Hotel Club Sirocco.

 This is not a review, just a small selection of pictures I took around the Hotel Club Sirocco, Costa Teguise in July-August 2013. These have sat on my hard drive for 9 years and I wasn't sure what to do with them as the hotel was fantastic during my stay there but I have no idea what it's like now and from looking online believe it to be an adults only hotel now. When I stayed my wife and then 14 year old daughter were with me and the hotel made a fuss of her on her birthday when we were staying.

They were taken on various dates during July-August 2013, out of 31 pictures taken around the hotel with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, the 6 below are probably the best to share on here and Clickasnap where they can be seen full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

One of the hotels garden pathways. The black ash providing a base
for the plants that need little water to survive. Lanzarote being just off the
coast of Saharan Africa averages 16 days of rainfall per year.

The restaurant.

Looking over the hotel skywards from
the room balcony.

The swimming pool.

The hotel's poolside bar.

Another of the swimming pool.

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Postcards from Kenya, Morocco, Singapore and the United States of America

The current Covid pandemic has made it hard to get out with my camera since the start of the first lockdown last March in the United Kingdom, so I am currently taking an opportunity to work my way through sets I have already taken over the last decade, some slides I have acquired and some postcards I own too.

Todays post features 5 postcards from around the world, 4 of which were posted and 2 are from the same resort.

Sandman Motel.

The Sandman Motel is roadside stop in the city of Santa Rosa, California, an area famous as wine country.

The card was sent to the management and staff of the Manor Hotel, Yeovil in August 1977 and the both hotels still trade now some 44 years later.

Turtle Beach Hotel, Watamu, Kenya

This card again features a hotel and was posted, sadly the date is hard to make out.

Tangier, Morocco

This card was never posted and has no writing to give any indication of date.

Turtle Beach Hotel, Watamu, Kenya (Again)

Part of a set I bought, both of these Kenyan cards above were included in the sale, this one appears to have been posted in February, but like the other the date is hard to make out completely. Though it has the same image as above I thought the text may be of interest so decided to share both.

Singapore

The final postcard for this post features a set of 3 images of Singapore.

Posted in January 1975.

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Halifax Pubs Volume 4

Batch number 4 is another set of 6 pubs / clubs from the centre of Halifax, West Yorkshire. All were taken in May 2018 using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera.

Atik & Vinyl

Starting life in 1913 as the The Picture House until 1960, when it was closed for 2 years before becoming a bingo hall. Opened again as a cinema in 1973 it continued until closure in 1982. Again the building was unused for a few years before becoming the Coliseum Nightclub and Maine Street bar in 1987. In recent years it has been known as Liquid, Atik and Maine Street has become Vinyl. The building is Grade II listed.

Bar Rouge

There are actually 3 different pubs/clubs housed in this building, Bar Rouge, Fusion and Panacea. Originally the site of the Globe public house the building was the head office of the Halifax Equitable Bank until it was taken over by Martins Bank in 1927. It then became a branch of Barclays Bank in 1969 until closure in 1985. In the early 1990's the building was converted at great cost by Mansfield Brewery in to the Coiners Bar. It has since had a number of names and owners and is currently up for sale.

Cat & Fiddle

Originally the Golden Lion housed in the all white washed building next to Bon Marche, the pub extended in to the nearer building in 1987. It adopted it's popular nickname the Brass Cat in 1981 and has been known as the Cat & Fiddle in 2014.

The Plummet Line


Built in 1897 as a replacement for the earlier Plummet Line Hotel which was to be demolished during the Bull Green redevelopment. Both were open alongside each other until 1898 as it is said there must always be a Plummet Line in this area of Halifax. I was once told that this was were Halifax RLFC's coaching team and senior players mapped out the tactics for their successful 1987 Challenge Cup run which resulted in Halifax beating St Helens 19-18 in the final at Wembley. Apparently the get togethers were known as the Monday night club.

Railway Hotel


The Railway is a former Ramsden Brewery pub within site of Halifax Railway Station. The hotel was the place where Janet Currie spent the night before drowning her child in the Calder & Hebble Navigation Canal. Despite people seeing her throw a bundle in to the canal, a child's body being found and being charged with the killing of a child on a couple of other occasions, the jury found her not guilty.

The Courtyard


Built in 1755 as Holly House it did not become a pub until the 1980's when it opened as Carrington's. It's most popular era was the 1990's through to early 2000's when it was known as the Bass House.

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Halifax Pubs Volume 1

Set 1 of my Halifax pubs is 9 pictures that were taken in May 2018 around the centre of Halifax, West Yorkshire. Halifax is known for it's large amount of pubs within a short distance and is a popular night destination amongst the drinkers of West Yorkshire and beyond.

Renamed the Cat & Fiddle in 2014 the pub is more commonly known in Halifax as the Brass Cat, the pubs former nickname being formerly adopted in 1981, when it was changed from the Golden Lion. It can be found on Cheapside.

Bow Legged with Brass has been known as the following over the years, Pitchers Sports Bar, Griffs, The Griffin.

The Salvation, which is housed underneath a car park started life as a branch of Comet Electrical Stores, before being converted to a bar in 2002 known as Barracuda. It has also been known as Barcentro during it's life as a pub.

Housed in the former Arcade Royal, home of the Halifax Co-operative society until 2001 when the shopping arcade was divided up in to smaller units with the pub being the main part of the development. When opened the pub was known as the Goose at the Arcade and renamed as the Duke of Wellington in 2012.

