CBBH Photo Challenge: Bridges

Roman Bridge in Cordoba, Spain

Today is the second anniversary for the CBBH Photo Challenge, beginning as it did on August 1st 2012.  Since then we’ve covered many subjects from Repetition and Reflection to Street Art and Simple Pleasures.  I’ve learned a lot about photography over the past two years and featured some wonderful blogs to link to.   But, in the true time-honoured fashion, all good things must come to an end, so this month’s CBBH Photography Challenge will be the final one.  

As a result, I’m going to indulge myself with one of my favourite subjects – BRIDGES.

According to Wikipedia a bridge is “a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle.”  Of course there are many different designs, from the most natural – such as a log across a stream, through to the most complicated of modern bridge designs we currently see around the world.    Cantilever, arch or suspension and made of iron, brick or rope, there’s something about bridges I just can’t resist.  I love to look at them, be on them and take photos of them.

My first photograph this month (above) is of the Roman bridge spanning the Rio Guadalquivir in Córdoba.  To capture this shot, I walked over the bridge from the old part of the city, just as the light was fading.  The building you can see in the background is the Mezquita.

Cruising under Triana Bridge, Seville

Further along the Rio Guadalquivir as it flows towards the Atlantic Ocean is the capital of Andalucía, Sevilla (known to English-speakers as Seville).  This shot of Triana Bridge was taken from the river as I was enjoying an early evening cruise.  It’s a very pleasant way to spend part of an evening in Seville before making your way around the many tapas bars, for which the city is famous.

Bridge at Plaza España, Seville

My final photograph is of another bridge in Seville, but this time a much smaller one.  This ceramic tiled bridge spans the moat at Plaza España, a well-known local landmark and tourist attraction.  If you’ve got the desire and the muscle-power, you can hire a boat and row around the moat, though on the last occasion I was there, most visitors were laughing at a couple who hadn’t got the hang of rowing at all, and were entertaining the crowd by going round in circles just a few metres from where they rented the boat!  If you are visiting Seville, Plaza España features plaques for each province in Spain, all beautifully decorated in tiles and should be high on your list of places to see within the city.

So, will you join me one final time in this month’s CBBH Photo Challenge: Bridges?

Don’t forget that the CBBH Photo Challenge is a little different from some other challenges, in two ways. First, it’s only once a month – giving you lots of time to consider your entry before the end of the calendar month. Second, and most important, this is a BLOG HOP (after all, it is the CBBH – Conejo Blanco Blog Hop, conejo blanco means white rabbit in Spanish), so DON’T FORGET that in your post you need to add links to two blogs that you have visited and commented on during the past month.

That way, when we visit each other, we can HOP OVER to your links, connect with others and share a little blog love around!

Conejo Blanco BLOG HOP Photo Challenge

 

Coincidentally, my Featured Blog Links  for this month are both called Sue:

*** Living in Alberta, Canada and married to her best friend Dave for over thirty years, Sue Slaught hopes that her Travel Tales of Life will still entertain anyone who will listen when she is an old lady sitting in a nursing home.  Still many years away from that situation, Sue always has me spell-bound with her adventures around the world – whether it’s a tale of a ghost in the lobby of the Banff Springs Hotel, getting stuck in the rush hour of gondolas in Venice or being chased by dogs while cycling in Turkey.  

*** Sue Judd, on the other hand, has recently been re-defining who she is – transforming from scientist to very talented photographer and award-winning poet.  Sue’s Beauty in Decay series has truly made me look at flowers through new eyes.  I’m fortunate also that she seems to love peonies as much as I do!  But, how can you not fail to be moved by Sue’s poem Am I Still the Same?written in response to her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis, expressing her view on how it affected her.

Please HOP over and say HELLO to both of these ladies, and tell them Marianne sent you!

So that´s the final CBBH Photo Challenge folks 🙂

Remember, all you have to do is post your entry by the end of the monthtag your entry ‘CBBH Photo Challenge’, link back to this blog and, most importantly, don´t forget to add links to any two blogs that you´ve commented on during the past month, so that we can all HOP OVER and have a look.

For more information on how the CBBH Photo Challenge works click here.

 

CBBH Photo Challenge: FLOWERS

Stephanotis - waxy flowers and delicate perfume I was surprised to see that I had never used the flower theme for the CBBH Photo Challenge before, because I take so many photos of plants, trees and flowers.  So, I thought I would remedy that situation by sharing with you some of the flowers that grow here in my garden in southern Spain, at different times of the year.

The first photo (above) is a waxy-flowered stephanotis, which creeps along my fence and gives off a delicate fragrance.

