The New Palm Tree.

Here are 3 photos of the TREE. That's the 7 grand tree or if you are even more up to date with jargon it's the tree that cost the people of Torbay 7K. And nobody asked us. Personally I think palm trees are the ugliest trees on the planet, Why not an oak tree or the other iconic tree we have here in Torbay, the Monterey Pine. There are more Monterey Pine trees in Torbay than palm trees, go and count them if you don't believe me. Seven grand isn't much when you compare it with the council's whole budget but it would have kept the 50 service running for an other year and more people would have noticed the bus service to beautiful Cockington.

Coming from Newton Abbot

Leaving Torquay

I bet most people driving past will be too busy watching the traffic to even give the tree a first glance never mind a second glance. And it's going to be pulled down in 3 years time to make way for the new road. Okay, it's in a pot but tree roots have a strong urge to break out of pots. If that happens then the tree can't be easily moved.

Don't stand in the middle of the road using your mobile

Thi s lady wasn't walking across Torbay Rd, she was just standing there in the middle of the road making a phone call. Not a good idea.

 

Only two weeks to go to catch the number 50 Devonian Motor Services bus from Paignton to Cockington. The service ends on Wednesday 31 October and the 500 to Broadsands is ending on Tuesday the 30th October. Sad but true.

Scotland and the Break Up of the United Kindom

So Scotland is going to decide if it wants to be an independent country. If the vote in this referendum is Yes it will have large and serious long term effects not just for Scotland but for the rest of the United Kingdom. On the front of my passport is the name of this country, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Long winded, I know but that's it's name.

And the question I would like to ask David Cameron is why we, the people of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland aren't getting a say as to whether our country should, or shouldn't be changed in this enormous and far reaching way. Why don't we all get a vote when the question, probably, Do you want Scotland to be an independent country? is asked in 2 years time?

Julia Gillard at Her Best

It you want to see Julia Gillard, Australian Prime Minister, giving the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott a really good kicking then click here.

 

It's a 15 minute video but worth it.

Cockington Apple Day, Oct 14

Yesterday I had a nice surprise as I set of on my first trip. The level crossing area was full of gentlemen in bright orange suits working on the rail track and the train station car park was full with a double decker FirstBus (it is only a small car park) waiting to transfer rail passengers to Torquay. And it looked like an all day job. No barriers coming down on Torbay Rd to day. God was smiling on me, or so I thought until I got to Cockington Lane.
Sorry to come back to the subject of Cockington Lane and parking but God help the people of Cockington if they ever need the assistance of the Fire and Rescue Service on a Saturday or Sunday.
There are about 15 signs along Cockington Lane the same as the one in the top photo but people either ignore them in the expectation that the Torbay Parking Services van doesn't make it down there, or because they, being car drivers are confused by the signs.
The top sign, in blue says No Parking Passing Place Only. Surely that is clear enough. You can't park in a passing place otherwise how will people be able to pass. But the yellow part of the sign says Restricted Zone. At Any Time, Good Friday to 30 Sept. Does this mean you can park here after 30 Sept. It would seem that many car drivers interpret the slightly confusing mix of instructions as yes, you can park here. Well obviously you can. All you have to do is drive your car into the space, switch the engine of and get out and walk away. But you bloody well shouldn't. If something comes the other way now we are both in trouble.

Well next Sunday, 14 October is, Cockington Apple Day, and thousands are expected to make their way to Cockington. Some on the number 50 bus from Paignton but I expect a few will walk there, it is a very nice walk through the meadows next to Cockington Lane. Please don't walk along the road, it is safer to walk along the M1 than to walk along the lane. Most will of course come by car, and why not? God gave us wheels, why not use them? But if parking is allowed along the lane next Sunday there could be big problems from about 10:45 which is when I get there. This Sunday was bad enough but with the amount of traffic expected next Sunday to celebrate the humble but delicious apple there will be chaos.

Fire in Bus Shelter

This is the bus shelter on Abbey Rd near the junction with Melville St. Someone must have decided that setting fire to buses in Paignton Bus Station, the person who that did got arrested, and decided to go for an easier option. This Timetable display has been like this for at least two weeks now and I feel it is time who ever looks after bus stops (the council) should do something about it. I mean how will we know when a bus is due?

Parking in Cockinton Lane

Cockington Lane is, in places, quiet a norrow lane and there are several passing places. Some have signs saying No Parking Passing Place but on the same post, to save money, there are signs saying Restricted Zone, No Parking Good Friday to 30 Sept. The second sign seems to suggest that it is OK to park here after the 30 Sept and people are parking in the passing places which can make it tricky to get through with the bus.

 

Why Torbay council don't make it free parking in the car park and simply ban park in the lane completely is beyond me. Mind you it will only be a problem for us until the end of this month when we stop running into Cockington completely.  Sad but true, I shall miss it.

 

The photo of the parked cars was taken for me by a regular passenger.