Tag: travel
Jakes Sunday Post: Bay
As always Jake created a cool animation for his Sunday challenge, check his Bay and join in at http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/sunday-post-bay/
I’ve chosen Torbay, the English Riviera for my entry.
Grand Western Canal
I walked at the canal again today, starting from the Jubilee bridge this time. It does a horseshoe loop that is quiet disorientating, you feel as if you’ve turned around on yourself. It started cold but once the sun broke through it became a gorgeous day for a stroll, towards Halberton. 
The tow path winds its way through the Devon countryside for eleven miles.
With lovely views of farmland.
Under some very old bridges, the Devon section of the canal opened in 1814 so the bridges must be roughly the same age.
It was a muddy day and welly boots were called for – sadly I wasn’t wearing mine! Never mind, it was worth it to see this stunning tree.
There is lots of wildlife, but I took the wrong lens. When I was there a few weeks ago I had the zoom lens and needed the the standard, this time if I had the zoom I could have got a decent shot of . . . I’m hoping the Hobbit will tell me?
If you live in the UK you will have heard about the damage to the canal bank in November last year when many parts of the country suffered severe floods. This gallery shows some of the damage, and the temporary dams that are in place to prevent further problems until the repairs begin. Thankfully Devon County Council have budgeted three million pounds to rebuild the thirty metre breach in the embankment. The work begins in June and will take nearly a year to complete.
Now I’ll leave you with a photo from the end of today’s walk, hope you enjoyed it.
Travel Theme: Green
Ailsa has chosen Green thsi week, join her at http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/03/15/travel-theme-green/ and see everyone’s interpretations. Here are mine, all taken in Turkey.
Heiropolis Madhu?
Modern tile
Opium Poppy Fields
Ankara Tile
Istanbul
Real Turquoise
Jakes Sunday Post: Arrangement
http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/ has given us the prompt of arrangement this week and Jake says, ‘The act of arranging or being arranged like Places, living things or collection of things that have been arranged. The condition, manner, agreement, settlement or music result of being arranged.’ I’ve chosen three photos taken on Dartmoor, the result of arrangement by Man, Nature and the Universe or God if you choose.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Neighbourhood
I started gathering pics for the weekly challenge but then realised it was the new Phoneography Challenge of Neighbourhood instead. So I got all confused and nearly didn’t post but it seems that Cheri doesn’t really mind if you use your phone camera or not. About half of mine are phone images and the rest my Canon. Don’t forget you can join in at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/my-neighborhood/
Travel Theme: Roads
Ailsa has chosen roads, not the easiest for me, whenever I see a really interesting road I’m always driving it! Here are a few from around Devon and some more exotic places.
Join in at http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/03/01/travel-theme-roads/
Weekly Photo Challenge: Lost in the Details
This week’s photo challenge is guest hosted by Christopher Martin.
Lost in the Details. This challenge is about getting lost in the details. Once you’ve found a subject you want to photograph, challenge yourself to work a little further into the scene.
I’m not totally sure I understand what we are being asked to do this week, but hey here goes anyway! These photos were taken at Chichester Cathedral in West Sussex and I find the detail fascinating, if you click on them you should be able to zoom in. Hope you enjoy.
Join in as usual at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/weekly-photo-challenge-lost-in-the-details/
Lazy Poets Thursday Poem 4
Flow of spring beside the tracks.
Bend of river’s shingle bank
occupied by Whooper’s elegant lounge.
Hip like curve sinks to moist valley
then rises to a belly mound hill.
Distant lace edged horizon
naked with late winter oaks
abundant in their twisting forms.
Dull copper bracken awaits
a few degrees swell to break green.
Neat fields sprinkled with new lambs
and a dark dusting of crows.
Sanctuary of Devon hedge banks
South West landscape I’m home.
South West landscape I’m home.
An English Country House Hotel
The drive
Hallway
A Cosy Corner
A rather strange mural
The mural continues
Northcote bears
a stunning dresser
Real fires
So many warm places to sit
Northcote Manor
A pretty summerhouse
Big views but no sunshine
Heading back down the road
I went to Rosemoor on Friday and stopped somewhere new for refreshments along the way. Northcote Manor, built in 1716, is a luxury country hotel nestled in the Taw valley deep in north Devon, with stunning views at the top of a long private lane. It would be a lovely place to stay, they offer pamper weekends and award winning fine dining; I would love to spend a week there just relaxing but sadly it is way out of my reach!
My friend had coffee and I had hot chocolate, expecting a cup or mug I was amazed when a huge jug arrived, enough for four cups all for me, and freshly baked shortbread. Our stop off ending up being an hour and a half, it was so peaceful and the staff really welcoming. Most surprising of all was the price, a mere £7 for all that choccy, my friends cafetiere and biscuits for both of us. Needless to say it will be a regular stop.
I hope you like the photos, I only had a macro lens because I was snapping flowers at Rosemoor, but you get the feel. If you ‘re tempted to check it out http://www.northcotemanor.co.uk/
Lucid Gypsy 