Trainspotting

Yesterday I was on the Cornish side of the Tamar, underneath the road and rail bridges. The rail bridge dates from 1859 and the road bridge from 1861.
I wondered why the workmen were all gathering at the top of the tower, then it became clear.

 

Texting

Yesterday our long period of clear, sunny spring weather suddenly came to an end and we were plunged back into the grey, cold and rainy days of winter.

A solitary, hunched figure in a landscape which, twenty four hours earlier, had been animated and happy

Eat my shorts

The way we were.

I saw this display in a men's clothing shop last week. It brought wonderful memories of far off days. I went back to the shop on Friday to try to get a better picture (cut the reflections etc.), but the display had changed. However, I did get a chance to thank the proprietor for making an old man very happy.

Before and After

I first photographed this derelict store, on the quayside in Sutton Harbour, just over a year ago.

When I passed yesterday the staff were putting the finishing touches before the opening on Monday. Despite these difficult economic times I hope they can make a great success of it.

Captain Jack

Yesterday morning my friend Tony and I were walking through the university quarter when we came across this jolly pirate. We never discovered if he was seeking a safe haven to rest and gather his strength or  outward bound for new adventures.

Relaxing in the sun

Isn't it just great to take the weight off your feet and chill out on a beautiful day?

Coffee Alfresco

The beautiful spring weather continues. But being British, I know we will pay for this early dry spell later in the summer.

Coffee time

This is the Seco Lounge, in the renovated old Mills Bakery of the Royal william Yard.

The thickness of the walls gives a good idea of the costs of converting many of the wonderful nineteenth century buildings in this former naval victualling yard.

Memories of a day seventy years ago.

I took this picture on Sunday 20th March, seventy years ago to the day, when the first German bombs fell on the city in the Second World War, in the spring of 1941.

According to the records, that too was a beautiful spring day.

This is the Unitarian Church in Notte Street.

Twice in the last four months it has found itself at the centre of dramas dating back to those days. It is immediately opposite a demolition site, and on two occasions it has had to be evacuated when unexploded bombs have been uncovered, no more than 25 metres from the church.

Regeneration

Yesterday I revisited the Devonport tower blocks which have featured in recents days.

Regeneration work progresses, and a large number of new dwellings are occupied and the focus of development moves on to newly cleared sites.

The restoration on some of John Foulston's fine 1821 buildings is already complete e.g. (The Guildhall) and it is back in community use.

 

It may take some time before restoration is complete on others.

Saturday at West Hoe Park

Distance lends enchantment.

In one of yesterday's photos you could see three gleaming blocks of flats, in Devonport, looking out across the tranquil River Tamar.

But up close it is a very different story. They actually look down into an area which, for far too long, has been characterised by high crime rates and widespread social deprivation.

At last, things are changing for the better, as a massive scheme of demolition and urban regeneration is showing fruit.

Cremyll

Yesterday I took the ferry, from Stonehouse to Cremyll, across the Tamar to visit the daffodil fields.The service keeps to a strict year round timetable, as it is an important commuter link. The weather was superb.

The first child was already busy on the beach, early visitors were entering the 865 acres Mt. Edgecumbe Country Park, the first customers were enjoying coffee by the river, outside the the Edgecumbe Arms and the water sparkled as they looked back to Plymouth.

Daffodils

Yesterday I crossed the Tamar to Millbrook. It is daffodil harvest time in Cornwall. From here comes somewhere in the region of 30% of all the daffodils sold in the UK, clearly an important crop. If you enlarge the picture you will see the River Tamar in the background.
A few years ago there were allegations of very poor treatment of the foreign migrant flower pickers under the "gangmaster" system, - illegally low wages, substandard accommodation, even breaches of child labour regulations. It seems that these issues have been put right. For a very positive view of their experience, take a look at this very short film made by some Polish workers near Penzance.

Readers

 Yesterday was the warmest day so far this year and simply to sit outside, sheltered from any breeze, and read is one of life great pleasures.

The Barbican Prawn

Local people are still divided about the merits of this sculpture. Many still loathe it, but it is clear that the city is the Giant Metal Prawn capital of the world.

It is located at the entrance to the lock gates walkway, across to the National Marine Aquarium.

The Mayflower Marina

A day or two ago we looked around  inside the Royal William Yard, but when you look out from there across the river, this is what you see.

The blue building on the right is the home of Princess Yachts International. They make a range of very large and very expensive boats which are seen in just about every fashionable marina in the world.

 In a little creek behind the blue building is a group of their small ones getting ready for sea trials.

The Daily Constitutional

This charming lady is strolling along the waterfront with the sea on her left and the Citadel on her right.

If you want to walk along with her, type Madeira Road, Plymouth into Google Earth, enter Street View, and follow her route.

The Royal William Yard

The Royal William Yard was once the major supply base for the Royal Navy. The 18 acre site was built between 1825 and 1835 with the help of convict labour. It was closed in the 1990s and redevelopment began in 1999. For the first time in 150 years the riverside site was opened to the public. It is far from finished but it is already a mixture of apartments, businesses, restaurants, galleries. etc. 

Have a walk around the site. and take a look inside the apartments (gallery nos 24 - 29)

Crossing the Tamar

Looking down from Mount Wise to the mouth of the Tamar, to the narrows between Devils Point and Mt Edgecumbe Park, where the river enters Plymouth Sound.

The ferry from Stonehouse is crossing to Cremyll, having just passed the Royal William Yard.

This was once the victualling base for the Royal Navy but is now being redeveloped with apartments, restaurants, galleries, etc. We'll take a look inside tomorrow.

The Charles Church Memorial

Many people visiting Plymouth for the first time are struck by a derelict church in the middle of a busy roundabout, but it is preserved as a monument to all the civilians who died in the city during the second world war. Out of keeping with its modern surroundings it stands as silent witness to the devastation of the city during the blitz

Here is an interesting digital recreation of the interior of the church before the war.