I sometimes find it difficult to photograph the purple agapanthus, as they flower at the end of long stems, so I got in close for these shots.  I like the effect of the first photo, in particular, but what do you think? First almond blossom in Andalucia, 2014 Here is a photo of the first delicate blossom on one of our 47 almond trees, in January this year. wild orchid….and these beautiful wild Butterfly Orchids also make their appearance each year, heralding the arrival of Springtime in Andalucía.  Raindrops on purple flower I’m a huge fan of the colour purple, so this plant is a favourite of mine, and it was only thanks to some of my readers that I finally found out its name.  Hardenbergia comptoniana, a native of Australia, is a vigorous climbing plant and the arching flowers look so beautiful after the rain.

So, I’ve shown you mine – now it’s YOUR turn to show me YOURS!

Don’t forget that the CBBH Photo Challenge is a little different from some other challenges, in two ways. First, it’s only once a month – giving you lots of time to consider your entry before the end of the calendar month. Second, and most important, this is a BLOG HOP (after all, it is the CBBH – Conejo Blanco Blog Hop, conejo blanco means white rabbit in Spanish), so DON’T FORGET that in your post you need to add links to two blogs that you have visited and commented on during the past month.

That way, when we visit each other, we can HOP OVER to your links, connect with others and share a little blog love around!

CBBH Blog Hop

My Featured Blog Links for this month:

*** Travel writer Annie Bennett spends most of her time Mooching around Spain, researching articles for national newspapers and magazines, but often just sitting in cafés, reading the paper and drinking wine.  Not only does Annie love writing about her travels, she also loves writing about food.  So, if you want to know where in Lanzarote you can buy the best cheeseor exactly where you can find a traditional shop in Menorca that sells everything horse-related, then Annie is your woman!

*** Another blogger I always enjoy visiting is Tamara at A Foot in Two Campos who, two years ago, bought a beautiful old house in the village of Colmenar, in Málaga province.  She had me worried for a while when she admitted in one of her blog posts to stalking me – but fortunately, what she meant was that she was inspired to visit three places that I had blogged about!  Tamara has thrown herself into village life in Colmenar and also into learning Spanish.  Indeed, at the end of each of her blog posts she discusses a particular language point, which always proves helpful.

Please HOP over and say HELLO to both of these ladies, and tell them Marianne sent you!

So that´s the CBBH Photo Challenge for July, everyone.

Remember, all you have to do is post your entry by the end of the month, tag your entry ‘CBBH Photo Challenge’, link back to this blog and, most importantly, don´t forget to add links to any two blogs that you´ve commented on during the past month, so that we can all HOP OVER and have a look.

Make sure you follow this blog so you don´t miss next month’s exciting challenge!

For more information on how the CBBH Photo Challenge works click here.

I hope everyone taking part enjoys the exposure the CBBH Photo Challenge offers to featured blogs and, who knows, you may end up finding a new favourite!

I´m looking forward to seeing your interpretations.

 

[CBBH logo Image credit: (cc) Mostly Dans]

 

CBBH Photo Challenge: FOOD

We all need it.   Most of us love it –  some maybe a little too much!  But, whatever your relationship with it, FOOD is the subject of this month’s CBBH Photo Challenge.

Is there a food typical of your country or area where you live?  How about your favourite recipe or something you once ate that you would never try again?

Well, show me with a photograph!

Tapas of tuna and prawns in Malaga

Most people know that Spain is well known for it’s tapas – the tasty treats offered along with your drink.   I enjoyed these delicious prawns and tuna in the Atarazanas market on a trip to Málaga city, recently.  There are two tapas bars, one at either end of the market, both offering ultra-fresh ingredients, cooked to perfection, from the market.

Brujas - Ruta de la Tapa, Torre del Mar

During May, I’ve been following the tapas route around Torre del Mar.  One of my favourites has been this vegetable stack with a cranberry jus.  Yummy!

Figs stuffed with goat cheese wrapped in bacon

Talking of yummy, how about this dish made with fresh figs plucked straight from the tree, stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped with smoked bacon?

Chop the chocolate fudge into squares and ENJOY!

And, to finish, a piece of my easy, chocolate fudge that will make you drool, which you might remember I took on a recent trip with friends when we rode on Mr Henderson’s Railway!

So, now it’s YOUR turn.

Don’t forget that the CBBH Photo Challenge is a little different from some other challenges, in two ways. First, it’s only once a month – giving you lots of time to consider your entry before the end of the calendar month. Second, and most important, this is a BLOG HOP (after all, it is the CBBH – Conejo Blanco Blog Hop, conejo blanco means white rabbit in Spanish), so DON’T FORGET that in your post you need to add links to two blogs that you have visited and commented on during the past month.

That way, when we visit each other, we can HOP OVER to your links, connect with others and share a little blog love around!

