First Impressions: Marrakesh

 
I See... 

Arid, red-brown earth
Buildings the same colour as the earth - as if they've grown from the soil
Ancient olive groves, palm trees, cacti
Citrus trees laden with fruit (reminds me of Spain)
Chaotic traffic (reminds me of India)
Camels and monkeys
Patterns - everywhere

I Hear...

The haunting call to prayer of the muezzin
The cacophony of noise in the square
Drums
People importuning me on all sides

I Smell...

Hedges of rosemary
Incense

I Taste...

Warm spices
Savoury food sweetened with dried fruits
Freshly squeezed orange juice

I Feel...

Sunshine on my skin
The jostle of crowds about me
An unfamiliar camera in my hands

I Sense... 

A culture far removed from my own
Centuries of tradition unfurled before me
The mystery of Marrakesh

Features of the Landscape: The Moors

I thought this year I’d take you on a tour of some of the features that make up the Pennine landscape – those things which contribute to its unique identity.

Of course, there’s only one place to start – and that’s with the moors.  Stretching for mile upon mile across the Pennine hills, the moors are synonymous with this area’s bleak and rugged beauty.  It’s a bleakness some find too harsh, but which others love.

The moors by definition cover upland areas where the climate is too hostile for cultivation.  There are few trees.  Just mile after wild mile of heather and bilberries and coarse grass.

Hardy breeds of sheep can survive on the terrain; and gamekeepers monitor the numbers of grouse and other game birds.  But mostly, the moors are deserted places – home to wild animals and visited only occasionally by hikers and dog walkers.

I’m one of those who has been seduced by the spare beauty of the moors.  Who revels in their changing moods and can find endless interest in their stark aspect.  But that, I’m sure, is patently obvious.

The Wisdom of the Spindly Tree

(Observed putting forth buds in the midst of a terrific storm.)

Don’t be distracted by what’s happening around you. Don’t make excuses or wait for another day. Focus quietly on the job in hand. Stick to your purpose. Go gently but doggedly about your business.

Then, when it’s time to blossom, you’ll be ready.

My ABC Of Important Things

Wholly inspired by Susannah Conway’s post of the same title last week, here’s my version:

A is for Animals.  Joss the dog and Nettle the cat.  They’ve travelled to America and back with me. They’re the best companions I could ever wish for.  I love them with a passion.

B is for Books.  Life-long love affair.  And as for bookshops….

C is for Colour.  It rocks my world.

D is for Dixon Hill.  The house that turned into a blog that turned into a business.

E is for E-courses.  Love doing them.  Love creating them.  Very proud of Falling Into Place.  Next one’s in the pipeline.

F is for Fruit, Films, Flip-flops, Family, Friends. So many good and important things begin with F.

G is for Gratitude.  Powerful, transformative stuff.  (Also for Glasses.  Sad to say, but these days I can’t read a thing without them.  Which makes them about the most important thing I own.  Sigh!)

H is for Health.  Having lost so many years of my life to illness, this is something I never take for granted.

I is for Instagram.  My social media comfort zone.  The single biggest reason I now feel qualified to call myself a photographer.

J is for Jumping Up and Down.  Any exercise I do has to be fun and non-competitive.  Bouncing on my rebounder puts a big smile on my face.  As does hula-ing in my hoop.

K is for Kate.  Best mate and companion for the journey.  I waited many years for a friend like Kate.  Definitely worth the wait.

L is for Lists.  Where would I be without them?!

M is for the Moors.  They’re my daily fix of beauty; my space to think; the place I get to spend time with my dog; the reason I’m primarily a landscape photographer; the heart of my blog.  Oh, and an excuse to wear my wellies every day.

N is for Network.  The inspiration and encouragement that abound amongst the online creative community are truly amazing.  And act as rocket fuel.

O is for Overcoming.  Of all the things of which I’m proud, I’m most proud of overcoming all the bad stuff life‘s thrown my way.  There’s been a fair bit of it.  But I’m still here.  And I’m still smiling.

P is for Piano.  Mine’s currently in storage.  Lost without it.  Can’t wait to have it back.

Q is for Quiet.  I’m a country girl.  I’m a homebird.  I spend lots of time alone.  And I like it quiet, please.

R is for Radio.  Except, that is, when I want the radio on.  Classic FM.  Radio 4. My life is richer for you both.

S is for Support.  From my husband.  My parents. My friends.  None of us succeeds alone in this world.  Massively grateful to all of the above.  Whom I love dearly.

T is for Technology queen!  Who’d have thought it?  I LOVE my laptop, iPad, iPhone.  And the worlds and opportunities they open up.  So happy to be of the generation that’s wowed by this stuff.  (In the past folk didn’t have it; in the future they’ll take it for granted.)

U is for Upside.  There’s always one.  Important to find it.

V is for Vitamix.  Kitchen stalwart.  Source of daily smoothies and juices.

W is for Work.  I love working.  If writing and taking pictures constitute work.  Which apparently they do.

X is for eXcellence.  I strive for it always.

Y is for Yorkshire.  The county I’ve called home for the greater part of my life.

Z is for that particular shade of Zesty, Zingy lime green you’ll find on my blog.  And my handbag.  And my purse.  And half my wardrobe.  And with which I’m slightly obsessed.

The Runners

The moors are usually the preserve of grouse and sheep; of dogs and the folk who walk them; of hikers and the occasional horse-rider.

But, once in a while, the fell runners descend.  Hoards of them.

These two men were up very early, marking out the route with flags and scattering grit on the most dangerously icy slopes.

Before the race began.