I have a proper affection for places.
I think we all do.
Our home towns, our favourite holiday destinations , places that mark significant milestones and times in our lives.
We all have love for a place.
New York City holds such affection from me, of course so does Trelawnyd, Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, Sydney, Sitges in Spain and that grubby old dame of Yorkshire my beloved old home city of Sheffield all rank highly in in those places that have made me the person you see today.
As I was driving into Llandudno this morning, the early morning Sun , made earlier by the clock’s change, lit up the Great Orme eastern face in a dazzling flash of golden warm light.
I stopped on the North Shore to take a photo of the peninsula and had a sudden rush of affection ( once termed SRAs) for the slightly fading but still valiant Victorian town.
It’s Welsh but remains oh so different from Trelawnyd and indeed from its local hinterland,
And I regard it with some pride and like the Sun reflecting on the Orme, with a great deal of warmth.
The affection for some places is deeply rooted in our psyches, isn't it. That is a particularly beautiful view, with the sea looking so benign and the glow of the stone. Wonderful. No wonder you hold it in affection. It is a forbidding sight in rough, winter weather?
ReplyDeleteOh yes when it’s bad, the goats leave the Rock even more
DeleteAffection for places is pretty much the same as affection for people. You are prepared to accept and appreciate their flaws and imperfections.
ReplyDeleteExactly that’s why you often love a place
DeleteSheffield’s eclectic look and feel always warms me
I know just what you mean. It's like a visceral pull.
ReplyDeleteA punch to the stomach x
DeleteWe had a long weekend there a few years ago, we stayed in the not so Grand Hotel.
ReplyDeleteYes, these days it's not so aptly named. Next time splash out and stay at Osbornes :-)
DeleteYes another place I don’t think I will revisit sue
DeleteView was brilliant, lovely sunrise from our balcony
DeleteI love Llandudno and have visited a couple of times. We had planned to go again last year but Covid stopped us. Maybe this year we will get there again. I'll buy you a coffee if we do.
ReplyDeleteAnd I will accept x
DeleteIt is a great photo of the peninsular. When we were in Conway, I had no idea we were close to you and I was so sick and not on the ball. One of life's regrets.
ReplyDeleteOnly a stones throw x
DeleteFor a long time now, I've not lived in the place which was, looking back, my favourite place to live (North London). I'm happier though, now, than I probably would have been had I stayed there. Place, I think, is important but it's probably one of the least important of the important things in life for me (that's not to underestimate it). I do love North Wales but, again, I like to keep it as somewhere I go to now and again.
ReplyDeleteNicely explained x
DeleteIt is a great photograph this morning. I have strong affections for a few places. You have made me think about it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your list
DeleteI think our dogs are missing their Llandudno walks already. We'll have to take them to Morecambe now that we are allowed to travel a bit, but it's not quite so pretty as the prom at Llandudno.
ReplyDeleteThe places I hold affection for are Sark ... to walk down the high street is to be in another era as the postman goes past on his bike and the Doctors tractor overtakes ... Garstang, Ulverston in Cumbria and Llandudno in that order.
Thank you sue x
DeleteLincolnshire - although when I returned to look around I realised I couldn't go back to living there.
ReplyDeleteVenice - never tire of it.
New York - adore it - farmer hated it like a true Yorkshire farmer I guess.
Norwegian Coast - all hold a place in my memory.
Well travelled pat x
DeleteI have lived in and visited lots of places during my life and have affection for many of them. But re-visiting nearly always disappoints me, probably because the friends and loved ones are no longer there or the experience doesn't compare to the original.
ReplyDeleteI understand this
DeleteAs Sue says, sometimes it's not good going back to places, especially if what makes them special were people who are no longer there. I'm a Mancunian, but Manchester holds nothing for me, whereas Liverpool, which is about 15 miles from me now, is special. xx
ReplyDeleteI doubt I will ever revisit New York for that reason
DeletePerhaps someday you'll come visit and make wonderful new memories. Not bittersweet, just happy.
