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  Mist At Wimbleball Lake – sunrise over the lake

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  Autumn Tide At Wimbleball – a strange find but lovely Autumn colours

Camping in October

Well usually we have our caravan, what luxury, as comfortable as home maybe even better.  This year I had asked for a tent for my birthday, why, I almost shout at myself, well I have found that I want to get places to take photos but it is just too far to travel for a sunrise or sunset.

The caravan is great and would be my first choice, but you can’t tow a caravan into the middle of Exmoor, so a tent seemed to be the answer.

So late October and I decide that if I am going to try it out this year then now is the time.  On a lovely day I set out to Wimbleball Lake.  It takes a while to translate the minimal instructions but eventually the tent is up and looking good.

Let me suggest to anyone thinking of using  a tent for the first time in years, they re not naturally warm, I woke a few times in the night realising how cold it was.  Surviving until the morning and emerging from my tent I realised how cold it had been as the ground was white with frost and the tent was covered in ice.

At least it got me up early and I watched the sun rising over the misty lake, it was spectacular and it is in those moments that the effort is worthwhile, of all the things I see or watch on television this was a moment that I could easily have missed and yet here I was watching my own personal show.  

Later on I walked around the lake and that is when I found the canoe sitting under a tree surrounded by autumn leaves.   I was an interesting walk, the lake which was formed as a reservoir during the 1970s was very empty with one section being almost completely empty.  I didn’t manage a full circuit, it is probably about 10 miles, partly because I stopped and took photos on the way and just enjoyed the day.  I did make it to the dam, to be honest it wasn’t the most scenic dam I have seen, but the lake was lovely and except for a few walkers and a group of fishermen I had it nearly to myself.

I must remember this day when I next plan a stay in my tent, it was certainly worth a bit of discomfort and I got two photos that I have now printed and framed.  Some days out, even if well planed, end up with none, so this was good.

As this is a few days before Christmas, may I wish anyone who reads this a happy Christmas and new year.

I arrived early before opening to get some quiet shots.  Probably a bit too quiet as the photos make it look like no one was there, lesson learned for next time.  Continued to lunch time by which time I was just too hot to continue, this must have been the hottest day I have known in Porlock, usually a sea breeze keeps us comfortable while the rest of the country struggles on, but on this Saturday, it was continuous sun from morning to evening.

Melody and I returned later to take more pictures, the numerous stalls:

The races, with young children being very competitive, is that allowed nowadays?  Even some adults being a little reckless, especially in the backward race where one young man hit the ground very hard.

The dog show, no Monet this year, we decided it was just too hot for him and I think others had made the same decision, but we had all the favourites; waggiest tail, one of Monet’s specialities; dog most like it’s owner; children with their dogs; and other things I can’t remember.

I enjoyed taking photos of the musicians, I always do and it’s something that surprises me, I don’t have a great love for the music it is something else, but I enjoy it and that’s that.

The other thing I enjoy is taking action photos and the motorbike display was great, contained within the main arena I was able to use a medium zoom lens to capture the action.  I think that having used a video camera in the early days of video, pre the ability to edit on the PC, taught me to watch the action while taking pictures.  Anyway, I enjoy all manner of action photography and I am pleased with the results of the day, my favourite being before the start when the two riders are on top of two upturned skips just having a chat, I like the interaction, the moment, perhaps it’s that we connect with the riders as people and not just their skill.

In conclusion, this was a great day, organised well, great weather if not a bit hot, and lots to do and see.  Porlock really does put on many and varied events throughout the year and one must remember the organisers who work very hard towards this.  Since this we have had flower shows an antiques fair, but the next major event on Saturday 1st September is the annual Porlock Carnival, the last carnival in Exmoor National Park, definitely worth a visit!

I have posted more photographs of the day on our Facebook Page

We travelled the 8 miles or so in our MG, a 2003 TF, roof down sun shining and the throaty sound of the exhaust breaking the silence as we made our way up the toll road from Porlock.  I must do a video of the toll road, going up or down the views are lovely.  Not the quickest road, unless you compete in the annual special stage rally up the hill, but not for me in my nearly classic MG.

