Am I allowed a dark side?
Witches hats
In close up
And with Penshaw Monument in the background
If you look through one of these holes, you should see a close up image (Penshaw Monument in this case)
I believe it’s a trick of the eye, but I couldn’t get a shot through it to demonstrate- sorry!
So I wandered off to see the swans instead
They weren’t too impressed with me
But the silly bench didn’t seem to mind
I checked out some industrial mining heritage
Until it was time to go
I write travel blogs. It’s my job to entertain, and take you wandering along with me, and I love to do it. Sometimes it’s an escape- a welcome release when things aren’t going well. These photos I took in Herrington Country Park this week seemed to match my mood.
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WOW! Wonderful photographs and beautiful place. Thank you dear Johanna, have a nice weekend, love, nia
Intriguing. What are they?
Please can you email me (re meeting in UK) viviblake@orange.fr – I can’t find your email address.
The witches hats? They’re basically a viewpoint with quite a clever feature. Each is angled towards a different view and when you peer through the little round hole, the view appears much nearer than it is. Not sure if it’s an optical illusion, or what… yes, will do, Viv.
love the bench! thanks for taking us on your walk with you – and hope next week is full of sunshine for you x
Thanks, Aly. It comes and it goes.
Interesting public art. Next week you might be able to get pictures in the snow?
The boots are at the ready, Andrew! I did manage a snowy Nordic walk when we had a little flurry in December. I’m hoping it’ll come and go because we’re only 4 weeks from my daughter’s wedding in Nottingham. She hopes to be flying out of Gatwick to Venice on honeymoon and I’m getting paranoid about it!
swans are never impressed but I was with these pics–you took me on a journey out of my life and it was lovely
That’s the beauty of a travel blog, and I’m glad I’m doing my job. Enjoyed your company!
I liked how you took us on your journey with you! And I’m pretty sure we all have our dark sides :p
I never mind a bit of company on a walk- just so long as you don’t walk TOO slowly. Thanks for coming along.
That must be so fun to write travel blogs and get to see different places! I had to laugh at the unimpressed swans!
It’s my little bit of escapism, Robyn, and a way to linger in a lovely place for a while longer.
I always look forward to rambling with you, J. And special thanks for letting me rest awhile on that cool bench!
This didn’t seem particularly dark-sided to me. Great stuff.
I can be darker, Ron, but I try to be a light hearted lass. That bench is just big enough for two, so long as you don’t mind sharing your sandwiches…
Beautiful pics! I feel like I’ve traveled with you.
It’s an interesting development of a former coal mine, Dana. Glad you could accompany me.
You will have to explain those witches hats. Is this part of a decorative fencing? It looks attached to the rock pillars. What a quaint walk filled with quirky and artistic structures along the way. That cottage at at the end could be imagined with Hansel and Gretel inside…a dark side, but I think not.Sunshine thoughts.
I did look for a link I could put in to explain, Lynne- unsuccessfully. Basically it’s a vantage point. You’re up a little height and the witches hats are aligned to each look in a different direction. When you put your eye to the small round hole, it looks like the image is close up, directly in front of you. Penshaw Monument is a huge structure but at quite a distance away. I think it’s a clever use of optical illusion.
Thanks for taking me on your journey. I enjoyed the walk!
Always good to stretch our legs, Judy!
Hi Jo,I loved the witches hats
fab photos and I think we all have a dark or darker side…maybe….
Thanks Jess. Yes, I’m pretty sure we do.
I think the bench is lovely, and the witches hats quite an unusual addition to the landscape.
Good spot for a picnic lunch, Lorna, but there is a cafe on site, should you be tempted.
Of course I’d be tempted.
those witches hats are interesting… but I really liked that bench!
Thanks for sharing your walk with us!
It was a former colliery, Brenda, but they’ve made good use of the site now it’s been landscaped. Enjoyed stretching our legs, together.
I liked Penshaw and Herrington when we lived in Newc and visited. No hats or whacky benches back then though. Thankfully.
Spoilsport! Some of the additions are in questionable taste, Rough, but I rather like the witches hats.
I think I’m just too minimalist these days. Spoilsport me? Never!!
Of course you are, as long as it doesn’t stay that way very long!
I can be a bit black and white, Mlissabeth- everything’s wonderful or miserable! A little balance goes a long way.
