Category: England

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Posted on Posted in England, Gardens, Weekly Photo ChallengeTagged , , , , 28 Comments

I may have lots of reflection photos, I may not. Fact is my photos are now in such a muddle I haven’t a clue! I think I would need to take a week’s leave to organise all my images now I’ve got a new laptop. Before I could always find any picture I’d taken in the last 12 years quite easily. Not anymore!
This one popped out so for now it’s the only one I’m posting, I may be back in a day or two.
2012 Nov 11_1902 (2)

Join in with the challenge if you can find your pictures, http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/weekly-photo-challenge-reflections/

Dawlish trainline, checking for progress

Posted on Posted in Devon, EnglandTagged , , , , 7 Comments

For the 100 word challenge for grown ups this week  I wrote about  the storm damage to the trainline at Dawlish. I’ve since been to see how things are going, but it was no surprise that I couldn’t get very close. Here are some phone pics.

The damaged line closed for now
The walkway under the bridge is too dangerous, see the ruined sea wall.
Each concrete section weighs about 4 tons
Concrete sections to repair the sea wall
Looking west, work is taking place 24-7

Dawlish is a quaint little seaside town ful of old -fashioned charm.

The river runs through the town, the place to feed teh ducks and black swans
The home of the famous black swans – Fifi probably came from here!
Cream tea, ice cream, pasties and cakes!
Real ice cream with a dollop of Devon clotted cream on top!

The train journey west continues to Teignmouth and from there you can get a ferry to Shaldon. I ‘ve posted about both in the past.

https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/teignmouth-my-last-day-off/

https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/starting-and-finishing-with-boats/

The workmen at Dawlish told me that the completion date for repair of the train track and sea wall is just before Easter, good news for locals and visitors alike.

Signs of Storms

Posted on Posted in England, NatureTagged , , , , 18 Comments

The UK has been caught inthe grips of storms for several weeks, with high winds, floods and coastal damage. Many people have lost their homes and businesses, train lines are closed and seemingly indestructible sea walls have been destroyed.

My little city is ten miles from the sea and mostly high enough to be safe from floods so other than getting soaked a few times I’m fine.  I’m very lucky, the weather has only prevented trips out with my camera and meant that I had a nerve racking drive to Hampshire last week.

At the weekend, in a brief dry spell I walked the dogs in the cemetery and found a number of fallen trees. It surprised me how shallow conifer roots are, I hope they replace them soon.

This dear little tree is my favourite in the cemetery and I’m pleased that it’s survived with just one broken limb.damson

Don’t tell, but it’s a damson and no-one else seems to pick its bountiful fruit. Perhaps they’ll plant some more!

Spring is on it’s way!

Strolling at Titchfield Haven

Posted on Posted in England, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , , 29 Comments

This is the my last few hours of a weeks leave from work, boohoo! I’ve had an amazing week, including a real once in a lifetime event, that I’ll tell you about soon. On Wednesday I braved the storms and went east to visit Scarlett and her mummy and daddy, driving through floods, high winds and relentless heavy rain. The next day for a few hours the sun came out and we decided to pop to the coast at Titchfield. We strolled beside the tiny harbour,

looked back towards Lee on Solent, 2014 Feb 13_9005_edited-1

and then visited the Nature Reserve, Titchfield Haven.

There is an abundance of bird life that almost rivals the Exe Estuary close to home, but not within view of the lens I had with me. They have created two short trails, with boardwalks through the marshes and a stunning new hide for the serious twitcher.

The sunshine was a real treat, as was the fresh air, after the really dreadful weather we’ve had for weeks. Next time I’m in Hampshire I’ll try to remember a long lens and walking boots!

This post is for Marianne’s challenge One Trip Every Month, over at http://eastofmalaga.net/ who asks us to tell her about visting somewhere for the first time.

 

Just Because . . .

Posted on Posted in England, Flowers, GardensTagged , , , , 21 Comments

Just because it’s been a long Monday at work

because it’s no longer January

because in twenty four days it will be March

because I’m not walking to and from work in the dark

because the days are getting longer

and that means spring

and that means summer

and that means the colour, form  and fragrance

of flowers and butterflies

bees and damselflies

and sunshine

because of all these things

I’m bringing you . . .

Pictures from a few years ago taken at a popular TV gardeners home plot, deep in the heart of Devon. I expect it’s changed since then, but it will still be lovely, relaxed and packed with variety. The clue is in the initials, if you visit she may even be there pottering.

