What difference 24 hours can make

All colour drained away overnight.

Reinforcements Arrive.

As the Seagull War intensifies, a squadron of combat-hardened defenders, has been brought in to protect customers at the pavement cafés and coffee shops.

It is hoped that once the rain has stopped and people are once again seated outside enjoying their "Full English", there will be fewer "Dive Bombing Raids".

Sheep may safely graze.

Another group of plastic animals has appeared, this time outside The Treasury Restaurant, next to St Andrew's Church.

They join the herd of white cows in the Royal William Yard.



What we need now are pigs!

Looking down from Mount Wise (2)

The pictures in yesterday's post where shot from the spot where one of Plymouth's most famous sons looks down across the River Tamar.

Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Naval Officer and Antarctic Explorer (1868 - 1912), died with his four companions as they struggled back from the race to be the first to reach the South Pole, a race in which they had been beaten by Raold Amundsen and his Norwegian team.

The news of his death turned Scott into an iconic British hero 

and statues were erected to him around the country, not only here in his own home town.

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

From the poem Ulysses by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Looking down from Mount Wise,

as the early morning ferry crosses the River Tamar from Plymouth to Cremyll; on the Cornish side.

The mist soon cleared, the clouds parted, and it turned out to be a beautiful Winter's day.

Captain Cook, Convicts and Cousin Jack

To join in the celebrations of Australia Day 2013 from the other side of the world, 

I'd like to look at a few of the historic links between Plymouth and Australia.

These are the steps that led "Down Under", or ones on this same spot that have long since crumbled.

Cook's voyage, which led him sailing the Eastern coast of Australian in 1769, started from Plymouth.

It was in a house which stood on this spot, that Cook dined on the night before departure on this epic voyage.

These steps also felt the tread of hundreds of convicts being transported to New South Wales from 1787 onwards.

But the steps did, at least on one memorable occasion, echo to the tread of  men who survived their ordeal and made it home.

The struggle and sacrifice of the Tolpuddle Martyrs will live for ever in the annals of the British Trade Union Movement. 

Cousin Jack

It is said that at the bottom of every mine in the world you will find a Cornishman - Cousin Jack.

To hear his story in song

 CLICK HERE

Elevenses

Yesterday was a beautiful winter's day. 

A day made for a stroll, and The Flower Café is the ideal place for mid morning coffee and cake.

Feeding Seagulls ....

......  is a really controversial activity in most coastal towns in Devon and Cornwall.

Some town councils are seeking to make it unlawful.

 It is claimed that the gulls have become an increasingly aggressive nuisance and health hazard.

Attitudes seem to be hardening on both sides.

Close encounters ------

..... of the pedestrian kind.

Standing on this little "island" between the two busy carriageways is bit like being a matador. 

You hear the thunder of the charging "bull", 

you feel draught as he passes with inches of you, 

and your nostrils fill with his smell.

The Dragonfly is going to have ........

.....  a very chilly night, as the ice was already forming around the edges of its pond by early afternoon.

Frozen Fisherman

The snow storms, that caused such chaos across the UK, have so far only affected the northern suburbs of Plymouth.  But the temperature barely rose above 0º C on the waterfront, at any time yesterday.

He is going to have a very cold trip indeed. I only hope he catches enough to make it worth his while.

Totemic

This Totem Pole was erected in 1996, at the entrance to the premises of a long established timber merchant, aptly called Totem Timber, in a commercial and light industrial quarter of the city, close to Sutton Harbour. 

I hope it continues to help them weather these difficult economic times in the construction industry.

Bon Appétit!

But if you would like to check out some real, time honoured staples, and modern twists on some old favourites of British Cuisine, CLICK HERE

At last! A break in the rain.

2012 broke all rainfall records for the city, and so far 2013 hasn't been much better. 

But over last weekend we did get a few hours when the the skies cleared, the sun shone 

and the air was very cold but crystal clear. 

So I joined the crowd strolling along the waterfront and along the quays overlooking 

Sutton Harbour Marina.

Big toys for good old boys.

Cruising, posing and hanging out.

What better way to spend a winter Sunday afternoon when you're working through your mid-life crisis?

Triangularity

Some of the roof lines at the Roman Catholic Cathedral School, in Plymouth.

A very old man with enormous wings.

For many, he is a character in a modern fable by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

But a few claim to see him everywhere.

Click here to see him brought to life in a stunning theatrical performance

The Song of the Seagull

There are growing calls by many local citizens, for drastic measures to be taken to control the number of seagulls. But I suspect the gulls are ready for the fight. 

This youngster is clearly ready to stand his ground. This is his
 battlecry.

Click here to hear him sing

I won't back down

by Tom Petty

Well I won't back down, no I won't back down

You could stand me up at the gates of hell

But I won't back down

Gonna stand my ground, won't be turned around

And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down

Gonna stand my ground and I won't back down

Chorus

Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out

Hey I will stand my ground

And I won't back down

Well I know what's right, I got just one life

In a world that keeps on pushin' me around

But I'll stand my ground and I won't back down

Hey baby there ain't no easy way out

Hey I will stand my ground

And I won't back down  

Walkies.

Even though it is cold and wet, I am glad to get out of the house.

That's better! It's great to get off the lead.

I'll just check who has been out and about already this morning.