Earlier this week, I went out to the general area where Colin the votive figure was found, and did some drawing around the holy well on the cliff. A remarkable spot, up among the sheep and the ravens; surrounded by wild flowers and attacked by the wind. Saw an amazing beetle hiding in a tiny scrape in the grass – my insect book identifies it as the male Minotaur beetle (appropriately classical). It has wonderful "horns", and armour. See image on wildaboutbritain.co.uk. Can't work out how to set up a link in this box.
The holy wells in this part of the country have a long history, and some bear the signs of being looked after well into modern times. This one is reputed to cure "mental problems", and required a proxy sacrifice in the shape of two quartz pebbles. The whole thing is open to the sky, and the chambers are silted up. Water still flows out, down the pasture and into the sea. It's a bracing experience getting to it, and the view is really uplifting. I certainly came away feeling cheered and relaxed (even though I didn't have the requisite pebbles to offer.)
Having polished off "The Making of Mr. Gray's Anatomy" by Ruth Richardson, I am now tackling her "Death, Dissection and the Destitute". It's rather hard going – not because of her writing, which is good and clear – but because of the subject matter, which is extremely grim. However, I shall persist in the name of Research.
