North Devon

Devon was great. Lovely bright sunshine, wonderful blue sea and dramatic cliffs. But I am not mad about walks that are really steep up and down and even have steps cut in the cliffs because it takes ages to walk even 5 miles, which is when I called it a day and we got a bus back.

However, we entered Ilfracombe harbour by the very best route. It's a beautiful fishing harbour and we got the very best (and unexpected) view of their brand new landmark statue, which is called Verity.

Verity is slightly reminiscent of Degas' Little Dancer of 14 years, who has always been especially touching to me, but this one is pregnant and half her skin is cut away, revealing muscles in her legs and back, and the foetus in her stomach. She carries a sword (of justice?) and the scales of justice are held in a careless way behind her back. She is standing on a pile of books (probably Law books). So, all this iconography, and what does it mean? I would quite like an explanation of how it's relevant to Ilfracombe, but the answer is probably that it's not. It's on a 20-year loan from Damian Hirst, who is the maker.
The Guardian critic hates it.