Last weekend we went down to Plymouth to watch my daughter Victoria and her friend Naomi run in the Ocean City (Plymouth) Half Marathon. (fantastic Vic - so proud of you). It was a very well supported event but what made it especially successful was it started and finished on Plymouth Hoe.
Plymouth Hoe - or the Hoe - is a large south facing open space adjacent to and above the low limestone cliffs that form the sea front. From the Hoe you have an outstanding view of the massive and strategic Plymouth Sound and Drakes Island. To the east is Devon and the entry to the River Plym - and to the west entry to the River Tamar which divides Devon from Cornwall - so you have a view of Cornwall too.
Choose the wrong weather day and the Hoe is a very exposed windy place - but on the day of the run the weather was glorious - sunny and warm - (despite the early start.) - with the lightest of breeze. There was plenty of picturesque boating activity out in the Sound and of course the tremendous spectacle of 4000 runners setting out and coming back (over a quite hilly course).
You cannot visit Plymouth and particularly Plymouth Hoe without the name of Drake cropping up. Sir Francis Drake! Drake was a formidable character who led a quite amazing life - including being the second man to circumnavigate the globe, claim what is now California for the English and of course being the man pivotal in defeating the Spanish Armada. (Drake was vice admiral in command of the English fleet when it overcame the Spanish Armada that was attempting to invade England in 1588.)
The story of the defeat of the Spanish Armada is a famous one in our history. If you are not familiar with it search out Dan Snow's BBC - "Armada (12 days to save England)". It sets out what happened very well - but warning - it is a dramatization and Snow's breathless arm waving, choice of background music and over egging atmospheric film shots - border on the ludicrous at times - but nethertheless it is worth a watch).
In the schoolboy history of the Spanish Armada arises a most famous anecdote. Drake is playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe when he is told the vast and terrifyingly superior Spanish Armada fleet has at last been spotted coming up the English Channel - intent to overthrow Queen Elizabeth 1 and conquer England. Drake is said to have remarked " that there was plenty of time to finish the game and still defeat the Spaniards!" This of course is interpreted as the supreme confidence of the consummate seaman that was Drake - a proven fighter - a pirate in many respects. It was a statement of bravado - a motivator for his crews - he was so confident and relaxed!
However while this is a good story if it did happen - and if he did come out with the line - it was more likely to have been the result of a sailors understanding of an unfavourable wind/tide at the time. Of course Drake's ships had no engines - and poor manoeuvrability (relative to modern day yachts). All captains however great their sailing ability knew they could not buck an unfavourable wind or tide - he had to wait for it to back or turn - so he had plenty of time - no need to rush the end of the bowls game!
It was a very enjoyable morning out on the Hoe - especially with my darling little grand daughters - so proud of their mummy (and Annabelle found a 4 leaf clover too !!)
Plymouth Hoe - or the Hoe - is a large south facing open space adjacent to and above the low limestone cliffs that form the sea front. From the Hoe you have an outstanding view of the massive and strategic Plymouth Sound and Drakes Island. To the east is Devon and the entry to the River Plym - and to the west entry to the River Tamar which divides Devon from Cornwall - so you have a view of Cornwall too.
Choose the wrong weather day and the Hoe is a very exposed windy place - but on the day of the run the weather was glorious - sunny and warm - (despite the early start.) - with the lightest of breeze. There was plenty of picturesque boating activity out in the Sound and of course the tremendous spectacle of 4000 runners setting out and coming back (over a quite hilly course).
You cannot visit Plymouth and particularly Plymouth Hoe without the name of Drake cropping up. Sir Francis Drake! Drake was a formidable character who led a quite amazing life - including being the second man to circumnavigate the globe, claim what is now California for the English and of course being the man pivotal in defeating the Spanish Armada. (Drake was vice admiral in command of the English fleet when it overcame the Spanish Armada that was attempting to invade England in 1588.)
The story of the defeat of the Spanish Armada is a famous one in our history. If you are not familiar with it search out Dan Snow's BBC - "Armada (12 days to save England)". It sets out what happened very well - but warning - it is a dramatization and Snow's breathless arm waving, choice of background music and over egging atmospheric film shots - border on the ludicrous at times - but nethertheless it is worth a watch).
In the schoolboy history of the Spanish Armada arises a most famous anecdote. Drake is playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe when he is told the vast and terrifyingly superior Spanish Armada fleet has at last been spotted coming up the English Channel - intent to overthrow Queen Elizabeth 1 and conquer England. Drake is said to have remarked " that there was plenty of time to finish the game and still defeat the Spaniards!" This of course is interpreted as the supreme confidence of the consummate seaman that was Drake - a proven fighter - a pirate in many respects. It was a statement of bravado - a motivator for his crews - he was so confident and relaxed!
However while this is a good story if it did happen - and if he did come out with the line - it was more likely to have been the result of a sailors understanding of an unfavourable wind/tide at the time. Of course Drake's ships had no engines - and poor manoeuvrability (relative to modern day yachts). All captains however great their sailing ability knew they could not buck an unfavourable wind or tide - he had to wait for it to back or turn - so he had plenty of time - no need to rush the end of the bowls game!
It was a very enjoyable morning out on the Hoe - especially with my darling little grand daughters - so proud of their mummy (and Annabelle found a 4 leaf clover too !!)
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| daughter Victoria (482) and friend Naomi - proud with their medals! |
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| Smeaton Tower on top of Plymouth Hoe |
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| a view of Plymouth Sound from Plymouth Hoe - Devon left - Cornwall right. The mob phone photo does not do justice to this brilliant vista. |
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| Plymouth Sound from the Hoe - Drake Island - entrance to the River Tamar and Cornwall beyond |
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