Diamond Jubilee And A Big Red Ball

 

We spent the Jubilee weekend in Brixham ,Devon the town was also holding its first Brixfest which was replacing the heritage Festival.

Saturday was wet and overcast but nowhere near as bad as other parts of the country.

The heritage sailing trawlers took part in their annual race ,even in the mist and cloud it was wonderful to see these vintage trawlers and their traditional red sails.

Many water sports were available to try including,canoeing, and coasteering

in the evening there was music by local groups and musicians, under the fish sheds ,wherein days gone by the fish were sold.

unfortunately this coincided with torrential rain

but the audience was reassured several times during the evening that the traditional firework display would take place. Brixham is well known for its fireworks  and this year the new Brixfest team put on a magnificent display.

This video is a small  taster from the end of the display

http://youtu.be/862rmQCQOf8

Sunday  the weather was much better ,bright and sunny although showers were forecast. I was really looking forward to the arrival of The Red Ball

Brixham is a very small quaint fishing port ,and the thought that this art project was coming to town fascinated me. I have to be honest some so called modern art installations  leave me cold ,empty buckets in empty rooms,piles of rubbish,or a pool of urine in a empty space  actually make me a little angry.

I had never heard of the http://redballproject.com/ until I saw it on the weekends programme. but once I knew it was coming I wanted to be there when it arrived.

which it did in the back of a van

 

and when twenty minutes later it was inflated I of course wanted a a photo to record the moment,which is a first because I really dislike having my photo taken.

It was so interesting to watch the reactions of people walking by,some seemed to ignore it,some glanced and walked on,and others like little Miss X  posed for a photo.

I thought I would be clever and photograph it from the other side in the tiny little lane it had been wedged into.

and I managed to take this photo which I am so pleased with

I have never noticed before that the face on the statue of Prince William of Orange ( who landed at Brixham in

looked so disgusted.Perhaps the constant seagulls have something to do with it.

Also on Sunday a jubilee street party took place,and it was wonderful to see so many happy smiling faces.

The main street through the town which is narrow,and the previous Friday had seen a major fire needing 15 fire tenders from all over Devon.

Also on the marina the Crab catching contest was taking place.

watched by little Miss X

 

Monday was classed as children's day with face painting ,lessons in Parkour/ free running,mermaid walks and the building of a sea serpent and driftwood boats, on Breakwater beach.

 

I think this photo sums up the Jubilee weekend,I am sure the Queen must have been very happy with how the whole country had had such a good time (despite the weather)

I am sorry this post was so long,and this is only a fraction of the photos that took.