Cactus House, Seaton, Devon

A few years ago, after not being able to get out for a decent day's mission - and having massive photo withdrawal symptoms - I decided to go on a local walkabout with my camera. This is one of the places I visited; one of those hidden gems that sometimes get overlooked and a fab place to wander around with lots of photo opportunities. Some of these photos were taken then and some on a later visit.

There isn't any history or interesting information about it, that I can find, and the only mentions I found are brief ones in recent tourist guides. It's a cactus house (or Hot House) in Seafield Gardens, and that's about it really. Somewhere that I didn't know was open to the public and only came upon by chance on my walk.

 
Running along part of the centre is this pond with waterlilies and some lovely Koi Carp. I didn't really notice the reflections in the water as I was concentrating on taking photos of the fish, so the resulting photos below were a delightful surprise. I still use a 35mm film camera, for lots of very good reasons, so I don't know exactly what I've got until the films are processed - which is also part of the enjoyment.

Looking back down towards the entrance, below.

The photo of the Pitcher Plants below turned out to be one of my favourites, although I didn't expect much of it at the time because I had trouble getting the angle I wanted. Happily, that happened a few times on this shoot.

There are quite a few different kinds of plants in the greenhouse, including this grapevine, below.

 

At the farthest end is this gorgeous and dramatic tropical plant. I'm not sure what it's called, but it's a fan palmate of some sort.

And tumbling over the pond railing is this beautiful Passion Flower, so called because Spanish missionaries who discovered it thought that the number of its parts - petals, stamens, etc - correspond with the passion of Christ during crucifiction.

Some more fish.

And at last some cacti!

 
The one below looked so soft and cuddly. It isn't...as I found out when I couldn't resist the temptation to touch!

 
Another kind of palm plant...

...and a few succulents in an earthenware planter by the entrance.

And finally, looking in from the outside glass. As I found with some of the fish photos, I don't always notice the reflections when I'm focussing on something, but the camera does and often with lovely surprises. :)

Cement Crushing Mill & Lime Kiln, Charmouth, Dorset

On a trip to Charmouth a few years ago (to the dentist!) I had time for a meander down to the beach before catching my bus back home, and I came across the Heritage Centre. As it was out of season the centre was closed but I was intrigued about the building itself, which looks distinctly old industrial.

Fabulous door and window shutters along the side.

I later found out that it was once a cement crushing mill and lime kiln. Built during the 1850's, the venture sadly failed and the Old Cement Factory, as it was known locally, soon fell into disrepair. It now houses a beach cafe and a fossil shop on the ground floor, as well as the Heritage Centre, which takes up the top floor.
 

 

Part of the lime kiln can be seen at the back of the building (photos above). Lime was an important commodity, used as a fertiliser by farmers, as well as for cement making. Easier to transport by boat, and also an area for limestone quarrying, many old lime kilns can be seen along the West Dorset and East Devon coast.
 

The front of the building (above), showing the portico with steps leading upstairs, which was added during restoration. The rear of the building (below) shows more clearly the flint & rubble fabric, which is a building material local to this part of the coast.

 
On a little wander behind the lime kiln I found this anchor...

...and finally, a view of the beach during my visit. 

I don't get to Charmouth much these days as the bus routes have changed, plus I now have a dentist much nearer to home. But, I have got some more interesting things from previous visits to Charmouth, which I'll be posting up soon. :)

The Catacombs & Lower Cemetery, Exeter, Devon

Taken from the top, looking over the Lower Cemetery.

The Catacombs and Lower Cemetery were opened in 1837, five years after the cholera epidemic of 1832. That event and the growth of Exeter had stretched the city's burial resources, and it was decided to use the steep slopes of the Longbrook Valley below the then existing St Bartholemew's Yard (Upper) Cemetery.

 

Designed by Thomas Whitaker, they were the first to be funded by public money. The catacombs, built to look like Ancient Egyptian tombs, were reserved for the wealthy. However, at a charge of 20 guineas, this proved to be too high and, despite lowering the price, only 16 interments occurred during the first year.

The cemetery was eventually closed in 1949 and is now disused. The stepped and meandering paths are beautifully maintained, its natural look and the abundance of mature trees making it a delightful walk.

It's such a tranquil place. It was a soft, moist spring day in May 2009 day when I took these photos, and the misty greens are a total delight.

 

Taken from the lower end, above, the Egyptian theme continues with an obelisk shaped tombstone.

Below can be seen some of the gravestones; these particular ones have been taken out and ranged against the lower boundary wall.

 
There isn't any access into the catacombs themselves, but they are opened on certain tours by the city tour guides...notably during a night walk on Halloween!

Such a magical place, and I hope you enjoyed the tour. :)