Compton Martin, Blagdon and Cheddar Gorge

Another trip into Somerset found us heading West to Compton Martin. The church, St Michael, is one of the best examples of Norman architecture in the county, and it was packed full of carved capitals, a very nice swirly column, figureheads and a Norman font. I drew a cat-like figurehead high up on one wall and attempted to draw the chunky zigzag pattern which went around the top of the font. This proved to be a real challenge in observing what was actually there, instead of my brain taking over and trying to make it up without looking (which is what usually happens).

As we continued west, we drove past two man-made lakes in the Chew Valley region - the whole area is very picturesque and we stopped to look at some wild fowl on the water. We both liked Blagdon, and after one aborted attempt, managed to find four tiny Norman heads set in the wall near the altar. They were all smiling.

Out past Blagdon we drove through Cheddar Gorge (very impressive, but heaving with tourists) and also the Mendip hills. Although I did not do much drawing, it was interesting to see the very different scenery of Somerset.

Blagdon