A DAY AT THE SEASIDE ..... LOOE IN CORNWALL
A day at the seaside, what could be better in the glorious summer weather. Just for a break, we drove down to Looe in Cornwall about 20 miles from Plymouth but a world away in sights and sounds. It is a typical brash seaside town with a lovely beach and lots of little cafes and shops to attract visitors.
The first sight we saw was on the way into the town from the car park (Photo Above) with a somewhat contradictory message....
The first sight we saw was on the way into the town from the car park (Photo Above) with a somewhat contradictory message....
Walking across the bride into town I noticed the unusual sight of a fisherman removing seaweed from his anchor rope with a rather wicked looking knife. I guess it has to be done somehow...
Just across the way was a fisher of a very different kind - a HERON. He was perched on an old speedboat, presumably to get a better vantage point.
Moving on into the town, gave me an opportunity for a candid shot of these people relaxing on one of the benches beside the river. You see this sort of shot virtually everywhere in Britain. Sometimes there are unusual or eccentric characters sitting there, but not today - just some tourists or "Grockles" are they are known locally. The pigeon knows that benches are good places to search for food.
Souvenir shops abound in the town and I was attracted to this display of Pirate gear. The local rugby team is called the "Cornish Pirates", so it was quite apt.
Next to come into view was a lovely display or geraniums on a set of steps leading to a house. It took a while to get a clear background in a busy street.
BETTY BOOP and JOHNNY DEPP
A strange combination to see in a Cornish street but I guess it attracts the eye and thus the customers.
Betty Boop first appeared in film in 1920 and as far as I know has no association with the town. Pirates are perhaps a bit more obvious !
Further into town, by the beach is the new lifeboat station. The station contains inshore inflatable rib lifeboats. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) was formed in 1824 and has saved countless lives since. These boats tend to be used in the summer to rescue people who get into difficulties along the beach and the coast. The bigger boats venture far out to sea and deal with yachts and bots in distress even in the fiercest of storms. All R N L I boatmen are volunteers are must be commended for their bravery, sacrifice and compassion for others.
Supplementing the work of the R N L I are the other emergency services including Royal Air Force Air Sea Rescue helicopters and the smaller helicopters of the Air Ambulance (shown).
On the promenade above the beach were a couple of stall, a spot for deckchair hire and this fun amusement ride for kids.
The promenade is also the main aerobatic display area for seagulls. These wily birds are always on the lookout for an easy meal. Because in the past, people fed them, they have become bold and swoop down on unsuspecting visitors to snatch food and ice cream from their grasp. Although strictly a protected bird species they have become a major nuisance in seaside towns and in cities such as Plymouth and Truro.
Aah, the British beach in summertime. What could be better than building sandcastles and burying your annoying little brother up to his nexk in sand, especially when the tide is coming in.....
Some people just like to get away from it all....
Some like to work on their tan.....
While, for some, it can all get a little bit too much.....
Meanwhile the sea is the place to cool off and have fun.
But the sea can often be a little bit too cool for some....
Meanwhile, back in the town, there are plenty of things to keep a visitor happy.
For kids of all ages.
However, the message is not always clear or consistent .... !!
So, the end to a perfect day, is a crab supper and a tale of the one that got away.
While for others there is always ANOTHER DAY AT THE SEASIDE......
Many thanks to the people, visitors and wildlife at Looe. :)
All photos taken in Looe, Cornwall with a Nikon D7100 and 18-300mm lens.
All photos taken in Looe, Cornwall with a Nikon D7100 and 18-300mm lens.