Destination 19
One of our favorite train stations in London is the Paddington Station, home
to the famous fictional story character, Paddington Bear. It was here that the
lost bear from Peru was found sitting on his suitcase by the Brown family. There
was a note attached to the stuffed animal which read, “Please look after this
bear.” So the Browns adopted him, named him after the train station where they
had found him, and his adventures in London fill the books. Of course, tourists
can purchase all manner of Paddington Bear souvenirs at this station.
A three
hour train journey from Paddington takes us to Plymouth on the far west coast of
England where one of its most beautiful natural harbors still captures much
history. From the Hoe (a Saxon word meaning “high above the sea”) and the
lighthouse on its crest, the harbor view of Plymouth Sound is spectacular.
Chronologically, the history begins in 1577 when Sir Francis Drake set sail from
here on his three year voyage around the world. In 1588, he again left Plymouth
Harbor to meet the Spanish Armada which the English soundly defeated. Sir Walter
Raleigh left from here on his New World voyages. In 1919, the U.S. Navy seaplane
NC4 touched down in Plymouth Harbor after making the first Atlantic Ocean air
crossing.
A small
group of Pilgrims from the town of Scrooby, seeking religious freedom in the New
World, set sail in 1620 on the Mayflower. There is a memorial and plaque at
Plymouth Harbor honoring those who included William Bradford. Born in Yorkshire,
he spent most of his growing years in Scrooby, England, with like-minded
Puritans. After landing in America, the new site was promptly named Plymouth;
Bradford became its longest serving the Governor. His diary,
Of Plymouth Plantation, details the
strong Christian foundation these brave people sought to establish in America.
The diary is in striking contrast to newer histories which downplay the real
reason for the Mayflower Pilgrims’ decision to leave their homeland in search of
religious freedom.
Take time
to visit the Mayflower Centre, a small museum with the history of the Pilgrims
and their voyage. If the weather then was anything like it was the day we
visited Plymouth, I can completely understand anyone who decided not to board a
small vessel headed for the huge sea swells we could view just across the bay.
It was miserably cold; the winds were gusting enough to sweep water up onto
anyone standing at the harbor ledge.
Walking
away from the harbor onto the narrow brick streets you can see houses which
literally hang over the street from above. Houses were built narrow at the
bottom because taxes were levied on the size at ground floor, but as the
additional stories were added, they extended each another foot or two. From the
street level looking up, you may not even see the sky between houses that meet
each other on the third floor.
It was in
Plymouth that we found great little “junk” shops and used book stores. Fish and
chips are always better when eaten right at the shore and a good hot cup of
English tea slakes the chill.
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