Plymouth Barbican UK

Hi and welcome. I've just been on a trip to the UK and Italy. I spent two weeks in Plymouth. This blog shows you shots of Plymouth Barbican. The old harbour of Plymouth that survived the blitz during the 2nd World War

The weather wasn't great. Grey, cloudy and rainy, just as I remember it from when I was a child, but it does add atmosphere! Hope you enjoy the photos. Next time Florence, Italy

The Barbican is home to many sailing boats. While I was there the Americas Cup World Series took place in Plymouth Sound. A big coup for Plymouth. You can see sunny photos of Plymouth Hoe here














A barbican is a fortified gate, and here the
name probably derives from the gate of the
'Castle Barbican'. It no longer exists






















Yachts but also old fishing boats
too. For centuries the Barbican
was home to Plymouth's fish
market and is still home to many
fishermen
















Walter Raleigh, Francis Drake, John Hawkins
and Captain Cook, all strolled through the
Barbican before setting off from this historic
area on their epic journeys around the world
















Boats in Sutton Harbour. Cute name for the
first boat on the left






















Many of the old buildings have
been renovated and turned into
pubs or restaurants






















Diversity of cuisine is also in
Plymouth. Good to see the
tradition of BYO is still alive
















One of the larger pubs and eating places. You
can get good real ale in these lovely pubs
















The Cornish were famous for smuggling. But I
bet their neighbouring Devonians weren't shy
of the practice!






















Classic scene
















An older and small drinking hole














You can see Plymouth also has a "London Eye".
It wasn't there the last time I looked! Plymouth’s
60 metre high big wheel has 42 air conditioned
capsules






















The Mayflower Steps from
whence the Pilgrim Fathers
set off to settle in America.
Convicts also left for Australia
from here. The flag and flowers
were left by Americas Cup competitors
to remember the victims of 9/11 on
the 10th anniversary of the tragedy
















Looking across to Mt Batten. There used to
be a marine station of the RAF there. My father
worked there for many years
















Atmospheric
















Captain Jasper's eating house. It all started
In 1978 when John Dudley, "The Cap'n" was
asked to help raise money for charity at
The Barbican Regatta. He built a small wooden
hut and sold BBQ'd food
















The weather may be drab, but the Barbican is
colourful






















Just luv Supertub!
















Discrimination against hippies, but aren't
they extinct?






















Typical old street in the Barbican






















The sign for the Plymouth aquarium

Do come again for photos of Florence, Italy

Whitstable - "The Pearl of Kent"

Hi and welcome to my blog. 100th post!

For many Londoners who live in the South East of London it is just a short 60 minute drive to Whitstable. In recent years Whitstable has had a renaissance and the price of property, including the famous beach huts, rose by leaps and bounds.

It has a thriving fishing industry and a harbour. It is THE place for oysters, (hence its fame as the "pearl" of Kent) and has a fish market that sells a range of fresh fish. Oysters have been harvested here since Roman times.

There are numerous pubs and this first photo shows one of them: The Ship Centurion, which won the 2007 Kent "Pub of the Year" Award.

It's a British seaside town with real character. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Thanks for coming. The next issue will be in a couple of weeks. The Christmas Issue!

Alan






















St Alphege's Church, built in
the 1840s. It was close to
Remembrance day, hence the
poppies. Make sure you read
the sign to the right of the
memorial. A fine place to collect
your poppy!!
















The High Street
















The Royal Naval Reserve pub. Have a look at
the menu. Typical british pub fare!
















Another pub and hotel and a striking building.
The Duke of Cumberland






















Typical lane with the slatted
buildings that I love
















Oyster paradise. I believe you have to book
up far in advance to be sure of a table. If you
click on the link you can see a sample menu
















Kent beaches are mostly pebble. The wooden
breaks are known as "groins"
















Another view of the restaurant

















The oysters themselves, yummy - shame
about the cholesterol.....
















Part of the sea front

















Close up, though a bit of a face lift would be
in order for Stag Cottage. Spot the seagull
(its bottom!). Perhaps it's the only resident!











Looking over towards the harbour
















A sea of snails

















The colourful harbour. The other industry of
Whitstable apart from tourism, but which, of
course, adds to the tourist attraction












Sand and gravel















View towards the top end of the harbour






















Another example of the
traditional white slatted
house
















Whitstable Alley Ways grew as residents
needed more access to the sea from the High
Street. They were also convenient escape
routes for Kent smugglers of tobacco and spirits,
and people during the Napoleonic wars























High Street Oyster Bar
















Young seagull with its baby plumage

Looe, Cornish Fishing Village, UK

Good to see you. Thanks for coming to my blog. This edition shows photos of a small Cornish fishing village called Looe. It is a typical Cornish picturesque village and is located on the South coast of Cornwall, not far from Plymouth. There are many others in Cornwall.

It was cloudy and raining in the morning but after lunch the sun came out so I managed to get some sunny shots!

Cream tea, tiddy oggies (Cornish pasties), fudge and lovely pubs are some of the delights of Cornwall.

This first picture is Daniela and myself.

I have just got back from Delhi India. I went
there for work and also had three days being
the tourist. Lots of photos to share with you
so do come back!

Alan















Sightseeing boat
















Tiny church






















An attractive back lane! I love
the yellow drainpipes!
















Who me? Butter wouldn't melt in my mouth....
















My Dad getting up close with Betty Boop!
She doesn't seem to be too impressed!!
















Cute shop front window
















A picturesque pub
















Looking up the River Looe
















Tide's out
















Looe's medieval steeple from a distance.......






















.......and close up. It used to help sailors
find Falmouth
















Picture postcard
















Nelson the seal adopted Looe and became a
famous citizen of Looe. He only had one eye,
hence the name Nelson. He died in 2003.
Now he is permanently on the banks of the
river Looe for people to remember him.
















View across the bay
















The beach
















The coastline just past the village