Cornwall Escape to the Country


Cornwall

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Welcome to Escape To The Country.

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Now, this tranquil spot and the ancient church that overlooks it

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is surrounded by myth and mystery, and a legend that helped inspire

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one of our most popular and famous hymns.

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But where are we, and what's the story?

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Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.

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Today, it's a long-standing dream

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that's driving an active and creative couple

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to search for their country paradise.

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And they're more than ready to part with their cash.

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Have you got your cheque book?

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Ah! Excellent. That's a good start, isn't it?

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And a celebratory tipple is already on the cards.

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What do you think about the bar?

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Do you think you could use it for some other purpose?

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I think I'd be inclined to keep it as a bar, my dear.

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LAUGHTER

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Well, today, we are in Cornwall and this is

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the rather pretty, 13th-century St Just In Roseland Church,

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tucked away on the banks of this gorgeous little creek,

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just across the water from Falmouth,

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and it's one of several spots here in the West Country

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that it's thought were visited by a teenage Jesus,

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who was then travelling with his relative Joseph of Arimathea,

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who, it's thought at the time, was a wealthy merchant

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dealing in Cornish tin.

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Now, the idea and the legend that Jesus visited Britain

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became immortalised in the words of the 19th-century hymn Jerusalem,

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written by the poet William Blake.

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Without a doubt, it is my favourite hymn

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and it's gone down as a national favourite.

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Cornwall is England's most south-westerly county,

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sharing an inland border with Devon,

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meeting the Celtic Sea to the north and west,

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and the English Channel to the south.

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The region 's sole city is Truro,

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with the tall spires of its cathedral

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towering over the Georgian streets.

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In 1880, the foundation stones for this spectacular place of worship

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were laid by Queen Victoria's eldest son Edward VII,

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and 30 years later, the cathedral was complete -

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the year of his death.

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Moving out towards the coast,

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Cornwall boasts miles and miles of glorious beaches,

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overlooked by pretty coastal villages.

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Towards the east of the region,

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Bodmin Moor has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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as has almost a third of Cornwall.

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Here, the 80 square miles are cloaked in heather

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and grazed upon by moorland ponies.

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So, with its rich canvas of stunning architecture

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and dramatic natural beauty,

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Cornwall is a hugely popular destination

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for both visitors and escapees alike.

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Well, behind me is the beautiful backdrop of St Mawes.

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It's just one of numerous coastal settlements that, for many people,

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really define what life is like in this maritime county,

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and it's worth remembering that, no matter where you are in Cornwall,

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you're never more than 25 miles from the sea.

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As for house prices, they are often as attractive as the views.

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Currently, the average price of a detached property here

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is £277,000.

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That's some £22,000 below the national figure.

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Now, of course, a house with a view like that is going to come

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at a premium, but, nonetheless, as a county,

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it does represent pretty good value for money.

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So, let's meet today's buyers and find out what's persuaded them

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to weigh anchor and move to the South West.

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Part-time lecturer Heather and her Merchant Navy officer husband David

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live near Chelmsford, but have been in Essex since the 1980s.

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They wed just six months after they met 36 years ago.

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I'd definitely say Heather is the noisy one.

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She's the one that's outward-going more than I am,

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although I think I have learned from her over the years

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and we've met in the middle somewhere now.

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The couple's two grown-up sons have now flown the nest

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and their four-bedroomed, mock-Tudor detached home is up for sale.

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Looking forward to their upcoming retirement,

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Heather and David are planning on moving out of Essex.

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I wouldn't say that Chelmsford exactly has

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a great sense of community.

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It is literally a commuter town.

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And there's one West Country county that has captured their hearts.

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I've always liked Cornwall.

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I started to go down there when I was a baby

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and sort of grew up going on holidays,

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and when I go into Cornwall,

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I feel that it's my natural home, that I've come home,

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and that's really a feeling that I like and want to keep.

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When they make their move,

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Heather and David are planning on enjoying their hobbies,

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and master mariner David has also got his eye on some new ones.

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'I'm coming up to retirement age now,

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'so I shall be looking for some retirement activities.

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'I've been involved in the nautical industry from the age of 13

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'and I look forward to being able to give something back

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'to the marine industry,'

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and I'd very much like to get involved

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with the National Coastwatch Institution,

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which is a voluntary organisation.

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I will be giving up my work

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and I would like to get involved with the local community.

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I would like to develop my art skills as well

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and I would like to sort of relax a bit,

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cos I feel at the moment that we are living our lives

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in a very full and very active way.

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I'd still like to be active,

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but in a little bit more of a relaxed surrounding.

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All they need now is a sale on their house

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and they will be opening the door to their future.

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This move means a culmination of all my dreams and hopes.

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I would love a lovely home in Cornwall,

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where I can welcome my sons and my grandchildren

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and we can enjoy the Cornish scenery and the Cornish life together.

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That's what I want from Cornwall - happiness, relaxation

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and a jolly good retirement.

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Heather and David have asked us to concentrate our search

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between the towns of Falmouth to the west and Looe to the east.

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But before we commence our journey to find them their new home,

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we're all catching up in Cornwall on the banks of Charlestown's

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picturesque harbour to discuss the details of their property wish list.

