Plymouth Hoe

Last Sunday, it was such a bright sunny day, that my husband and I decided to get ourselves out in the fresh air for a couple of hours, and take a walk round the historic Barbican area of Plymouth (the city where I was born) and then up round to Plymouth Hoe, and the magnificent views overlooking Plymouth  Sound. (which is ten miles away from where I live now).

Unfortunately,  because the sun was so bright that day, shining like diamonds on the water, I couldn't actually take a photo looking out to sea!

As a local girl, I take the views for granted, but whenever we have visitors to stay, they always seemed to be pretty impressed by it!  I took the following photo, because I just couldn't believe how blue the sky was, especially against the white of the building.

The sky really WAS that blue - amazing!

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this very clever dog.  He had parked the car very well!

I thought my American friends might like to see a  photo of the recently refurbished Mayflower Steps, from where The Pilgrim Fathers set sail on the 6th September 1620, to settle in New Plymouth, and to lay the foundation of the New England States.

Here is the plaque to commemorate their journey.  I'm afraid the wording isn't that easy to read.

The first grey building on the collage is of The Elizabethan House, which was an actual Tudor sea captain's home.  It contains period furniture and fabrics, complete with sloping oak floors and beams, and a winding staircase.  It is amazing that these buildings (thankfully) survived the terrible bombing of Plymouth (the city centre area was completely destroyed in the Blitz) during the Second World War. 

This final picture is of Sir Francis Drake, whose statue stands proudly on Plymouth Hoe overlooking Plymouth Sound.  You might have heard the story of how he was playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe, when he heard that the Spanish Armada was approaching.  He then went on to finish his game, before sailing out to sea, and  defeating the Armada! (Me thinks there might be a bit of poetic licence there somewhere!).