Crafty in the Med

I am here to enjoy meeting other bloggers and to share my love of craft ,mostly crochet, my thoughts and my daily happenings here in Alicante,Spain, my adopted country. I belong to a local choir because singing and music makes me happy. Flea markets and book shops are two of my favourite places to be. I read lots......sci´fi/fantasy,buried treasure, and off world adventures. I have a passion for history! I walk and walk and walk for about 10 months per year during the hot months I swim.

Wednesday 10 November 2021

Waiting for the train

 

Street photography




We saw this little puddy cat there on the railway lines just as we were going into the Park of the Sea last Sunday. I couldn't resist taking a photo as it does look as if he is waiting for something. 

The extension of this park which was still under construction when I mentioned it in a previous post. It was inaugurated by the Mayor and other dignitaries last Sunday. We skipped the ceremony as we were not interested in the typical "waffle" that the right-wing spout off purely to promote their party.  I didn't take any photos of the new park area as it was packed with people and we can return another time. I was quite impressed with the size of this extension to the park.    

Coming out of the park we saw "puddy" cat was still there waiting and there were a few other cats hovering around too so we thought perhaps someone had been feeding them and that is who they were waiting for. 

Dear cat lovers, Just in case you were a little distressed thinking that "puddy" cat was in danger sitting there on the railway line. This is a disused railway line which was abandoned many years ago. 🐈


Part II.  Orihuela Cathedral



From the Door of Chains around the corner to the Door of Loreto...

 



also known as the Door of the Musicians...and in we go.


A powerful smell of incense and Holy Water welcomed me as I stepped over the inner door frame . Those smells bring back vivid memories of attending church with all the family when I was little; when mass was always in latin. 

I was just going to have a very quick look around but as I heard the priest say to some other tourists that they could take photos I thought well I'll stay awhile.  I was really surprised that taking photos were allowed because they usually tell you not to. 



The 18th century Baroque organ is just above the door I entered so I imagine that is why they also call it the Door of the Musicians.



Tiny chapel Altarpiece



 Central Altar. 

I couldn't go further in the priest was having a chat with someone there and they were queuing to speak to him so thought best not.



The chancel where the choir sits.    It was locked up so I managed to get a photo through these...



As always looking up!





and that is all I had time for as mass was about to start.


We will be returning to Orihuela for sure. I have just read that there is a Velazquez painting kept here in the Episcopal Palace Museum which we just walked past the other Sunday as we headed for the cathedral. 




I don't get to see a Velazquez very often unless one goes up to Madrid to the Prado Museum so it is a very good excuse to return to Orihuela.


Christmas Gift making


Is underway and earlier this year. I am determined nothing will arrive late either. 

For Starters:

Christmas Tree Cushion

10 inch x 16 inch.  

I had to buy some Christmas Green yarn for this as I had none left in my Stash but the pompom was made of sparkly white yarn oddments. I think I have told you before that it makes me feel really good being able to use up the oddments of yarn that accumulate over time.   Link to pattern here 

The cushion itself was a very quick make the tree decoration a bit finicky .





I used yarn with glitter for the Pom Pom and the red streamer but as usual you can't see that in the photo. There is no tree trunk in the pattern so I made that up myself. 



Happy Blogging


Amanda :-)










35 comments:

  1. The Cathedral is sensational, thank you for the pictures. Jean x

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    1. Thanks for calling in Jean. Glad you like the photos but there was so much more. A x

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  2. Wow, thanks for these breathtaking photographs!

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  3. Good morning Amanda, the cathedral is amazing-so beautiful thank you for sharing the photos. I loved the photo with the kitty too. and your tree cushion is lovely Happy Mid week hugs Kathy

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    1. Hi Kathy, I must admit I do like making for Christmas. It is a time of the year when I can go overboard a bit with colour and sparkle. A x

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  4. What beautiful architecture to celebrate. So much to look at!
    I like the cat photo and am relieved to hear it is a disused line.
    Good for you for getting on with your Christmas gifts.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Hello Ellie, The comment about the disused line was an afterthought! There was a moment after taking the photo when I was going to shoo the "puddy" cat off the lines but Sr P reminded me that the line wasn't in use anymore. A x

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  5. I so love to visit cathedrals and other olde buildings. The architecture is always amazing. I loved the churches we saw in August in the UK. We have a few like that here, but not many. The Central Altar is so beautiful, and the doors you entered have me in awe. How did they do these fantastical things so long ago without modern equipment.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Hello Betsy, They had lots of time to make all those beautiful things and they didn't have any distractions like TV, iPads or play stations LOL! Old buildings really draw me to them I much prefer old architecture than the new. A x

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  6. Nice pictures of the cathedral
    Thank you for adding the train line is out if service. :) Good ohoto of the cat.

