Tag: travel

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.

 

Lazy Poets Thursday Haibun

Posted on Posted in Ghana, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , , 12 Comments

Ghana 1

Along the Tamale Road

She’d packed her shop up for the day, all hope of sales abandoned. Resigned to eating the hard boiled eggs herself, with the plantain that no-one wanted either. All morning she’d snacked on the pastries she baked before dawn. Once upon a time she couldn’t make enough of them, they sold like hot cakes. A tourist asked if her canopy was for sale, she’d said no – how would she have shade without it? Perhaps . . . perhaps she could try making some small ones to sell.

What’s this? A tourist jeep stopping, she gathered her wares in her apron and ran. ‘Fresh eggs, tomato, banana, what will you buy?’

 

Travellers lunch break

a bargain fresh as the day

benefits for all

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!

Turkish Encounters

Posted on Posted in Photography, Travel, TurkeyTagged , , , , 15 Comments

The thing I love most of all about travelling is meeting people and having glimpses into their world and way of being. There’s something very precious about these fleeting moments.  One memorable encounter I had was in Ankara, where I met these women  who immediately struck me with their warm open hearts. They were posing for photos in the Kemal Ataturk museum and they looked so beautiful that I asked to take one too.

Ankara's beautys

Sadiman, on the right spoke English and was able to tell her family that I was happy to meet them and loved their country. We are still Facebook friends, as I am with Selin on the left. Selin was very young in my photo and I’m able to see her grow up through her Facebook photos. I don’t know the beamings mamas names, but through smiles and gestures we shared something special to treasure.

This is my post for family, this weeks photo challenge from the Daily Post. You can join in here. https://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/photo-challenge-family-2/

A la Ronde

Posted on Posted in England, History, Travel, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , 10 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.

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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.

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The feathers come from chickens, game birds and even parrots and have been applied with isinglass. alar14

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. gallery

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/

Window on St Peters

Posted on Posted in England, PhotographyTagged , , , , , , 13 Comments

Windows are everywhere. Depending on where you are — your bedroom, your office, a hotel room, or a tiny tourism office overlooking a lively street in a beach town in the Dominican Republic, shown above — a window can reveal different things.

They are portals into the world’s stories. Glimpses into other people’s lives. Looking out (or into) a window can tell you about where you are — and where you’re not — and mark a particular moment in time, linking you to a physical place. Windows are also enablers of our daydreams and desires, and can stir up memories and big ideas.

This week, in a post created specifically for this challenge, share a photo with a window, say Cheri Lucas Rowlands at the Daily Post.

This photo was taken on a balmy summer evening from inside one of my favourite restaurants. It is looking across the green at the Norman Cathedral of St Peter, here in Exeter. There can be few better views to enjoy while waiting to be served and the photo – with my phone – doesn’t do it justice, so you’ll have to imagine the rest or search my tags for other posts about the cathedral!

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To join in visit http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/photo-challenge-window/

Beginnings on Etna

Posted on Posted in Photography, Sicily, TravelTagged , , , , , 16 Comments

Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and it’s been very active in the last year. When I visited in June 2013, it wasn’t possible to climb it because of the eruptions in April.  I could still tour the area and the best views of Etna are possible from the 1800 metres Monti Sartorius,which I did climb.

Travelling around Etna you will see lava flow, both recent and ancient. Where there has been a flow, vegetation takes times to recover, but gradually signs of life appear through the ash.

etna

Where there are full grown trees, they have grown through lava from way back.  Christmas tree sized and the lava is not so old, and in places where there is only low growing plant life, soapworts for example, the lava is from very recent eruptions. So, the flora is beginning to re-establish itself.

Click on my photo for a closer view.

This post is for Cheri Lucas Rowlands WPC at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/photo-challenge-beginning/