The Exe Trail

Posted on January 19, 2014January 19, 2014 Posted in England, Photography, TravelTagged Bowling Green Marsh, Devon, England, National Cycle Route 2, Nature, Photography, River Clyst, River Exe, The Exe Trail, Topsham, travel9 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!

Lazy Poets Thursday Haiku

Posted on January 16, 2014January 17, 2014 Posted in haiku, Nature, PhotographyTagged Dartington, Devon, England, Haiku, Lazy Poets Thursday Haiku, Nature, Photography19 Comments

Summer Days

Dreaming of Maytime

blue sky days and gentle breeze

flushed through with sunlight

I’ve followed We Drink Because We’re Poets for a while now, but I’ve never been brave enough to link to them. This time a post seemed to fit what I do so I’m giving it a go! You might like to joinin if you enjoy both photography and poetry. Visit http://wedrinkbecausewerepoets.com/2014/01/13/we-drink-inspiration-poetry-prompt-009-a-photos-worth/

A la Ronde

Posted on January 12, 2014January 18, 2014 Posted in England, History, Travel, UncategorizedTagged A la Ronde, Devon, England, Feather Frieze, History, National Trust, Shell Gallery, travel10 Comments

Just a few miles south east of Exeter is the National Trust property, A la Ronde. The house was built in the 1790’s by Jane and Mary Parminter. The two ladies , cousins, had a real sprit of adventure, and I’m sure if they were alive today they would be trekking the Sahara or leading expeditions to the polar regions.

They lived at A la Ronde for fifty years, filling it with things they had collected on their Grand Tour.

Although the name implies that the house is round , it actually has sixteen sides, it’s unique design takes advantage of natural light as the sun moves around through the day. The lower level that you see above is used as the restaurant by the National Trust, the diamond shaped windows are the ground floor. At the centre of the house is an area that rises to the top floor gallery with doors all around it.

It’s really difficult to take photos inside, flash is not allowed, and I’m too lazy to use a tripod. The answer is a very wide angle lens, patience with many other visitors and a steady hand. But here are a few interior shots.

The ladies had several passions that filled their days, embroidery, shells and feathers to name just a few. The drawing room has been hand decorated by them with a feather frieze all around the room.

The feathers come from chickens, game birds and even parrots and have been applied with isinglass.

When I last went to A la Ronde thirty years ago, it was a private group visit and I didn’t really appreciate it. I did get to see the highlight of the house, the famous shell gallery. It’s closed now to preserve it for the future. With the help of well placed mirrors, you can get a tiny peep at it from the floor below, and this is my shot from the central room on the ground floor.

I asked one of the volunteers if she had been allowed up there and even they aren’t. So the photos below are of photos on display so that visitors can get an idea what it’s like. What is it like? beautiful, bizarre, indescribable. To think that these women spent probably years creating this.

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So that’s A la Ronde, maybe one day you’ll visit if you’re in Devon, I promise you it’s like nowhere else anywhere!

My earlier post of the outside of the house, https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/red-bricks-and-funky-windows-the-charm-of-a-la-ronde/

Walking in the rain

Posted on January 4, 2014January 4, 2014 Posted in England, Photography, TravelTagged Devon, Dog walking, England, Exeter Quay, Photography, travel16 Comments

When will I learn not to believe the weather forecast and to dress appropriately? Probably never, you see I have this blind faith and optimism that it won’t dare to rain on me. I hate rain, at least in daylight. The dogs were in the car and they knew they were going to the river when it began and for Dido it would be a tough decision, she wanted an adventure but she hates rain even more than I do! We decided to compromise by walking at the quay, instead of the fields.

We headed for the short cut back, on the bouncy bridge, this is why.

From there the way back is only about a mile, but the rain came sideways, the sort that gives you a headache because it’s so cold. There’s a really nice dog friendly cafe when you’re nearly back to the start, but all of us were wet, and we knew the dogs would shake off the excess as soon as they got inside, so we ploughed on. At the little blue foot bridge we had to divert because the path was flooded.

Looking back at the flooded path.

And below, there’s a path beneath the grass bank also flooded.

We headed back to our start, along the west side of the quay. Opposite, where we were before crossing the bridge, more warehouses have been made into little shops.

There are several of these Victorian lamp posts.

This one is on the canal basin, at Piazza Terracina, named after Exeter’s twin city in Italy.

And this lass does her best to lure you in for something warm.

So that was today’s walk, cut short by the rain but I hope you still enjoyed it. Dido didn’t, she looked thoroughly fed up by the time she climbed into the car!

That Jurassic Coast Again

Posted on December 30, 2013January 1, 2014 Posted in England, Photography, Travel, UncategorizedTagged Axmouth, Devon, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, England, Geology, Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Photography, travel16 Comments

If you’ve visited Lucid Gypsy a few times you’ll know that I don’t do science, but if I ever decided to, it would be geology. The ground we walk on really fascinates me, especially around here. On Saturday my friend and I went to Axmouth (and saw yesterday’s robin) and walked on the pebble beach for a while.
Just a small area, but a part of both the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, this 304 hectares has been named Haven Cliffs.

I’m not posting this first photo for its beauty but so that you can see the change in the rock, at Beer, a couple of miles west of where I stood, from white chalk to red sandstone.

Back to the cliff above me, click to see the layers.

And again. See how the landslips have made the layers visible?

Apparently, the red sandstone was formed 210 million years ago in the late Triassic era, when conditions were desert like. The grey rock layers are the remains of dried up lake beds when the deserts were inundated by rising sea levels. The overlying chalk cliffs formed 85-95 million years ago from the remains of billions of tiny sea creatures.

