Monday, September 28, 2015
LUNAR ECLIPSE: 2:31AM AND THE EARTH'S SHADOW MOVES ACROSS THE MOON'S FACE
2:31am and the Earth's shadow moves eerily across the face of the Moon. |
Sunday, September 27, 2015
VALLEY OF THE ROCKS
In the mid to late nineteenth century, the Valley of the Rocks was a popular
destination for locals and tourists as well as providing grazing rights
for livestock of local farmers. Picnics atop the 150 foot Giant Rock
were commonplace and the area was made famous in 1852 and 1853 when the
Torquay Choral Society organized two Musical Fête Champêtres which
attracted attendances of upwards of 8,000. However, there were to be
no more extravaganzas (the organizers made a huge loss after the 1853
event owing to the majority of attendees refusing to pay admittance -
citing doubts as to the ownership of the land) and eventually the hitherto exposed and dramatic rock formations were lost to encroaching vegetation.
An interesting story related to me by my old friend Alan Hunt carries the history of the Valley of the Rocks into the twentieth century. Alan's father, Jim, was the owner of the Maidencombe Tea Gardens at Ferndale House and discovered that hikers had difficulty in getting up the Goats Path from the Valley of the Rocks into Maidencombe. Therefore, around 1920, Jim commenced work on cutting steps into the rocky section lower down the path. These steps survive to the present day, so next time you walk down the Goats Path, you'll know who was responsible and when it took place.
Musical Fête Champêtre at Watcombe, near Torquay Colebrooke Stockdale, 1852 |
The precipitous Goats Path in the late nineteenth century, before Alan's father cut steps into the rocks. |
Thursday, September 24, 2015
MASSIVE CRANE TOW OFF MAIDENCOMBE
The barge-mounted triple crane assembly estimated to be 150 metres in height. |
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
SLADNOR PARK PALM RUN SURVIVOR
A still flourishing survivor of the Sladnor Palm Run in the eighties. |
Sunday, September 20, 2015
SLADNOR PARK VIEWING MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER
Information has been received that there will be two viewing days for prospective buyers of Sladnor Park. The first will be tomorrow morning, Monday 21st September and another the week after on Monday 28th.
The closing date for offers (no guide price indicated) is believed to be on Tuesday 13th October.
The closing date for offers (no guide price indicated) is believed to be on Tuesday 13th October.
EMSSTROM WAS ALREADY LISTING WHEN LEAVING EMDEN HARBOUR
The listing Emsstrom leaving Emden sea harbour |
A video showing the Emsstrom leaving Emden sea harbour in Germany and already listing several degrees to starboard makes for interesting viewing. The vessel, under tow by the tug Christos 22, sank approximately 2.5 nautical miles North East of Hope's Nose on January 14th 2013.
Here is an extract from a legal site:
There are no fixed criteria setting the standard for a vessel's seaworthiness. As a general rule however, a vessel will be found seaworthy if it is reasonably fit for its intended purpose, whether that be as a towed vessel, a towing vessel, a cargo-carrying vessel or a passenger-carrying vessel.
A vessel so evidently listing in calm waters would appear to be in a questionable state. If you were a marine underwriter, would you have been happy to see this video?
The wreck of the Emsstrom is proving to be a popular destination for local divers. There is a dive scheduled for next Sunday 27th September from 9:45 - 12:45.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Sladnor Park exposé
After ongoing consultations and dialogue with Torbay council, Richmond Villages, Natural England and various other sources, I have been able to unravel some of the complexities surrounding Sladnor Park and the unexpected placement of the site onto the marketplace.
Relevant articles and information can be seen at the Maidencombe Community Group website at
www.maidencombeunity.org/news/
Links to follow are: http://www.maidencombeunity.org/sladnor-park/ and
http://www.maidencombeunity.org/sladnor-park-shunted-market-sale/
Relevant articles and information can be seen at the Maidencombe Community Group website at
www.maidencombeunity.org/news/
Links to follow are: http://www.maidencombeunity.org/sladnor-park/ and
http://www.maidencombeunity.org/sladnor-park-shunted-market-sale/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)