Driving the road from Porlock to Lynmouth is so special, the views from the hill overlooking the Bristol Channel and across to Wales are lovely, on this evening the sun was shining on the Welsh coast but also there were low clouds forming because of the high pressure.  A photo would have been good, but in truth some things just don’t work, and it is better to appreciate the scene than miss the moment.

We arrived, turning into the road leading to Foreland Point Lighthouse and parking on the grass overlooking the channel.  The area is currently one of my favourite and I have taken and am planning more photos from this location.

Greeted by the sound of seven Greyhounds, what a noise, our own Cockapoo, Monet, ignored them taking on an almost superior air as he raced around, pleased to be in the open.  Melody meanwhile looked nervously, expecting that any second seven Greyhounds would cover the 100 metres in record time to catch Monet, she is very protective and rightly so, Monet is a cheerful little dog, a bundle of fluff and not cut out for high speed pursuits.  But all was well, the dogs remained tethered and eventually left leaving us to walk and enjoy the peace and quiet and a solitary stallion that would have been worth a photo.  I tend to plan photos, which means I missed the spontaneous chance to photograph this lovely animal with a foreground of long bleached grasses and dark menacing sky behind, oh well, Melody reached for her iPhone and I look on horrified that it isn’t fitted with at least a 300mm lens and other essential camera adjustments.   As I sit here writing this Melody tells me she thinks the stallion may have been pregnant, I think she understands, but that is the thing with Melody she is always saying things to make me laugh.

Our evening meal was great, only forgot half of it this time, a few occasional flies visiting and being a nuisance, I think I upset them as just as we were finishing our meal millions, if not more, flying ants descended.  The car was covered, Melody and I were covered and that really brought our evening to an end, packing quickly we jumped in the car pursued across the moor by flying ants.  No match for an MG we return to Porlock having enjoyed another special evening in the best restaurant in the world.

David Hawtin – Photographer

So here we go, Melody and David with some subjects to get started on.

• Poetry
• Art History
• Exmoor National Park
• The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Poetry

Melody has always written poems, something she inherited from her father, and something that goes hand in hand with her paintings and her whole connection with art.  One could say of Melody that she is an holistic artist, everything she does relates to her love and connection with art, so whether she is painting, taking photographs, decorating the home or even cooking a meal, all of these things and more involve her love of art and creativity.

Often, when Melody returns from her morning walk, she will have a few lines or verses of how the light, sky, sea or land has captured her imagination and it is in this that a painting may be forming within.

Melody has and underlying theme in her paintings of Hope and Restoration and this can also be seen within her poems, a heart for humanity and individuals, a message that the journey isn’t yet complete.

This is a growing selection of Melody’s poems and thoughts, just something more, another glimpse into Melody’s heart.  She hopes you enjoy the poems and her art.

Art History

Melody studied art at Winchester School of Art where she received her degree in studio and art history.  For Melody Art History is as important as painting, she has an extensive library which she reads and adds to regularly.  Art History is a major influence on Melody’s work and she will often spend weeks reading and studying before a new painting emerges.

Melody has several projects on the go and will be adding articles about various artists as the mood takes her.

Exmoor National Park

It’s where we live, the landscape and coastline are stunning, we have the second highest tide swings in the world and the sea cliffs are the tallest in England, combine that with the light and the colours of Exmoor and you have an idyllic home for any artist or photographer.

So, between us we have so much to share and enthuse about and as we embark on this we look forward to the journey.

The Lost Gardens Of Heligan

Set in Cornwall between St Austell and Mevagissey this is a lost and forgotten garden first established during the Victorian era.  We both love it, the restoration has opened a garden of interest, with walled kitchen garden and all the Victorian skill to grow fruit that just didn’t belong in this country.  Artistically there is so much to enjoy, wandering around, getting lost, finding yourself somewhere unexpected.

It is probably one of our favourite locations helped in that there is so much in the area, Charlestown that features often in the television series Poldark, The Roseland Peninsular with lovely coast also Melody has memories of places her father talked about, where he swam or visited as a boy.

We have now had three long stays at Heligan and have lots of photos and sketches to work on.