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.