Scavenger Hunt - the elusive flag pole and the end of the hunt

Do you know how you can tell that Summer is officially over?  Not by a change in the weather, not by the fact that it gets dark earlier in the evenings, not even by looking at the calendar.  It's when you know that the deadline for the Scavenger Hunt photos is here.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you need to hurry along over the Rinda's blog to find out all about it so that you have your camera prepped and ready to go in June next year.

Every year when Rinda publishes the list for the Scavenger Hunt photos I'm sure I'm not the only one who quickly scans through it and mentally thinks of the ones that I know I can easily find close to home, those that I will have to go further afield for and the one that you know is going to cause you trouble.  The first one I knew would be impossible was the unicycle - although I have since found out that the son of a friend has one and can do various tricks on it.   The next one I wondered about was a juggler, and then as if the fates knew of my dilemma - a new teacher started at school, one whose previous job was teaching circus performers' children in an Australian Circus.  Of course he had picked up some circus skills along the way - he is a mega super star hula hooper (don't take my word for it, check out this video)  and ... ta dah ... juggling. This year I was concerned about the 3 flags or more on a flag pole.  We're not really a flag waving kind of country, and even when we do fly a flag, you will only find one per pole.  We need to follow the lead of other countries - Italy for example.  Oh how excited I was to see hundreds of flags lining the beach front. 
15 - A flag pole with at least three flags on it

As we sat in the taxi from the airport to our hotel all I kept saying was 'Paul, look at all those flags!'  the driver must have thought I was crazy, we passed mountains, we drove alongside the sea, we drove through quaint villages, but the thing that impressed me most was the flags!
16 - A panoramic view - taken from high in the air

We knew there was a famous tower in Lucca.  What we didn't know was how high it was.  So I had taken a photo out the window of the aircraft in case I wasn't able to climb the tower.  I asked the ticket seller how high it was - 45 metres.  It looked pretty high.  How long does it take to climb - about 8 minutes.  Which seemed a long time but I figured even if I didn't make it to the top I could take a photo from a window on the way.  So we started to climb.  And climb.  And climb. And wow was I pleased I did it, just look at that view!  The tower is famous as it has trees growing out of the top of it.

17 - at least two people wearing matching outfits or uniforms

A five a side football tournament at the nearby football pitch came up trumps here.  I love the way these two are so engrossed in their conversation.

18 - an overloaded truck, car, bicycle or other vehicle

It's not often I volunteer to go with Paul when he takes rubbish to the tip but I'm pleased I went on this occasion as I think this guy had a lot of stuff to get rid of.

19 - a ticket booth

Beaches in Italy are privately owned so to use the facilities like deckchairs and parasols you have to buy a ticket.  Which was very fortunate for me as it provided me with a choice for ticket booths.

20 - A natural body of water

The lake over our local park is such a tranquil place.  It's a favourite dog walking venue - although I'm not sure that the fishermen always approve of the presence of over-excited dogs running around chasing ducks and scaring away the fish!  Even though I could have chosen many a picture of the Mediterranean, I decided to use this one for the hunt.

Which just leaves me with the final photo. The one of me holding a sign. (Sitting in my rocking chair which I was keeping in reserve in case I needed it as an alternative for an elusive item.)

 

And so the hunt ends again for another year so a big thank you to Rinda for organising it, the search for photos really adds to the fun of our holidays.  Same time, same place, next year?  I do hope so!

My other photos can be found in earlier blog posts.  If you fancy a look I'd love to see you here and here.  But most of all I'd love to know if you've joined in already and if not - I need your promise that you will consider joining in next year. 

 

Scavenger hunt - from tents to toilets

Last time I shared my scavenger hunt photos from the list that Rinda has set us I finished on a trio of turtles so it's time to pick up the list at
8 - Someone plugged into social media

Daughter watching catch-up TV on her iPad and her partner sending a message on Whatsapp.  I bet there is no one taking part in the hunt who had trouble with this category - you can always find someone engrossed in their phone or a tablet!

