Category: photo prompt
#writephoto: Gondola.
Today our three time travels land in Florence but end up somewhere else completely! What’s going on?
This is part of K.L. Caley’s #writephoto: Gondola.
After checking into their rooms the three of them went to a little trattoria Merlin knew for coffee and a discussion about why they were there.
They sat dunking their biscotti in delicious coffee. Merlin opened his record bag and took out a folder… Some tickets fell out onto the table. “Oh!” Squealed Gail , “what are these?”
These are our tickets for the Cathedral, Duomo Museum, and Baptistery Tour. I have booked it for this afternoon.”
Gail was so excited , “are we going on a guided tour oh! wow Merlin you are spoiling us.”
Morgarna choked on her coffee,put her cup down and then lit a cigarette, “Calm down lady, Merlin never does anything without there being a reason!”
Gail looked at Morgarna and helped herself to one of her cigarettes and lit it….”Is that true Merlin do you have an ulterior motive?”
Merlin coughed and trying to change the subject said “Do you ladies have to smoke you know how much I hate the habit!”
Gail went to put her cigarette out but Morgarna stopped her, “Yes we bloody do, now what’s the catch here?” Morgarna scowled.
Merlin shifted in his seat looking uncomfortable then clearing his throat he said.
“Well yes there is a problem here , there are strange goings on at the Baptistery.”
“I knew it” Morgarna said raising an eyebrow brow at the waiter and requesting a bottle of Cabinet-Savenogn and three glasses.
While Morgarna and Gail did the tour Merlin slipped away from the others and walked the exterior walls checking for time fractures and space anomalies. It was a pleasant afternoon not too hot or crowded, and he was enjoying the beautiful decoration of the outside walls of the building. He was particularly interested in it’s three sets of artistically important bronze doors with relief sculptures. The south doors were created by Andrea Pisano and the north and east doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Michelangelo dubbed the east doors the Gates of Paradise. These were the doors he was particularly paying attention to.
After circling the building several times he found the tiniest of cracks in the space continueum. He checked and checked again and yes there was a tiny space portal …from the reading on his machine he could see it was small and no time was involved. It was definitely there though…. The second in a week, and it was growing.
When the tour was finished the ladies joined Merlin at the east doors .
Gail was full of the sights of the tour especially the dark, which is divided into a lower part with columns and pilasters and an upper part with a walkway. She could see that those who had built it spared neither trouble nor expense in decorating the baptistery. The walls were clad in dark green and white marble with inlaid geometrical patterns. The niches are separated by monolithic columns of Sardinian granite. The marble revetment of the interior was begun in the second half of the eleventh century. Gail was just besotted by it.
Morgarna and Merlin decided to let her talk herself out and decided to ake plans over dinner.
Sitting outside a very plush Ristaunté in one of the squares Merlin explained what he had found .
“Are you sure it’s a definite space portal it sounds so tiny…not like the one at the dig which was definitely a time and space portal.” Morgarna asked.
“Yup definitely it obviously won’t go far but we cannot let it stay there a child or even an adult could slip through the portal. So ladies if you are ready we need to go and deal with it now. “
Finishing her wine and stubbing out her cigarette Morgarna got up to go followed by Gail and Merlin.
When they got back to the Baptistry the place was dark and empty. Merlin led the way around the building to the East Door. He soon found the portal. He checked around the square to see that there was no one watching them when he was sure they were alone he said ” Right ladies through we go ” he said, for once actually leading the way.
They all had to bend down and almost crawl through the invisible rift..
“This isn’t like the one from the Dig to the Galleon” Gail said.
“Nor the one from the fort from summer to winter !” Replied Morgarna.
Merlin chimed in..”No it’s the smallest one I have ever seen!”
After what seemed Iike hours crawling through cobwebs, dust and huge drops on either side they finally arrived at a turning…in front of them they saw a crack of light. They all hurried towards the light.
With a collective sigh of relief they all emergered to the most unexpected sight.
They had been crawling through the night and now in the light of dawn the had arrived in Venice! Standing there they saw gondolas anchored outside some beautiful but old buildings surrounded by green water.
