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.