The witches’ hats are rather unusual, but I think I like them.
They made for a couple of interesting photos, Elaine, and I was impressed with the optical illusion, even though I couldn’t capture it on camera.
Very cool! I’ve never seen anything like it.
Glad you like them!
Love the photographs…so glad I could travel through your photographs.
Butterflies need their freedom to travel, Susie. Nice for me to have company.
Are they actually called witches hats, or is that a local name?
In a way they remind me of a modern day stone circle, lining up viewpoints as stone circles lined up the sun.
I like the silly bench
They’re indicated as witches hats on the park map, Vicky. That’s a good comparison. They’re quite striking as you climb towards them, and then you’re level with Penshaw, which is always a fine sight.
lovethe swans! I always admire your photos…such stories ❤
Thank you, Tania. I love telling a story in pictures, and I can’t draw, you see.
Like your view on those hats … great shots and funny – from far away to close up. Brilliant idea. Lovely spot – is it in Devon, because of the straw roof … *smile
The cottage is lovely, isn’t it, Viveka? I was quite surprised to see it there myself. Just a couple of houses in a cul-de-sac. Glad you liked the post- something to brighten a grey January day.
Where I live in Southern part of Sweden there is quite a few farms that have straw roof, but it getting less and less, because of the cost and there isn’t many tradesmen left neither. It was a great post you shared with us. Thanks.
Thank you, hon. We have a huge pub with a thatched roof just round the corner, here in England. They imported a team of thatchers from Poland to do the work! Strange world.
That’s it – thatched roof – couldn’t for my life find the right word. We call it straw roof and I’m sure that down here in Skåne, close to Poland – is the same thing. i think it’s only 2 or 3 left in the whole county … in the old days every roof was like that.
The best material you can use – will keep your house warm and cozy too. I love them.
Thank you for the tour! Very lovely pictures.
Thanks for exploring with me, Tonya.
The Penshaw Monument, once described by Terry Wogan as the ‘Acropolis of the North East’. It certainly catches the eye when driving up the A19, not sure that it fits with it’s surroundings though.
Good old Terry! Have you been away, David? Somewhere wonderful?
Not been away Jo, just that my photo stock needs replenishing. As a matter of fact we are off to your favourite place on Tuesday, eleven days in the Algarve. Couldn’t wait till spring and with what we are expecting weather wise here, it must be so much better in Portugal. Hopefully will get some nice pics.
We go out on the 26th, David, so will just “miss” you! We only have a week as my daughter’s wedding’s 9th Feb. Where are you staying?
Based in Albufeira but have hired a car and will be visiting the whole area. Providing of course that we can get to Newcastle airport!!
Good luck!
Images both lovely and interesting. And how delightfully cool the countryside looks! (In Australia we are sweltering.)
Crazy weather! We’ve had so much rain that subsidence is becoming a problem as well as flooding, and we’ve watched your forest fires in horror. No middle road at the minute, Rosemary.
Good pictures…Loved the Swans…and the Charming Cottage!
Happy Six Words Saturday a day late! (:>)
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
No worries, Linda. I enjoy a visit whenever you can make it. Many thanks.
thanks for taking us on this trip!
It’s a big country park, Hilary. The more, the merrier!
Thanks! I needed this!
Happy to oblige, Ann. Hope you’re well?
I loved your question. It’s one I often ask too.
Your photos were also fun. Sometimes pictures tell a better story than words.
Thanks Allison. I’m a much “sunnier” person in the summer! Glad you enjoyed the post.
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Love this post!
Eunice
Okey dokey, Eunice. Will do. Thanks, hon.
I enjoyed that walk and the views – thanks for having me along
Getting the snow shoes ready for next week’s walk, Suze! You game?
Always up for a walk – especially in the snow!
Of course you are
I would love to see you in this hat 
Just my style!
I enjoyed that walk and the silly bench, thank you for being such a great guide.
Bless you, Sam, you’re always kind. That bench will be thick with snow this morning, so no picnic!
Enjoyed walking with you. The witches hat sounds intriguing!
Of course you are allowed a dark side, as long as you don’t wallow in there too long….take care Jo
Thanks for spending time with me, Madhu. You take care too.
funny Witches hats
Bit different, aren’t they?