We devoted one afternoon to the usual drive down to Antique Alley, usually undertaken on a rainy day when we would be shut out of a daily trail ramble, but on this occasion, because of the extreme, debilitating heat and humidity. The drive was uneventful but picturesque, with scenes of heavy mist rising from mountain valleys, and peaks marching across the landscape.

Incomparably beautiful; one wonders whether the residents value their own natural surroundings that put visitors to the area in awe of nature.

Our usual forays, on the lookout for newly-opened and, unfortunately, newly shuttered antique shops gain us random treasures, and always have over the decades we have engaged in these searches. We always feel great regret to see yet another shop or group shop close, but the last few years has been very difficult for antique dealers to remain afloat, given the country's financial crisis.

We always seem to be able to rely on what has become a steadfast presence, the two Parker-French group shops. Replete with cast-off junk, among the offerings is to be found, if we're fortunate, items of true antique, artistic and creative value. All together, we managed to find no fewer than five small paintings in oil and watercolour that we were impressed with enough to purchase for our collection.

On arrival at home, they are usually taken apart, the frames refurbished, the matting replaced if needed, and signatures and dates sometimes discovered, if not present on the painting itself. This time, an exquisitely-painted portrait of a woman had a familiar signature on its back, "G. Perkins"; undated, but judged to have been produced in the closing years of the 19th Century.

Some detective work on the Internet confirmed suspicions that this was an usual watercolour by Granville Perkins whose oeuvre was generally comprised of landscapes, including many of New Hampshire's White Mountain range.

Never know when one is liable to come across yet another treasure....