Plymouth

Arrived in Plymouth around 1:30 after getting up at 6:30 to get to the airport. The good news is our B&B was expecting us.  The bad news is our room is on the top floor.  62 steps later we dropped our bags and fell into a chair.  We had not eaten lunch and we couldn't figure out how to get anyone to bring us some, so back down the stairs we went.  Walked UP the hill to an area called "The Hoe" a park with walking paths along the sea and lovely views of the port area.  We finally found a Cafe on the water for lunch  By this time I was having a  hypoglycemic moment (haven't had one in years) due to lack of nourishment and no doubt those 62 stairs. Ha.  Anyway, I ordered a glass of orange juice, wine and food.  The orange juice took care of the shakes and queasiness and I was good to go.  After lunch we went in search of an information center, which we never actually found because Ginger thought the one in center city was closer to our B&B than the one near the water.  Turns out the city center one was no longer there.  We were to tired to go back to the water, so we retired to our room UP the 62 STAIRS and fell into bed.  Now you know why there was no blog yesterday.  

Today we  went down the 62 steps to breakfast and had a good hearty meal.  Back up the 62 steps to get our gear for the day.  We walked to the Barbicon area near the harbor and the information center that we should have gone to yesterday.  

Found the infformation center right across from where the pilgrims departed from Plymouth.  It was a bit anti-climatic as there was an arch and a plaque.  

The story goes that the actual departure steps were in what is now a pub and specifically in the ladies loo.  There has been a lot of fill work done in Plymouth since the Mayflower sailed.

This Pub is where the original site was

Decided to get the ferry over the river to Cornwall to see Mount Edgecomb, home of the Earl's of Edgecomb.  

The Cremyll Ferry has been in operation since the 1700's (well not the current ferry).  What now takes about 8 minutes to cross used to take an hour or more depending on the whims of the river.  It has three different tides converging and very swift water, so the stories go that sometimes the rowers of the ferry's felt as if they were standing still rowing against the tides.  It was also dangerous to cross and many a drowning occurred. 

Once across, we walked up to the Manor House.  

Looking back across the river to Plymouth

It was nearly destroyed by incendiary bombs during WWII, but has been restored to its former glory.  

Couldn't take pictures inside, but the house and gardens were impressive.  There was some sort of event going on today which involved people dressed up  to reenact servants of the time, so Terry was able to get a couple pictures in the great hall of the house.

After touring the house we walked down to the Orangery and had lunch 

Looks pretty good huh?

and then walked in the gardens. 

 

The stones used in the relic garden came from the bombed out manor house and were used to create this garden

Other gardens 

It turned rainy and cold so we hopped back on the ferry 

and went to the train station  to pick up our tickets for a train through Cornwall tomorrow and then to Bristol on Friday and London on the 13th of June.  Stopped for coffee and then hailed a cab to the Barbicon.  The cabbie recommended a restaurant and what a find that turned out to be.  The restaurant was upstairs from a Plymouth gin distillery (the oldest one in England) and not quite ready to open when we arrived.  We walked up another stairway and found a cosy bar to have a drink in before dinner.  Turns out it was originally where the pilgrims had there last meal before leaving Plymouth and there was a plaque with all the men who were aboard the Mayflower including Miles Standish and John Alden.  The bartender was very informative about the history of the bar "The Refectory" which of course could fix you any drink that had Plymouth Gin in it.  It was also a jail at one time. Colorful history.

We went next door for dinner which was delicious.  Maybe the best risotto I've ever had. Nummy!

We walked down the street through the Barbicon area looking for a cab before the rain came back.  It was a cute area.

This is our B&B.  

See that top floor.  62 steps up to that top floor.  It is so high that a Momma Seagull has two babies up there.  If you get to close to the window, she gets up close and personal and pecks at you through the window.

Our landlady says she comes every year to have her babies.

Tired now.  Dang those 62 steps are getting longer.  Going to post this and go to bed.