South Devon Escape to the Country


South Devon

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Mathematically speaking, this wonderfully eccentric building behind me is a hexadecagon.

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Find out how many sides it has and where I am in just a moment on Escape To The Country.

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Today we're helping a couple find their dream coastal home.

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-That's something I've always wanted, balcony.

-Really?

-Yes.

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We'll be tempting them with some choice seaside properties, but will they be united in their vision?

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One of my dreams has been to live right on the beach.

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Yes, that's right.

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-Could it be one of your dreams too?

-Probably not.

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So, could this be the house search that has me calling out an SOS?

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I've been feeling quite stressed with this job, to be honest.

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-Just relax.

-Difficult clients.

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-Picky. They don't know what they want.

-What, this week?

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Yeah. Sometimes...

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I'm in Devon, just outside the seaside town of Exmouth.

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This 16-sided building is called A La Ronde.

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It was built at the end of the 18th century by two spinster cousins, Mary and Jane Parmenter,

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partly to house all the lovely treasures they brought back from their European grand tour,

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but also, by cleverly placing windows 360 degrees, to harvest all this beautiful Devon sunshine.

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Situated in south-west England, Devon is one of the UK's most popular tourist destinations.

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Over 5.4 million visitors head here each year compared

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with 4.5 million to neighbouring Cornwall and 3.5 to Dorset.

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And there's plenty to keep it at the top of the popularity stakes.

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Nature lovers can lose themselves in the wild landscapes of two national parks, Exmoor and Dartmoor.

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For sun worshippers, sea dogs and watersports enthusiasts,

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there are 200 miles of spectacular coastline to enjoy. And when you consider nearly every coastal resort

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has a harbour or marina, it's understandably a mecca for yachties.

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Away from the surf, Devon's green and undulating landscape is peace and tranquillity personified,

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with countless chocolate-box villages brimming with thatched cottages.

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This county inspired 19th-century philanthropist and poet Sir Harold Bolton to write,

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"Old England's counties by the sea from east to west are seven

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"But the gem in that fair galaxy, 'tis Devon, glorious Devon."

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According to statistics, Devon gets 7½ hours

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of sunshine every summer's day, but clearly not on this summer's day!

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But that figure might be the reason why property prices here are 18% above the national average.

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Still, there are some real beauties on offer.

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Take a look.

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If you have £895,000 to spend, you could be galloping off with this equestrian property near Totnes.

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With five bedrooms, three reception rooms,

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three bathrooms and a swimming pool, you get a lot for your money.

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And there's no scrimping on the land either, 29 acres in all.

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At the slightly more modest price of 600,000, how about this four-bedroom

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former bungalow in the village of Woodside?

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The space has been recently remodelled

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and refurbished throughout and it now exudes understated elegance.

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However, if it's a character property you're after, look no further than

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this four-bedroom traditional Devon longhouse on the edge of Dartmoor.

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£495,000 will purchase three reception rooms,

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a cosy country kitchen, a spacious garden with outdoor pool.

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So why not take the plunge?

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The clotted cream from the top of Devon's property market there,

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but will it be enough to tempt today's buyers? Let's meet the Brockenshaws.

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Married for 18 years, keen marathon runners Michael and Shirley are

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hoping to make a quick dash from their home in Bristol for a brand new outlook.

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We want to move to the country because we want to be nearer the coast.

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I have a great love of sailing, but as well as that, I think the slower pace of life is

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what we're looking for as we sort of wind down into retirement.

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Although Michael and Shirley won't be giving up their jobs

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as a freelance engineer and a life coach straight away, they have good reason to take things easy.

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Mike had a heart attack a couple of years ago and that made us think seriously about, let's slow down.

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So having decided to apply the brakes on their busy lifestyle, have they agreed on a new location?

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We'd like to move to South Devon.

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We had a look all over Devon and we liked that area.

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We didn't want anywhere too remote.

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Perhaps a nice community. And that seems to fit the bill.

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However, having spent nearly 10 years renovating and decorating

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their five-bedroom home, leaving it behind isn't going to be easy.

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If you could arrange to pick this house up and actually take it down to Devon,

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somewhere near the coast, with the neighbours, we'd be very happy.

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Sadly, we can't quite manage that, so what kind of property will make the grade?

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We'd definitely like something that's finished. Yes.

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Three, four bedrooms preferably.

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With a couple of en suites for guests.

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And with two grandchildren and another on the way in a few months,

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family visitors will be plentiful.

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I quite like Victorian houses.

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Yes, but at the same time I think neither of us would object to modern.

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If it's the right house in the right place, then that's no problem.

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No, no, we're very flexible.

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Flexible is good.

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But finding the dream home usually comes down to details.

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This is my favourite room in the house, kitchen diner.

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It's a real family room. We all congregate in here.

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And I also love the granite.

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Absolutely love that. If there's something similar when we move, that would be absolutely superb.

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And it's not just the kitchen sink they want to take with them.

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The sort of garden that we're looking for when we move is something which, like this one, is low-maintenance.

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Because we're not really gardeners at all.

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It would be lovely to sit in the garden without all this traffic noise that we've got here.

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And the wish list doesn't end there.

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I would like a separate room for counselling,

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because at the moment people come in here for counselling and it's difficult with all the family.

