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Durham, London, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Porto, Portugal, Sunday Post
When I was 18, all I wanted was the city. And what a city it was! London- fun, fashion and the centre of my universe. Jakesprinter has reminded me of that, with his theme for the Sunday Post this week, City.
Covent Garden, where the entertainment’s always good
The Fan Museum in Greenwich, such an unexpected treat
The skyline with it’s newest addition, The Shard, climbing upwards
As I grew older, it didn’t seem the place to raise a family. I returned to my northern roots. But the city was never too far away, whether I needed culture, or just a place to crane my neck to look up at the sky.
Note Newcastle’s moody northern sky
Still, you couldn’t want a finer cityscape than Gateshead’s Millenium Bridge
A city with more serenity- Durham, clad in its Autumn colours
But not lacking for a spectacular, and cultural event- Lumiere 2011
Life can be quixotic, and for me this came in the form of my Polish family, rising from the embers of the past. The cities it brought me to explore were survivors, and especially beautiful for that.
Coach and horses in Krakow’s mighty Rynek
All of Krakow’s history is on display on Wawel Hill
Talking of survivors, where better than Warsaw’s Stare Miasto?
Or the Rynek (market square) in Wroclaw
Wroclaw has cultural humour too, with its army of gnomes
I don’t truly consider myself a city person any more, but just sometimes I lose my heart to a city. (You knew there was a song in there, bursting to get out, didn’t you? Yes, I always did want to see San Francisco, but I haven’t made it there yet)
I expect you know the city I’m talking about. I’ve talked about nothing else since I got home.
It’s a city full of colour
Beauty
History
Life
Trams
Boats
Character
Amazing churches
And azulejos, of course
So yes, I have lost my heart to a city by a bay, but it’s not San Francisco. It’s Portugal’s fine northern city, Porto. As usual, I have Jake to thank for allowing me to share these memories, old and new. What does a city mean to you? Jakesprinter’s bound to have lots of great examples. Follow the links or click on the flying dragon logo to share.
Fabulous photos, Jo. I love the architecture, especially the blue and white mosaics.
Thanks Ad. I might’ve gone over the top with this post! I still have lots of photos of Porto unseen.
I can imagine.
Wonderful photos. I really like the fans.
I hope there’s an interesting mix, but I might’ve got a bit carried away! The Fan Museum in Greenwich is lovely. It’s one of my daughter’s recommendations.
Great photos, Jo. I especially like the ones of your new love
Thanks Julie. I’m singing again…”when I fall in love, it will be forever…” Don’t you love Nat King Cole.
A beautiful display of this city. You did it proud and drew us into its magic and beauty. Thank you for taking us on yhis wonderful tour.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks Francine. I got a little carried away, as usual! Glad you liked them.
You seem to have become Porto’s biggest fan! I can understand that – it is one of the nicest places that I have visited!
Ahh, there’s an admission! I shall sing my response, Andrew. “When I fall in love, it will be forever, or I’ll never fall in love…” I hope you’re joining in?
Those azulejos are wonderful. I didn’t know there was a fan museum in Greenwich, I must try and get there next time I’m in London
It’s in a lovely old Georgian house. Google it for instructions to get there. Greenwich is a lovely place anyway.
Although I was brought up in a city, I’ve never had the yearning for the bright lights to want to live in one in adulthood.
I like to visit, to look at the old buildings, and the history that is attached to a city though.
You have some beautiful photos there
Thanks Vicky. I’m very ambivalent. I don’t like crowds- in fact, I don’t even like people very much (shush, don’t tell!), but I do like the energy of a city. But as you know, I love wide open spaces and moorland too.
Ah Jo, you could be describing me there
Nice post of the cities, Jo. I think you have some more winners here. Someday we could compare notes (We have been to San F several times but then that is in the U.S.).
Yes, we are in London for three weeks. I’m not sure where else except Dubrovnik (Croatia) next weekend and perhaps Southampton and we have some friends in Northampton to see.
..
Thanks Jim. Dubrovnik is to die for- I’m sure you’ll love it. I’d like to see more of Croatia. If you come any further north, give me a shout.
I enjoyed so much, they are all so beautiful photographs, Thank you, love, nia
Many thanks, Nia. Maybe too many, but sometimes it’s hard to stop.
A fabulous post and i really enjoyed sharing these images with you. I have a gnome hate thing going…but i like this guy you have
Me too, Jo, till I went to Wroclaw in the Summer. I filled a post with them but this studious guy is my favourite. Many thanks.
You’ve had quite a journey between cities and towns in different countries. I think you have a connection to all of them too!
It’s not till you start to look through photos that you realise you’ve “been around a bit”, Meg. I bet I can’t compete with you!
WOWWW! Love your expansive collection…thanks for sharing.
