her car being towed away! Not having read the parking sign properly. The car was returned but not without a fine.
We were told that to obtain the best price it was better to engage a stylist to showcase the house to look its best. This lady turned up along with six tradesman. I didn’t know if I was Arthur or Martha at that point, it was bedlam. We then found out there was a serious leak in one of the bathrooms so this is first on the list to be taken care off.
Believe it or not I did have some lovely moments in March. Laurence and Maddy came for a weekend and we had such a great time. We spent a morning at the beach and the water was perfect.
I also went to see two films. The much hyped up and talked about “Wuthering Heights”. Quite an eye opener but on the whole I enjoyed this version. The second was a Matthew McConaughey film called The Rivals of Amziah King. This was such a good film which we all loved.
I had a night out at an outdoor venue, called The Quarry. It is situated in an old quarry and the seating is in tiers. We took a picnic and watched three tribute bands, Santana, Little River Band and Fleetwood Mac. Beautiful balmy evening underneath the stars.
Having a much needed break at our local Indian. The table behind had 22 guests so was a tad noisy!
If you managed to read to the end of all my rants, thank you indeed. Some of you will have been through similar in your lifetime and know the stresses and strains of decluttering and moving. I have read so many articles on the different ways to declutter and I’m still none the wiser. On that note I wish you a happy Easter.
He came to join me this morning while I was having my morning coffee. How cute is he?
Joining Natalie for Weekend Coffee Share and Brian/Ju-Lyn @ The Changing Season (a tad early).
Back in February we had a few days in Hong Kong. Normally February weather can be quite bleak, getting ready for the Chinese New Year cold snap. We were surprised this time by how mild it was, we even saw blue skies.
I’ll be linking to Monday Windows and The Changing Seasons hosted by Brian and Ju-Lyn.
There was somewhere particular I wanted to see after spotting it on google maps. It wasn’t too far from our hotel so one morning we took a walk there. Just my luck that the day we went it was closed. Anyway I was still able to take a few photos. It was called simply “The Blue House”.
The building was constructed in 1920 and is a four tier tenement block. It was fully renovated around ten years ago and the original tenants were allowed to stay. The Housing Society came up with a plan of HK$100 million to preserve nine Chinese-style buildings in Wan Chai. I’m glad that money is not just being spent on high rise buildings, it’s great to see a glimpse of the past.
Inside the courtyard of the Blue House – decorated for Chinese New Year
The front of the building is in Stone Nullah Lane.
At the start of the 20th century, shops that processed soybeans were established near Stone Nullah Lane. Because of the unpleasant odour emitted during the processing, this led to protests from residents in the neighbourhood. Eventually, the shops were forced to move to other areas. The nullah, (a water channel made of stone or concrete was located on the street ) which also emitted a foul stench, was culverted in 1959 and relocated underground, where the stream from The Peak still flows today. Although the nullah can no longer be found on the lane, the street name was left unchanged. Source: Stone Nullah Lane.
Disappointed that we couldn’t enter the house that day we wandered down the street to Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple. It was built in 1863 by locals and is dedicated to Pak Tai, a martial deity.
Red framed windows of the temple
I didn’t want to intrude on the people worshipping and praying, so no photos from inside.
As we wandered back to our hotel I took some photos of everyday street scenes.
Fishmongers hard at work
Orange trees in preparation for Chinese New Year
Every time I visit Hong Kong I always see a different tram.
It was good to spot a mural without graffiti for a change
I’ll finish with this photo that I took from the top of the bus. Another side of Hong Kong. I’m wondering is he homeless or selling some wares? He has a few too many items to pack up.
I have to admit that I looked up triptych – the theme chosen this week by Elke. I also had a look at a few others for inspiration. Whether I’m on the right track or not, who knows! I’ve learnt something new anyway.
Cheeky cockatoos that I took on a walk around Lake Claremont on Saturday. They are quite a nuisance with their raucous squawking and incessant pecking but they are cute to look at.
Black Swans are native to Australia and you can always be guaranteed to see them swimming in the lakes and rivers. The photo of the white swans is from the River Crouch, Essex.
I took these photos recently on a walk along the river beach. An Ibis and Cormorants.
I think this type of photography needs more research from me. It’s not quite right so I’m determined now to work out image splitting.
Any tips would be welcome!