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Basically, I've lived without a garage for more than 10 years now

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and it's one thing which always drops off the bottom of a compromise list.

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So this time I'm going to have one.

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I fancy a conservatory as well. Always wanted one of those.

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But that would be a plus.

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In preparation to move fast, Mike and Shirley have already put their

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house on the market at £465,000, but what's their spend for South Devon?

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Our budget for this move is up to £500,000.

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Mike and Shirley have given me a pretty open brief about what they want down in Devon.

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Clearly they're not really retiring. They're far too active for that.

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Apart from three bedrooms, I haven't got a lot to go on.

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Still, I'd better get my running shoes on if I'm going to keep up with their needs.

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As Michael and Shirley want easy access to the sea, we'll be casting our property search net across the

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entire south coast, from Exmouth and its surrounds all the way down to the countryside around Dartmouth.

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In today's show, we've lined up three choice coastal homes to view but as always I won't reveal

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the price tags until the end of the tours.

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The last of these three is a mystery house,

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but will any of our properties have our would-be buyers dropping anchor?

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Welcome to Devon.

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-Hello.

-Not quite sunny Devon, but we live in hope.

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-You lived here before, right?

-I lived in Exeter for a while, in my twenties.

-A long time ago.

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-And you've never left Bristol.

-No, this is a big adventure for me.

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-A big adventure. Are you going to be all right?

-Yes.

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What's the ground for the big move?

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We want a quieter pace of life, really.

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We want to be able to develop our hobbies.

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But otherwise you've got quite an open brief.

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Yes, we're very flexible, aren't we?

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Which makes it much more difficult for me. It's much easier if you say exactly what you want.

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-Quite right too.

-I like the fact that you're challenging me. Let's go.

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For their £500,000, Michael and Shirley are clear,

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however, they want a detached, three-bedroom, light and airy house.

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Must-haves include a big kitchen diner.

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Shirley needs a separate room or annexe for the counselling sessions,

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whilst Michael has his heart set on a garage.

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And as neither are green-fingered, a low-maintenance garden is a priority.

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Although the brief is fairly open, we are house-hunting in a very pricey part of the country.

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And the closer we get to the coast, the more expensive the properties.

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So we could still have a challenge on our hands to meet all the criteria.

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One of the reasons you're coming down here is to sail, for you, Michael.

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Is that really a huge passion of yours, or something that you've...?

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Yes, it is. At the moment I've got to basically travel two hours to get any sailing in.

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So what I'm really looking for is something where I can just

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pop out the front door after breakfast, disappear for the day.

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Even if it's only just going and sitting on a boat, you know, it's so relaxing.

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Sounds like you're pretty busy yourself, Shirley, so you won't mind him being out.

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I won't mind at all, no. It'll be quite relaxing for me too.

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Our first destination should be the ideal setting for some nautical R&R,

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as we're heading to the popular coastal town of Brixham.

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Although even on a dreary day, Brixham looks like your typically

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pretty colour-washed south-coast resort, it's actually one of the busiest fishing ports in the UK

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with a staggering £80 million of fish traded annually.

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So unlike many tourist hot spots, Brixham's streets aren't deserted come low season.

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Instead, there's a thriving community all year round and Michael

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should be glad to hear that a recent regeneration scheme has afforded the village with a new marina.

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Our first property is a couple of minutes out of Brixham.

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It's a modernised 1930s bungalow and enjoys an enviable elevated position above the coast.

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-This is the one.

-Oh!

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So this property has been extended three times. It was extended up,

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-and then across, and then the present owners have extended again.

-Very smart, it looks well kept.

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-I've already spotted the fact that it looks like a very nice double garage down there.

-Yes.

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In many ways it was exactly what you're looking for but

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I'd be interested to get your impressions as we go inside.

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I know they've spent years decorating their Bristol home

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to quite a contemporary spec and they may want to make a few cosmetic changes here.

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However, it's a blank canvas and size-wise should be spot on.

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In we go, into the sitting room.

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Yes, clean and bright.

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-Lovely big window.

-Everything about this house is really about sitting in it looking out.

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-Amazing views down the coast to the sea.

-Looking good so far.

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A good start, but I know the kitchen could be a deal breaker in this property search,

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so Shirley's reaction to this one will be a useful yardstick.

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-Is it what you're looking for?

-It's a good size. Room for sitting, I like that.

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-Nice views.

-Nice stove. I don't know how you'd get on with that.

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Range. What do you usually cook on?

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-Well...

-Fairly conventional.

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I burn things whatever I cook on.

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Well, you can burn things in style here.

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In our house, the kitchen is the hub of the house.

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One thing that I'm thinking is that if we had the whole family here, we could find it a little bit cramped.

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It's not a kitchen diner in the sense that there's not space to sprawl. It's more a breakfast area.

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-Yes.

-OK.

-Very smart.

-So this gets a tick.

-Very smart.

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Let's look at the rest. Before that, I wanted to show you...

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You were worried about family spreading out.

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You've got a sort of dining sitting room, an extra one here.

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I like this, yes. Very cosy.

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Because this could actually be like an office, couldn't it?

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Or just

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chilling out.

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There are other options for your office.

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This, I suggest, would be your R&R room.

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Over here, you've got this sort of dining room.

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They've got it as a dining room. You could do what you liked.

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And it's also light,

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-that's what I like about it.

