WPC : Gone But Not Forgotten

Paddington Bear is known and loved by childen all over the world, he first appeared in 1958 in a book by Michael Bond, who eventually wrote about 20 books about this little bear, who travelled all over the world.

Now there is a Paddington Trail to coincide with the opening of the Paddington movie, and 50 Paddingtons can be found in various places all over London – here is the one I found, near Oxford Street.   A well loved character, gone but not forgotten!

Thread Bear, New Bond Street

Linked to Weekly Photo Challenge

Weekly Photo Challenge : Minimalist

All alone on the ocean

Wouldn’t  it be nice to sail away on a fairly calm sea, with just enough wind in our sails to move along, or we could just sit and watch the waves roll in and break on the beach.

Watching the sun set.

Check out more ‘Minimalist’ photos here

Weekly Photo Challenge : Descent

This post is all about Camden, not Camden Town in London, but Fort Camden (Camden Fort Meagher) in Crosshaven, County Cork.

Camden is an old fortified fort at the mouth of Cork Harbour, dating back to 1550, when it was known as James’ Battery.    In the 18th century it was re-named Fort Camden after the British Earl of Camden, who was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at the time.  You can read the history of Fort Camden, which was re-named Camden Fort Meagher, here.

Most of the fort was built underground, and the Bright Tunnel descents 160 feet underground

The start of the Bright Tunnel

There was a magazine underground which stored vast amounts of ammunition and gunpowder, and the granite spiral staircase allowed the soldiers easy access to this magazine in the event of an attack from enemy forces.

The Bright Tunnel, Fort Camden, Co Cork

Granite staircase

Descent

Winding stairs

 

 

WPC : Book Cover

Venice and It’s Charms

Who could resist reading about this wonderful city, and all it’s different views of water, canals, bridges, buildings, gondolas, and smiling gondoliers, and even a handsome film star or two from time to time!

Linked to Weekly Photo Challenge :  Cover Art

Weekly Photo Challenge : Dreamy

admiring the view

I enjoy getting out on the hills at the weekends, well maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, what I enjoy is being at the top of the hill and sitting down for a well earned packed lunch, while admiring the view and chatting to friends and fellow hikers.    And as the only way to get to the top is to climb, then it has to be done!

A little blue sky and sunshine

even when the weather is dull, the view is always worth it.

 

What could be better than being on the beach, admiring the boats, and dreaming in the sunshine.

Reflections

Oslo Opera House is a real ‘flight of fancy’ with its marble steps that lead to the roof of the building, and we can admire our reflection in the glass walls, as we stroll along.

Check out more dreamy posts.

Six Word Saturday: It’s All About Rock n Roll!

Having a grand old happy time!

This busker was certainly causing a stir in Cork City yesterday, and putting a smile on everyones’ faces.

Check out some more posts here at Cate’s Six Word Saturday.

Weekly Photo Challenge : Endurance

For exercise, we all like to do things occasionally that test our endurance, whether it is running a marathon,  or even harder again, taking part in a triathalon, swimming or walking or climbing high mountains.   My own particular form of torture exercise is hillwalking, and there have been times when the hill in front of me has seemed very daunting, but faced with the choice of turning back half way through, or continuing on, most times the upward option wins out, and I eventually get to the top…sometimes vowing never to try again!   Here are some photos taken on a hike of Galtymore, in County Tipperary last year.

 

Some climbers almost at the top

Half way there

The views are good

the sheep have no bother climbing up

Mist coming down

How long more?

Linked to WPC : Endurance

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge : Buildings

I have come across some very different buildings when looking through my virtual shoe boxes – like this beautiful photo of the pyramid at the Louvre, all glass and metal and sparkling with the sun shining on it, and a big contrast to the old stately buildings behind it.

The glass pyramid outside the Louvre

Paris and the Louvre is very different from my next building, a sad neglected house in the older part of Cork City

Sad and alone

There are also some modern, well loved, buildings in the heart of the city.

City Hall bridge

have a look at some more buildings over at Cee’s great blog

Weekly Photo Challenge : Adventure

We all enjoy a little adventure and excitement in our lives, and whether young or old,  we all get a buzz from doing something that gives a rush of blood to the head.   My first photos were taken in Norway, when we took my grandchildren to a playground so that they could run around and play on the swings and slides and roundabouts. If you are a little more mature for swings and roundabouts, how about some wind surfing or horse riding on some of our beautiful beaches here in Ireland?

Garrettstown beach, Co. Cork

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Silhouette : Weekly Photo Challenge

My photos for this week’s challenge were all taken on a family holiday in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe last year.    While staying at Camp Amalinda, we climbed up on a kopje (little hill) to have a sundowner and watch the sunset, and our host took these photos of us enjoying  the surroundings.

One, two, three Jump

Linked to WPC