The Olympic Torch - On the Road

Yes peeps, as predicted, the flame did a Michael Barrymore today (go out with a pouf).  The first time since the journey began at Land’s End.

Anyhow, I managed to get out yesterday (Sunday 20 May 2012) with daughter to see the torch being manhandled on it’s route from Stoke Fleming to Dartmouth.

I was here (in Dartmouth)

There was quite a small crowd where I stood, next to the roundabout junction where the Stoke Fleming road meets up in Dartmouth, and never have I seen so many police motorcycles congregate at once.  Definitely six at one time and possibly a seventh too, before they shot off down the road, only to be replaced 10 minutes later by another party of five.   

There were other various police vehicles there, not to mention the buses and other vehicles that the sponsoring campanies had supplied and after all of them had come and gone did we get to see the torch carrier and entourage briefly, which was smaller, and slower and then it was all gone.  A bit of an anti-climax really.

And yes, I did take a photo (above) but it isn't brilliant.  But least you get to see the flame.

Still, it was an interesting experience, and one I fear I will not see again in person, as this is most likely a 'once in yourt lifetime' event.

So, at last count, the flame has flaked out twice now since first ignited back in Greece, and the voyage around the UK is till in it's first few days.  The count continues....

Dartmouth

It occured to me that some of you might want to have some idea of where I'm currently living, so just for you kind souls, I have cobbled together some photos I have taken last summer and have placed them here for your delight.

The photo below shows the naval college which is still used today to train young officers both of the Royal Navy, as well as cadets from other international navies.  It is also rumoured that it was here that our Queen first met Prince Philip.  The Britannia Royal Naval College first began training officers since 1905 however training was first done in Dartmouth as far as 1863 where it took place on board HMS Britannia when it was first moored in the river Dart.

BRNC

Dartmouth is situated on the south coast of Devon, between Torbay, and Kingsbridge (both coastal towns). Dartmouth itself is situated on a hill with homes built both on the top of the hill and down next to the mouth of the river.  The website 'Dartmouth Directory' has some information who those of you interested in seeing more photos.  I will add some more myself below.

The Boatfloat

View from near the river mouth

The boatfloat is where the main shopping area lies which you can see the cars parked.  The road system here is a one way system.  The photo on the right was taken on a walk to the Castle which is situated at the very mouth of the river.  The picture is from 2/3rds of the way there.

The Bandstand

Next to the Boatfloat lies the Royal Avenue Gardens where there is a small area for greenery things (good technical terms eh??).  The main paved is host to the Bandstand whilst the gardens are decorated with various shrubs and flowers throughout the year.

My photos aren't exactly fantastic (for which I apologise) but you'll hopefully get the gist of what I'm describing.  Also, whilst I'm apologising here, I haven't yet got the hang of displaying photos side by side, but it helps makes the post seem longer that it actually is, lol.  Oh, I also take the oppportunity to apologise for world peace failing to materialise, for George W Bush becoming an American President, for Grunge fashion, and for those small plastic foldable forks you get in packaged meals  (I had a few hours to kill so came up with a totally useless idea which seemed good at the time of marketing it, but quality control could never match the dream...sorry).

Royal Avenue Garden

 Moving rapidly on (Ok, I can hear you snoring now, wake up!!!) we venture bravely onwards towards river mouth itself. The River Dart, strangely enough (duh) separates two locales.  Dartmouth on the northern side of the river, and Kingwear to the south.

Kingswear

There are two ferries currently in operation.  One called 'The Higer Ferry' and the other is.....wait for it.....'The Lower Ferry' (original huh?).  There has been a ferry in operation since 1365 from Kittery Point (western most point of Kingswear) to Dartmouth.

Higher Ferry

At the mouth of the Dart lies St Petrox Church and the remains of the castle. Yes, I has a photo here, and a small tidbit of info for you here, the church you see is where I got married. 

Well, thats my (very) small mention of Dartmouth.  I have included a few links should you wish to see more pictures of the place (and Kingswear too).  Enjoy.

 This is the Church from the nearby Jetty and in on the other side of the estuary lies Kingswear Castle.

 This is Dartmouth Castle with the Church tower visible at the right.  The maniacal sailing fraternity sometimes whizz past at....ooohhh.....a rate of knots....but not really fast.  They're boats for crying out loud.


Below is.......that's right, a church. 

I hope you managed to scroll ALL the way down to the bottom.  WHY???  So I can say 'Thanks for reading this'.  You may now fall asleep, lol.