-Well, that's what you asked for.

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-Yes.

-You ask for it...

-So you get it, yes.

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And then, on top of that, two more rooms.

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At the end of the corridor is an office which I'm hoping will be

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the perfect solution for Shirley to give more counselling sessions.

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Ta-dum!

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-Oh, ideal. Perfect.

-You were mentioning an office.

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-Yes, I could shut the door and be enclosed.

-Would this be good enough for your counselling?

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It's just the right size in fact.

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Well, I'm glad this room is up to snuff.

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Because, just in case you were feeling left out, Michael, there is another one.

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We're spoiling you in this house because there's another big, big room.

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Loads of storage by the looks of it, too.

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Yes, massive deep cupboards, and a shower room.

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This is effectively like a guest wing. You start to see the sea.

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-Can you see?

-Yes, I can see the sea.

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The hazy blue. That is the sea. Would you keep this as a bedroom?

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It depends how many bedrooms are upstairs.

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-Three.

-Three?

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In that case this would make a perfect guest suite, wouldn't it? I think we'd keep it as that.

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That way you can have maybe all the kiddies running around upstairs and have the serious guests...

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Auntie down here. She'd like that.

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Well, that's one relative sorted and there are a couple more guest

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bedrooms upstairs which share the family bathroom.

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But the piece de resistance of this property is the master bedroom.

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Oh, just look at this.

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This is magnificent. Oh, this

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is jolly good. Fantastic.

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-Totally unexpected.

-Have you seen that, a balcony?

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-Something I've always wanted, a balcony.

-Really?

-Yes.

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-What's nice is you've got a walk-in wardrobe there, so you can put your running clothes in there.

-Sweet.

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-And a very nice en suite.

-It's done very well.

-And then this wonderful decking area.

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For me, this is what makes this whole property.

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-The views.

-Absolutely superb.

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Wonderful views.

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In terms of sailing clubs for you, you've got Brixham, which you can see there.

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Also Kingswear and Dartmouth all very close, about a five minute drive.

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-Wonderful.

-From up here you can see the extent of your garden, but let's go into it.

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Now, I know Shirley and Michael have confessed to being horticulturally challenged, but I don't think this

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garden will pose too many problems for them, and I'm sure the grandkids would love it.

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The whole plot is about half an acre.

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It's different portions of garden. You've got this raised bit here, a little water feature over there.

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There's another plot of land just beyond the drive.

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And a nice patio area here.

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So lots of kind of different bits.

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How much time do you spend in the garden?

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I think if it was a garden like this, more time.

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This is beautifully done. I can just see myself with a garden like this.

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Although we're not very good at gardening, something that's already

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so lovely as this, we could continue and keep it this way.

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Looking around, it seems to be shrubs rather than flowers.

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This is the first property we've seen down here.

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It is the Riviera, as they call it, so it'll be interesting to see what you think it's worth.

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I would value this house at 495.

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That's exactly the figure I was going to put on it.

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I have to be different, don't I?

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-So I'm going to say 490.

-490.

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Well, there you go. If you'd gone a shade

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above you would have been right.

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It's on at 499.

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Oh, quite close.

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So why don't you've a wander around? I know it's difficult with me breathing down your neck to make

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any kind of judgments, but have a wander around on your own and then we can press on.

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Yes, OK.

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See, I'm not entirely sure they're being honest.

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Because I think that's too many lovelies and wonderfuls.

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For me, I like a bit of, "Well, I'm not so sure about this."

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I need to maybe tease out what they don't like as well as what they do like and then we can proceed nicely.

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At just a snip under £500,000, this property is bang on budget, and there's a lot of it.

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Three reception rooms, a large galley kitchen, an office for Shirley's therapy sessions,

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a double garage for Michael, four big bedrooms and it's all set in

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the low-maintenance half-acre plot.

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With three marinas all within a ten-minute drive it should

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be the perfect location for skipper Michael, so could they be sailing away with our very first offering?

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Oh, look at this, Mike.

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My domain, keep out.

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When I saw the house I was very impressed. It's clean and tidy.

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It's perfect, you could move straight in, just what we wanted.

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The only thing I'm a little bit concerned about is not its immediate location

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but it's the surrounding, whether we could get to shops without having to drive.

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Because that's always something that I enjoy doing Sunday mornings, the walk to get the papers.

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-Right, let's go. Have you got all your bits and bobs?

-I have, yes.

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You can close the door, Michael.

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Our super sporty couple are always on the lookout for a new activity to take up,

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so with the 2012 Olympics fast approaching I thought I'd introduce them to one of the sports

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that will no doubt be featuring heavily on our TV screens. Beach volleyball.

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Clare, Ali and Sylvia belong to the Exmouth Beach Volleyball club.

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They're part of a local league, play at least once a week and welcome new members with open arms.

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But I'm going to take a break before I do myself a serious injury to find out more

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about this Olympic sport from team captain Ali West.

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It's got an interesting history. I was surprised how long it's been around.

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Yeah, it's been going since 1915.

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I think it was first invented by some surfers at Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.

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-1915! That's in the middle of the First World War.

-Exactly, yeah.

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How did it arise?

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I think they wanted to do something when there was no surf,

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so they thought, "Let's mess around playing with a ball."

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-And then the Californians took over, and then it's become an Olympic sport.

