Tag: England

Killerton Spring

Posted on Posted in Flowers, Photography, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , 16 Comments

The weather forecast got it wrong this morning, so I walked the dogs and then took my camera to Killerton to make the most of the unexpected sunshine. I’ve taken you before, for the Christmas decorations and a fashion exhibition, but this time I wanted to see how the grounds were looking in their spring costumes.

The Magnolia blossom was spectacular

Everywhere you look, flowers both woodland and cultivated

Shrubs and assorted loveliness!

Killerton is a National Trust property a few miles east of Exeter, I hope you enjoyed your spring walk.

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.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Abandoned

Posted on Posted in Exeter, Photography, Weekly Photo ChallengeTagged , , , , , , 35 Comments

Cheri Lucas Rowlands at the Daily Post says,

‘ For this week’s photo challenge, show us abandoned. You can go literal, as I have, and share a photo of ruins, a desolate place, or your idea of a wasteland. Or you can interpret it in other ways, from images of overlooked things to forgotten people.

In a post created specifically for this challenge, share a photo that shows us abandoned.’

I’ve decided to show you two boats, both abandoned locally. The first is on the Exeter canal, I took the photo about two years ago but I think it’s still there. IMG_2796

This one was taken years ago from Topsham Quay looking west. IMG_2811

This old beauty is just part of Topsham now and is much photographed. What is it about a decaying boat that appeals? If it was removed now the view wouldn’t be the same at all. Just to show it’s still there, I took this one more recently. The boat is on the far right. DSC_0126

Perhaps you will show us something abandoned? if so visit http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/photo-challenge-abandoned/

Signs of Spring

Posted on Posted in Old age, PoetryTagged , , , , 9 Comments

It’s been hard to go and take photos recently. Relentless rain and gales, flooded roads, high tides and fallen trees have kept the gypsy indoors. Yesterday lunchtime at work the sun came out, so I grabbed my coat and went to feel it on my face!

Even so, signs of spring were hard to find.

Signs of Spring

A thousand buds are waiting

to burst with golden pride

beneath tender hawthorn

it’s zenith months away

but first to bloom are snowdrops

a promise rising from the underworld

but now stop wait

don’t miss Mahonia’s fragrance

it will make your senses sway

This post is for Bastet’s ‘Signs of Spring’ challenge, perhaps you ‘d like to join in? http://wedrinkbecausewerepoets.com/2014/02/17/bastets-pixelventures-february-18th-2014/

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/