Category: Devon

#133 theoldmortuary ponders

On By theoldmortuary.designIn Cornwall, DevonLeave a comment

Another day of West Country greige so I decided to use lovely colourful pictures from the weekend to brighten up my own morning and tell a small piece of local knowledge. First up though this gorgeous rust and paint combo. Followed by another.

I suppose these are the gifts from all the greige we live with. A damp, moist climate brings out the best for rust lovers. Similarly lichen and moss can be glorious and after the recent storms the ground beneath trees is littered with twigs and branches embellished by these moisture loving plants.

Which brings me to a little piece of local knowledge.

Visitors to Devon and Cornwall often think that daffodils are deliberately planted on the roadside and at the base of stone walls. These daffodils are actually the descendants of bulbs discarded out of flower growing fields during the second world war. The fields were cleared for food crops to be planted to feed the nation during war time. Some really rare daffodils can be found in quiet country lanes. One more picture of a beautiful day while I am in denial about the true state of todays weather.

#126 theoldmortuary ponders

On By theoldmortuary.designIn art, Devon1 Comment

Complicated image of the day. Last night we went to Exeter Cathedral to see The Museum of the Moon.

A seven metre representation of the moon by Artist Luke Jerram.

About

A quote from the website.

The moon has always inspired humanity, acting as a ‘cultural mirror’ to society, reflecting the ideas
and beliefs of all people around the world. Over the centuries, the moon has been interpreted as a god and as a planet. It has been used as a timekeeper, calendar and been a source of light to aid nighttime navigation. Throughout history the moon has inspired artists, poets, scientists, writers and musicians the world over. The ethereal blue light cast by a full moon, the delicate crescent following the setting sun, or the mysterious dark side of the moon has evoked passion and exploration. Different cultures around the world have their own historical, cultural, scientific and religious relationships to the moon. And yet somehow, despite these differences, the moon connects us all.

Museum of the Moon allows us to observe and contemplate cultural similarities and differences around the world, and consider the latest moon science. Depending on where the artwork is presented, its meaning and interpretation will shift. Read more in Research. Through local research at each location of the artwork, new stories and meanings will be collected and compared from one presentation to the next.

#MuseumofTheMoon

My complicated image at the top of this blog was a happy accident. Whilst standing in the queue for coffee I found one of those mirror trolleys that tour guides use to point out architectural features in the ceiling to avoid their visitors fainting due to overstretching their necks.

What better way to view a ‘cultural mirror’ than through an actual mirror. There was a very stern message not to move the trolleys.They were in a dark corner. So I just contorted myself a bit and got the best shot I could without breaking any rules.

An indoor moon and Mediaeval Cathedral looking like the best roller coaster in the world.

Pandemic Pondering #362

On By theoldmortuary.designIn Bobbing, Devon, SerendipityLeave a comment

Another swimming blog! Unapologetically , not just because I can use Friday mornings pictures . But because we decided as a group that the coldest of the winter is behind us. There is no science behind this and we could just be feeling skittish because Spring is about to be sprung. Woolly hats were discarded this morning. Less layers of Thermal underwear packed, for the socially distanced swimming after-party. We are imagining altered horizons! All this on an early morning diet of Horlicks, Hot Chocolate, tea and coffee with a side order of caterpillars.

Not a Crazy South American mind expanding hallucinogenic gathering. Just sensible body warming steps to avoid ‘ after drop’ ( Sudden coarse shivering , a reaction that isn’t pleasant and can occur after cold water immersion) . The Caterpillars were an added bonus not a regular habit.

But for now, post- caterpillars, this is the reality in March 2021.

Have a great Saturday .

Pandemic Pondering #291

On By theoldmortuary.designIn Devon1 Comment

My apologies for the slightly late publishing of the blog today. The truth is the situation in Washington and the continuing Pandemic had made me an ornery ponderer last night and I woke up in no better frame of mind. Then a set of circumstances dropped me at Firestone Bay in time for a golden dawn.

Its hard to be ornery when the sun warms my face despite the temperature being -1. A pod of dophins are playing in this image, cheekily following the paddle boarders.

More of these images tomorrow once I’ve done some editing.

Pandemic Pondering #283

On By theoldmortuary.designIn Cornwall, Devon, Home TownsLeave a comment

The sun shone for the last walk around Sutton Harbour and the Barbican of 2020. It also snowed a little.

Our evening went to plan . This is the photograph for our family and friends distance, thousands of miles and many time zones, social media party.

Television watching for two, oh the dizzy heights!

