City Slippers - London visit

I wish!  My feet always take a beating when pounding city streets.  Anyway, we went up to the big smoke of my birth earlier this summer to visit dear friends, and did a public transport odyssey that only London can do.

It is, actually, quite a cool city really.

There, isn't that nice...

Woodland Walks near Tavistock

I was walking with the lab near Tavistock and found a perfect little plantation hidden in dense woodland.  Almost perfect.

On another walk in woodland, this time without the mut, I spotted a red deer and her baby at the end of the track and just managed a shot before she disappeared:

Royal William Yard, Plymouth

I had a wonderful evening at the Royal William Yard in Plymouth; superb dinner with friends at the River Cottage Canteen whilst the sun went down in a glorious blaze of colour.

I love the Royal William Yard; it's so vibrant and urban now.  It's amazing architecture and history only serves to enhance its charisma.  It was built between 1826 and 1835 as the major victualling depot for the Royal Navy.  Victualling refers to the provision and storage of food and drink supplies.  (Just imaging all those barrels of rummmmm .... )

Good bye to the Bluebells

They've been stunning this year; and obviously love being drenched for 12 months before making an appearance.  As they take their bow, along with the wild garlic, here are a few views: one from Leigh Woods near Bristol and the others in Meldon Woods near Okehampton.

Path through bluebells in Meldon Woods, Okehampton

Bluebells in Meldon Woods, Okehampton

Wild garlic in Leigh Woods, Bristol

Surfing at Pollyjoke

Great camp at Pollyjoke again.....  Played with my GoPro whilst surfing some really strong waves:

The people are all friends and family.  It's the simple things in life that are just so much fun.

Here's another; I've screen grabbed it (© & thanks to met office), just to prove it happened:

Gower Revisited

Did a flying solo visit to the Gower again last week.  Beautiful as ever, chock full of memories that are, well, good.  Managed to squeeze in one of my favourite walks from Cym Ivy through Whiteford Burrows to the (seemingly) forgotten beach of Whiteford Sands.

Expanse, solitude, contentment and peace.  For 2 hours at least.

I was in the Gower for my sister's wedding.  I was charged with finding a poem to read out during the small ceremony.  I couldn't find one suitable, so decided to write one instead.

I know it's a bit cheesey but for my sister and I it throws a net around what the Gower means to us.



Gower, May 2013

Some of us know the power of the Gower to mesmerise
The heart and soul with its majestic skies,
Its hills and woods and arching sands;
It welcomes the Atlantic like an outstretched hand.

Here we lay new memories, over those forged in the past.
From Caswell Bay on the sunniest day to Burry Holmes when overcast.
Over the Causeway towards Worm’s Head,
Then turning back for lunch instead.

Precious new memories from Cwm Ivy and Llanmadoc.
Up Rhossili Down, catching breath on a rock,
Walking through the pines to a forgotten beach
Towards the lighthouse, just beyond reach.

There is enough time here, and enough space
To transport the mind to a happier place.
To imbue yourself with whatever you’re seeing,
To relax and focus on simply being.

Here, at Pitton, at Whitsun, I’ve written an ode
To mark the commitment of love bestowed.
To express a love of this place, and these two,
I, for one, must say “I do”.

Manchester buildings and architecture

Whilst working in Manchester recently, has a couple of hours to walk around Manchester city centre.  Fantastic city with brilliant architecture.  The juxtaposition of styles is wonderful.

My favourite is the Daily Express Building, on Great Ancoats Street:

This amazing looking building was designed by Sir Owen Williams and was built in 1939.  Yes, 1939. Its style is futurist Art Deco and was Grade II listed in 1974.

The avant guard facade is clad in opaque and vitrolite glass.

Just superb.

Here are some abstracts from it:

I have more interesting buildings from Manchester, but they'll have to wait until next time.  I have to go and buy provisions.  I have a dog that has been fed nothing but cat food for two days and is decidedly hacked off about it.