9 - A tent

You never get anyone camping in the local park.  Never.  Well, unless you count the little canvas shelters that the fishermen over the lake use for night time fishing.  But quite randomly, one day on a dog walk we noticed that someone was practising putting up a tent.  It was literally only in this state for about half an hour - as if they knew I needed a photo!
10 - A college or university

One of the easiest ones to get - as I work there! It felt like a bit of a cheat but I'm claiming it anyway.
11 - A cellular tower or television satellite dish

This was a really ramshackle house by the marina in Viareggio, it was a little unloved and one side of one of the walls had quite an elaborate graffiti painted on it.  It was definitely in need of a little TLC but I can definitely see a satellite dish up there on the rooftop aerial!
12 - A public restroom, bathroom or toilet

Oh Rinda - this was an odd one!  Ladies loos in England are notorious for their long queues to wait to use them so the chance of being able to photograph one in private was looking unlikely!  There are many things on a scavenger list that may cause raised eyebrows of those watching you take a photo of something obscure but a toilet?!  Plus the Ladies in our local shops and restaurants aren't really that photogenic - but look what I found at Pisa airport - pretty doors.  I tried to make it look like I was sending a text message while waiting in the queue but I'm pretty sure the lady next to me saw that I was actually using my camera. 
13 - A merry go round or carousel

We had got the bus to go to Lucca for the day and our cameras were seeing a lot of action (Panoramic view from the top of a tower for example, not to mention some rather lovely door knockers).  The town is built within the confines of the ancient city wall and we were heading out of the town to photograph the actual wall.  I was more than a little bit tired after climbing the tower and Paul was walking ahead of me, suddenly he turned a corner and stopped.  'You won't believe what's round here' he said and as I walked to join him I saw this beautiful traditional carousel.  (You can tell he was well versed in what was left to get on the list can't you?) It really was strange to see it as it wasn't part of any other children's attractions, just this one random carousel going round in a street.  It was like the tent situation again - it's as if the Scavenger Hunt fairies knew I needed one!
14 - A traffic signal

You can tell from the red Vespa parked along the road that this too was taken in Italy. I tried to find a sign that was very different to anything we have at home but it turns out that probably as we are part of Europe they have all been standardised. 

So that's the second third of the list.  Numbers one to fourteen safely chosen and shared.  And you know what that means don't you?  The next one will be number fifteen - the elusive and much sought after flag pole.  I can hardly wait!

 

 

 

Scavenger Hunt - the final cut 1 - 7

I've still got one photo to take for the Scavenger Hunt organised by Rinda, the one of me with a sign and I'm hoping that I won't have too many problems getting that one!  But I thought it was time to share a few of the pictures that I've chosen as my finalists. 

1 - A bouquet of flowers

Although I've seen many bouquets as I've walked past flower shops and market stalls, I still like this picture that I took right at the beginning of the hunt.

2 - An ornate door knocker

I really was spoilt for choice on holiday so have chosen a few to show the Italian style.  Mediterranean countries have a certain distinct style of door knocker, and I knew that I would be able to tick this one off the list while I was on holiday.
3 - A person walking a dog

Or as Coco would put it, a dog walking her human.

4 - People playing a board game

This one was harder to capture than you might think.  These guys were sitting in the shade of the beach bar every day, drinking espresso and playing games but it wasn't easy to sneak a photo of them as you walked past, they may have wondered why I was taking their photo and I wasn't sure of how to say 'it's for a photographic scavenger hunt' in Italian!  In the end I made Paul stand over the other side of them, pretend I was taking his photo and then swing round at the last moment.  They were so engrossed in their game I don't think they even noticed!
5 - Architectural columns

Viareggio had the most pretty churches.  The paintings on the fronts were such beautiful colours and so well maintained.  This one also had some rather gorgeous architectural columns!
6 - A metal bridge

I was happy to find this metal bridge on an early morning walk to the marina and took several photos.  Then when we turned round to walk back we saw that it had raised up to let some boats through and I realised that this was the photo for number six!
7 - A turtle

Or a selection of turtles.  From real ones to inflatable ones to printed on a sarong ones.  I couldn't choose between them so decided to make a collage!  We also noticed that the waiter at the beach bar had a turtle incorporated into a tattoo that ran the width of his calf but thought that taking photos of the leg of a handsome young Italian could be misinterpreted! 

So that's the first third that have made it to the finals.  I absolutely love this fun summer project and it really adds to the holiday by trying to find the missing ones. I think that the reason I haven't taken the final one is because I don't want the hunt to end! 

Scavenger update

Oh my goodness, we are well into the Scavenger Hunt now and it's time for a catch up of the photos we have found so far.  I am really hoping that my forthcoming trip to Italy will fill in the gaps of the more difficult to find items. I'm hoping that I may also find some replacements for some I'm not totally happy with.

A cellular tower, a metal bridge, people wearing matching outfits and an overloaded vehicle.

 

A panoramic view from somewhere high in the air and people plugged into social media.  My previous ones can be found here.