Koko's to the near left of the picture has the honour of being Halifax's most renamed pub. Some of the pub's names have been The Crown & Anchor, Heaths, The Adega, Scratcherd's, and The Continental amongst many others. In the background of the picture is the Bull,

Rebuilt and opened in 1940 as the Bull's Head, this pub has also had it's share of names including The Manhattan, Xess, and Brasserie at the Bull.

Lewin's named after the family that ran it for over 60 years until sometime during the 2nd world war is one of the oldest remaining pubs in Halifax. Built in 1769 and known as the Hare & Hounds for much of it's history. Other names have included The Last Drop and O'Neil's. The pub was a men only drinking establishment until the late 1960's.

The Imperial Crown lies opposite the entrance to Halifax Railway Station. Opened as the Greece House and then the Crown Hotel.

One of Halifax's newer bars-pubs I must confess having never been in the Middle Bar.

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Yadkin Hotel, North Carolina - Vintage Postcard

The Yadkin Hotel, Salisbury, North Carolina is a postcard I have owned for a couple of years now. I am currently sorting through a few with a mind to sell them on Ebay and this is one I am minded to let go. 

The hotel no longer operates, having opened in 1912, expanded in 1922 and closed after many years of decline in 1973. The building was left to decay, with a fire, substantial water damage and vandalism resulting in the hotel being gutted and stripped of anything valuable.

In 1980 the building was renovated overseen by architects Tenant & Tenant and received a new lease of life as an apartment building, now known as the Yadkin House Apartments, housing senior citizens and disabled adults. The picture is thought to have been taken in the 1930's.

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Whispers of Marble and Light: A Venetian Staircase Story

Venice. Just the name conjures images of shimmering canals, echoing footsteps across ancient stones, and a timeless beauty that seems to seep into the very air. My recent sojourn in this enchanting city was filled with such moments, each a tiny brushstroke on the canvas of a truly unforgettable experience.

While I could wax lyrical about gondola rides under moonlit bridges or the vibrant hues of Burano, today I want to share a glimpse into a more intimate space: the heart of the San Marco Palace Hotel, my temporary Venetian abode.

Now, let me be clear, this isn't a hotel review. Instead, it's a quiet appreciation for a single architectural marvel within its walls – the staircase.

From the moment I first laid eyes on it, this staircase commanded attention. It wasn't just a functional means of ascending floors; it was a statement, a piece of art carved into the very fabric of the building. Like so much in Venice, it possessed an aura of history, a silent testament to generations past.

My untrained eye could only surmise its composition, but it certainly appeared to be marble. Cool and elegant, the stone seemed to absorb and reflect the soft Venetian light in a mesmerizing dance of shadows and highlights. It formed a breath taking centrepiece to the section of the hotel where my room was nestled, a focal point that drew the gaze upwards with its graceful curves and solid presence.

I found myself pausing on the landings, not just to catch my breath after the climb, but to simply admire the craftsmanship. The way the light played upon its surface, revealing subtle veins and textures, was captivating. It felt like a whisper of the city itself, echoing the grandeur and artistry found around every corner in Venice.

Words can only do so much, so I'll let the images speak for themselves. Captured with the humble lens of my Sony Xperia phone, they offer a small window into the quiet majesty of this Venetian staircase.

These snapshots are merely fragments of a larger memory, but they serve as a reminder that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. While my stay at the San Marco Palace Hotel was indeed pleasant – the rooms were clean, and the staff were genuinely helpful and welcoming, making it a place I'd happily recommend – it's this staircase that lingers most vividly in my mind.

It's a reminder that even in the midst of a bustling city, there are moments of serene beauty waiting to be discovered, etched in stone and illuminated by the unique light of Venice.

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Broad Street Plaza: A Hub of Halifax Entertainment (and More!)

Broad Street Plaza, a modern mixed-use development, has become a cornerstone of Halifax's leisure scene since its grand opening in 2012. After years of planning by the local authority, this former car park site has been transformed into a vibrant hub, offering something for everyone.

While not all units are currently occupied, the plaza boasts a diverse range of amenities, making it a popular destination for a night out, a workout, or even a staycation. For film buffs, Vue Cinemas provides a state-of-the-art cinematic experience, while fitness enthusiasts can break a sweat at Pure Gym.

Need a place to stay? The Premier Inn offers convenient accommodation right in the heart of the action. And for those seeking healthcare services, an NHS health centre is also located within the complex.

Foodies will be spoiled for choice with a variety of dining options. From the hearty grills at Beefeater and the American classics at Frankie & Benny's and TGI Fridays, to the spicy delights of Nando's and the Italian flavours of Pizza Express, there's a restaurant to satisfy every craving. And of course, no town centre is complete without a Wetherspoons – The Percy Shaw, named after the Halifax inventor of cat's eyes, offers a friendly local pub atmosphere.

These photos, captured on May 27th, 2018, with my trusty Nikon D3300, showcase the plaza in its bustling glory. It's a testament to the town's ongoing development and a great place to spend an evening. Next time you're in Halifax, be sure to check it out!

Update 6th May 2025, a number of the businesses that occupied the plaza have since closed, Wetherspoons disposing of the Percy Shaw which now has new owners, so if your planning to visit you may want to check which restaurants are still trading. Clicking any of the images below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography Store on Zazzle.

The pictures also feature in the YouTube video below,

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.