Deletexx
Perhaps I will
DeleteI'm another Mancunian who is always happiest when I'm driving away from the city. I left at 25 and I would never live there again.
DeleteYes, curious how we are drawn to some places and not to others...they just fit. My place is Ludlow in Shropshire. Maybe I'll move there one day!
ReplyDeleteTell me why
DeleteIt's full of a sense of history. From the castle towering above Dinham bridge and the river, to the tiny streets with half timbered cottages, and the huge St Lawrence's church tucked away in the centre of the town, you can feel the presence of all the people who have lived there. I've shopped there weekly for years; there are still proper little shops where the owners know you, and Turb's favourite butcher throws him a couple of chunks of beef when he drags me in. There's also a vibrant and varied market (when Covid is not restricting it) with a stall on the Thursday farmer's market that sells the best scotch eggs! And all surrounded by the beautiful Shropshire hills.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteTalking of Llandudno we saw your goats on our news the other day - quite a sight at 6pm Melbourne time.
ReplyDeleteEach time we visit Singapore the memories of life there in the 1960s come flooding back - I’m impressed by the changes yet mourn the loss of the slower way of life from those times
The new skyline must be amazing to see
DeleteI can't wait to get to my favourite place-I can usually find a spot to just relax and breathe slowly and sigh.It's from fields overlooking the sea x
ReplyDeleteLovely I may organise a quiz , entitled my fav place
DeleteGREAT PHOTO!
ReplyDeleteThank u
DeleteI need to stop and take more pictures. Not just on vacations but everyday.
ReplyDeleteWe all do .... Steve on http://shadowsteve.blogspot.com/ especially so x
DeleteI know what you mean about affection. I’ve travelled a lot and moved around a fair bit (lived and worked on four continents and six countries) but the place I now live “fits” me better than other places I have lived.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling was pretty instantaneous. It took 12 hours to decided to sell up and move continents.
I’d love to hear of your adventures
DeleteBeautiful photograph ...... I am now thinking of places that I have an affection for ...... Venice, Amalfi coast, Siena, Cinque de Terre ... .. pretty much all of Italy, the Big Sur, Monument Valley, Bryce and Zion Canyon, Lake Powell, and much of the U.K. I could go on and on but I’m boring myself now !!!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI know I’m going to love Italy
DeleteMy. Next visiting place
Beautiful shot!
ReplyDeleteCheers debs x
DeleteWhyalla, South Australia, cycling to the Foreshore cafe from my UniSA digs on a Sunday afternoon for a coffee and a blueberry muffin, the LLyn Peninsula and the garden at Plas yn Rhiw, and Ludlow - lovely town with a great market. Oh, and Trelawnyd.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that last word. It made me a bit emotional
DeleteA few weeks ago, I made a comment on this blog. It was the first time I have ever commented on any blog. The subject being discussed was emotive and relatable to me, I wanted so much to be included and I felt proud that I took the leap and participated. As I don’t have a blog and couldn’t think of a catchy name, I just signed it Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteSince that time, I’ve read some vile comments directed at John regarding his previous relationship delivered by “Anonymous”. I ask - What drives someone to be so hateful towards another person? I’m calling that behaviour out for what it is – Disgusting - Stop it! I for one am offended for John by your relentless attack. You have put all the genuine Anonymous commenters to shame.
Why not just append your name, or any consistent name at random, as exemplified here, but used consistently, to avoid confusion? Most of us have a pretty good idea who the nasty Anonymous is anyway, unless John has managed to attract two of them?
DeleteThank you two ...it’s nice to have people in your corner.. the trolls remain deleted
DeleteI'm just a newbie at this Professor Aristotle Not. I came out of my shell for a peep. Thing is - I detest a bully. It's hurtful to read the vitriol slung John's way. I'll think of a suitable name to use but in the meantime I'm "Not The Nasty Anonymous".
DeleteI had someone on another blog I comment on pretend to be me and be very offensive x
DeleteThank you heaps for the advice Flis, I will take it on board. x
DeleteYou assholes....john is just a sad overweight gay who lived through a more successful spouse
DeleteWhat a sad sorrowful piece of humanity you are. NTNA
DeleteSpectacular photo, I know that feeling of comfort and attachment. It is good.
