I of W - Day 2, Drive Out

 

A morning spent trying to solve a 1000 piece puzzle

before setting off for a drive around Bembridge. Completed in the early 1700s, in 1795 a young  JMW Turner paid a visit and, of course, did a water colour of it.

"That's where we are going next Daddy."

 The Earl of Yarborough's obelisk.

Back in 1665, Bembridge was almost an island on its own. A stunning view east along England's south coast.

Getting there.

Built in 1849,

the family court of arms includes their pets. 

Around the corner,  The Beacon, used to warn of the approaching Spanish Armada in 1588,

used in 2025 for an opportune selfie. 

I of W - Day 1, Bembridge to The Needles

First stop, Shanklin 

with its colourful beach huts.

Walking towards The Needles

into the old fort passing these scary cannons

to view them from above.

Off Again

 

Taking the good old GWR again to Portsmouth

to meet up with Qiu Yii , a young Singaporean friend and Polly the next day.

The Waverley Returns

 

After an emergency repair to leaking boiler valves in Cardiff Dock, she is back. We caught her on  our evening walk just as she left for Clevedon.

The Plot

 

On the 31st May.

Backpackering 7 - Day 14

 

Up early for a stroll on the deck

passing the 1860 Horse Sand Fort,

disembarking at the ferry terminal

to catch our train to Cardiff, the last of 15 this trip. 

Backpackering 7 - Day 13

 

Our last day in France saw us take  two  trains back to St Malo

to walk the last part of the old towns wall. Quite different this time around with a low tide. 

Having had an early brunch in Nantes, returning to the creperie visited on Day 1,

the ice cream we ordered was a bit exotic. Three dollups of cream sprinked with nuts, three macarons and a scoup of vanilla ice cream all on a crepe. A cornetto it was not. 

A final amble around before boarding the ferry,

for a dinner treat. 

Backpackering 7 - Day 12

Resuming part 2 of our green amble, passing the 15th century Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul

and by all that remains of Nantes city wall at St. Peter's Gate,

we reached the River Erdre.

The river links to the 238 mile Brest canal which Nepolean had built in the early 19th century when the British blockaded the two ports.

The Japanese Garden housed on an artificial island

was created in 1983. Nantes is twinned with Niigata in Japan which is also crossed by a big river 

Timely, we passed this drawing which explained a thing or two about the city centre layout, it being so open. The four islands on the right are now all one and the two on the left are part of the 'main land'. Back then Nantes port was situated on the left branch of the river. (Tap the  image to see a sharper photo. The Ile de Versailles is where the Japanese Garden is.)

Jules was born here in 1828 and is known as being the father of science fiction, with his books including Journey to the Centre of the Earth. 

Passing the Brasillica of St Nicholas

to spot the hand supporting  a drunken tree

and chance upon  gatherings in the re-purposed castle moat

we ended of our self made green line amble.

The Humans - Olaf Breuning

 

Produced in 2007, these six sculptures made of Carrara marble and bronze "---- present a skewed, humorous, and sarcastic vision of humanities evolution. "

Rock

The creation of the Earth.

Half Fish Half Monkey 

The emergency of life.

Venus

The appearance of humankind.

Religion 

The medieval crusade.

King

Absolute power.

Mouse

With its tail shaped like an electrical cord, evokes contemporary humans and their dependence on the connected world

Backpackering 7 - Day 11

 

Off again to follow Nantes green line. Well our own version of it.  At 7.5 miles (12 km) to connect its special art works, it is a bit OTT for a couple of pensioners. 

Starting at the entrance to the Botanical Garden with a welcoming figure,

passing the deer and its calves,

we made our way to Art Gallery. 

The interior is just as pristine as the exterior and is full of art from centuries past.

But this modest piece by Alfred Sisley from 1892 caught our eye. He visited Penarth and painted a tree on the cliff top there.

On our line again, "Ode to Sidestepping ". Having read the blurb, I still don't know what is about. Perhaps I should have asked the little girl.

Now this l could follow  but it will need a post of its own.

This, the Passage Pommeraye, is a three-storey shopping arcade from 1843. Cardiff should be jealous,

leading up to the Opera House in the Place Graslin.

A special treat to end part 1 of our own  green line, macarons and cake. DELICIOUS. 

 Be back tomorrow to do part 2.