When I started this site, my intention was to feature our four 'Beacon' villages and devote maybe a page each, to some of the towns and villages nearby, that most of our residents have reason to visit. So, for the early editions, I took some photos of the Okehampton that I was familiar with - mainly the shops in the center of town and a couple of places that I saw, on my way in and out of town. These, together with some tourist brochure information, formed my first Okehampton page.

I had occasion to catch glimpses of other, lesser well know areas, as I went about my normal shopping trips and the idea lodged in the back of my mind that I would have to take some time out to park the car and walk about the Okehampton back streets, with my camera, for a day. The result of this you may have seen as the second page on the town - Alternative Okehampton.

It must have been the excellent weather that we have had in May, that made me realise that I had never visited Okehampton Castle. Although I have lived here now for over eight years, I still go about the area with 'tourist eyes' and hardly ever find that I just go about worrying about other matters, unaware of my surroundings, as I used to do when I lived in Essex. I had seen a few photos from Okehampton Castle but none that gave me any idea of what it was really like. As one of the first castles built by the early Norman invaders in the 11th century, one would expect that this would be a great feature of the town. Maybe I should rephrase that for IT IS but it does not appear to be promoted as such.

What focused my mind was a really good photograph (I'm afraid I don't know by whom) showing the usual ruined fragment framed in an archway and looking both dramatic and inviting. This, to me, is one of the attributes of a 'good' photograph. It should not just show you what is there but make you want to visit, enjoy or experience the subject for yourself. Whatever, this photo made me want to look at the castle. I decided on the next 'good' day, I would make the trip and while I was at it, I would take in Okehampton Church, as well.

Those of you who don't know the town but may have seen photographs from it, could be forgiven in thinking that the church in the high street, St. James' was Okehampton Church. In fact, although I had been there once (and to be honest I can't remember why now - I think it was a Carol Service) I will admit that I didn't know the name of Okehampton's church which sits on the hill above the town. I can remember reading somewhere that, originally, the town had been built higher up the hill near the church but that, over time, development moved down, nearer the two rivers, the East and West Okements, leaving the church a bit isolated. If I have got this wrong, I would be delighted if someone would e-mail me and let me know.

I have said elsewhere that, in fact, I visited the Castle before 10 a.m. and therefore it was closed. I did manage to get some decent, if a bit distant, shots from the roadway however. I then went up to the church which, after photographing the outside, I found to be locked. I therefore could not get any leaflets with information about the place. I did find out that the name was All Saints from the notice fixed by the 12th century crusader's grave cover stone.

So, we now have four pages for Okehampton. It is the main town (or, at least, the nearest) for the Beacon villages, so maybe this is acceptable. I do intend to go back to both the church and castle, when they are open, to aim for better photos but, when I do, they will replace some existing ones. not add yet another page. Enough is enough.