ReplyDeleteWe forget to explain it sometimes relying on the nostalgia and affection of real people
DeleteStunning scenery! I think the golden yellows and shade of lilac hues would have been nice colours to use for your home decor that you recently asked for advice about!
ReplyDeleteI may frame the photograph Simone x
DeleteThat would be lovely. x
DeleteCue ”In My Life” (Beatles). Lovely photo.
ReplyDeleteI like that reference
DeleteLove that photo!
ReplyDeleteAnd that would be a place I'd like to visit.
XOXO
There is a copper mine on the top of the peninsula which the Romans shipped copper to the entire world
DeleteI was born in Chicago but grew up in the Chicago suburbs. I still always feel like a tourist when I visit Chicago - stretching my neck to look up at the skyscrapers, watching the people bustling around, exploring the lakefront. I will be glad when I can make the trip in again after it is safe.
ReplyDeleteIs it your favourite place though x
Delete"Grubby old dame of Yorkshire"? What the? No way you'll be getting the freedom of the city now old chap.
ReplyDeleteTell me I’m not right
DeleteYou are not right. You must be referring to Walkley.
DeleteHills borough
DeleteBeautifully written! That photo is stunning and it's wonderful that you had the forethought to stop driving and to preserve the moment.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Cheers babs
DeleteWhat a stellar photo, as well as lovely writing. i am thinking now of the the SRAs in my like.
ReplyDeleteS R A s can be for people too hart x
DeleteI love your picture. We all hold places close to our hearts...and I imagine that we all remember them as golden places, bathed in a rare light. Your picture brings that affection back to mind.
ReplyDeleteRare light
DeleteI like that
Several generations of my family are buried in the churchyard of St Tudno, on the Great Orme. I love Llandudno, but don't live there. Lizziex
ReplyDeleteIt’s a beautiful little church
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful picture!
ReplyDeleteIt stopped me in my tracks this morning
DeleteI could easily develop an affection for the view alone. It's odd, I like where we live for lots of practical reasons, but don't find I have an affection for it. Likewise where I grew up -- New York. I enjoy the city and all it has to offer but I don't have an affection for it. There are places I do have affection for Sevilla, Boston, and San Diego -- of the places I've lived. I've visited places in other countries that immediately sang to me. Bergen, Norway, for one.
ReplyDeleteIt’s the song I was after my friend well explained
DeleteI couldn’t quite define the place as a song
Wonderful photo. We have been up the Great Orme once and visited Llandudno twice. Now we are allowed out, we are off to Portland this week, would love to live near the sea, but so lucky in the UK that the coast is not too far where ever we live. Different places definitely bring back memories.
ReplyDeleteThink of me when u next visit x
DeleteOh, and wouldn't that photo look lovely on your yellow walls of the sitting room or the blue walls (coming soon) of your bedroom? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Perhaps
DeleteGreat photo. Oban's the place, for me, although we only ever visit (and very regularly) but I do believe I could happily live there. The views, the sea, the proximity to the islands, the constant bustle and to and fro of big ferries and small boats. Love it.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a perfect storm when you get it right
DeletePlace, time, person ,
I have a deep affection for living near the sea. My first experience was in a home built on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic in Massachusetts and later a second home in Maine on Penobscot Bay. I never tire of the sea. I've spent time in Devon, England and have many fond memories here too.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethis is such a lovely, nostalgic post
ReplyDeleteThank u
DeleteSo very lovely.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo John would look lovely framed. I have moved often but for the most part I have always loved living near the coast as then I feel connected to the rest of the world and can sit by the water and dream of what lies beyond.
ReplyDeleteMany people are drawn to water
DeleteBeautiful picture! Yea, I suppose we all have affection for our hometowns and places that are significant to us. (As the Beatles sang, "There are places I remember..")
ReplyDeleteGlad you gave Sydney a thumbs up...beautiful city !
ReplyDeleteI have some lovely memories of watching the flying bats circle the opera house at night
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