As a child I climbed to peer through the telescope focused on the English Channel and beyond to the mighty Atlantic Ocean. This rusting relic with blurred and scratched lens no longer clearly shows the white caps and the waves slapping against the sandstone cliffs. As you slowly swing it around, the large rocks, Thatcher and Ore Stone are just visible, but now clearer with the naked eye. Little sailboats and occasional fishing boats crossing Tor Bay appear as murky blobs.
Perhaps, when I was a child, the lens was new and bright, unscathed by salt air and time. Maybe this was when, with clear views of endless blue water and large ships visible on the horizon, my heart skipped a beat and it was the start of my desire to 'cross the pond'.
All photographs taken on my trip home in October 2007
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Lovely memories to have. I would have to go back to Silver City, New Mexico for my childhood memories which I don't remember as being scenic at all.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photographs Mary, and wonderful memories as well...wishing you a wonderful weekend! xxoo, Dawn
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery, rust or not. It is great when you live on one side of the ocean but can visit the other; both places are beautiful and I wouldn't be able to pick one to live in, over the other!
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful Mary! You make me want to go there with your stories and memories... I hope to get there soon!! Super hug!! Vanessa Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow! xo
ReplyDeleteI can feel that fresh sea air! You have such a beautiful heritage, Mary. Lovely snaps!
ReplyDeleteDear Mary
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you enjoyed my Paris trip with me - by the way, I also saw the display of Bentwood furniture at the Musee! I have also posted the Tuscan part of the trip now. It all took me a while as plenty of student enquiries, assignments and meetings were awaiting me when I got back. I was dying to blog and visit everyone but had to get on an even keel first.
I never had a telescope to gaze across the pond but my desire to see foreign lands was also borne in my childhood years and culminated in my year ('69-70) in the US at 17 years as an exchange student. Then marriage and children seemed to put paid to any future world travel. But my work (and Richard's) as a university professor opened so many doors and I have been overseas almost every year since 1989.
The best part of a travel experience for me? I believe it is as Wordsworth said to recollect memories of beauty in tranquillity: " When on my couch I lie; in vacant or in pensive mood; they flash upon that inward eye; which is the bliss of solitude; and then my heart with pleasure fills...."
Lots of love Eleanor
Gosh, what wonderful childhood memories you must possess.
ReplyDeleteMary, I sooo want to go to England. I think it is beautiful there and so much history.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Deborah is coming too. That will be nice. I was afraid she wouldn't be able to come. Beverly is working.
See you soon.
jeanne
it looks so serene.... and beautiful!
ReplyDeletecielo
So calm and peaceful. And the rust just adds to the mood!
ReplyDeleteBecky
Wonderful memories you have of a most beautiful country. As you know, I love England. Hope your plans for France are moving right along.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Mary,
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are gorgeous.
Thank you for your wonderful and creative ideas for my hutch.
Where do you buy your ironstone? I'm guessing E-bay is probably a good starting point. I have not seen any in the antique stores in my town.
Have a great weekend.
Melissa
I can almost feel the salt air on my face! Thanks for the cool photos on a hot summer's day!
ReplyDeleteColleen
Wow, what great photos. Suffused with nostalgia and melancholy - yet so immediate you can feel the rusty railings under your hands and smell the salt.
ReplyDeleteWonderful.
What gorgeous pictures and happy memories. Isn't it fun to relive happy times through pictures?
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Mary. And I can understand that longing as you gazed in that telescope as a child. I'd say you've come full circle.
ReplyDeleteI've had SO much fun catching up here and really enjoyed visiting with you.
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net
And, who would have guessed then, that one day you would travel and live far beyond how far that telescope could go too--over the horizon in America! What a strange world we live in!
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