Category: Devon
Thames Barge Vigilant
A few weeks ago I noticed a new arrival on Topsham Quay, a great big scruffy hulk of a boat named Vigilant. I don’t know anything about boats but love to photograph them and this is one I plan to come back to again. She has been brought to the river Exe in Devon from the Colne in Essex to be restored, looking at her current condition, she’s likely to be here a long time. She was built in 1904 and is one of only thirty Thames barges still in existence from the hundreds that originally transported massive loads around the coast of Britain.
Boats like Vigilant used to sail into Topsham back when it was a working port – who knows she may have been before. The barges were originally powered by sail, traditionally very large ochre coloured ones and engines were not fitted until the 1930’s. They weren’t just work horses though, they were also raced and Vigilant was a winner in her class. Apparently she was sailing until the 1990’s and then became a houseboat. The plan is that she will race again under her ochre sails when she is restored to her former glory.
Searching has revealed that there are Sail Barge Societies researching their history, and also the Vigilant was sold recently on ebay, for just under £8000. She looks rather sad at present but I know that one day she will be beautiful and I will try to capture her progress.
Exmouth and the Exe estuary
It was very windy today at the sea, and with bright sun that was so low photography was difficult. The tide was out on the estuary and with hardly anyone around the dogs ran their little legs off. Over on the main beach there were loads of people and it was possible to walk around Orcombe Point. Water was streaming down the cliff and there were fresh landslides caused by the torrential rain we’ve had for weeks now.
It was a lovely walk , great for blowing away the cobwebs and burning some of the thousands of excess Christmas calories!
Weekly Photo Challenge: Delicate
Made it at last and it was staring me in the face all the time!
It’s said that at harvest time the last few stalks of corn would be made into a Dolly, a place of rest for the Corn spirit to ensure that the next harvest would be a good one. Since man’s earliest days it was believed that various deities were in command of the cycles and fruitfulness of the crops and so ever since hunter gatherers settled to cultivate the land they have been ceremonies to honour them. Look at the root of the word ceremony – we grow cereals, named for the Roman Goddess of the harvest, Ceres. Other deities include Demeter, the Earth Goddess ( my personal favourite) and Isis, the Egyptian Goddess of fertility.
In the wake of science, traditions are largely forgotten, but corn Dollies are still seen as a symbol of fertility. They are sometimes given to a couple on their marriage or handfasting, as a christening or new home gift. This is a modern take on the traditional Corn Dolly and made by Margaret Sweetland here in Devon, she also makes more traditional ones in a range of lovely knot shapes. She does talks and demonstrations to groups like the Women’s Institute, making sure the skills stay alive.
To join in visit http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/photo-challenge-delicate/
Easy Saturday
It shouldn’t be, I have so much to do to prepare for Christmas, even a couple of gifts still to buy and cards to write. I wanted to photograph something on Topsham quay but rain stopped play and brunch was taken instead, a full veggie breakfast at Route 2. Next stop Sidmouth, where I wanted to walk on the beach and again take photos – rain stopped play. On the way home we stopped at the farm shop for bread, and to check out the displays of luscious tuck from near and far, all very mouthwatering.
Ailsa’s Travel Theme
Transportation is Ailsa’s Travel Theme this week, click the link to join in.
The current Higher Ferry from Dartmouth has been operating since 2009, but it has a history reaching back to the 14th century. In the 1920’s it became a car ferry and now operates for 16 hours each day, and apart from the queue it takes 5 minutes, saving a 26 mile drive that takes 50 minutes. A beautiful leisure drive but tedious if it separates home from work etc, connecting the South Hams with Torbay on the A379.
This was a very grey day back in June, but it’s a nice little jaunt in the sunshine!
Thursdays Windows
Thursday is Sandra’s Window Day! These are at Oldway Mansion, Paignton the former home of the Singer family – more about that later. Visit Sandra to join in with your window shots and to see more.
Music in Pictures Contest: Love is all around
Elisa at http://autumninbruges.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/music-in-pictures-contest-love-is-all-around/ is back with a bang and a dream of a song this week. I’ve always liked this sculpture of two swans embracing in Dartington hall garden, hope you like it too.
Wordless Wednesday
Vintage Bus to Miss Christie’s Greenway
Sharon recently wrote a guest blog for me, a story written as a tribute to Agatha Christie inspired by my photos of her garden, Greenway, now a National trust property on the River Dart. In that post I said that there is very little parking there and they encourage you to arrive by public transport. When I went I got a ferry up from Dartmouth, a very relaxed way to travel. There are other choices though and this is one, a 1947 Leyland Tiger!
Lucid Gypsy 