Grenofen - A Walk in the Woods by the River Walkham on Summer's Day

It's been a bit too hot for hearty treks up tors of late, so a shady glade was called for and Grenofen, Devon always fits the bill.

One of my favourite places; old mixed deciduous woodland littered with old mine-workings, leats, kilns and little chimneys, all by the majestic River Walkham.

Perfect on a hot sunny day for a black lab who needs to stretch his legs and then cool down in the river.

Did you know that it is so much cooler under trees than under man-made shade as the trees are transpiring (losing water from their leaves during photosynthesis) so that the air is cooled as it evaporates?  I know you did, I was just checking.  Also, the leaves reflect nearly all the thermal infra-red of sunlight so perhaps they don't absorb so much heat.

Anyway, it's all enough to make you want to say 'Thank You'.

After-Party Clear-up

Well, I really thought I had found the last lager bottle of the big party some 5 days afterwards, nestled in my book shelf.

But No.  I found another one.  Where?  In the rain gutter outside of course.  Where else?  A whole week after the party...  It was rather good though...

So, who was it then?  Not enough hands or something?

Clouds Over Dartmoor - Cold Front passing Brentor

On our way to a social gathering we saw some spectacular clouds putting on a display over the western edge of Dartmoor.  It has been stormy and humid recently and the clouds have been fabulous.  "Fabulo Nimbus"  is my collective term.

Storm Clouds over Dartmoor

New Website for Cider House at Buckland Abbey, Devon

I have been working with the Hancocks at Cider House to photograph and design a website for their new venture of Luxury Bed and Breakfast at the National Trust's Buckland Abbey Estate near Yelverton, Devon.

Having photographed it previously some years ago, seeing what they have done with the house is incredible - it is stunning and exquisitely refurbished.

So, a new website needed to reflect the style of the Cider House, and its decor.  I used colours from their wallpapers, garden and furnishings to create a bespoke Cider House palette.  My favourite is the "Cider House Lettuce green" defined by the colour of their lettuces!

And so, after some months, the website is up and running as is the gorgeous guest house that is Cider House:

Devon in the Month of May - Bluebells, Lambs and Leaves

Ahh, May, when Spring has sprung.  Green, profuse, reassuring.

I love Devon in May; bluebells flood the woodland floors like waves suspended in time.  New beech leaves droop from their buds like butterflys' new wings, drying in the sun, and the hedgerows explode with outrageous colour like a herbaceous border on speed.

It brings out verbosity in me, and almost makes the months of grey drizzle bearable.

Bluebells in Devon Woodland

Bluebells at the feet of Hardwoods in Devon Wood

Lambs, enjoying new grass and warm in the sun:

Sheep in Devon Landscape

Ten Tors on Dartmoor 2014

Ten Tors has completed, 2400 teenagers out on Dartmoor walking 35, 45 or 55 mile routes over tough terrain in appalling weather conditions.  Organised by the British Army, this year the teams had GPS trackers for safety and new routes to avoid crossing larger rivers where possible. Besides a few website glitches with team progress updates, it went very well I think; the Army is to be congratulated; allowing and managing risk is not easy.

So, I have to boast the my son completed his first Ten Tors in excellent time and with a grin on his face.  I am SO proud!!

It takes me back 30 years to when I did it in 1984...A 45 miles girls team from Kevics.  Anyone remember that?

A Walk in The Woods - Grenofen and the River Walkham

Bank Holiday weekend has come and gone, and we managed to wring a little sunshine out of it, and a walk in the woods by the River Walkham at Grenofen.  Absolute heaven for the two glossy black labs that were with us; launching themselves off the banks to retrieve sticks in the clear river.  Cosmo & his friend strutted along the paths with sticks verging on logs as their stick envy/competition got a bit extreme.

Anyway, I wasn't expecting the sun, so could only shoot a few shots with the iPhone:

River Walkham at Grenofen

Spontaneous Community Sculpture at Grenofen Woods

Grenofen Woods - Brand New Beech Leaves in the Sun