CBBH Blog Hop

Before I move on to my two featured bloggers for this month, I want to offer my CONGRATULATIONS to Maggie Woodward who’s blog The Trepidatious Traveller I featured in May.  Maggie was about to commence walking the Camino Portuguese from Lisbon, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.  I can report that during the month of May, she has walked a total distance of 669.9 km, completing her Camino walk on May 28th, and is now safely back home in Spain, only a few kilometres away from me.  I know that a few of you have been following Maggie’s progress as I’ve seen your comments on her blog posts.  VERY WELL DONE, MAGGIE – you are an inspirational woman!

 My Featured Blog Links for this month:

*** Christine of Dadirridreaming, lives near to the sea in Australia, surrounded by bushland and beautiful wild beaches.  Kangaroos and wallabies graze all around her house and red bellied black snakes hunt the frogs in the dams nearby.  Christine takes time to explore the spiritual side of life, which is reflected in her lovely blog posts, all of which have stunning photographs.  She is currently exploring my part of the world, and has visited Ronda, Seville and Córdoba, amongst many other places.  We will be meeting up in Málaga city on Thursday June 5th.  Can’t wait!

*** Another blogger I always enjoy visiting is Kathryn at Vastly Curious.  Her recent post in the WordPress Photo challenge had me amazed!  She showed a photograph of the buds of a plant that looked like liquorice twists and wanted to identify it.  It was only when I looked at Kathryn’s later photos of the flower fully opened that I realised that I have one!!  She has also been travelling recently to The Netherlands, from where you can see her wonderful photos.

Please HOP over and say HELLO to both of my featured links, and tell them Marianne sent you!

So that´s the CBBH Photo Challenge for June, folks.

Remember, all you have to do is post your entry by the end of the month, tag your entry ‘CBBH Photo Challenge’, link back to this blog and, most importantly, don´t forget to add links to any two blogs that you´ve commented on during the past month, so that we can all HOP OVER and have a look.

Make sure you follow this blog so you don´t miss next month’s exciting challenge!

For more information on how the CBBH Photo Challenge works click here.

I hope everyone taking part enjoys the exposure the CBBH Photo Challenge offers to featured blogs and, who knows, you may end up finding a new favourite!

I´m looking forward to seeing your interpretations.

 

[CBBH logo Image credit: (cc) Mostly Dans]

CBBH Photo Challenge: STREET ART

Street art in Malaga, Spain

In November, I featured some of the fabulous urban street art in the Soho district of Málaga – which proved to be a very popular post!

Since then, more murals have been commissioned by the city, including these two on the facade of the Colegio García Lorca.  The one the left is by British street artist D*Face whilst the other, (Peace and Liberty) comes from American contemporary street artist,  Shepard Fairey (aka OBEY).

There’s great street art in many cities around the world, so please share some with us in this month’s CBBH Photo Challenge: STREET ART.

Don’t forget that the CBBH Photo Challenge is a little different from some other challenges, in two ways.  First, it’s only once a month – giving you lots of time to consider your entry before the end of the calendar month.  Second, and most important, this is a BLOG HOP (after all, it is the CBBH – Conejo Blanco Blog Hop, meaning white rabbit in Spanish), so DON’T FORGET that in your post you need to add links to two blogs that you have visited and commented on during the past month.  That way, when we visit each other, we can HOP OVER to your links, connect with others and share a little blog love around!

Conejo Blanco BLOG HOP Photo Challenge

My Featured Blog Links for this month:

Casa Az provides an online scrapbook of daily events in the life the Queen of Tapas!  Canadian by birth, Shawn is a cancer survivor now living with her little friends in the Andalucían capital of Seville, where she conducts tapas tours for visitors to the city.

Caroline Angus Baker is a self-professed Duende-loving Kiwi novelist, commentator on modern and historical Spain and Spanish Civil War nerd, full of bullfighting praise.  She’s had a busy 2013, too!

I’d love to you pop along and say HOLA to both of these ladies.  Tell them Marianne sent you!

So that´s the CBBH Photo Challenge for January, everyone!

Remember, all you have to do is post your entry by the end of the month, tag your entry ‘CBBH Photo Challenge’,  link back to this blog and, most importantlydon´t forget to add links to any two blogs that you´ve commented on during the past month, so that we can all HOP OVER and have a look.  Make sure you FOLLOW THIS BLOG so you don´t miss next month´s exciting challenge!

For more information on how the CBBH Photo Challenge works click here.

I hope everyone taking part enjoys the exposure the CBBH Photo Challenge offers to featured blogs and, who knows, you may end up finding a new favourite!  I´m looking forward to seeing your interpretations.

[CBBH logo Image credit: (cc) Mostly Dans]

CBBH Photo Challenge: CURVES IN NATURE

The theme for this month’s CBBH Photo Challenge is CURVES IN NATURE.  Curved shapes in nature are all around us – animals and birds, trees and flowers, mountains, seas and skies.

