It was great
today to have a large group up for my Plymouth ‘urban coastal’ walk starting at
Milehouse that was to roughly follow the edge of Plymouth Sound.
Passing the
home of the Pilgrims, the green ones that is, we cut through Central Park and
down near to the railway station with some us reminiscing the glory days of
steam when we spotted a passing non-descript diesel crossing the road bridge.
More non-descript
soon followed as we went down Armada Way, the site of some once lovely trees no
longer there, sadly chopped down under cover of midnight madness. Then onward
to a great spot for a group photo – the sundial. Not exactly the Trevi
Fountain, Rome, but at least the sun was shining on us.
We had a
little bit of history on today’s route too, cutting through John Hawkins Square
promoted conversation about changing historical names to be more in keeping of
today’s thoughts. We all had a view on this.
From here we
soon strolled through the Barbican, with traders displaying their wares from
classic Plymouth Gin to top-quality artistic glass products, all made on the
premises.
Next, we
passed the Royal Citadel with three artillery pieces ready to fire from upper
battlements as part of a 21-gun salute to mark the King’s birthday at mid-day.
I must have dropped off at this time as I didn’t hear anything!
At the
Coffee Shack overlooking the Sound, we had hot drinks and the odd cake, still
in the dry. Back in the day this same spot would have over looked Plymouth
Promenade Pier, built by Eugenius Birch the 480-foot pier opened, after Birch’s death,
on 29th May 1884 having cost £45,000. It was bombed in March 1941.
Heading
towards Millbay, we passed some scale model ships/submarines from the 20th
century fixed to a wall facing Drake’s Island, a reminder of what our Royal
Navy used to be like. We also went by a building that was used to process/
debrief survivors saved from the Titanic disaster; pointed out by Anne. Further
down opposite the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Jon gave us the background to the
old Millbay prison site built in the 16th century for American
prisoners of war before closing to move to Princetown – brilliant history info.
Via Devil’s
Point, that gets its name from the treacherous tides that meet at this point (thanks for
the info Phil), we went down steps to the Royal William Yard with its stone
buildings seemingly built to last for ever where we thought we might get some
food in the Secco Lounge, but it was not to be as it was too busy to fit us in,
even on a Tuesday! However, the plan B was to go to the Cremyll Ferry Café
where a fine selection of food was available.
On leaving
the café, time was not on our side, Mt. Wise and Bogey Knights would have to
wait for another day. So, back to Royal Parade via Union Street it was and past
the derelict Palace theatre that had its heyday before WW2, for our return
buses in warm sunshine.
Charlie