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    1. Thanks for calling in SPS :-) I thought I best mention that about the disused train line as I could imagine many of our blogfriends would be worried about that cat A x

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  7. I'm so pleased you said the railway was disused as I was thinking just that haha. The cathedral is amazing how lucky that you were able to take photos . The cushion is lovely I like your version better than the pattern, the trunk and decoration make all the difference. xx

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    1. Hello Linda, I also adapted the pattern a bit as I found it was a little chunky and I wanted the tree to look taller. It was a nice easy clear pattern to follow though. A x

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  8. That cathedral is impressive and unusual that you were able to take pictures. Love the chrimbly tree cushion!

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    1. I was surprised too Kate. The norm is you aren’t allowed to take photos but being as the priest said it was ok I took full advantage. A x

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  9. The cathedral is beautiful. I'm glad you could take photos as it's not always allowed and you did well to get a picture of the carved wooden choir stalls through the bars. I like your Christmas tree cushion and I'm smiling when you mention it was a quick make as I would take ages working out the pattern. Hope you are keeping well now Amanda.

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    1. Hello Linda , I was surprised to read that the chancel choir seats were carved by Valencian carpenters. The style looks so German in fact but no they were locals. I am slowly on the mend last big test at the end of the month. This for asking 😊 A. x

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  10. Magnificent cathedral, well worth the visit! Thanks for sharing your photos.

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    1. One of the most beautiful and best cathedrals I have visited was Toledo’s cathedral; now that is a dream of a cathedral! A x

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  11. Your christmas tree cushion is delightful Amanda. I loved your photos & thanks for clarifying about the trains NOT using the track as Yes I was worried for dear wee black pussy cat.

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    1. Many thanks for popping by and leaving a comment :-). I thought the black cat photo was a good example of street photography so I couldn't resist take the snapshot. A x

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  12. I'm another who was a bit concerned for the puddy cat so thanks for explaining.

    I love the cushion - it's such fun and what a good idea.
    xx

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    1. Other people were worried about that Puss too but he obviously knew he was ok :-) A. x

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  13. Your cathedral is beautiful. I'm always amazed at the skill and obvious love that has gone into every little detail of these buildings. Your puddy cat photo reminded me of a cat I saw recently - fast asleep on the roof of a bird table! I don't think there'd be many birds visiting. I love your Christmas tree cushion. xx

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    1. Hi there HH, I'd say rather a lot of wishful thinking on that cat's on top of the bird table roof part LOL! The Xmas cushion was a real fun make! Decorating it was the best bit. A x

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  14. I'm a fan of old doors; thank you for the photo of the one at the cathedral.

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    1. Good to hear that someone else has been struck with the same fad as me. There is something so majestic about a big,strong door,one that is made to last. A x

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  15. Lovely photos, the cathedral looks spectacular. Love your Christmas tree, very festive and great to use some of your stash. I´m glad you wrote that the line was disused as the thought had crossed my mind lol xcx

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    1. Thanks for calling in Chrissie. There was so much to photograph it was difficult to choose what and also I had to do it quickly before Mass started. A x

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  16. I'm glad kitty was in no danger.

    The cathedral is amazing!

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    1. I was worried for Puss 🐱 for a while too but Sr P reassured me that the line was not in use and had been like that since he was a little boy. A x


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  17. The Loreto door is a beautiful piece of Gothic - and it looks in great condition... I had never heard of Orihuela cathedral, so thank you! (I imagine there is a tale to be told about the Door of Chains too!)

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    1. Thanks for calling in and commenting. I shall be replying to this in my next post 😊 A x

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  18. I can describe with words how happy I am with my Christmas tree cushion!

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Thank you for your comments. I do read them and try to reply to all as well.Please keep them coming. Amanda :-)