Now, I need to explain about the panorama one, there is actually more of that photo but it didn't fit into that template so it doesn't do it justice! It was taken at a high point of countryside near where I live and the views go on for miles. You don't really get the feeling for how high up we were - all I can say is that the little boy on his bike had to wait a long while for his family to catch him up that steep hill! I'm hoping I can replace this one, but I have a phobia of lifts so the chance of a rooftop view isn't going to happen. I'm hoping to find a nice hilltop somewhere where I can take a better (Italian) view, or maybe a shot from an aircraft! You can't get more high up in the air than that can you?

So I'm two thirds through - and really looking forward to clicking through the linky to see what everyone else has found.  I've loved checking the hashtag on Instagram to see the pictures and it always amazes me how different people can interpret the same category.  It's also interesting to see that something that is easy to find on one country is difficult to locate in another.  That's the fun of the hunt!  I also love the idea that all over the world, people are anxiously seeking out a flag pole with at least 3 flags flying from it.  Such a fun project that links so many people. 

Head on over to Rinda's blog later today to check out that linky!

I'm also at that point that is longing to tick the last one off the list but I know that the feeling of accomplishment will be swiftly followed by 'oh no, that's it until next year.'

 

Me on the Monday after Father's Day

Someone in our house got 'spoilt rotten' this weekend. Someone managed to start his Father's Day celebrations on Friday evening and continue them on until Sunday night. Our son came home especially to cook a meal for us him on Friday then on Saturday our daughter planned an Italian evening at her house. We had Italian food, Italian drink, Italian music and even Coco dressed up

It was a really lovely weekend.  I think he felt well and truly loved and appreciated which, let's be honest, is what Father's Day should be all about.

 

Monday has found me checking out my Scavenger Hunt list and gathering together the early captures 

A bouquet, a tent, a turtle (or four) and a college for starters.  Followed by architectural columns, traffic signals, public toilets and a natural body of water.

I think the inside of a public toilet is one of the oddest ones we've had on a list! It is rare to find an empty 'ladies loo' in England, there's usually someone else around and hard to explain why you're taking a photo! So I quickly popped into Marks and Spencer last week when it all seemed quiet. Not very elegant I'm afraid but it may have to do.  As it's in a shop I wonder if it's monitored by cctv - can you imagine the person monitoring the screens wondering why on earth some strange woman was taking a photo? My husband saw the photo as I was loading it on here and said 'Deb, I think you've misunderstood the instructions, it's probably the outside of the ladies you were supposed to be taking.'  Probably ought to check that out!  I'm hoping to get better traffic signals too but I love the old building in the background of that shot, it's one of the older buildings in town and has a lot of character.

 

Monday is also finding me doing my next mandala for the Summer of Colour (more of that tomorrow!) I can't believe how much I am loving this little project, it's so relaxing and although I don't consider myself to be artistic at all, I'm quite happy with how they are turning out.

 

Let's pop over to see Sian who invited us all to share our Mondays.  Poor Little E has been in the wars, we need to give him a big 'get well soon' wave too.

 

Colour co-ordination

When I was checking blogs this morning, I saw that Rinda had posted about something called the Summer of Colour.

 

Now, I've seen this pop up on a few blogs recently, so being of an inquisitive nature I had to click on the link she had provided to learn a little more.

 

Regular visitors to my blog will know that we've been having a bit of a tidy up in our house and there's been a few litres of paint used in the last year while we refresh, declutter and redecorate some of our house.  I'm quite the expert on Farrow and Ball paint charts now so anything to do with colour has caught my interest!  When I was buying some cushions in a local interior design shop recently the lady who owned the shop told me that no matter how much you like a neutral palette, every room must have at least one pop of colour. Even if it's just a candle! 

I passed this nugget of wisdom onto my daughter who has painted her house a beautiful crisp collection of grey based neutrals.  She was having none of it.  She likes the clean lines of greys and stone shades.  But I think I may have convinced her otherwise.  As a thank you for letting us use her kitchen, I bought her a bunch of ranunculus in a glorious orange colour.  Once we had put them in a vase she had to admit that they really did enhance the room.  Plus it gave me the opportunity to claim my first Summertime Scavenger Hunt picture of a 'bouquet'!

 

So I figure that I could have a lot to learn from the Summer of Colour and will be joining in.  Week one involves spreading the word so please do click on the link and have a look.  Last year Rinda made a collection of little houses in each colour scheme and they make a fab display.  I'm trying to think of a way to incorporate a bit of sewing into it.  I recently made a little origami bag and I'm wondering if I can use that as my medium.  I have a week to decide!

Will you be joining in too?