Down in Devon

For many years I have had a copy of The Shell Guide to Britain (1967). There is a chapter for each county, which includes a painting, that aims to capture the character of the individual counties. Shown here is the picture for the County of Devon. In an idealised and romantic impression it shows the fertile valleys, with rich pastures, grazed by red Devon cows. A village and farmhouse nestle in the patchwork of green fields, traversed by winding lanes. There is a river flowing through a wooded valley, with an ancient clapper bridge. Foxgloves brighten the hedgerows and there are apples from the orchards, and a flagon of cider. There is also a reminder that the sea is not far away, and that the south coast has many sunken river valleys or rias, through which the tide ebbs and flows. Also shown are two notable people associated with Devon: The seafarer, Sir Walter Raleigh and the poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Perceptions may well have changed since the 1960's and we all have very individual impressions of the places we live or that we like to visit.

Note: original entry deleted as it it showed as September 2020 in my blip history, because the black background I had placed in on was taken in September last year! Just today's photo this time without the background!