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Saturday 7 September 2019

My Hometown Of Plymouth - Britain's Ocean City

My hometown City of Plymouth is known as Britain's Ocean City. It is a vibrant waterfront city which is surrounded by water, and with the hills of Dartmoor close by.

 
The magnificent Plymouth Sound with the art-deco lido, where I learnt to swim, some sixty years ago. Seems like only yesterday 😂😂.

Today I thought I would take you on a tour of the historic Barbican, with its cobbled streets and Elizabethan buildings. To me, it has always seemed remarkable that these buildings are still standing after the continuous bombing, known as the Plymouth  Blitz, during the Second World War. The city suffered  a series of bombing raids, which flattened many parts of my home city. My parents were involved in one of those  raids. In March 1941, my dad was returning home on a short Leave from the Army.  As darkness fell, he turned the corner of the street where they lived, and the house was gone, reduced to a pile of rubble, and my poor mum was buried underneath. Neighbours were scrabbling at the bricks with their hands,  desperately trying to get to her. Fortunately, she survived,  but her back was badly damaged and she suffered for the rest of her life with severe back problems.  After the Blitz, very little of Plymouth remained, and the whole City had to be rebuilt. During the 59 bombing attacks, 1,172 civilians were killed and 4,448 were injured. King George the sixth is pictured  here visiting the devastated City. 

 
Image courtesy of Daily Mail archives. 

But now it's time to continue with the tour. I hope you will enjoy these photos, which were taken on a glorious Summer's day earlier this year. You can just double click on any of the photos if you want to make them larger. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The quality of the following  photo isn't particularly good (I took it from Plymouth Hoe looking out to the Sound) but I thought the old with the new was pretty cool 😊.

 

I do feel very blessed living in this little corner of heavenly Devon!  On that note, I'll love you and leave you until the next time. 

10 comments:

Suzanne said...

How beautiful! Your header photo is so lovely with the cows, and it looks like birds there also. I love the 'Sue Wells Station' with the cobblestone road-what fun it must be to walk through that area.

I enjoyed the bit of history about the raid that left the city in shambles, and, so sorry to hear of your mum's injuries. What a devastating time that must have been. Isn't it amazing how strength and perseverance can bring back a city and the people who love it so.

This is a wonderful post, Thisisme! I am running late this evening, and, I'm glad I stopped by. See you soon! ♥

Southhamsdarling said...

I really need to say 'thank you' Suzanne for your friendship and your loyalty and for you always taking the time to come over and leave a comment. I really do appreciate that. Yes, I can't imagine what people went through in the Wars. Such devastation and often the men would be overseas fighting for their country. I'm glad you like the new header photo. There was a large flock of Canada Geese there when I took the shot. Take care my Texan friend.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, I had no idea about your parents during the war and your poor mother enduring such horror. What a brave woman. I can't even begin to imagine. The photos are all just lovely and of course all I can say is "someday"! Hugs XX

Southhamsdarling said...

Hello Bee Bee. Good to see you over here. Yes, it must have been pretty awful for my mum and dad, and I'm just grateful that the next generation didn't have to face a war on their home soil. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. That's 'our' word, my friend..."someday!" Well, that and "awesome!"

Empty Nester said...

Everything about where you live is wonderful! How terrifying on so many levels that must have been for your parents! Things take on a whole new meaning when someone you know has had the actual experience, don't they?

caz greenham said...

Lovely blog... waves from across the bay #Brixham
Visited by @CazsBooks

Southhamsdarling said...

Hi there Pam! I often think how I would love to take all my bloggy friends on a tour of heavenly Devon. I just know that you would love it ❤️ Yes, I can't imagine what my parents must have gone through to be honest. My mum would have been 29 when that happened. But how wonderful the human spirit can be to suffer and yet still come through undefeated.

Southhamsdarling said...

Well, hello there to you, Caz. So lovely to see you here, and thank you for your kind comment. Fancy you being only a stone's throw from me, really! You live in a gorgeous part of Devon as well. I think we are very fortunate to live here.

Unknown said...

Truly a wonderful and beautiful area but so sad to read about the pain felt through the years of war. You are so blessed to be in such a gorgeous area and I wish you and your family the most wonderful Christmas ever this year. We all love you my dear.
Odie

Southhamsdarling said...

I'm glad you enjoy the photos of where I live, dear Odie. I wish you and yours a very happy and peaceful Christmas too. I'm not seeing the French part of the family this Christmas, but Alison and her husband will be coming with Eli and Ruby on Christmas Day, so I feel blessed. Take care.