Damp on Dartmoor

The weather forecast had promised rain and boy did we get it - what a contrast to yesterday!

Mark and Jasper having a little snuggle, before he and I braved the Great Outdoors.

The view through the rain-soaked window of Linda's conservatory.

Mark in the wood by the stream near Venford Reservoir, where we went in the afternoon. Linda lent me some waterproof trousers and a hat, both of which I was very thankful for as it was still raining steadily and I know my jeans would have soaked up the rain very quickly. Climbed down the steep bank in increments until we got to stream level, which was very pretty with mossy trees and rocks, and made our way along to the waterfall. Everything very wet and dripping but it was atmospheric. 

The waterfall. I couldn't decide which photo I preferred so have put both in. Both Mark and I took some long exposure shots to get the 'milky water' effect, which I will probably process in monochrome when I get home.

 A bone, one of several, probably a sheep.

There were lots of tufty lichen growths on the trees.

I was surprised to see lots of Gorse flowering, thought it was quite early.

Venford Reservoir.

Me with bad hair after I got hot, took off the hat and let my hair get wet.

Mark wearing his cap and Linda's hat at the same time, as you do.

Finally stopped at Combestone Tor, apparently the most accessible on Dartmoor since it is right next to the road. It was still raining but I was soaked at that point anyway and quite determined that the rain was not going to prevent me from taking photographs. Too busy taking photos with my Nikon to take many iPhone shots, so just the one for the blog.

This site is interesting: http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/combe_stone.htm

Cornish Easter

Arrived safely at Linda's (Mark's Mum) after a relatively pain-free journey, although Jasper did pee on my arm and lap in the car in two separate incidents, so I was somewhat wet when I got there. It was a lovely sunny day so after I had washed and changed we sat in the garden in the sun drinking tea and catching up.

Jasper enjoying the extreme heat in the greenhouse. 

Charity shop window :)

The beach at Polzeath, very popular with surfers.

Me enjoying the lovely springy comfort of this cliff side grass.

Mark pointing moodily into the distance.

We walked from Polzeath to Rock along the beach, then hopped on the ferry for a very brief journey across the water to Padstow.

Our shadows in the harbour at Padstow.

Fish and chips for lunch, sitting by the harbour. It was delicious!

This seagull waited patiently while we ate our lunch, hoping for some scraps. He did get a few chips for good behaviour. 

On the ferry from Padstow to Rock.

Cliff walk from Rock to Polzeath.

Venice Again: Day 7: Creatures on the Town

Last full day in Venice - sob! - but sunny and divine. We all went to Bar Melograno again, where Mum did a painting and Clare and I read books on our Kindles. My little friends Mr Raffles and Mr Stanley also decided that they had not spent nearly enough time sightseeing in Venice and insisted on being taken out to see said sights.

Mr Stanley and Mr Raffles enjoy their first Venetian spritz.

"We rather like this".

Mum contemplating the lagoon.

Posing in front of Campo San Giorgio

Best pals.

After lunch I caught the boat to San Marco, wandered up the calles to purchase another silver bangle from Claudia alla Fenice to add to the collection, and then got back on the vaporetto to San Toma from where I just walked, looking in various shop windows on the way. Not referring to map and no real clue as to where I was, but it is so hard to get truly lost in Venice and eventually I found myself at Ferrovia. Slightly footsore but pleased to have taken some reasonable photos on the way, treated myself to an icecream and caught the No. 2 back to San Marco.

Shop window decadence. 

Amazing and terribly scary glasses.

Killer heels.

More killer heels.

Creepy masks.

Shop door.

Nice.

Santa Maria della Salute from the opposite side of the Grand Canal.

Tourists in gondolas.

Gondoliers hard at work.

Rather rubbish self-portrait in mirror of boat.

Ferrovia water taxis.

Mr Raffles at Piazza San Marco.

Campanile San Marco.

Doges Palace and the Basilica.

Mr Stanley with some gondolas.

Mr Raffles and Mr Stanley with the Bridge of Sighs.

Moon over the Arsenale.

Goodnight Venice!