The Dancing Queen couldn't join us on holiday for the full week, so she travelled down by train to Plymouth where we went to pick her up. We have stayed in Plymouth before a couple of times, and so we headed down to the Barbican area as we knew that this was an interesting place with lots to see. It had been a bit windy the night before, and at first, I thought that this was an escapee bouncy castle that had gotten itself wedged! But I found out that it was
The Red Ball Project - an art installation that is travelling about in the south of the UK.
It is amazing to stand on the same steps as so many people in history have done in the past - who were sailing away to start a new life in country's they knew nothing about.
How brave they were. And what momentous changes they brought. I cannot imagine how they must have felt before they set sail, how horrendous the journey must have been and what on earth they thought when they landed.
It was interesting watching the teenagers reactions to seeing these plaques depicting history that they have learned about in school and college. It made it all a bit more real for them.
A lot of the buildings around the Barbican reminded me of being in France.
I loved the ice cream van. The boys treated themselves to a cornet, with a flake, and a huge dollop of clotted cream! We girls thought about our figures and resisted!
There are several harbours in Plymouth with boats large and small.
And the boys found the Royal Navy ships interesting too.
We didn't get to spend much time in Plymouth, but we thoroughly enjoyed what we saw.
8 comments:
I've never been to Plymouth but a place with such history! The Red Ball thing - how weird is that!
Enjoy the rest of the week!
June
I love that ice cream van. Looks so cool!
Oh thank goodness for that! You've explained about the red ball thing. I saw it in Exeter last Friday and, if I hadn't taken a picture of it, I think I might have imagined it!
What a lot of history for one little set of steps - all remarkeable people dealing with adversity in one way or another. The red ball must cause quite a stir wherever it goes - especially if people don't know what it is all about:)
I got excited when I saw the ball is going to be visiting the south coast but the nearest it gets to us is Weymouth, boo hiss!
I like that ice cream van, but clotted cream on top just sounds too sickly.
I shall show you our Mayflower history one day, not much to show, just a plaque, don't get too excited!
Lisa x
Plymouth is lovely, especially on a nice day! Have you been across on the Cremyll Ferry to the Castle on the other side? Great trip!
There is so much more to see in Plymuth than just the shopping area. You found one of the most interesting, the Mayflower area. I once took a class of schoolchildren there, and we were lucky enough to see a parade of 'Pilgrims' in their dress, recreating history.
Loving the red ball project - wish it would come up the country too.... Could just see it on top of the crooked spire!
Lx
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