South Dalton, looking south from St. Mary's Church.

A Fortuitous Sunny Day saw me drive out to South Dalton, late in the afternoon, where I stopped to paint this view. I stopped alongside the attractive cottage complex next to the magnificent church of St. Mary, with its spire reaching over 200 feet tall . The view here is looking south along the main road from Holme on the Wolds and heading for Etton village. A walk with George before I started to paint took me to the heavenly Pipe and Glass, sadly closed due to the Covid 19 pandemic. I saw James watering the many beautiful tubs of flowers and we had a chat about how uncertain times were regarding opening and indeed, when open, how to effectively operate. I love to visit the public bar for a coffee and maybe a meal after I have painted but this is a dream at the moment. Keeping people safe distancing, in the small bar area, will be impossible I think, which just leaves the possibility of maybe opening the restaurant, though even this is not simple and will necessitate a one way system, perhaps....we will all have to be patient.

The picture is 12 x 10 inch, oil on canvas board.

The nature of South Dalton is of an unchanging, well kept estate village, close to, and within the countryside. It is not unusual to see horse riders as well as horses being led by halters through the quiet roads. As I painted, standing looking down the road, George behind me resting after his walk, having just had his dinner, plus a banana...I smiled as a female, long tailed pheasant casually walked across the road....towards the white terraced cottages, looking like she was about to call on number 6.

The dark trees on the right hand side include yews which jut out over the path below.

Horse riders walked past and cheerfully called down to us.

A man form number six ( who did'nt mention the pheasant), came over and we chatted, at a safe distance, about art and the village and how beautiful it is. Shortly, another older man with his dog came over and joined us. His dog, I gather had been exercised by someone recently and I think, he had been taken for a very long walk. Suddenly number six mentioned a swarm...whereupon the older man became very attentive, saying he would go and check it out.  I realised that the subject being discussed was a swarm of bees. Number six kindly suggested he would take him there in his car straightaway and they both set off on a mission....I wonder if they managed to collect the swarm...I will find out and post later.

Hope you like it.

For sale £150. including base frame.

Beginning to add colour values.

Sketching out the essential details.