-Since when?

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When did it start?

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The first showing was in Barcelona.

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They didn't play for medals.

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But then the first official one was at Atlanta Olympics.

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-We've got it coming up in 2012?

-Yeah.

-Where are they going to play in England?

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London, of all places, Horse Guards Parade.

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No way. Shirley and Mike are moving down here.

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They're very active retirees.

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Is it something that anybody can take part in?

0:19:590:20:01

Absolutely. Anyone, any age.

0:20:010:20:03

That's the beauty of it. Anyone can come along and just join in.

0:20:030:20:07

You don't have to be particularly sporty. Just throw yourself around.

0:20:070:20:11

And on that note, I think we'll rejoin the action.

0:20:110:20:15

We're not playing beach volleyball rules because, as opposed to indoor volleyball

0:20:150:20:19

which is played in teams, beach volleyball is played in pairs.

0:20:190:20:22

Our team needs all the help it can get.

0:20:220:20:25

I'm exhausted!

0:20:280:20:30

Time for a cup of tea.

0:20:300:20:31

As the sun begins to set over the south Devon scenery, the first day of our property tour is at an end.

0:20:360:20:42

Shirley and Michael are in search of a slower pace of life on the south Devon coast.

0:20:510:20:56

They liked a 1930s house we viewed,

0:20:560:20:58

although I don't think we've really blown their socks off yet.

0:20:580:21:03

But could all that be about to change?

0:21:030:21:06

I want to move in!

0:21:060:21:07

Or will it be the mystery house that has keen yachtsman Michael battening down the hatches?

0:21:090:21:15

You're not getting interested in this place, are you?

0:21:150:21:19

He's been interested since he walked through the door.

0:21:190:21:21

We're kicking off today's search in the charming coastal town of Budleigh Salterton.

0:21:260:21:31

This part of east Devon is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the red sandstone cliffs

0:21:310:21:37

that bookend the two-and-a-half mile pebble beach mark the very beginning of the world-famous Jurassic coast.

0:21:370:21:44

Away from the water, the High Street has wholly resisted the influx of chain stores

0:21:450:21:51

and local independent retailers serve the 5,000-strong population.

0:21:510:21:55

The heady combination of sea air, old-fashioned charm and handsome period properties makes it

0:21:560:22:02

a popular destination, particularly for retirees, who account for more than one-third of total residents.

0:22:020:22:08

So Michael and Shirley will be in good company when they do give up their jobs.

0:22:080:22:13

The house we're viewing is a half-a-mile walk from the High Street in a truly secluded position.

0:22:150:22:21

Before I show you anything else, Michael, I want you to meet your new double garage.

0:22:220:22:28

-Priorities. Absolutely.

-I've got it into my head now

0:22:280:22:31

what is important about this house-buying business.

0:22:310:22:34

Clearly it's the garage.

0:22:340:22:36

That's a beautiful old-school 1920s garage.

0:22:360:22:38

-Looks good.

-It's got character.

0:22:380:22:41

It's all right, Shirley, you don't have to live in there. There is a house!

0:22:410:22:46

Come onto the lawn to see the full glory of this property.

0:22:460:22:51

-Wonderful.

-Beautiful.

0:22:510:22:54

It's a 1920s house. Extended up and out in various parts of its history.

0:22:540:23:01

-Good.

-First impression, it's so peaceful here.

-It looks fantastic.

0:23:010:23:05

I want to get inside now.

0:23:050:23:07

-You're itching to get in?

-Yes.

0:23:070:23:09

Well, you can't go in!

0:23:090:23:10

'That's what you call a perfect start to a house tour.

0:23:130:23:16

'And I have a feeling Shirley will be equally enchanted by the interior.

0:23:160:23:20

'The owners have refurbished the place in the last few years, and it's beautifully decked out.'

0:23:200:23:26

Come into the sitting room.

0:23:260:23:29

That view as well.

0:23:290:23:30

-Isn't that magnificent?

-Gorgeous.

-It's interesting, your eyes went immediately to the view.

0:23:300:23:36

-Yes. A pretty room.

-Beautiful.

0:23:360:23:39

-Beautiful original 1920s fireplace.

-Even though it's a big,

0:23:390:23:43

light room, it still feels cosy, which is nice.

0:23:430:23:48

It's wonderful. Yes.

0:23:480:23:50

What do you like about it?

0:23:500:23:52

I like the airiness, the view and the window, and it's got a good feel in here.

0:23:520:23:57

It feels like home.

0:23:570:24:01

'I'd say that's the sound of a box being ticked.

0:24:010:24:05

'And just next door is something Shirley has been hankering after for some time.'

0:24:050:24:09

-I like this.

-You like this?

-Yes. I've always wanted a conservatory, always.

0:24:100:24:14

They put this on about five years ago because they wanted to have space to dine.

0:24:140:24:20

So it acts as a sort of dining room.

0:24:200:24:22

But what's great about it is that all these windows open and obviously the door out onto the terrace.

0:24:220:24:27

-What a wonderful way to sit. Gosh, you wouldn't want to work.

-It's beautiful.

0:24:270:24:32

Effectively, it functions as the dining room to the kitchen because it flows straight in here.

0:24:320:24:37

-I like this as well. I want to move in!

-Ah!