Gail rubbed her back and asked, “Why couldn’t we have used the Anomaly and jumped it would of been much quicker?”
“Because ” said Merlin ” we had to go through the rift to seal it!”
“Oh! I see” said Gail sighing and not seeing at all.
Morgarna said “okay who’s for breakfast I am starving and I need a ciggie! We can sort all this out later. Merlin what have you forgotten? “
Merlin thought then with a wave of his hand he sealed the rift from this side.
“Right let’s have breakfast and a break before anything else happens”.
Wordless Wednesday. Not something that you see everyday.
#writephoto: Geometric.
Last week in K.L. Caley’s #write photo we lef the ladies in the brigg of a Galleon surrounded by superstitious sailors and a bemused Captain and a rift in time to seal. Let’s see what happens next.
The Galleon.
At about 3am a storm hit and the ship started to roll and pitch violently. Gail woke up feeling sick and needing to pee! Morgarna was fast asleep and Gail hesitated to wake her up! But as the ship was being thrown about so violently she decided to wake her anyway. ” Morgarna” she said “I’m scared and I need to pee”
“There’s a bucket over in the corner use that” Morgarna did not sound best pleased to be woken but Gail decided her need to pee was greater than Morgarna’s temper.
“I can’t see a thing ” Gail moaned feeling around for the bucket. With a sigh Morgarna took a torch out of her bag and shone it over to the corner. Gail shot across and grabbed it , hoisting up her dress she quickly relived herself… Oh! Thank goodness she thought to herself that better now I need to sick… She promptly was all over the floor.
As the night went on the storm got worse and the sailors were struggling to keep the ship afloat. The men were getting fearful for their lives and superstitious as they were they decided that the storm was the fault of the two female stowaways below in the brigg.
As the time approached 4.30am there was still no sign of the storm abaiting in fact it was worsening.
The men were getting ugly and the captain decided that he’d have to do something before the men took matters into their own hands and he’d lose face.
“Mr Smith” he shouted above the noise of the wind, waves and creaking ship, “Mr Smith, bring those two witches up here and be quick about it, the bow is taking a real battering”
“Aye Captain” Smith shouted as he headed down below.
Morgarna was ready and waiting for Smith she had her bag one of her shoulder and she had hold of a deshevelled and grubby Gail with her free hand.
Back up on deck by the flickering flames of the torches Gail was looking decidedly green. More ghostly than she had ever looked as a real ghost. Morgarna who had applied some make up while waiting for Mr Smith was looking absolutely ravishing.
The men were by now getting more and more scared of the storm and their imaginations were running riot, they were baying for blood.
They wanted Gail thrown into the sea and for Morgarna to be stripped and tied to the main mast as appeasement to the sea gods who were whipping up this storm.
Morgarna hissed in Gail’s ear…. I know you feel rough but just follow my lead and all will be well.
The Captain raised his voice above the storm and the men’s shouting.” “Hold fast all of ye!” He bellowed, pulling himself up to his full size, ” we will sort this out , but first make sure everything is battern down and stop the noise I can’t think “
Gail was feeling wretched and scared looking over to Morgarna who winked at her and said telepathically, so only Gail could hear, “it’s fine trust me! ” “Okay” Gail replied trying not to scream out, as frienzied hands ripped her clothes off leaving her naked.
The Captain cut the ropes around Morgarna’s wrists and said …are you ready to be strapped to the mast, my beauty?”
Morgarna looked him in the eye… He melted to her will just look at me she said …turning to the others who were now ripping the clothes from her back. She again said “look into my eyes”…. There was a silence and all the sailors were frozen in time.
Morgarna raised her hand and pointed to the barrels where she, Gail and the sailors had entered the ship. Chanting in an ancient tongue she sealed the time rift. Once sure the rift was sealed she moved across to Gail and took her hand …” Right leave all your clothes on the deck , here next to mine. Picking up her skimpy designer knickers she threw them up at the mast were they stuck tight. “That will give them something to ponder! ” She laughed, even Gail saw the funny side. They stood there for a second or two both stark naked, apart from Morgarna’s bag they had nothing to cover their modesty.
The anomaly arrived and they jumped. The second they did the sailors all awoke and the storm ceased .