Some people just have no self restraint, do they! Thanks.
Heavy and Stunning Jo I really love your entry for this week theme ,
Thanks for sharing my friend
You’re welcome, Jake. Good job I didn’t include every city I ever visited- we’d get no sleep! Many thanks for the opportunity.
Love your cities, Jo. Especially that amazing church in Porto. I can’t wait to visit Portugal!!
Ooh, you’ve a treat in store Cath! Just remembered about the ferry- I’ll have a look today.
It’s so nice to have friends in faraway places! You’re so sweet to think of me and my hopefully upcoming trip! My DREAM trip.
http://www.directferries.co.uk/ferries_from_spain_to_morocco.htm
You seem to have quite a few choices, Cath.
Good! Thanks so much Jo!!
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I always loved living near the city (Sydney in my case), so many opportunities for visiting galleries and museums or participating in festivals and major events, plus the variety of cafes and restaurants was awesome. If I can’t live close by then I at least want to be able to get there in a couple of hours, it is why I wish I could live in Europe for 12 months and spend my time travelling to different destination every week, the 27 hours it takes is too hard and too expensive to do often
Yes, I’d like to come “Down Under” for a while, Sam, but it’s not going to happen, sadly. (I can hear my mother now- she’s been dead for many years- “be content with what you’ve got!” I try, but not hard enough according to the husband)
Ah, wonderful ‘city’ portraits Jo. Have always been in love with London, but the azulejos are so enticing. Off to check out your Porto posts.
They’re delicious, Madhu. Hope you’re getting back to normal again. I’m just about reacclimatised (heavy grey skies today, but it was a fabulous day yesterday)
So many cities so little time – I love cities and their different personalities but don’t think I could ever choose a favourite. Lovely shots here Jo
Thanks, Suze. Probably it’s because Porto is so recent for me, but I definitely fell a bit in love.
Wonderful images
Many thanks, Hitesh.
Wonderful travelogue – I gratuated at the Sage Gateshead (that glass shell structure by the Tynd bridge) two years ago.
Thanks Viv. I’ve never managed to attend a concert at the Sage yet, but we have plans for February. The acoustics are supposed to be amazing.
They are – i’ve been to two or three there when I’ve been staying with my daughter
What a treat. I am enchanted by Durham! Great shots.
Thanks Lesley. It’s a lovely city and just 20 mins up the road from us. I’ve done a couple of posts on it in the past and you’ll find them on my Home page, if you’re interested.
Love Covent Garden and not been for a while! The Fan Museum looks interesting too.
It’s quite small and full of… you’ve guessed it.. fans, Tink! Nice to find something a bit different.
I like being in a place where there are a variety of things to do. I have enjoyed your photos and trip you have taken me on. I could watch all your pictures on a slide show if you ever do that, let me know. Great work!
Thank you! I sometimes use slide shows, but I’m quite addicted to words too. Many thanks for your visit.
You have lots of lovely images of lovely cities – the only one I really know is London as I lived there once upon a time. but I had no idea there was a fan museum in Greenwich.
It’s in an old Georgian house just behind the centre. Small but full to bursting with fans. Thanks!
Fabulous photos. Oporto is beautiful has a lot to show to the tourists.
Many thanks. I really loved it.
How wonderful to introduce your beloved cities, Jo! Enjoyed the tour.
Just reminding myself there’s a world outside Portugal, Amy. Thank you!
From London to your pretty blue and white tiles and gnomes… I really enjoyed reading your “City” post. It’s difficult to find the right home for all stages in life, isn’t it? We moved to the suburbs for our children and now can’t wait to move back to the city center so we can walk to restaurants, theater, etc. I love London.. how lucky you are to be close to all of that beauty!!
You know where my next move is, Smidge. I’m not a city girl at heart, I just crave excitement now and then. The Algarve has the most enormous pull.
Love the pictures of London. I have always wanted to visit it
So much world- my list gets longer the longer I live, but I try to contain myself. Love my blogging “window on the world”.
What a fun travel you have taken me on to – around cities of the world. I have always loved cities myself, although I enjoy very much being out in the wilderness, too. Great photos. Seems like Porto is a place I should go to, no?
Me too, Munchow. Move Porto up your list. It has so much personality. I loved it.
These are great photos! I like the fan museum, and the building with blue prints, and the trains?
Amazing!
Thanks a lot! There are some good-looking cities around and I guess I’ve been lucky to see a few.
Very inspiring Fan, beautiful. You have fantastic photo.
I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for your and stopping by.Regards
Thanks for returning my visit, and your kind words. It’s always interesting to see what people make of the challenge.
Today I nominated you for the “Beautiful Blogger Award.” Congratulations.
That’s very kind of you, Izabela. I’ll hop over to your page and check it out. Many thanks.