The South West Coast Path rises above these cliffs and it’s possible to walk the 7 miles east to Lyme Regis. It would be a killer though unless you’re really fit, in which case it would take 5 hours. The time and distance is fine but I don’t do hills very well. I’d like to take a boat trip along the Jurassic Coast, and see it from that perspective, perhaps this summer.

Travel Theme, birds

Posted on December 29, 2013January 1, 2014 Posted in England, Photography, Travel, UncategorizedTagged Devon, England, Myths, Nature, Photography, Robin, Robin redbreast, travel17 Comments

Yesterday as I walked beside the Axe estuary, I heard a little flutter in the cliff beside me. I turned just as robin landed.

My heart sang with joy as he sang to me.

I got a little closer.

And then we both travelled on our different journeys.

There are many myths and legends associated with robins. One says that if a robin pecks at a window a death will soon happen. But there are also pagan connections with rebirth, such as the myth of the killing of the Wren, the little King of the Waning Year, by the Robin Redbreast, the new King of the Waxing Year.
My favourite tells of the rebirth of the spirit , when after solstice, the darkness that has ruled since halloween, is overcome by the new light of spring.
And so, I wish you all a very Happy New Year filled with blessings and the song of birds wherever you travel.

For more bird themed travel posts,

http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/12/27/travel-theme-birds/

Sidmouth Swim

Posted on December 27, 2013January 1, 2014 Posted in England, Photography, TravelTagged Devon, England, Photography, Sidmouth, Sidmouth Christmas Swim 2013, travel9 Comments

Like many seaside towns, Sidmouth in Devon has its annual Christmas swim in the sea on Boxing Day, December 26th. In recent years numbers have grown from about 50 brave souls to several hundred yesterday, braving sea temperatures of around 11 degrees. I went armed with my camera, hoping to catch the crazy people dashing in and back out shivering, but the area was crowded and I couldn’t actually see anyone close up.

I did see some of the swimmers in the crowds beforehand, lots in fancy dress, but I don’t think a bunny suit or a grass skirt helped keep any of them warm!

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Doubts had been cast about the event going ahead this year, gale force winds were forecast and there were concenrs about safety. Luckily, the day was mild and sunny and the Sidmouth lifeboat was launched just in case and at 11am in they went.

When it was nearly over, I managed to squeeze through close enough to prove that there really were people in the water!

Now of course those of you in the southern hemisphere think nothing of swimming in the sea at Christmas, but here even in August the chill can take your breath away. So who has had a December dip and if you have would you do it again? I have, but on Borneo where the water was like a lovely warm bath, and I would have to be in the tropics to do it again!

Watch out for the red dragon in Oscar Pearson’s video of the action here.

http://youtu.be/GrblHIQpgtA

Winter Haiku

Posted on December 22, 2013January 1, 2014 Posted in England, Nature, PoetryTagged Devon, England, Haiku, Nature, Photography, RSPB, travel, Wading birds9 Comments

Wintering Waders, A Haiku Trio

Resting weary wings

On Exe and Clyst confluence

Fresh and salty meet

~~~

Beware the buzzard

In the reserve of marshland

Safety in numbers

~~~

Wintering waders

Gather strength for long haul flight

Global migration

This post was inspired by a visit to Green Mackenzie. Although Seonaid focussed on the cold night, she made me think about writing some wintery haiku. I’m a long way south of Seonaid and winter has only just begun, so this photo was taken last January at Bowling Green Marsh, a nature reserve and resting place for migratory birds. You can click for a bigger view, I was too far away to get a clear shot, but I believe these are mostly Dunlin, Godwit and Oystercatchers. The estuary is known for its Avocets, the symbol of the RSPB.

If you don’t know Seonaid, I know you’ll find peace and inspiration here.

http://breathofgreenair.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/one-light/

Killerton at Christmas

Posted on December 21, 2013January 1, 2014 Posted in England, Photography, TravelTagged Christmas, Devon, England, Killerton, Killerton Christmas, Photography, The National Trust, travel22 Comments

Killerton House and estate is a National Trust property a few miles east of Exeter. I’ve been wanting to see it decorated for Christmas, so after a manic day of shopping and wrapping gifts I checked the internet thinking that I might pop out tomorrow. This was at 4.30. I saw that today it would be open until six for the last time so that people could see the house in the evening light. I was there by five!
I’m having to use a fixed 50mm lens at the moment so my options are limited, even more because of the dim light, but I enjoyed capturing some of the tree decorations.

I don’t know how many trees they had, I lost count.

This is a glimpse of the dining room

The staircase was decorated with foliage and snow

and the inner hall had this lovely barrow

There were some old fashioned toys on display in the entrance hall

Including these creepy ones

One of the trees in the hall

See how pretty the entrance hall is?

The walk back from the house to the old stable block entrance is about two hundred yards. It was really dark and I was on my own, so I was glad to hear the voices of a young family behind me. And seeing this beauty on my way was a real treat!

I hope you enjoyed my half hour visit, I was back home by six!

As always you can click for a bigger view of my photos and to see some earlier posts about Killerton go to https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/11/03/travel-theme-delicate/ and https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/objects-of-desire/ and https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/a-killerton-evening/#

Weekly Photo Challenge: One

Posted on December 20, 2013 Posted in Animals, Photography, Weekly Photo Challenge: PossibilityTagged Devon, England, Photography, travel, Weekly Photo Challenge, Wildlife51 Comments

As I don’t have a photo of a partridge in a pear tree or a partridge anywhere, I’ve chosen one of several other creatures for you. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen a partridge, never mind photographed one, have you?