Come away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
I think a few of us are going to miss Becky’s challenge when it ends, it’s certainly given me a focus through a mad month, thanks Becky!
I needed a ferry ride to take today’s photo, from one country to another and the towns at both sides are lovely. It was one of the best couple of pounds I’ve spent.
A few circles and lots of squares in my square photo.
Today’s photo is from Turkey again, found at a caravanserai. on the road between Konya and Aksaray. When I first heard the word caravanserai, it was the name of an album by Santana and I had no idea what it meant!
Just three days of Becky’s square challenge left after today, I’m looking at the world through square eyes so I think I’ll use the format a lot in future.
Inside the cave chapel of St Barbara, Goreme. Unlike some of the cave churches, St Barbara’s was simply decorated with red paint on white plaster, probably after the 8th century.
A square filled with circles for Becky’s March challenge, day 27.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day, it was lovely to be able to take the dogs for a walk without getting wet or frozen. So the canal at Tiverton called and we answered.
We decided against walking from the basin near the town, there are far fewer people just a couple of miles towards Halberton, where there’s a free car park. From there you’re right into countryside.
After just a hundred metres or so we came across these barges, despite looking a bit dilapidated, they seemed to have some function still, the second had a motor attached.
To the right of the towpath, the fields stretched away to the horizon, in various states of readiness. The remains of winter crops of sprouts, and a dark purple brassica lie in neat rows. Fresh young grass that had survived the recent snows, beside still naked land that may have tiny life budding through the red soil. I liked the zigzags and the red machine waiting to perform its magic.
Back to the path and a troop of school army cadets pounded towards us, neither walking or running and very humourless. Perhaps they’d been reprimanded.
Across the water the still bare trees created some nice reflections. George jumped in because he saw a duck, his first time in water other than the sea or a bath, Flora gave him a good telling off.
This duck and its reflection seemed to have his head on backwards, you should be able to click for a bigger view.
There a few very colourful minutes when a barge came along.
Complete with quivering reflections.
This young lass would have blended in nicely as a passenger.
The hedgerow provided lots of interest
This beginning of a laid hedge has a long way to go.
Can you see the sheep at the top of the field? they’ve designed their own camouflage gear.
In the distance stands the tower of Halberton church. This part of the walk forms an elbow shape, and I hadn’t realised how close we are to the village when we set off. 
Some battered reeds make an interesting natural sculpture.
We didn’t walk very far, just a couple of miles. Flora had been to the vet on Saturday and had had a 24 hour fast,so that was far enough. For every mile I walk the dogs probably run three.
They were both fine and very hungry when we got home and then slept very well.
Even though they’re looking away from the camera, I love this photo, the first good one I’ve taken of them. usually they don’t keep still but this time they were entranced.
Jo, I tried to do this last night but needed an early night, so I missed your Monday Walk post, this would have been my first for a long time! She’s in Jerez this week, and she’s responsible for me adding to my bucket list. Have a look, it’s fabulous.
The Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilisations is a real treasure trove of ancient artifacts. i could have spent days there. I really liked this lion sculpture and luckily it is covered in round curls.
Not very fierce though is he? Becky’s been collecting lots of squares with circles this month, have you?
. . . of my favourite places is Dartmoor National park, right here in Devon. It’s impossible to chose just one really isn’t it? This weeks photo challenge is pretty similar to the last, where I chose my own city as the place I’d rather be. Outside of Devon and the UK, my favourite place is usually the most recent place I’ve travelled to, but I’ve decided to stick to the moor.
For a slide show and bigger view click and photo.
I’m back in Turkey again today, with a photo from a village in Anatolia. I’ve ticked the boxes for Becky, with circles in my square.
It’s been a while since this lovely old cart’s been anywhere. I hope it doesn’t completely fall apart.
Just a week left now in March, you can still join in, Becky’s last Sunday March square is here!
I’ve just spent a lazy hour browsing my photos from past travels and I’ve found lots of potential squares in Turkey for Becky’s March challenge. You may be fed up with me by month end!
This photo was taken in Istanbul on my last day, I was shattered by then, my head exploding with images from travelling 1500 miles in that incredible country.
Here I am looking a bit dazed in the Grand Bazaar, not lost, there wasn’t enough time unfortunately. Becky, if not perfect circles, there are some rounded shapes for you. She has a soft sepia eye today.
Ahh this photo makes me feel warm and I can smell the morning air in Jemaa el Fna, ripe with fragrance of the sweetest orange juice anywhere.
Just a few circles in my square today Becky!
Pen that is? If you grew up in the times when neat cursive handwriting was a must is school, you probably had a Parker pen. You might have had ink in a little bottle, or if you’re getting on a bit, those old ink wells in desks might have been filled by the school.
Visiting Sherri the other day, she reminisces and mourns the loss of those days. Of course you didn’t get to use an ink pen in the beginning, it was something to aspire to when your writing skills with a pencil were deemed acceptable. Luckily mine was very neat and my progress to ink was swift and only very occasionally marred with a tiny splash or smudge of blue.
A few years ago I was browsing in a big chain office supply store, when I came across Parker again. Fancying the idea of writing with one, I splashed out around a tenner. This is what I bought.
Remember the Quink?
I was hoping that my handwriting would return to the prize winning standard of the 8 year old G. Alas no, there’s no hope, unless . . . perhaps if I treated myself to a seriously posh expensive one. What do you think? No laughing in the back there please.
Lucid Gypsy 