Wednesday 29 May 2013

The Bessie Ellen



This wonderful Westcountry Trading craft was built here in Plymouth in 1904. She had a varied working life trading around Devon, Cornwall, and in the Irish Sea. 

She is one of three such vessels still in current use, out of the six hundred that were built.
















She is part of the UK core collection of historic vessels but she is no museum ship.

This sturdy boat has a full 11 month a year sailing programme offering sailing holidays around the UK and Europe, together with the warmer waters of the Canaries during the winter.
Find complete details of her history, specifications and full sailing programme, by clicking here.
















Tuesday 28 May 2013

Two out of three is not bad.









This weekend was the three day Spring Bank Holiday.

The weather was superb on Saturday and Sunday, sunny, cloudless and quite warm.


The quays in the Barbican area were animated with people eating and drinking in the sunshine.

 But Monday saw low pressure arrive from the Atlantic, the temperature dropped, the wind rose and by early afternoon the rain was pouring down.

Still, in our climate, two out of three is not too bad.

Monday 27 May 2013

The Turin Shroud


Recently, a touring exhibition of actual size photographs of the Turin Shroud, 
came to the Catholic Cathedral here in Plymouth. 






















The images in this exhibition were taken by Barrie Schwortz, the official photographer at the examination of the Shroud in 1978. 

The one showing the Shroud as it looks to the naked eye is printed on cotton and is very rare

Saturday 25 May 2013

The Famous Five Ride Out To New Adventures



Something about these four young people and their dog reminded me of 
Enid Blyton's "Famous Five" books.























The novels feature the adventures of two girls, Anne and Georgina (George), and two boys, Julian and Dick, with their dog Timmy. The 21 stories in this series form part of her massive literary output, which has been translated into 90 languages, and the combined sales to date, exceed 600 million copies.

Friday 24 May 2013

The Sailor's Grave


I was intrigued by the name of this tattoo studio on Mutley Plain, near the city centre.
Google revealed that there are hundreds bearing this name, all over the world.


But why?
Perhaps this is the reason.

"One of the most poignant of this type of tattoo was a full-back image of a ship in full sail, 
captioned homeward bound
A counterpoint to this design was an image of a sinking ship, with the inscription sailor’s grave

This seemingly morbid design might be tattooed as a simple statement of the perilous life of the mariner and his probable fate, or worn in a kind of reverse psychology, as a talisman warding off just such an unhappy end.”



This suggestion comes from
Marina Kastan in her fascinating study 
Wearing Your Dreams: 
Image and Imagination in the American Tattoo 

Thursday 23 May 2013

Sunset at Devil's Point

Devil's Point lies close to the mouth of the River Tamar, 
where it narrows before flowing into Plymouth Sound.


We are looking back up the river before it bends to the right,
 and carries on up towards the Devonport Naval Dockyard.

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Empty Tables


Tourism is a delicate plant.
It needs lots of sun but can only tolerate a little rain.


Monday 20 May 2013

The Regeneration of Devonport (4)


The massive urban renewal project aimed at regenerating the fortunes of the area 
around the the Devonport Naval Dockyard, which had become blighted 
by economic and social problems in recent decades, is bearing fruit.

Much new housing development has replaced the squalor that was a breeding ground of social discontent.


During the "Cold War" large areas of Devonport were taken over by the Ministry of Defence 
and enclosed behind high walls as the Naval Base and Dockyard was enlarged.
Now that the size of the Navy has been reduced land has been released, and the walls demolished.


The old Devonport Market building is one of the buildings which have re-emerged from behind the wall.
It, and the clock tower, are to be refurbished and will shortly become valuable community facilities.  

Sunday 19 May 2013

Friday dawned calm, clear and bright.


This is the Danish registered tanker Bro Deliverer, arriving in Plymouth on Friday morning.


She is being guided to her berth in the River Plym,
 at the end of her regular voyage from the oil terminal at Milford Haven, in Wales.


Saturday 18 May 2013

An interesting combination, ..........


'Rockets and Rascals', the Bicycle Emporium and Café.


But if it had been called 'Polka Dots and Moonbeans', 
it could have had this Jazz standard as a theme tune.

Friday 17 May 2013

A well trained dog.


More than 25 posts and not a single sniff, not a break in stride, and definitely not a cock of the leg.


Thursday 16 May 2013

The wind has now been joined by torrential rain.

Whatever happened to the beautiful weather of last weekend.

Conditions on the River Tamar at Saltash Passage, 
where the road and rail bridges link Plymouth to Cornwall, were excellent.
Sunny and warm with a light breeze for easy sailing.


Looking towards Plymouth from Saltash.


Wednesday 15 May 2013

The Tinside Lido is ready for Summer.


The only problem is that the temperature is still firmly rooted Winter.
There has been a 10ºC drop from the beautiful weather of last weekend's May Day Holiday. 


When you look out beyond the Lido onto Plymouth Sound, beyond Drake's Island,
you can see ships scurrying into Cawsand Bay for shelter from the gale force westerly winds. 


Tuesday 14 May 2013

Look Mum, Snow!


Although the wind has shortened the "Blossom Season" in exposed areas,
it was not bad news for everybody.


Monday 13 May 2013

On Friday strong winds came from the West .....


........ and it was a difficult day for small flags












small bushes, 

and small boats.




Even within the shelter of the Breakwater, which protects Plymouth Sound from the worst heavy weather, it was an uncomfortable ride for small boats.

Sunday 12 May 2013

What a difference 28 days make.


Two shots from the same spot, 
looking across this quiet little, city centre sitting area, 
towards a new student apartment block which is nearing completion.


Spring really has sprung.


Friday 10 May 2013

Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan 2013 (2)


This day is a chance for people living throughout the area to get together and catch up with the news.
But above all, to have their picture taken.

























It is not only the children who enjoy putting on their "Sunday Best" and taking part in the procession.
















Thursday 9 May 2013

Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan 2013 (1)


The Filipino Community, here in the South western counties of England,
gathered in Plymouth on Sunday for the annual procession to the Roman Catholic Cathedral, 
where after Holy Mass, there was a celebration of Filipino food and culture.




Wednesday 8 May 2013

Proof at last!


Research has finally revealed that,
Men really can multi-task.


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