0:24:370:24:41

But I haven't seen the rest.

0:24:410:24:43

'That is music to my ears, but Shirley should see all the house before booking the removal men!'

0:24:430:24:49

This is a great little room.

0:24:490:24:52

This is pretty too.

0:24:520:24:54

-A balcony.

-You like balconies.

0:24:540:24:58

-You've got to bear in mind this house started off as a bungalow.

-Really?

-Really.

0:24:580:25:02

So bedrooms are going to be an issue for you.

0:25:020:25:05

We have one bedroom downstairs, this is technically another bedroom,

0:25:050:25:10

-and upstairs we've just got the master bedroom.

-I see, yes.

0:25:100:25:13

So they're using this as a second lounge because it's just the two of them living here,

0:25:130:25:17

but you would need to kind of configure whether you'd have this as a bedroom,

0:25:170:25:21

or whether you'd keep it as an office, or maybe as a visitors' room.

0:25:210:25:26

-You could have one of those sofa beds that comes down so it could be dual purpose.

-Absolutely.

0:25:260:25:31

'It's difficult to know without seeing everything there is here,

0:25:310:25:35

'so let's continue with the tour.'

0:25:350:25:37

Up the stairs to your one and only but beautifully appointed master bedroom.

0:25:370:25:43

It is. Beautifully done.

0:25:430:25:45

-There's a little en suite across the landing.

-For us this is ideal.

0:25:450:25:49

I notice there's all little nooks and crannies in that which is fantastic.

0:25:490:25:54

-Good use of space here.

-So that's everything inside.

-Yes.

0:25:540:25:57

Is that going to be enough space for you?

0:25:570:26:00

It's so lovely, I think...

0:26:000:26:02

We'd find somewhere.

0:26:020:26:04

-Forget about the seven bedrooms I needed, this is beautiful.

-Yes, very impressed.

0:26:050:26:10

There are options outside as well.

0:26:100:26:12

'It looks like the wish-list has been torn up and thrown away

0:26:120:26:17

'but I seem to remember a separate consulting room being of paramount importance.

0:26:170:26:21

'There's good news for this property - Shirley may not have to compromise at all.'

0:26:210:26:26

-Oh!

-Lots of nooks and crannies including this.

0:26:280:26:32

I thought, Dr Shirley, this would be a good consulting room.

0:26:320:26:36

It would. Clients would be relaxed straightaway coming in here.

0:26:360:26:42

That's what I'm thinking. Take a seat. See if it works.

0:26:420:26:46

-How does it feel?

-It works.

0:26:460:26:48

I've been feeling quite stressed with this job to be honest.

0:26:480:26:51

-Tell me your troubles.

-I've had difficult clients, picky, they don't know what they want.

-This week?

0:26:510:26:56

Yes, sometimes they want...

0:26:560:26:59

-This would work, wouldn't it? It's a nice space.

-It's the right size and the ambience is good.

0:27:000:27:07

-You've got the advantage that they don't have to come through the house as well.

-Oh, yes.

0:27:070:27:12

-You can put heaters in here in the wintertime.

-That would be ideal, wouldn't it?

0:27:120:27:16

'Thumbs up. But what will they make of the garden?

0:27:160:27:19

'At one third of an acre, it's quite sizable.'

0:27:190:27:22

It's a beautiful property but it's a particularly beautiful garden.

0:27:240:27:27

-I was worried it might be a bit big.

-Not at all.

0:27:270:27:30

I like big gardens, if they are already in place.

0:27:300:27:33

You're sold on this property. I can see.

0:27:330:27:35

"It's a graveyard here." "No, it's fine!"

0:27:350:27:38

As far as I'm concerned, I don't mind cutting grass, I find that very relaxing.

0:27:380:27:43

-As far as I can see it's all low maintenance.

-Slightly rose-tinted goggles there.

0:27:430:27:47

It's a very low-maintenance garden, you'd have to do nothing to keep it as perfect as it is.

0:27:470:27:53

Marvellous.

0:27:530:27:55

What about the price of the property?

0:27:550:27:58

I think £499,500.

0:27:580:28:02

-So right at the top of your budget?

-I'm thinking it's over the 500 mark, I'm going to say 520.

0:28:020:28:10

Well, you're very realistic because it's actually offers around 525.

0:28:120:28:19

In the present climate, the buyer is keen, I just think in terms of location

0:28:190:28:24

and what it offers in terms of ready-made, move in, beautiful family house, it's hard to beat.

0:28:240:28:32

Yes, it is. It's beautiful.

0:28:320:28:35

It's not going to be a challenge for you to walk round this one, is it?

0:28:350:28:39

-No.

-No. Can't wait.

-I'm very impressed, 10 out of 10!

0:28:390:28:43

-Pat me on the head.

-10 out of 10! Well done!

0:28:430:28:46

My heart's pounding and proud, made Shirley happy, that makes me happy,

0:28:480:28:52

and I think this property would make just about anybody happy.

0:28:520:28:56

The offers around £525,000 price-tag is down to the hugely-desirable Budleigh Salterton postcode.

0:28:590:29:06

The agent has assured me that vendors are open to negotiation.

0:29:060:29:09

It's a spacious chalet bungalow with an open-plan kitchen/conservatory/diner.

0:29:090:29:14

Shirley seems happy with the summerhouse as a consultation room.

