Up the creek

The winter quarters for these craft is a quiet tidal creek, off the River Lynher, in South East Cornwall.

At low tide on this November day, when the temperature never rose above zero,

this muddy area was not a glowing advert for life afloat.

Sheltering inside the Breakwater in Plymouth Sound

Creating this one mile long Breakwater took thirty years, from 1811 to 1841

and has provided 1,000 acres of safe anchorage in Plymouth Sound ever since.

Just as it did a few days ago for these two small ships.

Late November in South East Cornwall

Just beyond Plymouth's city boundary, 

across the River Tamar in Cornwall,

lies the beautiful, rolling land of Caradon,

which gets its name from the highest hill on the horizon, just left of centre in this scene.

Welcome Winter Sunshine

The fewer the words,

the better the prayer

                                                   Martin Luther

Deconstruction

After two years or more carrying people high above Plymouth Hoe,

from where, on a clear day, there are wonderful views across Plymouth Sound and the city,

this week saw the Big Wheel dismantled and removed. 

Hello.

The wall at the east end of the Theatre Royal car park in the city centre.

Asthore

At the Fish Market on Friday, I came across these two visiting Cornish trawlers, from Fowey, proudly flying the black and white flag of St Piran, the Patron Saint of Cornwall.

Nothing unusual about that, but what attracted my attention was the beautiful Irish name ASTHORE,

which translates as LOVED ONE

                                        or

                                 TREASURE

A beautiful name for a beautiful craft.

It is always Coffee Time.

1.20 pm 

As we wrap up warm for winter .....

..... here is a reminder of last summer.

Winter has arrived.

Yesterday's post may have showed some fake snow 

but today we have our usual winter weather. 

Plenty of wind, plenty of rain and a temperature only a little above 0ºC.

The first sprinkle of snow this winter.

Well,not exactly. 

This was artificial snow,

 lightly sprayed around the bushes and flower beds 

on the evening that the city centre Christmas lights were switched on.

Red Snappers

A woman's work is never done.

As this lady waits for her lift to arrive to take her to her next job, 

she is probably planning what she can feed her family this evening.

Glass !!

You use a glass mirror to see your face;

you use a work of art to see your soul.

                                                              George Bernard Shaw

Mending the nets ..

......... on the fish quay in Sutton Harbour.

This  job is timeless and universal.

Seasonal garden ornaments.

Some long range weather forecasts for our area suggest that these new additions 

will feel very much more at home than the more usual residents.

In Step.

Before the city wakes up.

Before the skaters start skating.

Before the children's carousal starts going round.

Before the busker starts playing and the newspaper seller starts selling.

At the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month.

We will remember them.

A quiet moment in the City Centre early on Remembrance Sunday.

DUCK !!!

I am not a duck. 

I am a beautiful white swan.

DUCK !!!

You're in the middle of the runway!

Phew.

That was close.

Under Starter's Orders

On your marks!

Get set!

They're Off !

Art imitating Nature

The City Centre streets are filling with Christmas decorations.

A little Autumn colour ........

..... on a grey day in a grey street.

The one stop shop .......

....... for all your shining and buffing needs.

We stock Furniture Polish, Floor Polish, Auto Polish, Shoe Polish, etc., and ten sorts of Nail Polish.

The Mondrian Tower

It is no wonder that all town centres end up looking so much like each other.

I think these images would enhance this nondescript, grey building, which clearly came straight from this company's very small stock of approved designs, which they use in cities all over the world.

Returning to base at dawn.

A grainy shot of a  small commando group returning at sunrise, after night manoeuvres, 

to their HQ at the Naval Base on the River Tamar.

Union Street (2)

Perhaps the most challenging "regeneration project" is going be trying to find a new role 

for the near derelict Palace Theatre.

Union Street (1)

A major 20 year regeneration project of Union Street is due to begin shortly.

I hope it is not too late to save some of its distinctive character.

The Regeneration of Devonport (7)

Mix and Match

Periods and Styles

British Sign Language

BSL is the visual language of Britain's Deaf Community.

It is not universal and most countries have their own sign language, e.g. French Sign Language or German Sign Language.

Estimates of the number of British Deaf signers suggest that, for as many as 70,000 people, BSL is their first language.

However, recent figures from the British Deaf Association, reveal that it is probable that on any day as many as 250,000 people use some BSL.