The captain and the men all stared around, they were becalmed, the witches were gone all that was left were two piles of clothes and a something rather pretty but scanty stuck to the mast. And what had looked like two rather pert bottoms disappearing from view. ….
Morgarna and Gail landed with a gentle bump…. Merlin had for once taken the precaution of preparing a soft landing for them and also provided towels.
“Hot baths prepared for you both and dinner is in the oven” Merlin said making a show of averting his eyes as the ladies wrapped themselves up in towels.
Sitting round the table later clean and smelling sweet Morgarna and Gail were finishing their meals when as he filled their glasses Merlin announced ” We’re going on an Italian trip ladies how do you fancy Florence?”
Morgarna pushed her empty plate away and lit a cigarette “When ” she asked eyeing him suspiciously.
“Tomorrow morning?” He replied.
“And you’re coming too Merlin” Gail intervened .
“Yes I am coming too”
He took a file off of the chair next to him and opened it up revealing photos and notes , one photo stood out it was of a building bin front of a church whose exterior walls are all geometric black and white patterns.
“Ah! The Baptistery of St John’s” said Morgarna flicking her ash on her plate.
“I wish you would not do that ” Merlin started then stopped her face brooked no nagging.
“Look Gail , Florence, have you been it’s beautiful you’ll love it.”
” Woow ! No I haven’t it looks ace! ” She replied finishing her wine.
“Anyone for pudding?” Merlin asked.
Early the next morning they all stood in the garden Gail had a suitcase.
“What’s that for” asked Merlin.
“Well ” Gail replied ” I want to look the part of a tourist and you won’t let me have one of those tardis bags so I have packed a small case”
Morgarna and Merlin looked at eachother both had the hint of a smile on their faces .
Merlin pressed a button on his mobile and the anomaly appeared and they were off .
They landed in the garden of a nice hotel in Florence…”Are you ready ladies I’ve booked us rooms ?” Smiled Merlin as he lead the way to the hotel reception….
A river runs through lest we forget.
all photos © willowdot21
We celebrate our war heroes in November but we know and respect Memorial Day.
The Bloody Tower.
On realizing my eyes opened wide
Each poppy was a soldier that had died.
I was so shocked to see
The pouring out of red running into a sea.
Rows and rows growing into a river
Tumbling from the window pouring on forever.
Each one was a mother’s son, a husband or a brother
Such sacrifice displayed for all to see , cousin, uncle even lover.
I humbly prayed for God bless them all
Each soul represented by a red poppy growing tall.
Such a sacrifice for what gain
They said a war like that would not come again.
Sadly now we know the great They lied.
For along came world war 2 and more people died.
War goes on and never stops, no matter how we try
It will always raise it’s ugly head and more men and women will die.
Wordless Wednesday. Spring.
Sunday Stills: Ruby, Grandchildren and Play Parks
This is part of Terri Webster Schrandts Sunday Stills.
A Landay for Ruby.
Ruby has gone but not from our hearts.
She taught us, love and kindness in equal parts.
all photos © willowdot21
Learning to live.
We’re born to the treadmill, step by step we toil.
Some work till they die, others have lives of leisure. Gaia just moves on with the seasons.
We should work to live not live to work, that’s the nature of things .
© willowdot21
Wordless Wednesday: Daisy.
#writephoto : Fresco
This week Morgarna and Gail are still helping Paul and his dog Sam come to terms with their traumatic end. Apologies for any repetition.
Morgarna had explained everything to Paul but she could tell he really was still very confused.
“Okay I can see this is not working …I think the best thing I can do is take you back to Hellmand and let you see what happened, that way you’ll see with your own eyes and you can then relax.” Getting up Morgarna took her C.O.T.A.S. and called Merlin. A minute later the anomaly arrived and they all including Sam jumped.
Landing on the hot sand was a pleasant sensation for Gail she had not liked the snow at all as she’d been dressed for the beach.
They were standing by the side of the road they could see an army convoy approaching, walking towards them was a man carrying what looked like a child, he was praying quietly to himself. Paul went to make a move towards him.