Show me what you see.  Be creative.  Just be sure it’s a natural curve rather than man-made.  OOHHH …. and, have fun with it!

Don’t forget that the CBBH Photo Challenge is a little different from some other challenges, in two ways.  First, it’s only once a month – giving you lots of time to consider your entry before the end of the calendar month.  Second, and most important, this is a BLOG HOP (after all, it is the CBBH – Conejo Blanco Blog Hop, meaning white rabbit in Spanish), so DON’T FORGET that in your post you need to add links to two blogs that you have visited and commented on during the past month.  That way, when we visit each other, we can HOP OVER to your links, connect with others and share a little blog love around!

My CURVES IN NATURE come to you from New Zealand, where I was fortunate to spend seven glorious weeks during January and February 2013.  Without doubt, New Zealand is one of my favourite countries in the world.

Te Reinga, New Zealand

Right at the top of the North Island is Cape Reinga (or Te Rerenga Wairua in Maori), one of the most significant sites in New Zealand.  For Maori people, this is where a person’s spirit comes after death and departs for their eternal home.  The rocky point jutting out to sea is Te Reinga and, according to Maori legend, the place where the spirits of the newly departed enter the underworld.  Clinging to the rock, there is an ancient kahika tree, named Te Aroha.  The spirits descend to the water on steps formed by the tree’s roots and then continue their journey to Hawaiki, the spiritual homeland.  What a lovely idea – I like that, very much.

Te Rerenga Wairua also marks the point where the Tasman Sea collides with the Pacific Ocean, and often this division can be clearly seen in the colour and turbulence of the water.

IMG_6206

The Northland region is renowned for its beautiful beaches, secluded bays and accessible islands.   We found Langs Beach to be the ultimate destination for simple relaxation.   Gorgeous, isn’t it?

Dolphins in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand

These dolphins were just two of many surrounding our boat during a tour of the Bay of Islands.  They loved showing off, playing and jumping in the wake of the boat.  I have very happy memories of this day. 

Alfonsino fish, New Zealand

What do you make of this big-eyed Alfonsino fish displayed on crushed ice in the Fish Market in the up-and-coming trendy Wynyard Quarter on the Auckland waterfront?

Shell beach, New Zealand

Mount Maunganui is a dormant volcanic cone and focal point of the coastal Bay of Plenty.  As we followed the walking track around the base of the cone we came across a small bay and instead of sand, the surface was made entirely of multi-coloured shells.

Gorgeous tree and bark

The Sunday morning Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ market at Hastings was a real treat and this was where I bought some delicious cheeses and tasty bread for our picnic later in the day.  It was a glorious day and at one point I took shelter from the heat of the sun beneath this wonderful old tree.  It had such a great shape with a mottled trunk and branches.  I wonder how many years it has stood there?

I love travel!

Yes, I love to travel – and am lucky enough to have visited more than one quarter of all the countries in the world.  In fact, as this post is published I will be in Nuremberg, Germany for the wonderful Christmas markets 🙂

How many countries have you visited?  If I asked you to name one favourite – which would it be?

CBBH Blog Hop

My Featured Blog Links for this month:

*** Molly at Piccavey.com is a British expat blogger, living and writing about her adopted home city of Granada in Andalucía, Spain.  Many people are familiar with the Alhambra Palace or the free tapas on offer in Granada, but Molly offers practical information that you may not read in tourist guide books – from the perspective of someone who actually lives there.  If you are considering a visit to Granada, follow Molly’s advice if you want to buy tickets to see the Alhambra,  discover the difference between pintxos, tapas and raciones or find out the main festivites and most popular dates in Granada’s annual calendar.  

*** The Scribbler in Seville is a journalist, translator, teacher, wife and mother living in southern Spain.  Fiona writes with a passion about her home city of Seville as well as about Andalucia as a whole.  She recently told us about the olive oil producing region of Jaen, the fabulous ceramic tiles to be found around Seville and a gourmet hiking adventure aboard Mr Henderson’s Railway in the heart of Andalucía (parts of which were featured on a UK TV programme by Michael Portillo called Great Continental Railway journeys).

So that´s the CBBH Photo Challenge for December, guys!

Remember, all you have to do is post your entry by the end of the month, tag your entry ‘CBBH Photo Challenge’,  link back to this blog and, most importantlydon´t forget to add links to any two blogs that you´ve commented on during the past month, so that we can all HOP OVER and have a look.  Make sure you FOLLOW THIS BLOG so you don´t miss next month´s exciting challenge!

For more information on how the CBBH Photo Challenge works click here.

I hope everyone taking part enjoys the exposure the CBBH Photo Challenge offers to featured blogs and, who knows, you may end up finding a new favourite!  I´m looking forward to seeing your interpretations.

[CBBH logo Image credit: (cc) Mostly Dans]