Dartmoor Dawn - Haytor and beyond to Bonehill

Before the deer start to roam about and the rabbits dodge under the wheels, today seems a good one to watch a sun rise. The stars are out and the Morgan fired up with the hood down. First stop is beside Hay Tor and later off to the side road and Bone Hill.

Red morning - Sheppards warning

Bonsai Book found at Dartmouth Market

One pound at the market stall, my illustrated book cost me dear. Having "invested" in some little trees, compost, rooting powder, Japanese style Bonsai ceramics and taking cuttings from the hedge. The pots encroach on the patio garden and yesterday saw me attend a Bonsai class for beginners.

My corner of the patio/garden

The camera is not forgotten though; yesterday the quest was on again, chasing an early sunrise.  But the light was not as clear as the previous morning. A layer of grey mist flooded down from the surrounding hills.
A kingfisher flew beneath the railway viaduct and landed almost at my feet but quickly spotted me and flashed away across the harbour. Though I had camera in hand the action shot was lost. 

This shallow harbour quickly empties

The condensation trails appear to converge but actually are parallel to one another 

First light plus twenty minutes

 

Homeless but not Helpless

With clear skies and prospects of a colourfull dawn, I set off early with camera in hand for the Exeter ship canal, down the lane marked "Private".

En-route in the laybys appeared several campers with curtains drawn .  The same may be noticed in Devons' car parks - especially near water. Houseboats moor alongside the canal at Turf and at Exeter Basin; some with a pile of fire wood on deck or a gas bottle to fuel the heater. Someone is curled up in a sleeping bag with nothing more than a wet blanket on the grass.

There will be some shivering hereabouts if the harsh winter forecast is proved correct.

The commuter leaves the comfort of his yacht and heads off to work in the city 

Yurts can be comfortable too

The ferryboat brings custom to the Turf Hotel

Flat calm at 7am the lock gates close the canal from the Exe Estuary

Looking seawards towards Exmouth

When a Bishop pleads Guilty

Peter Ball was supposedly a trustworty churchman, but by his own admission, reveals himself to have been an abuser.
Only now, twenty years later at a time when he sees the game is up, does he admit his behaviour. Jailed for 32 months at the Old Bailey today (07/10/15).

The CPS failed to press charges for a serious allegation brought by more than one victim, persons selected by the Bishop for their vulnerability, and the least likely to object. The abuse of power is quite appaling, yet was apparantly not even frowned upon by the then Archbishop of Canterbury Lord John Carey,  until now, once he too realises, that the game is up for the Church. 

Ball proceeded to resign as bishop and went to live in a property lent to him by his friend the Prince of Wales.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey colluded with the C.P.S. and Police to prevent the matter reaching a court of law. This perversion of the course of justice occurred despite the fact that in 1993 C.P.S. lawyers said there was   "SUFFICIENT ADMISSABLE, SUBSTANTIAL AND RELIABLE EVIDENCE” to bring a prosecution.  Today he has said sorry, but sorry is not good enough.

My suggestion here includes an appropriate place for abusers of children to be restrained, alongside those interfering with the English Law System,  particularly when the victims of such criminal behaviour are children.

 

PALACE FIT FOR A BISHOP -  and/or an ARCHBISHOP 

i

No escape for an 84 year old Bishop

ROOMS AVAILABLE

 On a happier note; this pleasant September day, we leave the above place of incarceration to enjoy the freedom of the Moor. Taking the road from Post Bridge to Widecombe we pass the stone circle and burial cairn beside a Forrestry Commission plantation.

Robbed of stone there remains only the outer kerbstones that once held a heap of granite above a buriel cyst.

Downstream from Two Bridgse

Heading away from the Fox Tor Cafe -  beside the road home.

Early catch - one Exe Mullet

The hope was for a flight of geese or some other wildfowl this morning in a soft morning light.
Instead there was this fisherman getting lucky with bread on his line. A line of just 6lb breaking strain.
The four pounder was returned to the water soon after.

One mile down the road

Gently playing the fish

Safely in the net

With a little help

Heading for fresh water out of the sluice gate

The ebb tide will soon reveal the estuary mud

Childrens portions Quite enough

An onshore wind whipped up some choppy seas onto the beach in hot sun. Perfect for a pootle down the coast in the Morgan via Dartmouth and Totnes.

The Start Bay Inn car park was rapidly filling up at 12.45pm and the fish restaurant busy taking orders. Helen and me settled for the childrens portion of cod and chips again today.

After a stretch of legs along the shoreline it was off to Dartmouth where The London registered tug "Goliath" was re-fueling alongside the promenade with diesel oil.  Length: 29.6 m - Beam: 7.65 m - Draught 3.8m -  Gross Registered Tonnage 167 - Fuel Bunker Capacity 56,000 litres.

The Kingswear Castle paddle steamer filled up with passengers ready for a short cruise up the river.

Summer arrives late

Torcross Inn Menu

Fresh onshore wind at Torcross

Torcross

Goliath

Coombe Cellars for Clubhouse Barbecue

The Yacht Club beside the Teign Estuary on Sunday has a barbacue laid on for the competitors and club members to enjoy after this mornings' open meeting race series. Three races back to back. I regrettably opted out, due to a back strain from the day before.
So much to see and do on this beautiful September day.

The Committee boat launch

First Solo to launch

Paul eyes up the Estuary looking for the sea beeze

A few decide against troubling to go out

A quiet hour passed waiting for the wind to fill in

An Atlantic steam train special thunders past Bishopsteignton and the vineyard on the hill

Topsham for a Birthday Coffee

Stopped beside the Quayside at high  tide and enjoyed a coffee at a newly opened venue "The Pig & Pallett".  Nice coffee - rustic decor - lots of porky products - Spicy sausages Etc.
Down beside the wall where the Mog is parked a family of swans is caught on camera before rain stopped play and we head for home via the farm shop. Last minute edibles for a supper with our own little family.

Flexing some stubby little wings

Pen swan with her cygnets

Closely guarded 24/7

Parked up next to a family of Swans

Briefly to Beer

What a day for a joyride!  Up the A30 turn off at Honiton and follow onto the Sidmouth road and with Beer as our destination in the warm sun.
Tea and coffee cake at Kennos Beach cafe but we are called away on a rescue mission to Exeter via Higher Ashton. A quite unexpected but minor detour that soon proved to be a delightful drive along the narrow back lanes of Haldon. 

On the way I noticed a slightly raised engine temperature and checked the coolant level. On returning home the bottom radiator hose clip was found to have  loosened but fortunately fluid loss was minimal.

All the toilets in Beer are of the fixed down variety, unlike some of those in Newlyn !

 ( See BBC news report) :  Women gets moved in Portaloo

Ten days later and here we are again in Beer for a toasted sandwich at Kennows. Much warmer onshore breeze from the east.

Visitors enjoying the sun - Tomorrows forecast is for rain