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Thursday 28 March 2013

The Story Behind My Blog Name ....


For my newer Followers, I thought perhaps you might be wondering about my Blog name, i.e. Southhamsdarling.  Well, the 'darling' part is obvious of course, for that is what I am (Hee Hee!).  The first part is from the South Hams, which is the most delightful part of the county of Devon, which is where I was born and live.  The South Hams really is the jewel in Devon's crown and that is why thousands of holidaymakers flock to the region during the summer months (Emmetts or Grockels, we call them).

In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles, described the South Hams like this -
"South Hams - District in the south of Devon, with a line being drawn from Tor Bay to Plymouth Sound, and spreading away to the sea in bold swells with winding combes, and rich vales.  It comprises about 240 square miles, and is so fertile as to be called "The Garden of Devon."

In the South Hams, the countryside consists of rolling hills which gently meander down to the sea, where the water glistens like diamonds.  I'm sending you all an open invitation to come and visit.  I know you would love visiting the little villages and the cottages with their thatched roofs.  I would treat you all to a Devon Cream Tea, which is a speciality in these parts.  In fact, as I walk along, quite often the locals are heard to say "tell e what, that maid, 'ers been eating too many cream teas again, me 'andsome!" 


You will see that I was trying to give you an example of the Devon dialect there, which is completely different from the rest of England.  I will write a separate post on that another time!

( I bet I've spoilt the myth now haven't I?!  I expect all my American friends were thinking that I spoke like the Queen! LOL!).
 
This post was first published by me two years ago, but I thought my newest Followers might be interested to read it.

15 comments:

Sush said...

I loved this post before and love it now! I also would like another Vlog so we might hear your lovely Devon Accent again!
Happy Easter and many hugs!

Grammy Goodwill said...

Thank you for the explanation. I did wonder about the name.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful name, place, and person! The cream tea looks fabulous, and South Hams sounds like such a beautiful place for a vacation. You know I would love to be there!

Shelly said...

Oh, I so want to visit your gorgeous area, and your post makes me long even more to do so.

A beautiful region produces a beautiful person, in you!

Olive said...

The tea looks lovely Diane. I think you live in a gorgeous part of the world and you are terribly sweet.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hallo, dear Thisisme! When you and I first met in blogland (I think the year was 1956 - hee hee) I did some research on my own into your little corner of the world. I was amazed to read about Devon and its many virtues including rolling hills, fertile valleys dotted with cottages, miles of pristine sandy shoreline, cliffs and glorious scenic vistas. It makes me happy to know that you, one of my greatest friends, lives in such a desirable place. If you could only get the weather to cooperate more often you'd quite literally have it all! Have a wonderful Thursday in fair (hopefully) Devonshire, dear friend Thisisme!

Unknown said...

I literally had to swallow as the saliva gushed into my mouth at the site of that clotted cream and jam. Oh my! I'll take two sugars please and just a dash of milk with my tea, thank you.

Claudia Moser said...

One day I will visit you :)

Suzanne said...

A great description...I would love to visit your rolling hills, and I've seen the most beautiful of your photos of the beach-so beautiful and peaceful, except during your torrential rains I suppose.

You are a darling, Thisisme! Have a great day!♥

Unknown said...

Too funny with the dialect, could almost hear that (hehe) Sounds like it's a beautiful place to live, and close to the sea too. Been cold over here today, and it was my first day back at work...still a little shaky but made it.
Happy Easter!

Rebecca said...

what a great story

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Love this post Diane .. do you really talk with a Devon accent?? I would not of thought so , for some reason ..unbeknown to me Lol .. Happy Easter. xoox

Belle said...

Thanks so much for telling us about your area. Devon sounds like heaven on earth to me. I wish I could visit one day but it is much too far, I'm afraid.

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Diane,
Oh, how I wish I could accept your invitation. Devon sounds a heavenly place to live and must be one of the reason of your warmth for people♡♡♡ It might also wonderful to hear your English again. I remember hearing your voice introducing your garden before♬♬♬
I wish you will have a wonderful Easter Sunday with your LOVELY family(*^_^*)

Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Glenda said...

Loved this post. I've been wondering about South Hams and it would be wonderful to spend time there and share a cup of tea with South Ham's Darling!

Maybe after your visit to us!