The plan had actually been to go to bed early and show 2020 the disdain it deserves and sleep through its passing but actually it feels only responsible to not only see the year leave but also to make sure it has actually gone and shut the door behind it. For such a responsible observation a far less frivolous drink is required.

A fine cup of decaffeinated Yorkshire Tea and a Cornish Shortbread. Far less giddy than that party pleasing Snowball. Also guarantees a good nights sleep, essential after a year like 2020!

I can confirm 2020 left the building and the door slammed shut behind it.

Pandemic Pondering #283

On By theoldmortuary.designIn Bobbing, Cornwall, Devon, SerendipityLeave a comment

Christmas 2020 it wasn’t Christmas but it was Christmas because that’s what it was.

The day started early with some ‘Bobbing’ admin.

Tranquility Bay

Mulled cider and mince pies were the actual admin that was required today.

Then it was a swift drive home and festive sandwiches made ready for beach #2 Harlyn Bay.

Harlyn Bay

Don’t be fooled by golden sands, if Tranquility Bay looked like madness, Harlyn was madness+. A great walk in freezing temperatures followed by a convivial two van picnic observing all current regulations for Covid-19 control.

The dogs, of course, moved vans due to the superior picnic being served next door.

To be honest the idea of returning home and then cooking a traditional turkey roast began to feel less desirable the colder we got. A cup of hot tea was about as far as we could stretch when we got home.

Much later a mushroom Wellington made an appearance.

In between walking and talking we zoomed and whatsapped with people near and far.

Christmas Day in a Nutshell with not a cracker in sight.

Our last day with the relative freedoms of Tier 1. Today Cornwall is downgraded , that’s a whole new set of rules to remember! In

Pandemic Pondering #177

On By theoldmortuary.designIn Devon, Food ( but this is not a food blog), SerendipityLeave a comment

Today was a personal grooming kind of day. The eyebrows that scatter themselves around my supraorbital ridge need corralling into tidy brows every now and again. They also require dyeing to give my ageing face some defining features. It never ceases to amaze me that so much eyebrow is removed with waxing, plucking and threading and yet I leave the calm of the salon with freshly honed eyebrows that look thicker and more verdant than I walked in with.

https://instagram.com/petite_retreat?igshid=1iw6zetl6vird

Both of us @theoldmortuary were freshly and resplendently eyebrowed when we met some friends later at Rust and the Wolf in Ashburton.

Rust and the Wolf is the sort of place that once again makes me wish they there was some way to share a link that could take you to a smell.

The link below takes you to the website.

https://rustandthewolf.co.uk/

It is described as a lifestyle store and cafe, both of these functions are gloriously styled with idiosyncratic lighting, fixtures, merchandise and fittings.

There is an intoxicating smell of good food, coffee and old leather.

The old leather is the smell I wish I could link to. It instantly transported me back to a time when close proximity to leather clad musicians or art students was a thing. The vibe at Rust and the Wolf is more biker really but where a smell takes anyone back to is a personal thing.

How this wonderful place emerged in Ashburton, a town that feels genteel,is slightly puzzling. The coffee , food and the Lifestyle store is a heady mix of sensory pleasure that is a little rougher, in a good way than you might expect from a small market town.

Pandemic Pondering #115

On By theoldmortuary.designIn DevonLeave a comment

Saturday pondering today was always going to be a bit all over the place. Gerberas in specimen vases was the start. Quite gentle I think.

We had planned a trip to a camp site in Totnes, not in the campervan, but to visit friends. Totnes for those that know it, is always a little off the wall. At its heart a beautiful Devonian Market town with a steep hill as it’s High Street and a gentle section of the River Dart flowing near the bottom of the hill. Its soul is less traditional and Totnes has for many years been one of England’s gathering points for New Age Alternativism. Having worked in Totnes, a few times, over many years I knew to expect and accept the unusual in Totnes during any visit.

Today was no exception but I did not expect the unexpected to be a crazy Steampunk style American Car Rally.

Beyond the fascinating cars, we had gone to meet some friends, called Covidfriends, because we met them during the pandemic.

They manage campsights and their current one is in Totnes.

Managing campsights is a funny business .

” Whoa Anita, is that my 7 metre, he’s going to struggle to get that in backwards”

Not a normal conversation in my opinion. But this is Totnes a place where a bottle of Jack Daniels doubles up as screen wash.

There is no way to tie in Steampunk Cars with Gerberas in specimen pots, unless, just like the cars, I offer you the Gerberas in black and white with just one colour highlighted.

Saturday, the day for a blog all over the place. The link below explains Totnes more coherently.
https://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/places/totnes-p194553