0:29:180:29:22

This property is almost perfect.

0:29:290:29:32

I adore that beautiful garden and I really love the house.

0:29:320:29:36

Beautiful room, isn't it?

0:29:360:29:38

Fantastic.

0:29:380:29:40

-Very well done.

-I love these insets in here.

0:29:400:29:45

It's a beautiful spot, very, very peaceful, lovely house and the sort of thing we are looking for, yes.

0:29:450:29:52

You've got us thinking now.

0:29:520:29:55

A possibility here, I could see myself making a home here and enjoying it.

0:29:550:30:01

You took ages in this one, is that because you like it?

0:30:010:30:04

I love it.

0:30:040:30:06

Very good. Big smiles, we like that. On we go.

0:30:060:30:09

With a brief as wide as Michael and Shirley's it's quite difficult to think of a mystery house

0:30:120:30:17

as they're open to most things, however, with our mystery house

0:30:170:30:20

I really do think we've pulled things into shipshape focus.

0:30:200:30:25

-So the mystery house, coming up next, what you think we might be seeing?

-I don't know.

0:30:270:30:33

I'm hoping it's going to be something completely different and perhaps something that we haven't thought of.

0:30:330:30:40

It probably will be. If it's a floating boat, you'll love it and I won't.

0:30:400:30:45

'Well, Shirley isn't too far off the mark.

0:30:470:30:49

'The mystery house isn't a boat but it does have nautical connections

0:30:490:30:53

'and we're heading to Exmouth.

0:30:530:30:55

'Now, this typical Georgian and Victorian seaside resort

0:30:550:30:59

'is a busy coastal town.

0:30:590:31:02

'But escaping the hordes is easy when you have two miles of golden sand on the doorstep.

0:31:020:31:08

'And for those who want to get even further away

0:31:080:31:10

'it's home to one of south Devon's most popular yachting marinas.

0:31:100:31:14

'Here, for many, sailing is a way of life and we don't have to voyage far for the mystery house

0:31:140:31:19

'as it's situated right on the water's edge in a prestigious marina development.

0:31:190:31:25

'For seafaring Mike it should be the dream, the question is, will Shirley share his sentiment?'

0:31:250:31:31

-Here it is, the mystery house.

-Here it is.

-The whole three storeys.

0:31:340:31:39

-The whole of it?

-Oh, yeah.

-Gosh.

0:31:390:31:42

-Garage?

-Yes, this is your garage, I almost forgot. So you're happy.

0:31:420:31:47

-What are your first impressions?

-It's blue.

0:31:470:31:51

I'm not sure what else to say.

0:31:510:31:54

-It's blue, yes.

-Well, I'm looking and thinking, "No problem with what I see."

0:31:540:31:58

I'm in anticipation of what I might see inside.

0:31:580:32:03

You wanted something you could move straight into

0:32:030:32:06

and one of you wanted something that would be good for your leisure activities,

0:32:060:32:10

one of you will be happy.

0:32:100:32:11

Straight through.

0:32:150:32:16

Hold your breath...

0:32:160:32:19

-Ta-da!

-Oh, yes.

-Yippee-doo!

-Oh, yes.

0:32:190:32:23

I don't want you to look at the house

0:32:230:32:27

because I want you to go straight out here, out to this.

0:32:270:32:31

Oh, yes, this is what it's all about.

0:32:310:32:35

-This is Mike's scene.

-Now you're talking!

0:32:350:32:38

-Lovely.

-Look, boats, listen.

0:32:380:32:41

Boats everywhere.

0:32:410:32:43

-The gulls, the clink clink clink.

-It's beautiful.

0:32:430:32:46

-Come on, Mike, spill the beans, what do you think?

-It's lovely, fantastic outlook.

0:32:460:32:51

Even the noise of the halyards against the mast is just what sailing's about.

0:32:510:32:58

I don't even know what a halyard is.

0:32:580:33:00

You'll get to know it after about 10 seconds of living here.

0:33:000:33:04

The highlight - what do you think this building is?

0:33:040:33:06

-It looks very much like sailing club to me.

-It is.

0:33:060:33:10

-So Shirley...

-Yes, Alastair, what have you got for me, then?

-This is slightly slanted towards Mike.

0:33:100:33:16

-Yes, it is.

-Although it is beautiful, don't you think?

-Yes, it is. It's very pretty out here.

0:33:160:33:21

-You can run all a long the Exe.

-I could paint.

-You could paint beautiful paintings.

0:33:210:33:25

Yes, well, hey ho, you know.

0:33:250:33:29

-Well, enough of this, we'll come back to the view many times but let's look inside the property.

-OK.

0:33:290:33:34

Working on the basis that the two of you have completely fallen in love with the view, Shirley,

0:33:360:33:42

let's talk through the inside of the house.

0:33:420:33:45

This is the kitchen. Very clearly a galley kitchen.

0:33:450:33:49

Very blue again.

0:33:490:33:50

Let's talk realistically about this property.

0:33:500:33:53

If Mike was on his own, it would be a good bachelor pad, this would suit him down to the ground.

0:33:530:33:59

So if ever we part company, you can come back again!

0:33:590:34:03

So for you it's absolutely out of the question?

0:34:030:34:06

For me?

0:34:060:34:08

-It's not me at all.

