Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve

On Sunday we went to explore the recently opened Meeth Quarry nature reserve, the Devon Wildlife Trusts newest reserve and full of promise of wonderful wildflowers and butterflies which I am looking forward to seeing next spring. I love this Dragonfly bench, very clever!

The Royal Pavilion Brighton

Last Sunday we explored the amazing Royal Pavilion in Brighton, a place I had often seen but never been in.
The interior is incredible especially the huge chandelier being held by a silver dragon. Having just seen the dragons painted by Roger Dean the night before I could not help wondering if he had perhaps been influenced by seeing the ones in the pavilion when he was young! It was such a beautiful hot day I really wished I had my swimming things with me & I would have been able to have a long swim after seeing all those fiery dragons!

Roger Dean Exhibition

We have just been to see a Roger Dean exhibition near Fletching in East Sussex. It was wonderful to see so many of his original paintings including his "Badger" painting which is one of Barry's favourites. The original was £29,000 a bit out of my range! So I opted for a print which Roger signed for us & here is a picture of him with Barry and the Badgers.

Verity

On Sunday we went to Ilfracombe and saw the huge bronze statue of Verity by Damien Hurst which dominates the waterside, it is quite amazing and much larger that I had expected, she stands hich on large bronze books of law. A lot of the locals don't like it but it is a great tourist attraction and statement. Damien has a gallery oposite the harbour and you can see a selection of his prints and other items for sale there.