Plymouth Hoe, Devon
On our recent travels we spent some time in Devon overlooking Plymouth Sound. Plymouth Hoe’s famous landmark was clearly visible and had to be seen up-close. From where we were staying there was a local Ferry service that for £3 (two adults, one dog inclusive) would take us across the Sound right into the heart of Old Plymouth, to the Barbican.
Sir Frances Drake (who famously played bowls as enemy warships approached) also has pride of place on the Hoe, gazing down across the sound to the English Chanel…
Not to sure what Drake would have thought of the current Brexit debacle….probably suggested we all play bowls!
Plymouth was and still is an important Seaport, Fishing Port and of course a Royal Naval Base and Shipyard.. But it is the old harbour that most tourists are attracted. The Fish Docks are in one small area the rest of the harbour now a modern Yacht Marina that seems to be bursting at the seams. But the old town still has character and as a Naval town a good number of pubs. Also very appropriate are several memorials to those from the Armed Forces who have left Plymouth for conflicts overseas never to return, and to those who defended Plymouth’s strategic assets and its people when under attack in recent wars.
It was from Plymouth in 1620 that The Mayflower and the famous Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America. ….(no doubt Trump would have refused them entry if he had been around)
It was from these very steps that the Pilgrims embarked upon there epic journey. The City plan to refurbish this historic site in readiness for commemoration celebrations in September 2020.
Plymouth is full of hustle and bustle, an active Military centre and a Tourist destination all blending with its historic surround apparently rather seamlessly. Busy it certainly is but Plymouth Sound is also surrounded by a quiet and rugged coastline where one can get away for some peaceful surrounds and maybe play in a rockpool full of crabs, shrimps and those mesmerising tentacles of seaweed…
As the sun goes down the headland above provides expansive views over the Sound a natural Harbour that has proved secure for many centuries..
26th July
(C) David Oakes 2018
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 
Thank you for the history information and the great photos again. As for the Brexit… we, on the mainland begin to think whether we still can go on holiday to Britain, considering what May and her conservatives keep saying. Also reactions from people in the Highstreets are sometimes almost rude towards Europeans. That is not good news. As for me.. I will patiently wait and see what happens. Maybe a short break into Germany is a better idea now you showd me such beautiful places in the North of Germany.
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Understand about Brexit…But it is really a none political party problem but one that effects all of them. None have agreed within there own party. May picked up the poison chalice and is doing her best to steer a course between remainer’s and those who want out and that id difficult when you consider the vote was so close. As for folks reactions the only ones I have been aware of are some who think that we do need control over the number of people permanently moving to the UK. As for tourists well were ever I have been this past few weeks the large number of German, French, Italian and Spanish visitors seemed to be being made most welcome. Having said all that Brexit Referendum should never have happened.
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Agree.
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Thanks for that tour, and history lesson. No doubt Trumpler would have halted the mayflower. Which probably would have ended better for the Native Americans.
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Probably threatened to drain the Atlantic or some other daft idea.
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Aye but it would have left this family here, in Europe. What would he do with the EU? Heavens… I don’t like to think about that. 🙂
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