-Not you at all.

0:34:080:34:10

No.

0:34:100:34:12

-Not even a bit?

-Maybe, it might grow on me as I go around.

0:34:120:34:16

-I'll keep my options open.

-It's got a lot going for it.

0:34:160:34:19

You wouldn't mind it, would you? This is you, with boats.

0:34:190:34:22

It meets a lot of my criteria. I have to say that.

0:34:220:34:26

-Your skipper's hat on, you'd be away.

-Absolutely.

0:34:260:34:30

Well, it's got four bedrooms...

0:34:300:34:31

-Really?

-..one of which could be your treatment room.

0:34:310:34:36

I'm not sure you're going to be very happy about it.

0:34:360:34:39

It's small, functional, simple.

0:34:400:34:43

It's on the ground floor, by the front door,

0:34:430:34:45

-so I was thinking maybe...

-Quick getaway, maybe.

-Maybe a consultancy room?

0:34:450:34:50

Maybe not.

0:34:500:34:51

Come on, be fair, it would work, wouldn't it?

0:34:510:34:55

-Would it?

-Yes.

0:34:550:34:56

-Give it a chance!

-Yes, Mike, come on, mate, let's gang up!

0:34:560:35:01

'The location is obviously working its magic on Michael

0:35:010:35:04

'but I think convincing Shirley could be an uphill struggle.'

0:35:040:35:08

Come into the living room.

0:35:080:35:10

Nautical themed again, nice and blue.

0:35:100:35:13

Very blue.

0:35:130:35:15

Sit down. I'm going to sit you here, Shirley, until you fall in love with this view.

0:35:150:35:20

-I think it is a lovely view.

-It would improve because twice a day this would be all water...

0:35:200:35:25

-Absolutely.

-..when the tide is in.

0:35:250:35:28

I'd never hear the last of it, would I?

0:35:280:35:31

You'd be telling me the tide times. You do that now! You'd be even worse when we're here.

0:35:310:35:36

-Well, you'd know them.

-Just by immersion, you'd learn them.

0:35:360:35:40

I feel we're ganging up on you. I'm going to stop that.

0:35:400:35:43

-You're on his side.

-But there is this...endless things to look at.

0:35:430:35:47

You don't need a television because you always have someone messing around on a boat or a kite-surfer...

0:35:470:35:53

'On this floor is the second bedroom and the bathroom.

0:35:530:35:56

'The final two bedrooms occupy the third level, including the master, with en suite.'

0:35:560:36:02

And what a view to wake up to.

0:36:020:36:05

Lovely view.

0:36:050:36:08

-It is.

-I believe you.

-This is what would make you get out of bed in the morning.

0:36:080:36:13

Just to get up and look at that view.

0:36:130:36:16

I'm thinking, because the river runs north-south, that must be west...

0:36:160:36:22

-Fantastic sunsets.

-Beautiful.

0:36:220:36:24

The sun sets over Starcross

0:36:240:36:26

so pretty much on all the three floors you'd get bathed in golden light.

0:36:260:36:31

You're not getting interested in this place, are you?

0:36:330:36:36

He's been interested since he walked through the door!

0:36:360:36:39

One of my dreams has been to live right on the beach.

0:36:410:36:45

That's right, yes.

0:36:450:36:46

-Could it be one of your dreams, too?

-Probably not. The view I like, yes.

0:36:460:36:50

Across the landing is another nice bedroom, maybe for the grandchildren.

0:36:500:36:54

I thought of the grandchildren because there are two single beds in it.

0:36:560:37:00

But this could also maybe be your treatment room. It's a bit higher up.

0:37:000:37:04

Yellow. You've got nice views of the marina.

0:37:040:37:08

-Soothing. It's proven that it's soothing for counselling people.

-Excellent. It would be ideal.

0:37:080:37:14

-It's perfect.

-The marina would be very useful because that's where you'd keep the cruising boats.

0:37:140:37:20

Hang on, you're starting to sound a bit too eager!

0:37:200:37:22

I just want to know, where do I sign?

0:37:220:37:26

Before you start budgeting for a new cruiser, let's go outside and talk about the price.

0:37:260:37:31

Ah, the sound of the halyards, the flapping of the sails,

0:37:360:37:41

the cries of the gulls, the lapping of the water...

0:37:410:37:44

It's so peaceful.

0:37:440:37:46

-Do you love the house?

-I love it, I love it!

0:37:460:37:49

It's not hypnotising you?

0:37:490:37:50

-Not really, no.

-What about you, Mike? You're in love with it, aren't you?

0:37:500:37:54

I think it's a lovely position but at the end of the day,

0:37:540:37:59

I have to bow to senior management.

0:37:590:38:02

How much do you think it costs?

0:38:020:38:03

310?

0:38:030:38:05

310?

0:38:050:38:08

I'm going to go a little bit higher and say 370.

0:38:080:38:11

370.

0:38:110:38:13

I'm going to give you a piece of information that might help you make your mind up one way or the other.

0:38:130:38:18

-You think so?

-This property is on the market for...£545,000.

0:38:180:38:25

That must be one of the few occasions when the price of a house stops an argument rather than starts one.

0:38:250:38:31

-That's true.

-A shame, though.

-The picture of relief on your face!

0:38:310:38:35

-"Such a shame."

