Saturday 30 April 2011

The Royal Wedding

Yesterday, everything stopped for the wedding. In the bar at lunchtime, even talking and drinking came to a halt as everybody was glued to the TV.

Friday 29 April 2011

A Cornish Creek


At the estuary of the river Tamar, where it is joined by the rivers Tavy and Lynher, there is a myriad of wonderful, secluded creeks and inlets. Yesterday, as I was on my way to Mt Edgecombe Country Park, I drove along the shore of this quiet little inlet, on the road that links Millbrook with Cremyll. It is not difficult to see why property prices in this area are beyond the means of many local families.

Thursday 28 April 2011

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

Well it's a plane, albeit a very small one and becoming an increasingly rare sight over the skies of Plymouth.
(You'll have to click to enlarge it.)

The last direct flight from the city to London left on 31st of January 2011. Builders have already started work on a 375 house development on land adjacent to the now unused second runway, and many expert believe that the days are numbered for the airport's remaining services.

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Monday 25 April 2011

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside.

On Saturday we lunched alfresco.

Fish and chips from the bag in the sunshine, looking over this little corner of the waterfront at Rusty Anchor, West Hoe.

What could be better?









 

Sunday 24 April 2011

Dartmoor (3)

Princetown, at the very heart of Dartmoor is the location of Dartmoor's most famous (infamous) building - the grim edifice of Dartmoor Prison. Built in 1809, the prison held French and American prisoners of war. It became a criminal prison in 1850 and most of the building date from the late 19th century, but three wings have recently been fully refurbished.

Dartmoor is wreathed in legend, and one became the inspiration for the Sherlock Holmes story "The Hound of the Baskervilles". The isolation of the moor, together with its harsh and unrelenting winter weather, provided a suitably forbidding setting for the novel.

Saturday 23 April 2011

Dartmoor (2)

With over 450 miles (730 km) of public rights of way, there is a tremendous range of walking routes for all tastes and abilities, from gentle to very challenging.

Dartmoor also has a wide variety of cycle routes, both on and off road, and these can be as challenging as you want.


Friday 22 April 2011

Dartmoor (1)

To the South, the city of Plymouth faces the sea, to the East, it is bounded by the beautiful, green, rolling hills of The South Hams of Devon, to the West, across the Tamar, by mystical, Celtic land of Cornwall, and just a few miles North from the city centre, the land rises sharply to the high moorland of The Dartmoor National Park.



The Park covers an area of 368 square miles (954 square kilometres), with its highest point, High Willhays, 2,037 feet above sea level (621 m).

It is the largest and wildest area of open country in Southern England.

Thursday 21 April 2011

The Artist

The wonderful weather continues and everybody seems to be making the most of it.

However, the local water company say that the main city resevoir is only 74% full when normally, at this time of year, it is at 100% and can easily cope with peak summer time demands.

Tuesday 19 April 2011

The view from The View

On Saturday, 16 April 2011, I posted some shots of the interior of my new favourite seafood restaurant, The View, which is perched high on the cliffs overlooking Whitsand Bay. On the day we lunched there the weather was very dull and misty, so I didn't show the view. However, yesterday was beautifully sunny, so I went back and here is why it is justly called The View. Here are all 180 degrees of it.



The view to the left - towards Rame Head













The view straight down the cliff to the beach












The view to the right - along the coast towards Downderry and Seaton.

Monday 18 April 2011

Another room with a view.


Looking out on Plymouth Sound from the the Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, at West Hoe.

For many Plymouthians this is a regular stop as they walk along the waterfront. At any time of day it is good for coffee, a drink or a meal. Even if the weather keeps you inside there is always something to see through the windows.

Sunday 17 April 2011

Alignment

It is like a Dan Brown enigma.

It would appear that no matter from what angle you view the little green spire of the Unitarian Church, in Notte Street, it is part of a greater alignment.

Is it symbolic?

What can it mean?


By the way, The Plymouth Eye was completed on time and opened to the public, at noon, on Saturday.
















Saturday 16 April 2011

A room with a view

The Western shore of Plymouth Sound is formed by the Rame Peninsula. The other side of which faces out on the English Channel, and its cliffs look down on the beaches of Whitsand Bay. This beautiful area is very popular with the people of Plymouth because it is close and easy to get to.

Yesterday we had an excellent lunch at the "The View", a relaxed and friendly restaurant specialising in fish and seafood, which is perched on the clifftop with a magnificent, 180 degree view, over Whitsand Bay.

The weather was rather dull and overcast so I couldn't do justice to the view but I'll put that right when the sun comes again.
 

In the meantime take a look inside and visit their website for full details.

Friday 15 April 2011

The Plymouth Eye

Yesterday we moved back into winter, the rain came and the temperature plummeted, but it didn't stop work on the construction of  the 55 metre high "Plymouth Eye" , on the Hoe.

From one side it looks back over the city centre, from the other it looks out to sea.

This attraction will be in the city for the summer holiday period.


















Some of statues around the War memorial clearly resent the interloper.

Thursday 14 April 2011

Enjoying the Spring "heatwave"

Making the most of the early spell of warm weather at Tinside, on the Plymouth Hoe.

The weather forecast threatens a return to our more usual lower temperatures with showers for the next few days.

The building at the top of the picture, looking out over Plymouth Sound, is the headquarters of the world famous Marine Biological Association .

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Fish 'n' Trips

Scrubbing down is hot work on a lovely spring day. Fortunately the pub is only a few metres along the quayside.



Plymouth is an important base for sea angling, and a fleet of boats of all sizes and levels of sophistication operates from Sutton Harbour. As the busy season approaches preparations are stepping up.
Visit the Fish 'n' Trips website and take a look at their gallery of catches.

Tuesday 12 April 2011

The Field of Dreams

This is Brickfields, the home of Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club,
the city's professional team which plays at the 2nd level of English rugby.

This season has been something of a nightmare. They ended the regular season in the bottom four and thus entered the relegation play-offs. However they have escaped the drop, so all the dreams will be dusted off for the start of the new season in September.

Monday 11 April 2011

Sun Protection Factor 0

There are also many of us who throw everything off at the at the first ray of sunshine.

Sunday 10 April 2011

Sun Protection Factor 100

We have had the most splendid weather for several days, but many Brits make straight for an umbrella.
 

Saturday 9 April 2011

Roscoff

Roscoff is an interesting and picturesque little town in its own right, but in the main tourist season the vast majority of people drive straight off the ferry and head south. But living close to the ferry terminal in Plymouth we can pop over for the day, or a weekend, at very cheap, out of season rates, and really enjoy Brittany, a truly magical region of France. 
 





















 















Friday 8 April 2011

Notre Dame de Croas-Batz

Viewed from land or sea, the most dominant building in Roscoff is the granite tower of the sixteenth century church.

The motto on the sundial " Craignez la derniere", is usually translated as " Fear the last (hour)".

 The interior is splendidly bright and colourful.

















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