Saturday, April 30, 2005
Devon Dobermans
04/30/2005
MESSAGE FROM THE OLD HOUSE. A CANCELLATION MEANS THAT THE OLD HOUSE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR WEEKS COMMENCING 30TH JULY AND 6TH AUGUST.
A dry if overcast day, much calmer after the strong winds of the past few days and that feeling of a degree or two extra heat. Pair of house martins chatters over an old nest site in the eves, a very welcome sound after seven months absence and their arrival yet another herald of spring, one of the house martin’s main food sources are midges, so they cannot be far away either! A day of hard physical work that comes hard as I am definitely out of trim, so in need of much more exercise. However, it gives me time to reflect on a couple more things that I noticed in Salcombe during the week. Salcombe is a small town that has become colonised by second homeowners, this has caused all sorts of difficulties, but I would venture that in economic terms South Devon is possibly stronger because there is a high spend in the area without a high cost. The old chestnut about affordable housing for locals comes high up the gripe tables. This is a problem close to our hearts in Argyll and I was pleased to hear a lot of support in Devon for solutions based on the Channel Isle and Swiss systems that are both original and workable. However, I do not think they have been given any consideration in this country. My other observation was on the number of blow-ins who sport a dog or two, there must be a high proportion of pooches in Devon and it seemed to be de rigour to have a sleek thorough bred under ones table in the pub or yacht club. I must have become more accustomed to working dogs that should at least make some token contribution to their upkeep, rather than the silky yapmeister. I do admit that the Devon mutts are a damn sight better looking than our scruffy lot! Later as I stretch my limbs and contemplate the Young Ardbeg I can also recall our visit to the Ship at Noss Mayo, surely amongst the finest pubs in the UK! Yours aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Holidays Are Over
04/29/2005
MESSAGE FROM THE OLD HOUSE. A CANCELLATION MEANS THAT THE OLD HOUSE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR WEEKS COMMENCING 30TH JULY AND 6TH AUGUST.
A night of gales and heavy rain then today fairs no better although it does feel a little milder at plus 15 degrees. It is a struggle to even scratch the surface of all the paper work to be completed. Mhairi tries to keep my spirits up with treats from the kitchen, however my mood remains gloomy, perhaps the idleness of the past few days makes motivation difficult. As I stare at another useless page my mind floats back to the pathways over Snapes above Salcombe, and the walk we all enjoyed there two days ago in blustery condition to marvel in glorious southerly views, hey-ho. I have also been thinking a great deal about the over burdening controls placed on life in Scotland. I suddenly realise the missing link, we have all become conditioned to accept the committee, the consultation, the co-operative, where are the leaders, the decision makers? We have rolled under the English way of wearing grey suits and joining quango talking shops endlessly spending precious funds on administration and sidestepping personal responsibility. We are not historically conditioned like that in Scotland, we want direction, decision and leadership, the old clan system if you will, where a man stands on his own, right or wrong, not some wishy-washy “development team”. Time for the SNP! A nation again! My mood lifted I manage a short, sharp trudge with all the dogs in high-spirited chaos, only as far as the Spy Point. Into the teeth of a stiff south westerly, with sharp clouds not far away, but a good glimpse of evening sky and hope for us all if we can only keep away from that bloody desk and VDU depression. An early Ardbeg is poured in celebration of another day. Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.