Monday, September 21 In Plymouth

Had an excellent sleep, up about 8:00 AM.  Online checking emails, reading the news, chatting, etc.

2:30 drove into the city. Went with Janet to city councillor meeting.  She's a volunteer with an organization that attempts to ensure that the democratic process is upheld, so attends these meetings in that capacity.  She gets to sit in the chamber with the councillors.  I had to sit in the public gallery.

Don't know why, but if I enlarge this photo like I have all the others it becomes huge.

Stayed for an hour.  Plymouth uses the ward system, and each area of the city has 2-3 reps on city council.  There are about 60 city councillors, plus the mayor, and deputy mayor.  The public gallery was on high, where I was.  There is no security for the people who choose to sit in the public gallery - anyone can walk in off the street.  But, no one can get by security at the front of the building where the councillors enter.  Interesting.

The hour spent there was rather boring.  Speeches read.... No discussions, no objections. They allowed 3 people to ask questions of the councillors.  Turns out this is all done beforehand, and the questions/answers are written down on the agenda, so there are no surprises.  One of the questions was from a former councillor who had resigned last year.  She refused to get up to ask the question.  Politics..... showing displeasure.... It helps if you know the people and the history.



Drove to waterfront to the Royal William Yard in Stonehouse, a suburb of Plymouth,  a former victualling depot of the Royal Navy (means providing with food supplies).  Buildings built 1825-1831. Was in disrepair until recent years.  Private developer has restored/renovated the several very large buildings, and now there are private residences, shops, restaurants, arts and cultural events, and artist studios. See Royal William Yard

Photos are not great, since my camera setting was off.

Had coffee in one of the restaurants.  It was very cool walking around here.  Sunny, cloudy, then sunny, and it was windy.  Home for dinner and an evening of reminiscing.

Now using "X large" size to enlarge pictures in the blog software, was using "original size" before. My camera setting was changed inadvertently, so maybe that's the reason.