-Such a shame.

0:38:350:38:36

Yes, properties by the coast are spectacularly expensive.

0:38:360:38:42

-Amazing.

-This is probably the last chance you'll get to look at those views

0:38:420:38:46

-so why don't you go round, have a look and I'll meet you out the front?

-OK.

0:38:460:38:51

Poor Mike - he looked genuinely heartbroken, whereas Shirley, absolutely gleeful.

0:38:510:38:57

Well, it's the mystery house. You really can't guarantee what's going to happen.

0:38:570:39:03

With an asking price of £545,000, this marina townhouse is considerably over-budget

0:39:030:39:09

but having been on the market for some months, there should be some bargaining room.

0:39:090:39:16

You couldn't get much closer to the water.

0:39:160:39:18

But it doesn't look like our skipper and cabin girl

0:39:270:39:30

will be making it their port of call.

0:39:300:39:32

The views are gorgeous, aren't they?

0:39:340:39:36

I must admit they are.

0:39:360:39:37

You're right there.

0:39:370:39:39

I think Mike thought it was Christmas when we came here.

0:39:390:39:42

He's talked about something like this in the past.

0:39:420:39:45

I've enjoyed it, coming here. It's been great fun. But really, realistically, it's not for me.

0:39:450:39:53

The position of the mystery house is absolutely perfect -

0:39:530:39:56

On the beach, overlooking the water, boats all around you. I couldn't ask for anything better.

0:39:560:40:01

Reluctantly, I have to concede on this one.

0:40:010:40:05

-Ah! Mike, did you get one last look?

-One last look.

-It's etched into your memory.

0:40:060:40:11

-Yes, yes.

-Shirley will never let you see it again.

0:40:110:40:15

-No. Never.

-Come on, we'll go and find some place to recuperate.

0:40:150:40:18

I was hoping the maritime magic of the mystery house

0:40:240:40:27

was going to leave Mike completely besotted with the sea

0:40:270:40:30

but that didn't work out and that's probably a good thing in Shirley's case.

0:40:300:40:34

So let's find out what they finally think about all the houses I've shown them.

0:40:340:40:38

I only thought it was fitting that we finish our adventures here in Devon down by the seaside.

0:40:420:40:48

Have you enjoyed it?

0:40:480:40:50

Thoroughly enjoyed it. I've had a wonderful time.

0:40:500:40:53

If you can cast our mind back to the very first property we showed you, you were quite taken by this.

0:40:530:40:58

I liked the entrance. Lovely driveway.

0:40:580:41:01

Really neat and well-done and that master bedroom, with the balcony.

0:41:010:41:07

That was really good.

0:41:070:41:09

And of course, the big thing with it was it was moveable-into tomorrow,

0:41:090:41:14

which is one of the things that we've pulled out of this, one of the things we're looking for. So it was good.

0:41:140:41:21

And I also really learnt there how intuitive you are about house-buying.

0:41:210:41:25

It really was, "This, no. That, yes."

0:41:250:41:27

Because when we took you to see the house in Budleigh Salterton...

0:41:270:41:31

I just wanted to stay there.

0:41:310:41:34

I loved it.

0:41:340:41:36

That beautiful conservatory,

0:41:360:41:39

which was something we'd been thinking about for a long time,

0:41:390:41:42

and to move into something like that would be really great.

0:41:420:41:46

It was so jolly relaxing there, too.

0:41:460:41:49

We could sit and chill out.

0:41:490:41:51

And then the mystery house...

0:41:510:41:53

-I know that secretly you really...

-I fell in love with.

0:41:550:41:58

That was really one for you, Mike.

0:41:590:42:02

Did that bring anything into focus?

0:42:020:42:04

Yes, once we found out the price,

0:42:040:42:07

it made me realise there that living right on the edge of the sea

0:42:070:42:12

does come at a price.

0:42:120:42:14

I think the house itself wasn't for us.

0:42:140:42:17

Looking overall, because it was a very big, wide brief you gave me,

0:42:170:42:21

and I was wondering whether the course of the programme has helped you focus in on what's important,

0:42:210:42:28

and was there one of those houses that you'd like to proceed on?

0:42:280:42:32

Budleigh Salterton. Although...it hasn't been on the market very long, I understand.

0:42:320:42:38

And there's a lot of interest. And we haven't actually finalised the selling of our house yet.

0:42:380:42:43

It's been fantastic. I've enjoyed showing you around these properties.

0:42:430:42:47

You have a great sense of humour, and I hope you put down anchors here soon,

0:42:470:42:51

because the county is crying out for you.

0:42:510:42:54

-Thank you, Alastair. We've had a wonderful week, really enjoyed it.

-It's been really great.

0:42:540:42:59

-My pleasure, Cap'n.

-Aye, aye.

0:42:590:43:01

I do think this show has brought things into nautical, crisp focus.

0:43:050:43:09

Too close to the sea is too expensive.

0:43:090:43:11

They want something they can move straight into and they would like a balcony.

0:43:110:43:15

If you've been inspired to make a move, rural or nautical,

0:43:150:43:19

make sure you join us next time for more Escape To The Country.

0:43:190:43:23

If you want to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,

0:43:230:43:26

Northern Ireland or England and would like our help, please apply online at:

0:43:260:43:32

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0:43:400:43:42

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