From Exeter we travelled southwest towards Plymouth passing through a bleak and destitute land. This was Dartmoor National Park. Its mist-sodden empty moorland provided the setting for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's thriller, "The Hounds of the Baskervilles". The ruins of prehistoric settlements and ancient churches dot the landscape.
Running wild across the moors are the Dartmoor Ponies. These small but tough ponies have lived wild here since the 10th century.
An overcast sky greeted us as we arrived in the tiny port of Plymouth. Many of the great explorers set sail from here, among them Raleigh, Cook and Darwin. It was here that Sir Francis Drake calmly finished his game of bowls before going off to defeat the approaching Spanish Armada.
Also setting sail from here were the Pilgrim Fathers. The Mayflower Stone marks the spot where the pilgrims gathered before their historic voyage.
Here are the Mayflower steps where the Pilgrims would have boarded the Mayflower.This was England's third attempt at colonization. Many of them would not survive the first winter. But those that did, went on to form the foundation of a great nation.
Plymouth Harbour and the gateway to the New World. Small boats are now moored here where once mighty galleons lay at anchor.
From Exeter we travelled southwest towards Plymouth passing through a bleak and destitute land. This was Dartmoor National Park. Its mist-sodden empty moorland provided the setting for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's thriller, "The Hounds of the Baskervilles". The ruins of prehistoric settlements and ancient churches dot the landscape.
Running wild across the moors are the Dartmoor Ponies. These small but tough ponies have lived wild here since the 10th century.
An overcast sky greeted us as we arrived in the tiny port of Plymouth. Many of the great explorers set sail from here, among them Raleigh, Cook and Darwin. It was here that Sir Francis Drake calmly finished his game of bowls before going off to defeat the approaching Spanish Armada.
Also setting sail from here were the Pilgrim Fathers. The Mayflower Stone marks the spot where the pilgrims gathered before their historic voyage.
Here are the Mayflower steps where the Pilgrims would have boarded the Mayflower.This was England's third attempt at colonization. Many of them would not survive the first winter. But those that did, went on to form the foundation of a great nation.
Plymouth Harbour and the gateway to the New World. Small boats are now moored here where once mighty galleons lay at anchor.
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