CBBH Photo Challenge: WINDOWS

Whether your first thought is of panes of glass or Operating Systems

– the CBBH Photo Challenge theme for October is WINDOWS!

Pretty window in Cómpeta, Spain

I found my first window as I wandered around the streets of the white village of Cómpeta.  You´ve heard me mention this village many times before, because it is the closest to my home in the nearby countryside.  Many of the very pretty village houses have plants outside their windows but inside the metal grills that are a common feature on houses in the area.

Stained glass window depicting St George slaying the dragon

This beautiful stained glass window is in St George´s Church, the oldest Anglican church in mainland Spain.   St George´s Church can be found within the grounds of the English Cemetery, about 300m east of the bullring in the city of Málaga.

Malaga´s Atarazanas market

Staying in the city of Málaga, here is another stained glass window, but this time it´s inside the Atarazanas Market.  Offering fresh, local produce at fantastic prices the Mercado Central de Atarazanas is most definitely worth a visit if you happen to find yourself in the city.  Joining the bustling crowds of discerning locals at the stalls offering an abundance of seafood, fruit, vegetables, meat, spices and dried fruits is a wonderful way to buy fresh, local produce.

The ivy-clad windows of the Parador in Ronda, Spain

Here are some of the ivy-clad windows and balconies of the Parador in Ronda, where we were fortunate enough to spend a few days last summer.   Paradors are state-run hotels, often located in castles, palaces, monasteries and extraordinary Spanish national heritage buildings. The Parador of Ronda is a luxury hotel in the former town hall, which sits on the edge of a gorge.

Derelict sugar factory in Maro, Spain

Do you remember when I visited the derelict San Joaquín sugar mill, on the old N340 coast road between Nerja and Maro?   Though the glass in this window is long gone, it was still interesting to peer through at the interior of the building, though unsafe to wander inside given the state of the roof.

Flying over the snowy mountains of northern Spain, heading south.

The window of an aeroplane gives a unique look at the world from a totally different perspective.  Whenever I fly, I always request of window seat because I love the spectacular views of the world from 35,000 feet!  Here you can see the snowy mountains of northern Spain, as I am flying south, back home from a visit to England.

Window and pretty balcony in Nerja, Spain

There is always a lovely display of flowers on this particular balcony in the nearby town of Nerja.  I always think it must be delightful to look out of this window and see all the different shades of pink and purple of the many flowers.  The patterned tiling underneath the balcony is very typical of the area, and I also like the way that the white building opposite and the deep blue sky is reflected in the panes of glass.

Ice on car windows in Spain

My final window might surprise you, as most people think that it´s always hot and sunny in Spain – all year round.   This photograph was taken a couple of years ago over the  Christmas holidays, whilst we were staying in one of the cave rooms at El Ventorro near to Alhama de Granada.  Being only about 50 kms from the city of Granada with the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains and ski resort,  we awoke one morning to find our car completely iced up.  We didn´t have long to wait though, because by the time we had eaten breakfast, the sun had come up and all the ice had disappeared!

This month´s CBBH Featured Blogs:

** Sally at Deliberately Delicious describes herself as a “Collector of sand dollars.  Adventurer.  Writer.  Weather girl.  Back up singer in a little black dress.  Dancer.  Poet.  Soccer mom.  Bond girl.  Teacher.  Diva.  Walker of beaches.  Seeker of truth and all things delicious in life.”

I have so enjoyed reading about Sally´s adventures this summer, sailing with her friend, Dan, on the western coast of Canada, near to her home in Victoria, British Columbia.  She writes with an easy-reading style, and has  many stunning photographs on her blog.  Deliberately Delicious has quickly become one of my favourite blogs to escape to.

** Whilst we are on the subject of delicious, Natalie at Cook Eat Live Vegetarian features amazing recipes and photographs that you just want to dive straight into!

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, though fortunately now fully recovered, Natalie attributes her swift recovery to a combination of conventional and alternative treatments and to her following a whole foods, mainly plant based diet.

She is  a freelance food writer, photographer and stylist, specialising in delicious vegetarian and vegan cuisine that you wont be able to resist trying!

So that´s the CBBH Photo Challenge for October, folks!

Remember, all you have to do is post your entry by the end of the monthlink 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]

Don´t fret about the missing WPC: Two Photo Challenges in Two Days!

Fresh vegetables on display at Atarazanas market, Málaga

I wonder what happened to the WordPress Photo Challenge for this week?

If you like regular Photo Challenges and you´re tired of waiting, why not join in with TWO CBBH Monthly Photo Challenges in TWO days? 