“No point” snapped Morgarna, no one can see, hear or feel you.” Paul stopped short and looked at her. ‘We are only here to watch.” She added.
The driver of the armoured car at the front of the convoy stopped, from the lorry behind a young man wearing jeans and t-shirt jumped down to the road. Pushing his sunglasses up with his middle finger he walked up towards the man holding the child. “Salam alaikum” he called and smiled as he approached the man.
As they watched the passenger door of the armoured car opened Paul and Sam got out and followed Rashid.
Watching, Paul was fidgeting, but Sam seemed restful and relaxed.
Rashid was asking the man about the child…. The man was sweating profusely and shifting from foot to foot. He was definitely on a high…
Rachid knew the guy was stressed. He sensed rather than saw Paul approaching, taking off his sunglasses he looked straight at Paul
and slowly, very slowly he ran his left hand over his jet black hair.
“That’s it that’s his sign for danger” said Paul to Gail “he’s warning me ” …
Gail watched as Paul, on the road, made several flapping movements with his hand.
The driver of the vehicle watching through binoculars saw this and understood. He put his arm out of his window , first he did a thumbs down the a gun signal followed by two fingers and finally a backwards motion.
The vehicle at the rear of the convoy started to reverse the other vehicles followed suit. The second vehicle in the convoy was a Foxhound, out of its two front windowd two soldiers appeared guns trained on the man with the child.
Morgarna lit a cigarette as she watched Paul walk up and stand alongside Rashid, his arms outstretched offering to take the child.
The man was shaking and Paul and Rashid were stock still. The man suddenly dropped the child…. Paul and Rashid saw there was no child just a bundle of clothes. Paul and the man were eye to eye, Paul shouted at Rashid “run” while he stared at the man who had tears running down his face. His tunic had opened slightly and Paul could see the suicide vest and the man’s sweaty hand on the device’s trigger.
Rashid started to back away, Sam moved towards the man and lay at his feet.
Paul held the man’s gaze willing him not to move.
Back at the Foxhound both soldiers hand the bomber in their sights, and waited their signal.
Rashid had turned now and was sprinting back towards the convoy. Paul said to the man you don’t have to do this you really don’t.
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Rashid was almost back at the convoy when the two soldiers got the signal to fire, they both aimed at the head of the bomber. Unfortunately for Paul and Sam the man depressed the trigger seconds before he was hit in the head.
An earth shattering explosion took the two men and dog out! Paul watched open mouthed as he, Sam and the bomber were blown to pieces, there was blood and body parts all over the place.
Looking towards the convoy he saw Rashid was safe and in one piece .
“You saved Rashid ” Gail said gently.
Paul took Gail’s hand and said to her and Morgarna, ” thank you ladies ….what happens now?”
Morgarna smiled and said you saved Rashid , he went home to his family and he is still alive. He and his wife have a photo of you and Sam in their house…
“What about the bomber” Paul asked “He has gone to his end, his destiny”
Gail looked askance but Morgarna motioned to her not to say anything !
Paul looked at Sam , “Oh! You beautiful boy you have been so loyal to me ” He bent down and hugged Sam who licked him and wagged his tail. Then turning to Gail and Morgarna he asked “what happened to us? “
“You were flown back home together, buried together and your family celebrated your beautiful partnership.” Morgarna touched his arm… Now you and Sam need to go!”
“Where?” asked Paul .
Gail smiled, “this way over here ” A door with a huge rainbow on it had appeared, Gail smiled there a special concession for you two , you are both going through the rainbow door together. Neither of you have to wait for the other. “
After Gail had seen Paul and Sam through the door and had a glimpse of them crossing fields towards a group of people and dogs he seemed to know she turned to Morgarna and asked.
“Why the snow, why the fort?”
“Last thoughts” Morgarna smiled “he was so hot and nervous, his mind had taken him back to a winter of his childhood when his family had visited the fort one New Year “…..
Gail was just about to say more when the Anomaly appeared and they jumped.
The two landed bump in what looked like an excavation. There was a protective roof above them and they were standing in front of a beautifully vibrant painted fresco in an otherwise dilapidated building.
“What now Merlin” Morgarna hissed as her C.O.T.A.S. started to ring
willowdot21 