Exercise 1.5: Planning the journey Part 2 pictures

I've condensed my journey from Lyme Regis to the Exeter Quays into significant steps but tried to add more than just straight forward images.

Church Street, the start of my journey

We live in the old part of the town in Lyme Regis and consequently have no where to park our car except in a car park in the middle of the town.  Here I start my journey, on foot, to reach where our car is parked.

Coombe Street

To get to our car we walk along one of the most sought after streets in the town as it gives level access to the main shopping area and the beach.  The road is either full of people walking to and from the car park or cars fighting their way to and from the car park.

Steps up to the car park area

The car park is located half way up Hill Road which is aptly named as there is a significant slope to walk up.

The distance from our cottage to the car park is approximately a quarter of a mile.

Axminster train station

The nearest train station is in Axminster which is approximately 6 miles away and takes about 15 minutes to get there and park.

Axminster station booking office

Trains to Axminster run at 3 minutes past the hour every hour if there are no delays.  For such a significant rail line some parts are only single track and if, for any reason at all, a train is delayed, it has an horrific knock on effect as trains up and down the line are delayed.

Train approaching

The trains are always busy as it is a vital route to Exeter and beyond.  Students to Exeter College and Exeter University use the line frequently as the Central station gives access to both seats of learning.  I've used the train before and find it fascinating how the students act and react to each other and other passengers.  They all seems to live with various electronic items and swap information and social media easily between themselves.

Crowded but apart

I find it very claustrophobic to travel by train and do my best to sit at one of the few tables.  As you can see in this picture, passengers are isolated from those passengers both in front or behind due to high seats.  Is this a way to keep passengers quiet as they travel or is there some other hidden agenda in the design of carriage seats?

My train leaving Exeter Central station

I used a slow shutter speed for this image as I wanted to convey a sense of speed and I like the sense of movement as the train leaves the station to travel on to its final destination one stop down the line to Exeter St David's.  This is the main railway link for people in the west country as it gives access to trains going further down to Devon and Cornwall.  It also links passengers to Bristol and on to the north of the country or Paddington in London.

Queen Street

I'd already decided on the route to The Quays which led along Queen Street, passed the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) and into the centre of the city.  There are always many young people hanging around the centre as this is a university town and, when they are not in classes, it seems to be the place to be.

The High Street, Exeter

The main shopping areas of Exeter are partially pedestrianised and when walking along you are constantly ducking and diving around.  Buses are allowed in these areas so you still have to take care when you cross from one side to the other.

South Street

Exeter city centre is very old, the cathedral having stood since Saxon times.  Once away from the main shopping area the streets are lined with trees but the traffic is allowed back so care is still needed.

Coombe Street to underpass

This road leads down to an underpass to get to the Quays.  It goes passed the Academy of Music where hopeful musicians hang about smoking, talking and tuning up their instruments.

Academy of Music in Coombe Street

To get to the Quays you go through an underpass for both pedestrians and cyclists, taking your life in your hands as the cyclists charge through narrowly missing everyone in their way.

Brightly decorated underpass

The split pathway for pedestrians and cyclists goes on down to the Quays and the directions are very easy to follow giving times to your destinations.  As it was all downhill, we managed to keep up.

Entrance to the Quays with a closed visitor centre on left

The Quays is now a feature of the town, once being a hard working area for ships to unload their cargoes from foreign parts.  Now it is an eclectic area of apartments and houses, shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes.

Canal tributary with cafe/antique centre on left

The whole area is very charismatic drawing people down to enjoy the various activities available in the summer months.  Cruises are available in the summer with a round trip to the mouth of the river where you can stop off and catch a later boat back.  Canoes and other water equipment is available to hire along with various trendy shops to spend your money.

All in all, it was a fun trip with, luckily, sunny weather.  I don't know if I would have enjoyed it quite so much in the pouring rain but it might have made for some moody black and white pictures.  Taking street photography can be very samey but there is always an element of interest around such a busy place as the centre of the city.