Bright and Breezy

After a long period of rainy days

sunshine on Christmas Day was a welcome present.

Calm, warm and sunny - a perfect start to Autumn.

Looking out onto Plymouth Sound, from the waterfront,

towards Drake's Island and the Mount Edgecumbe Country Park beyond.

Historic Coastal Defences

At intervals along the entire shoreline of Plymouth Sound,there are remnants 

of the gun emplacements, from which any enemy ships could be caught in the cross fire.

This one at Mount Edgcumbe, together with the battery on Drake's Island,

prevent entry, by enemy ships  to the River Tamar,

 the home of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years.

Drake's Island

Two views of Drake's Island in Plymouth Sound,

from different view points on the same day.

After a beautiful start to a warm summer day, the sea mist rolled in and the sky darkened.

Are you in the market for an island?

This is Drake's Island in Plymouth Sound

 and it is up for sale for £6,000,000.

Mind you, it usually looks far more inviting.

Flat Calm

Early morning, looking out on Plymouth Sound towards Drake's Island.

Drake's Island and the The Breakwater Lighthouse in Plymouth Sound.

Looking beyond Drake's Island.

to the Cornish shore of Plymouth Sound.

 The South West Coastal path follows the shoreline,

 through the beautiful Mount Edgecumbe Country park,

to charming villages of Cawsand and Kingsand,
which can also be reached by a little red ferry across Plyouth Sound 

A little used portal into the Royal William Yard

Outside looking in.

Viewed from the seawall at Devil's Point

Inside looking out through the seawall

towards Drakes Island and Plymouth Sound.

Shepherding the flock.

 The guards in the safety boat are keeping a watchful eye on this group of youngsters
 as they enjoy the fresh breeze in Plymouth Sound, during the Half Term Break.

Sunday morning scullers in Plymouth Sound.

Probably the best hangover cure ever.

Drake's Island.

This iconic island in Plymouth Sound has been vacant for more than 20 years while a whole succession of proposals for the redevelopment of the historic military buildings have been rejected by the local planning authority.

But in the last few weeks, plans for a  £10million conversion of the old fortifications into a luxury hotel have been approved.

Pedal Power

Between the blustery, winter showers, these two pedal powered canoes 

pass in front of Drake's Island, as they make their way across Plymouth Sound.

The Coffee Shack

A great spot for an early breakfast on a summer morning. 

Looking across to the Cornish shore of Plymouth Sound, 

beyond Drake's Island to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.

The Summer Solstice

Yesterday was Mid Summer day, 

the longest day and the shortest night of the year, 17 hours of daylight.

The only problem was that it rained for most of those hours.

I managed this image of Drake's Island, in Plymouth Sound, in a brief dry period in the afternoon before the rain returned.

It is difficult to believe that ...

... just a few days ago the latest winter storm, Imogen, roared in from the Atlantic with massive waves which battered the coastal towns and villages of Devon and Cornwall.

 But by yesterday morning the sun shone, there was barely a breath of wind 

and the sea in Plymouth Sound was flat calm.

 

The sea and the sky

Looking from the shore of Plymouth Sound, out beyond Drake's Island. towards the Breakwater.

A room with a view

Inside The Waterfront, a bar / restaurant at the west end of the Hoe Foreshore,

looking out on Plymouth Sound on a bright Autumn afetrnoon.

"I see no ships, only hardships."

Shadowed by her escorts

this submarine passes Drake's Island, in Plymouth Sound, 

on the way to her berth in the Devonport Royal Naval Dockyard, on the River Tamar.

A fine spot for morning coffee or afternoon tea.

This terrace, in the garden at the Royal William Yard, looks directly out towards Drake's Island

and across the whole of Plymouth Sound.