Tag: History
Oldway Mansion
I took you to Oldway recently to show you Mr Singer’s Sewing Machines and now as promised here are some photos of the house. It’s currently owned by Torbay council and has been a popular wedding venue. Sadly it needs some major renovations and is now for sale as a potential hotel. I’m glad I went to see it before that happens.
Click on any image for a bigger view.
Thursdays Windows Week: 12, Old and Older
A double dose of windows, taken in the area near Salisbury cathedral last Saturday.
There will be more windows to visit at Sandra’s place, go and see http://sandraconner.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/photo-challenge-thursdays-windows-week-12/
100 Word Challenge For Grown Ups Week# 68
Poor Julia has been feeling a bit rough and her prompt this week is very apt. GREY, simply one word. Now what to do with it?
Blue and Grey
I was headless for years, until that Smith cast me a new one. I must say, without a head it was more fun scaring people. What’s a ghost boy to do? They looked at my statue and I would spring forth. A grey version of the Blue Boy, they’d jump out of their skin. That’s when they decided to exorcise me. So we had a spirit party, surrounded them we did, all the dead orphan boys from St John’s. They won’t try that again in a hurry.
Now there are several in the city, handsome, shiny and blue, statues of me.
A little background for you. When I was little I used to see this statue of the Blue Boy in the old Princesshay and always loved it.
It disappeared for a few years when the shopping centre was rebuilt but now its back in almost the same spot as before.
It’s said that the Blue Boy was created on the site of St John’s Hospital School which dates back to 1633. They weren’t orphans though, it was a school for the privileged. The boys wore a uniform of blue caps and gowns and were nicknamed Blue Boys. The original statue was made of stone and by 1830 it was actually headless! It’s head was replaced and it now resides in Exeter School grounds. Four cast iron Blue boys were made in the 1850’s, the one above and three more are in the Exeter area.
Come and join in at Julia’s place
Weekly Photo Challenge: Renewal
For this weeks challenge I have chosen a photo taken on Exeter Quay. It is a railway turntable that has been ‘renewed’ to make a seating area. It’s actually full of history, a rare example of Isambard Brunel’s broad gauge branch line built in 1867. It carried both broad and narrow guage track along the canal basin. Isn’t it great that it has been preserved and renewed?
For more renewals visit http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/weekly-photo-challenge-renewal/
A Poem Found
Today in Lyme Regis I bought a bundle of old letters in a second hand book shop. They are full of little gems of history and I may share some more at some point. For now though this is a love poem from the 1940’s. 
Isn’t this touching. Or perhaps you find it intrusive. If Ann is still alive she must be very old now, but as the letters were there for me to buy, I suspect that she and her love have passed on.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Geometry
There are some very clever tips at the Daily Post today http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/weekly-photo-challenge-geometry/
Now, I’m sure the geometry was accurate in these three very old cathedrals but sadly craning my neck and holding a camera still and straight has made them look a touch wonky! Here is Gloucester cathedral.
Chichester
and last, the best of all is Exeter
check out the fan vaulting in my earlier post if you don’t believe me! https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/exeter-cathedral-2/
As I looked up, Lynne looked down!http://lynneayersbeyondthebrush.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/dont-forget-to-look-down/#
And here is a newbie with a lovely quilt!
http://2far2shout.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/weekly-photo-challenge-geometry/
A Chestnut Walk to the Powderham Folly
Glorious weather and the dog’s need of some exercise made today a day for checking out Autumn’s progress. Earlier in the year I went to Kenton to take photographs for Lynne at On the Bench and found a new walk. At the time it was too cold to walk any further but it was always meant to be one to return to. The walk goes through the Powderham estate, the home to the 18th Earl and Countess of Devon. Building of the castle began in the 14th century and I’ve included a photo of the rooftop.
The start of the walk was a narrow muddy track through the marshes and then a climb up through the woods. There was a constant soundtrack from both the sawmill and the crazy sound of pheasants, whose presence tormented the dogs. There are many ancient and magnificent oak trees but prominent today were the chestnuts, gnarled and old but still very productive. Empty shells were everywhere; no doubt the squirrels have full larders.
I was hoping for more leaf colour but there was very little display from the trees, we have only had one frost so far in east Devon. Plants in the hedgerow were definitely more autumnal though. In the field at the top of the track is the folly, built in the 18th century, and the view opens up, showing the river Exe looking east.
Click on any image for a slide show. I hope you enjoy my Sunday walk and have a lovely week!
Henry 8th!
These two photos are for Jo at http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/ because I told her a porkie a few days ago. I said that I couldn’t take a photo of Henry 8th, but I could!
Thursday’s Windows
It’s Thursday so it’s time for Sandra’s Window Challenge and I’m pleased to show you this one from Exeter Quay. This building was originally built as the sign says in 1780 as a cotton mill but by 1834 it was a paper mill. It is now divided up into waterfront flats and in front there are some remains of industrial equipment, painted green and a nice touch of history. It’s the window I like best, and wonder why it was made that shape. The stone is most likely from Heavitree Quarry which was still in use when I was a child.
Join in at http://sandraconner.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/photo-challenge-thursdays-windows-week-4/ I’m sure you have some lovely window photos.
Lucid Gypsy 