May 21 & 22, 2017

I spent two nights in Chagford visiting with my cousin, Vivienne and her husband, Martin and enjoyed some much appreciated r & r.

I really enjoyed my visit in Chagford.  It meant I could see their new home for the first time and catch up with family news.  Chagford is on the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park and their house has a view over a pasture to the edge of open moor land.  In the spring the pasture had new born lambs running about, a view that Vivienne said she enjoyed.  I had a chance to spend some time with Martin talking about his artwork and to discuss my issues with breaking out from my shackles of realism into a more representational style that allows an expression of emotion.  On the second day of my visit Martin and I took the dog for a walk on Dartmoor and then went to a pub on the moor where Vivienne met us for a beer and lunch.  Martin has a love for Dartmoor which I would share if I lived in the UK.  It is an almost magical place which draws you back time after time.  I can't remember any of our many visits to Devon when I didn't make a point of driving and walking in Dartmoor.

Birch Tor (I think).