Today is the last day for entries in the CBBH September Challenge on REPETITION and, as tomorrow is the start of another month, October´s brand-new CBBH Photo Challenge will be posted first thing in the morning.

YOU´RE GOING TO LOVE IT – I PROMISE!

Anchovies in vinegar in Atarazanas Market, Málaga

Find out how the CBBH Monthly Photo Challenge works here.

What are you waiting for?

Other photo challenges you might enjoy:

Travel theme: Curves

Sunday Post: From a Distance

Weekly Image of Life: Colours

Travel Theme: Foliage

Baby lemons growing on the tree after the rain

When life gives you lemons …… these little beauties are only babies yet, but it´s wonderful to be able to go into the garden to pluck them from the tree to squeeze over freshly-barbecued fish!

This post is my response to this week´s Travel Theme: Foliage

Related posts:

When life gives you curves, flaunt them!

CBBH Photo challenge: REPETITION

Cheeky Monkey: Now you see him, now you don´t!

The Buddhist Stupa of the Eastern Costa del Sol

If you are visiting the eastern Costa del Sol, you might not anticipate that there is a beautiful Buddhist Stupa within easy reach of the Mediterranean coast.

The first Buddhist Kalachakra stupa built in the western hemisphere can be visited about 40 kilometres east of Málaga, north of the town of Vélez-Málaga, near to the Karma Guen Buddhist meditation centre.

Signpost to the Kalachara Stupa in Velez-Malaga

At the entrance to the Buddhist Stupa, with Monte Maroma behind

The stupa is not easily seen from the surrounding countryside, so where is it?

About a forty minute drive east of the city of Málaga along the A7-E15 Autovía del Mediterraneo to km 272,  take the exit signposted A 356 towards Vélez-Málaga, Viñuela, Colmenar and Zafarraya.  Stay on the A356, bypassing the town of Vélez-Málaga and, after about 7 kilometres, turn left at the junction signed towards El Trapiche.  Approximately one kilometre further, (opposite the Jardines del Trapiche) there is a small sign on the right for the Karma Guen Buddhist centre.  Take this concrete and tarmac road for two kilometres, and then the unmade track up the hill for another two kilometres.

Park and walk through the avenue of pine trees and, all of a sudden, there it is!

Avenue of pine trees leading to the Buddhist Stupa, Vélez-Málaga, Spain

First sight of the Buddhist Stupa in Vélez-Málaga, Spain

Swift accomplishment of Wishes

Sign at the Buddhist Stupa, Vélez-Málaga, Spain

Within Buddhism, the Stupa is a symbol of universal peace and unity.  It is claimed that they have protective powers and bring about compassion, love and happiness, as well as social, physical and spiritual well-being.

The Kalachakra is the rarest type of stupa.  At the present time, there are only five Kalachakra stupas in the world and this one, near to Vélez-Málaga, was the first to be built in the West.  It was hoped that building this stupa would help to protect Europe against negative energies.

The Golden Buddah statue at the Stupa at Vélez-Málaga, Spain

The eyes of the Buddhist Stupa, Vélez-Málaga, Spain

Just like the famous Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, this Kalachakra stupa has eyes painted on it, which is a Nepalese custom.

The golden dome of the Stupa glistens in the beautiful sunshine

View across to Monte Maroma from the Buddhist Stupa, eastern Costa del Sol

The Buddhist Stupa overlooks the eastern Costa del Sol

The journey to see the Kalachakra stupa at Karma Guen is a relatively easy one (bearing in mind the mountain roads) but the views on arrival both towards the mountains and the sea are magnificent.

The stunning Stupa of Kalachakra at Vélez-Málaga, Spain

I often take visitors to see the Stupa because it´s an unusual and memorable place to visit. 

Where do you take your visitors that surprises them?

This peaceful post is my contribution to this week´s Travel Theme: White and to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the UN International Day of Peace.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like to look at:

Bus Services: East of Málaga

A Weekend Away: Santiago de Compostela

Slice of Life: Spanish bars

Travel Theme: Texture

Tree bark texture at the Jardin Concepcion, Málaga.

Botanical gardens around the world are often well worth a visit while travelling, and Málaga’s La Concepción Gardens are no exception.   Just to the north of the city, the stunning  Jardín Botánico-Historico La Conceptión has justifiably attracted a reputation for being amongst the best in Europe.

I´d been meaning to visit for a while, but somehow never got around to it, but this beautifully-coloured tree bark was just one of the many reasons why I´m so glad I did.  I´ll share the rest with you in another post, very soon!

This post is my response to this week´s Travel Theme: Texture

 

Related posts:

When life gives you curves, flaunt them!

Travel Theme: Silhouette

Travel Theme: Signs