Catching Light and Colours - Spring in Devon 2019

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I write my blog for my own pleasure and in the hope that one day my grandchildren will be able to learn a bit more about who their grandmother is. This sentiment also applies to my children who have not as yet read it as I suspect they think that they already know me.

Down here in Devon where I live, we have had days and days of very strong winds and endless lashing icy rain. It is March and as the saying goes - 

The North Wind doth blow and we shall have snow,

And what will poor Robin do then, poor thing?

He'll sit in a barn and keep himself warm

And hide his head under his wing poor thing.

Not today - today - Sunday - we had a reminder of the beauty of a Spring day. So I gave myself an day off and took my little car out for a jaunt.

First I stopped of at Waitrose in Teignmouth to gather the ingredients for a little picnic - baguette, goats cheese, grapes and where I am suddenly stopped in my tracks by the sudden beauty of supermarket flowers - white orchids. 

Two very elderly ladies are chatting away over cups of tea as they sit in front of this magic moment. I hesitate to disturb them but it's simply too good to miss so I lean towards them and say 'Excuse me, do you mind if I quickly take a photograph of the flowers in front of you?' But they are completely oblivious to my presence or my voice. Sometimes I think that perhaps I am invisible after all - a figment of my own imagination. 

Well, I am delighted - a moment caught in time for ever - a moment to share with people I've never met. I may be a figment of other people's imagination but the image isn't. I get back into my by now quite hot car. Its sudden warmth envelops me. I love that feeling. It always stops me in my tracks. I never drive off. I always sink into that atmosphere. It is another form of happiness - the number of which seem to be infinite. 

Waitrose work with a company called Crocus who supply a lot of their plants. I need to do a separate post for Crocus who are really inspiring - take a look at some of their work at Dorney Court. 

https://www.crocus.co.uk/dorney-court/ 

I drive on and over the bridge that crosses the River Teign at the mouth of the estuary connecting Teignmouth, (which was the last place in England that was invaded by a foreign power in 1690) with Shaldon, where if I could I would stop and wander along the beach for a spot of beach-combing. But I don't see a parking space - there are very few in Shaldon though there is an enormous car park at the other end of the village. There is a zoo here I believe. I have seen the sign. I do not like zoos so have never been but maybe I will visit it before I draw too many conclusions. 

There are some old details of Shaldon Bridge her that shows an engraving of the bridge and rather strangely of three men casually sitting on the roof of a house looking across the river. Three Men on a Roof

There are all sorts of hidden places to explore here so I'll leave it for another day and get on my way.Onwards to Labrador Bay - to look for images for paintings - photo references 

- the horizontal lines that shift and blend into one another across the sky and the sea beyond - against that spiky Hawthorn Hedge that's only just beginning to show splashes of bright . In the foreground - hundreds of the self-seeded biennial Angelica Archangelica - commonly known as Wild Celery - now  at knee high - quietly growing through the grey days of a South-West Winter - already scenting the air with that fragrance. A certain fragrance that was so beloved of ancient poets who wore wreaths of it around their heads to bring them inspiration - quite literally. 

Next I head off towards towards Paignton or Peintone as it was known as in 1086 and specifically to Roundham Head - a place that I've grown rather fond of. And a place that was built into - actually into the rocky red sandstone cliff face to stop it eroding away in 1930. 

Now there is a network of weather worn narrow promenades that wind their way zig-zag fashion down to a row of painted wooden beach huts - this part of the bay has a certain faded elegance, it is peaceful - a step back in time. 

Most of the wooden seats have metal plaques on them remembering people who have loved this place and have since died. This one is set into the wall next to a fire hydrant.

I have always loved to choose a seat to sit on so that I can silently chat to the person named on the plaque. I bet I'm not alone. Mind you I am not a part of their family so maybe the numbers are not as high.

I looked up Peggy Denston - she is there to be found on the internet. I also found an interesting lead that has nothing to do with Peggy but that caught my interest. It's about archaeology in the 1920's and 30's and how it had once been a preserve of the wealthy and how it was now being pursued by people who didn't go to public schools. Contoversial in its day.

This Robin is not hiding away with his head tucked under his wing today though with English weather he may be back in his barn tomorrow. 

I believe that the Hairy Footed Flower Bees live here and when the winter is mild they are busy on most days. It is said that Robins like to eat them. 

Perhaps the one singing in the video has in fact already breakfasted on one or is waiting for some more to emerge from a late hibernation as today is so warm and sunny.

I almost stumbled across one as I walked up this path. A spider was trying to wrap it up in its thread. I intervened and set it free. Very hard not to.

I have heard that there are traces of an old Victorian walled garden round here. I shall come back another day and hunt for them. 

I carry on and walk along the paths. There are many people sitting quietly by themselves. This I can really appreciate. I also enjoy my own company. Being on your own gives you the space to muse and to discover. Other people have a habit of talking rather too much. I know do. 

I'm headed for Coleton Fishacre this morning to see the Magnolias and Camellias in flower before the clouds come back and the sunlight is lost behind the grey once more.

Sidelines 
whilst searching - I discovered this - snippets of interest that may lead who knows where.