We only spent twenty four hours at Brixham last weekend ,but being by the sea if only for a short time makes you feel good.
The town was celebrating The Festival Of The Sea
http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/festival-of-the-sea-p407963
And I decided this was the year I would walk up to All Saints church to see the displays. I was so glad that I did as I was given a very warm welcome .
It is a very solid built church which although positioned in a tiny back street can been seen from most parts of the town.
Once inside I was amazed at the array of original flags which once would have flown on the masts of the old fishing Trawlers.
I am not sure if you can get an idea from this photo of just how large these flags are,it must have been the most wonderful sight when they were at sea.
The Vigilance is the most famous trawler which still sails regularly from Brixham as part of the heritage fleet. She often appears in my photos as she is moored on the pontoon closest to our home.
The Hymn Abide With Me features a lot in this celebration because it was written by Henry Francis Lyte who was Vicar of All Saints.
There were many displays around the church including a art exhibition
which included these pictures made from shells collected from all around the world.
A display entitled stories from the Sea of Galilee made from sugar
I was then asked if I would like a tour of the tower which houses the chiming mechanism for the bells. I was quite proud of the fact that I said yes without hesitating ,as someone who is just a little claustrophobic is was good I did not think too much.
I was lead by Mike through a small wooden door into the narrow space which went up winding steps to the tower,it was pitch black so a torch was needed.
I am ashamed to say I have forgotten the name of this device , but as you can see it is like a giant musical box. on the other side of the space was another wonderful creation
You can just make out the keys these are played using a very simple method ,even I could have followed the notes as they were all lettered.
Mike then proceeded to play Abide with Me , which of course would have been heard throughout the town as this contraption moved the bells up above.
We waited for the 3pm chimes to sound and then descended the tower.One strange coincidence was the fact that Mike had lived for many years just a few hundred yards from where I live now,and we had many shared acquaintances
Its a small world.
Back out into the sunlight and the quaint little streets of Brixham.
although a working fishing port it is also aimed at tourists ,so there are lots of gift shops, and even more fish and chip shops
I hope I am not going to alienate anyone by this next photo ,and at the risk of sounding judgemental ,I felt so sorry for this young girl. I am guessing she was about 10 may be older but I am not sure I wanted to see her Knickers showing through her leggings ,she was with her parents and I would have thought they would have known better.
The small Breakwater Beach is also a very popular place for divers
It made me smile.
Just one photo of Little Miss X ,I think that was our summer it seems to have been raining for weeks.
