Join nature-connection expert Dartmoor's Daughter and artist Gina Hemery for a morning of gentle walking, sketching and painting. We will meander through the internationally famous Meldon Aplite quarries that are slowly being overtaken by nature, and up the small waterfalls and pools in the Red-a-ven brook. We have views towards the reservoir, viaduct, and up to Yes Tor. Watercolour tuition will be for all levels - you will learn to enhance the artistic skills you already have or learn new techniques and media.
About the Artist: Gina Hemery grew up in Devon and has lived in Dorset for over 30 years and is constantly inspired to paint the natural world around her home, the countryside and further afield. She has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember and watercolour became her medium of choice due to its portability, and it rapidly hooked her. She works mostly outdoors and she continually explores this medium’s magical ability to convey light, colour and atmosphere. Gina is influenced by the philosophy and practise of early Chinese painters, the Impressionists, Samuel Palmer and many other watercolourists of the present day. You can check out Gina Hemery on her etsy page https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GinasWatercolours for examples of her exquisite work.
Tickets
Cost: £35 for adults. Group size is limited so pre-booking essential.
We need to retain contact details for 21 days post-walk so please include your contact details (email and mobile/telephone when booking/paying.) And check your emails 12-24 hours before the date.
Further Information
Meeting place: Meldon Aplite Quarry car park. Map Reference SX567921. The nearest postcode for satnav is EX20 4LR but that won't get you past Betty Cottles Inn (see below) so please don't rely on it to get you to the exact spot!
From the A30 (East or West direction) at Sourton Cross follow the B3260 signed for Okehampton. After about 1.5 miles you will see the 'Betty Cottles Inn'. Take the road with a 'dead end' signpost to Meldon Quarry. Drive over the A30, and under the viaduct. Keep driving past the quarries on your right until you reach a no entry sign where there is a small turn off to the right and a large one-storey building next to it. Turn down here and into the carpark.
LEVEL: EASY. This gentle walk is approximately 1 mile at a slow pace with several stops to sketch and paint.
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Dartmoor weather is highly changeable so bring plenty of warm layers, sunscreen, sturdy walking shoes, waterproofs. Bring lunch and a drink. Bring something to sit on (ideally a small folding stool). And bring your own painting/drawing materials, pencil, rubber, sharpener and sketch pad.
We also recommend bringing personal masks, a pair of disposable gloves each, and a personal first aid kit. (From a safety perspective, this offers additional protection against Covid-19 if there were to be an accident and first aid is required by me or the rescue teams. Sorry we know it seems onerous but, given current government guidelines, these are currently being proposed by all guides.)
Cancellation: The walk maybe postponed if the weather forecast isn't conducive (strong winds or heavy rain) and you will be sent an email 12- 24 hours prior so please keep an eye on this Facebook page and your emails (including junk mail folder). You will be invited to attend the new date or offered a refund. Sorry no refunds if you are unable to attend.
Dartmoor’s Daughter has received the ‘Good to Go’ Industry Standard Certificate. If you have a cold, flu, cough, temperature or are diagnosed with COVID-19 please do not join a walk if you have booked. You will be able to transfer your booking to another walk.Risk: Walks are at your own risk. No responsibility accepted for accidents or incidents.