Higher Darracott, Great Torrington

Permission granted for three turbines (as at Bradworthy)
Mr and Mrs. Paulton who would live closest to the turbines
are fighting  this development at the European Court of Human Rights


fountain in the garden
I visited the Paulton`s on Friday June 9th, in the morning. I took this photo in Mrs. Paulton`s garden. The fountain here is not working until the tadpoles in the pond have turned into frogs. The patches on the lawn are made by baby rabbits who have been invading the garden. Wild animals obviously feel at home here!
white blossom


buckland brewer sign
The Paulton`s run a scrap metal recycling business, and their garden features many objects that have been lovingly rescued and planted among the flowers. If I had taken a slightly different route I might have passed the new version of this sign on my walk.


modern art
Could you call this an installation?


Pat Poulton
Pat Poulton in her garden.  I spent a lovely morning with her, looking around the garden and hearing about their fight against the turbines which will be very close to their home and business.
Dartmoor view
As I walked away, I saw this view through a gateway just beside their house. Once again I could see Dartmoor. It was hazy, but on a clear day I think that the turbines at Yelland (if built) could still be visible from here.
Dartmoor again
Another view of Dartmoor, as I took the footpath to the field that is the turbine site.
Sheep with Torrington behind
Looking at sheep in the same field, a different direction of view, with Torrington behind the hedge.
Site with fleece
Only a few yards on from the last photo, I took a stile into the turbine field. I am on the footpath. The field is ugly now, with the felt that is also a scar on the landscape (but at least only temporary). I was concerned that the footpath is so close to where the turbines may be - as on Fullabrook.  These are not pretty windmills, they are giant electrical structures, with enormous blades that can fall as far as four hundred feet or more away if they break off. 
campers at the lake
Darracott Reservoir is behind the edge at the top of the field in the previous photo.  I walked down to it. 
This photo shows the Reservoir, from the bank where I saw the daisies the day before. People come here to fish (and camp).
You can see the felt in the field behind, where the turbines will
 be. They are very close to the Reservoir indeed and will loom above it like giant monsters.

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