Click for a bigger view.

Sunday Gave Even More

Posted on Posted in England, PhotographyTagged , , , , , , 11 Comments

After leaving Branscombe, its beach and the lovely St Winifreda’s church, we drove back through Sidmouth and continued west up to Peak Hill. On the right is a free car park, the edge of Mutters Moor, a lowland heath where the walks have stunning views. There was a lot of mud and puddles on Sunday. muttersmoor1

Sunny gorse, pinecones and last years beech leaves next to this years new shoots.

Our Lady of the Woods had fallen, undermined by the flood. muttersmoor5

There were magical reflections. muttersmoor7

And after an hours walk we found ourselves nearly back at the start, when we had the first hint of something splendid. muttersmoor8

This is always a beautiful view, but today the light was perfect, changing every minute and to make it even more special, a family of ponies, Dartmoors I think.

Sunday January 19th, the day that kept on giving.

Click on any photo for a bigger view.

Marianne has begun a new challenge where you take one trip every month, near or far, and take photos or write all about it. Join her here http://eastofmalaga.net/2014/01/20/new-challenge-one-trip-every-month/

Sunday Kept on Giving

Posted on Posted in England, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , , 7 Comments

After leaving the beach at Branscombe yesterday we went up to see the church, St Winifreda’s. church1church2

Partly Saxon, but mainly Early English and Norman, there are some interesting and unusual features to be seen. churchc

Like the Jacobean carved oak gallery above. And below, this 18th century three tier pulpit. The first tier is for reading lessons, the second for prayer and the top is for delivering sermons. I’ve never seen one before, have you? church8

St Winifreda’s has some beautiful little details to admire.

Just two of the windows were stained glass, but richly coloured. churcha

churchb

Every pew had hand stitched hassocks, some in memory of parishioners, but also one for every monarch in English history. These are the most recent, Victoria, Edward V11, George V and GeorgeV1

I thought this little niche memorial to Branscombe people lost in WW1 and WW2 was very special. church9

All in all , it’s a very special church.  I like its simplicity, solid wood and stone floors and that it is so very ancient, how many hands have touched those old stones? branscombe

These pretty stone and thatch cottages are just along the road and that’s where I’ll leave you today!

Yesterday at Branscombe

Posted on Posted in England, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , , , 9 Comments

The weather forecast got it right, yesterday was a blue sky day that shouted come and see me. So off we went, heading east to Branscombe, a little village on the coast between Sidmouth and Beer. A few years ago Branscombe hit the headlines because a huge container ship, the MS Napoli ran aground there spilling its cargo along several miles of coast line.

14 tonnes of anchor
How it happened
A sunny resting place

All is pristine now and once the long single track lane to reach Branscombe has been successfully navigated, it’s the perfect spot for some winter sun.

Heading out to sea
Towards Beer’s white cliffs
West towards Sidmouth
Cliff erosion
A little magic
Remains of autumn
Two very happy dogs, Dido and Daisy

Sunday was a day that kept on giving, more tomorrow!

The Exe Trail

Posted on Posted in England, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , , , , , , , 9 Comments

I read about construction of a connecting section of the  Exe trail  some time ago and when I learnt that it had opened recently, I dragged the family out at Christmas to check it out. The trail covers about twenty six miles from Dawlish on the west of the Exe to Exmouth on the east and is part of National Cycle Route 2. Way back when I’ve cycled the west side, but now walking, camera in hand, on the east side is more my thing. I’ve shown you many photos of Topsham before and the new link begins at Bowling Green Marsh, from there it crosses the River Clyst via a new 120 metre bridge, which was floated down the Exe on barges. The bridge goes across the RSPB Goosemoor Nature Reserve, providing stunning views of the area that have never before been accessible.

Distant geese
Widgeon family
Widgeon flock
Towards Ebford/Exton
HIgh tide and floods
Hightide

The photos above are all on the original partof the walk.

Cycling over the bridge
Looking north from the new boardwalk
From the bridge to Odhams Wharf
A popular walk but I’m disappointed with the high sides
A whole new viewpoint
Peeping through the gaps

Over time the bridge and boardwalk will blend in. To be honest I’m disappointed that the sides are quite so high and there are just peepholes to look through, but of course the wildlife has to be protected.

It was a freezing cold day at the end of December but I’ll start at the bridge next time and head further east. It’s definitely a wonderful cycle route!