By Milverton High Street at dusk

We didin't set off for our West Country tour till after 4pm today, and so didn't get to Helen's house till early evening. We had a quick cuppa before heading down the road with her reluctant dog, Gelert, for a short walk while Helen started to prepare supper. Gelert headed back home before we had gone a hundred yards, so we turned back and headed towards the centre of Milverton along the High Street on which Helen lives.

The road's name comes from its ancient beginnings and is not a reflection of its current status. Now it is a single track road, with old houses, as well as new, dotted along the way and with several gates into the surrounding farmland.

We poked out noses over a gate after I had spotted this white van drive into the field, and then on past three cattle, to traverse across the valley bottom to the far pastures. The sheep obviously recognised the van as their shepherd, and broke into a brisk trot, probably in pursuit of some edible goodies. I liked the light from the setting sun shining from the direction of Helen's house behind the big hedge and the way it illuminated the rather dark scene of the sheep and the hillside.

Helen and I have worked together in various situations over many decades, but not in recent times, sadly, so it was good to hear what she is doing now as a local video producer. We ended up talking into the late evening about a possible 'big' project she has identified, which requires a grander perspective. We offered her our two pennies worth and wish her well. It was lovely to be with her and her sons Oscar and Barnaby. Tomorrow we are off to Totnes and the farther reaches of Devon .....