tiabunna's photos with the keyword: England

In memory of IP friend Andy Rodker, who posted many beautiful images of the Cornwall coastline and whose images and advice led to my late wife and I visiting the area. With deepest condolences to his family and friends.

The hold of the Cutty Sark would once have been filled with tea boxes (as painted on the floor) when it was on the China Tea trade (see PiP 1 for some history on that). Later in her career she was used on the Australian wool run (PiP2), setting record times for the trip to the UK. As for the crew, some of the slightly more senior members lived in the cabin shown in PiP3, while the Captain and senior officers used the Mess shown in PiP 4. An 'indoor fence' is a little different! HFF and have a great weekend everyone.

The amount and complexity of the rigging on the Cutty Sark was truly remarkable.

On the Cutty Sark , the masses of ropes and rigging became even more striking. Inside the ship, I found a detailed illustration of it all (see PiP). It's amazing that the crew needed to know all these fittings by name and to be able to adjust them quickly. Best viewed large on black. Explored.

Built for the China tea trade and launched in 1869, the Cutty Sark was intended to be the fastest sailing clipper. She was up against some stiff competition from the likes of the Thermopylae . In their only direct race from China, the Cutty Sark lost her rudder and a new one had to be built and fitted, resulting in her losing by seven days. Unlike the Thermopylae though, she has been preserved. Now on display after being almost destroyed by a dreadful fire, a visit to her was a high priority. Second image in PiP and best viewed large. Explored.

I couldn't imagine this image being anywhere but in London. Well,if there was any doubt the sign removes it! HFF and have a great weekend, everyone. Explored.

Gondola on the London Eye with (echh) sponsor's advertising. See also PiPs.

From the London Eye.

Gondola on the London Eye awaiting passengers.

It seems that no visit to London can now be considered complete without the 'London Eye' featuring. A second image in the note. The white line at right is an aircraft contrail.

The view from our London hotel, complete with fences. HFF and have a great weekend, everyone. Explored.

On our trips to Europe, it seems that, inevitably, whatever we're looking for is covered in scaffolding. I keep thinking of doing a photo book on the "Great Scaffolding of Europe". :-) I won't claim this link as one of my favourites, but it matches. Explored.

The headworks of the former Geevor tin mine. That red door really leaps from the image, I promise I haven't boosted the colour. :-) So what's it about? See the first PiP. The other PiPs are of an outdoor museum, an old waterwheel and an ore stamper. Well, being Friday, all I can say is HFF and best wishes for the weekend, everyone. Explored.

This statue is in Pendeen, near the Geevor mine. See also PiP. From the inscription: "Hard rock breeds hard men Who slip between earth's cracks for a living; The dark chasm which closes around you, Tight like a fist, draws you down Into the mine's gullet, the belly of the beast..." My thanks to John Fitzgerald for bringing to my attention this musical link which pretty much says it all.

Images taken on the tour through the tin processing works at the former Geevor mine. It's easy to imagine what a noisy and dusty environment this must have been when it was working. The ore containing the tin had to be ground down (this image) to a powder for the tin to be separated out. Of course, the luxurious lunch room facility provided a retreat for the workers (second PiP). Explored.

It seems the entire Geevor area (and probably much of Cornwall) is a rabbit warren of old mines and tunnels. Apparently, when the "new" (now closed) mine was operating, the miners found an older and previously unrecorded mine from pre-industrial days. This is now, at least in part, open to visitors who are given covering jackets and helmets for their tour. It does bring a stark realisation of the dangers and hardships faced by the miners, particularly in the early days, when even lifting out diggings was done with a bucket such as this. Here's a musical link. More images in PiPs.

The Geevor Tin Mine in Cornwall is now closed, but the site and buildings are maintained by an enthusiastic local group and are open for visitors. HFF and have a great weekend, everyone.

The very pleasant interior of St Senara's church in Zennor. Other images in PiPs. Explored.