Dartmoor Prison

alandrapal - May 05, 2008 03:35 AM EDT
Hi Jas, you're right, should have remembered that those Bronte stories were written about the Yorkshire moors area. Infact, A.Bid and U.Charlie took me, with Margaret, to see the churchyard where the Bronte Sisters were buried. And I have some old pics (somewhere :) of Margaret and me and Auntie and Uncle on the Yorkshire moors, along with some sheep that were roaming about there that day. Goodness! what a long time ago that was.

Jas - May 03, 2008 01:15 PM EDT
No, I think that was more in the north of England, Alandra, but it would be in similar surroundings, so can understand why it made you think of that. Oh yes, it sure would be very chilly and spooky if you were out there fending for yourself - a very bleak place at times, but very picturesque in good weather. :)

alandrapal - May 01, 2008 06:01 AM EDT
for some reason, what comes to mind as I look at this scene of the moors, is Enya singing the song about Wuthering Heights and Cathy & Heathcliff, - not sure if it took place there. Can recall my cousin Janet's son training for the Royal Marines on the moors there, and how they were dropped off with nothing to speak of, and had to survive by their wits & skills for a certain length of time, as part of their training. Bet it gets creepy and chilly at nights there.

Jas - Apr 22, 2008 06:30 AM EDT
Hi Vicki, you certainly have been on a trip down 'Memory Lane'! I was amazed at the detail Google Earth shows and have been having fun looking at lots of other places. Thanks for the tip and am glad that this photo' reminded you of your childhood. :)

TravlynWomyn - Apr 20, 2008 08:47 PM EDT
Hi again - I was playing with the new version of Google Earth yesterday - and FOUND my old school (It's a private home again now.) There's even a photograph showing the front of the building - look up Sydenham, Lewdown, near Okehampton, Devon - and it'll zoom you right there - too cool. I was trying to remember the name of the wonderful town we used to go to for strawberries and clotted cream - White something comes to mind.It's been over 40 years, so the brain's a bit rusty. But I also found the church where I was confirmed by the Bishop of Plymouth!!! Vicki

Jas - Apr 20, 2008 05:22 PM EDT
Wow! Fancy you used to go to school near here! My Parents used to take us to Devon, on holidays, most years and it would always be a treat to go to a place called Becky Falls, for scones, jam and Devon clotted cream and then across the moor for a drive. We would always drive past the prison; it held a fascination for us kids, I don't know why, maybe we liked to feel a little scared imagining escapees out on the moor? Thanks for looking and glad you liked this. :)

TravlynWomyn - Apr 19, 2008 11:29 PM EDT
Omigosh! My boarding school was on the edge of Dartmoor. Every so often the local constable would ride over and tell the headmistress to keep all of us inside if a prisoner had escaped - I had all but forgotten that. Great image - and I shall indeed read your link. Vicki

Jas - Apr 18, 2008 04:52 PM EDT
Thanks to Brian, Carol and Chriss for all your comments too and for viewing. :) No, Brian, I definitely wouldn't want B&B here - don't think the service would be too friendly? Thanks for the info on the book, Chriss, I will have to see if they have it at the library. :)

Jas - Apr 18, 2008 04:49 PM EDT
Thanks for your comments Alan. The moors are very pretty during the good weather but in the winter, this area has a whole different look to it. :)

bubbalinn - Apr 10, 2008 03:53 PM EDT
Great photo and information about the prison. With all of the pretty greens and trees it almost doesn't look like a prison.

chriss35 - Apr 10, 2008 01:55 PM EDT
A very nice image Jas and I just love the description, I can remember reading a book a couple of years back, based on this location called Cast No Shadows by E.V.Thompson.

shutterbug - Apr 10, 2008 05:57 AM EDT
Lovely photo of the Prison. Carol

BRIANPADDOCK - Apr 10, 2008 03:26 AM EDT
WELL CAPTURED JAS,NO PUN INTENDED.ONE PLACE YOU DON,T WANT TO STAY IN