This must be the centre of Radbourne because the sign says ‘Church’. We drive down a narrow lane and it seems like straight into someone’s garden. We turn around and try again on foot . This time we find a gate and then the smallest church imaginable. We walk on without comment and find ourselves on the footpath to Radbourne Hall. It’s the most glorious evening with very unusual vertical cloud formations. One of Radbourne Hall’s claim to fame is that Erasmus Darwin lived here in 1781 after he married Elizabeth Pope.
It wasn’t the church or Radbourne Hall that brought the artist ‘Jockey’ Hill here. It was a humble farmhouse. Did he have a friend or aquaintance there?
We have already circled the village, me on foot and Gareth cruising behind me in the car. I’m afraid that if someone sees me poking my camera through hedges and peeping over their walls I will be arrested. I might need a quick getaway. I’ve already set off all the dogs barking in the area!
I find one farm that is the mirror image to the one on the teacup. The house, barn and stable are perfect but completely the wrong way round. I flip the image over on Photoshop in my mind. Yes, it almost fits. Thankfully my conscience steps in and stops me from doing the deed.
Perhaps the heat is getting to me, making me desperate for a drink. This time I have to admit defeat. I can’t find the farm I want. This one is so similar to the one in my picture that I feel it will serve the purpose.
We sit outside the pub and I drink my badly needed half-pint. Gareth is treated to an idylic view of the surrounding countryside whilst I have the opportunity to appreciate the view to the right.
