Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Local Dives

This past Sunday we met up with friends at a local place known as The Galley By The Bridge.   I love this place. Especially in the middle of Winter.  The traditional rush of  tourist season where lingering too long after your meal would be rude, no longer applies this time of year.  Besides the casual atmosphere, variety of menu offerings (even pizza!), and the panoramic views from every table, there is another reason why I enjoy coming here.   



There is a display case full of treasures recovered from a few of the locally known shipwrecks that occurred in this area a long time ago.   You see, the owners of this place are local dive instructors.  A husband and wife team with over 30 years of experience diving together.  




  I am smitten with this pattern of transferware. 



The notes included along with each treasure, no doubt add to my fascination with them.  Before 1900, the town of Sorrento was part of present day Sullivan.  Who knows, this soap dish may have been slated for delivery to the Hotel Sorrento. 





And here is a stack of ironstone treasures that I have found in the area.  Except all of mine were found above water. 




 Meakin transferware plates that I have hanging on my wall. 



Here are some of my old bottles too. But they don't have any barnacles like the ones in the display case at the restaurant. 


There are numerous other fascinating items in the display case, but due to the glare from the glass, the other pictures I took did not turn out like I had hoped.  So instead, I will leave you with a picture of Sorrento's Treasure Island, which may have gotten its name from something I recently learned from the owner of this restaurant. 


Apparently there is an abandoned gold mine located there.   But I will have to wait until July to find out more about this, when he is scheduled to give a lecture about it at our local historical society

14 comments:

Low Tide High Style said...

Lili, I love all of these treasures, both at the restaurant and the ones you have found! And what a cool story, I can't wait to hear more after you attend the lecture!

Kat :)

Country Girl said...

I look forward to finding out about the mine on the island, then. And I didn't know that Sorrento was part of Sullivan at one point.

Country Girl said...

Oh, PS - I love the little bee pattern on the ironware plate.

Privet and Holly said...

Sounds like a
lovely afternoon.
As a history buff,
I would really
enjoy looking at
treasures like
these. Your Mekin
plates look a lot
like a transferware
pattern that I collect.
Great minds.... : ) !!
xx Suzanne

Completely Coastal said...

The view is wonderful..., and the items on display, so fascinating. I take it if you find something from a shipwreck it's yours to keep. Too cool!!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What an adventure, right in your hometown. I've seen a few treasures from shipwrecks and always wonder where they would have ended up if not for the shipwreck.

Love your dishes and can't wait to hear more about the old gold mine.

spindrift,maine said...

I agree--it is wonderful to have a good restaurant to ourselves outside of tourist season. Yours sounds like a treat for the eyes and mind as well as the belly. One of my faves to linger at is Sarah's in Wiscasset. Chowder or soup and all the fresh baked bread you can eat, for an amazing price. And if you can't resist, pie or cake for dessert. (Mama don't cook after a lunch at Sarah's in the off season!)

Heather Baird said...

Such beautiful treasures! Love the stories and history behind them. Also love the husband/wife hobby of rescuing old objects from an otherwise watery grave. So intriguing!

Mickey (Michel) Johnson said...

...good food, great views and history in one fell swoop. sounds like my kind of place! xoxo

jennyfreckles said...

What a lovely view from your table. And those treasures - how exciting to find one of those on your dive. Old plates are so pretty. I wish now I had started collecting when I was younger.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hello dear Lili,

I LOVED this. Amazing that they were discovered and love the barnacles on the one. I too love that bird pattern. Wonderful. And I adore the VIOLET WATER bottle!! Beyond words. When I think of the rare bottles I left behind at my old Heart's Ease. Yikes, what was I thinking?

Jeff and I shipped your book order this afternoon and of course they're lovingly signed. Also, since you're a charter member of my Grimy Hands Girls' Club I've sent along a packet of seeds and a packet of my garden cards. Welcome to the club. The seeds are basil to test out and let me know how you like them. They're from Renee's Garden.

Love and a big hub,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Unknown said...

wow what a view! i can see why you go there. i love all our dishes! i just started collecting the ironstone myself! that old gold mine sounds interesting! cool place to checkout when the weather gets warm! hope all is well! susan

Lee Weber said...

I have YET to make it to the coast. Shame on my hubby- he's such a stick in the mud. Maybe this year...

Vicki Boster said...

Oh how fun Lili - love that you have that special little restaurant to visit. Little places like that are so quaint and enjoyable! The view from the window is fabulous - love that sepia photo!

So much history is steeped in folk lore - love seeing the actual pieces that were discovered from ship wrecks. I love that blue plate with the birds also - and also that plate with the barnicles if wonderful!

Be sure to tell us more about the treasure island later in the year - that will no doubt be a great story - and I am beting you will have wonderful photos also!

Hugs,
Vicki