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Well, Heather, David, what a place to start our house search.

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-It certainly is. Look at that.

-For a master mariner, come on, look!

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I think it really does set the scene

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and, for many people, this view is what Cornwall is all about.

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Its maritime heritage is writ large right across this glorious county.

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But let's get down to the hard facts

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of what it is you're looking for, Heather.

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Well, we would like at least a three-bedroomed house.

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I would very much like a beautiful stone Cornish cottage,

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but I realise that may not be possible.

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We don't want acres of ground,

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but we want something with a little bit of character and, of course,

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we want something to accommodate David's head height.

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Yes! I mean, I'm just under six foot. How tall are you, David?

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-Just under six foot six.

-Wow!

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Obviously the boys are going to come down and see you,

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so what about reception space? Cos, at the end of the day,

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that's where life's going to unfold on a day-to-day basis.

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Well, I'd like a really nice lounge.

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I think that's the most important thing,

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a really nice, big lounge

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where we could have the boys and their families down.

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I'm not so worried about the kitchen or the other bedrooms,

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but David would like a study, and if there's a room,

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it could even a small bedroom,

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which I could sort of turn into an art studio,

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that would be absolutely ideal.

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In terms of garden space, you mentioned earlier,

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-we're not after acres.

-Yes, I'd like somewhere where I can sit out,

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have a cup of tea or a glass of wine and some sandwiches,

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and I'd like somewhere to potter as well,

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perhaps David wants to grow a few vegetables.

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I'd like to plant some flowers and have some tubs.

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-And you can't do that at sea, can you?

-Absolutely not. Total change.

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LAUGHTER

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We have got an interesting range of properties here in Cornwall

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to show you. How much are we going to spend then, David?

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-Well, our budget for the move would be £550,000.

-Wow.

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But, for a suitable property, we could uplift that

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-to maybe 560 at a pinch.

-Wow!

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I am confident that with your very generous 550

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or maybe a little bit more,

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we should be able to find you what you're looking for,

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from the range of properties that we have to show you,

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including, of course, our Mystery House.

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Oh, this is exciting! I'm really looking forward to it.

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I'm afraid we have to bid farewell to lovely, historic Charlestown

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and its wonderful boats and its wonderful sea view,

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and head inland to our first property.

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-Come on, let's go.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

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For their top budget of £560,000,

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Heather and David are after a character Cornish home

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with at least three bedrooms

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and enough headroom to accommodate David.

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They'd like a living room, great for entertaining,

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and a couple of hobby rooms.

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Outside, they're after a manageable garden with views

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and they'd also like to be close to the local community.

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Our varied selection of properties will give Heather and David

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food for thought, but it'll only be after they've viewed each one

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that its price tag will be revealed to them.

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The final visit to the Mystery House

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is sure to turn things on their head,

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but, with an open mind, it could be the answer to their dreams.

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Our Cornish house-hunt is taking us to the English village of Luxulyan.

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Locals are served by a village store and post office,

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and the village hall provides plenty of social opportunities,

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as does the popular dining pub.

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The parish church, originally Norman,

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was completely rebuilt in the 15th century from granite.

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One of its windows is a monument to a 19th-century architect,

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whose name is also linked to this detached house

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on the edge of the village.

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Well, Heather, you wanted a Cornish house made of Cornish stone.

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-How about this one?

-It looks...

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-Like an old school.

-..like an old school.

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It looks really interesting.

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-It is an old school.

-And I love the old stonework.

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And I notice it was built in 1871.

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It was, by the amazingly named Silvanus Trevail.

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He was an architect actually born in the village here.

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He built around 50 schools around Cornwall.

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When it was originally put together, there was no middle floor,

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just a huge, kind of vaulted space,

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so the current owners have inserted a floor throughout it.

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Well, it looks like, dare I say it,

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a hidden gem you've found for us,

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so I'm very interested to open the package and let's see what's inside.

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Right, then, let's open the package. Come on.

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'This impressive property was built from local granite

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'and converted into a family home around 1970,

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'a century after it was built.

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'Once inside, a long hallway divides the ground floor in two

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'and it's home to a rather fun surprise feature.'

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Come this way, guys, because this, I think, is really unusual.

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-Wine rack set into the fireplace.

-Oh!

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THEY CHUCKLE

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I'm sure you could fill it and just as easily empty it.

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We could make a good attempt!

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Anyway, this is the kitchen.

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Nicely fitted. Very simple.

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Oh, I like the kitchen.

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It's very nice and I like the view from the window.

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-And very spacious as well.

-Really spacious.

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They've got this breakfast bar in here, but next door, you've got

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a really nicely appointed dining room as well

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if you want to have more formal dining and so on,

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but I imagine, sort of, for every day...

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Yes, absolutely ideal.

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I would like to see the rest of the rooms, though, please.

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Oh, yes, absolutely, of course you can. Follow me.

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Beyond the kitchen and past the dining room is the sitting room.

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And, although it's beamed,

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there's enough headroom for all 6'6" of David.

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-Well, the beams aren't too low, are they?

-It's high enough,

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but I'm a bit worried about what Heather's about to say.

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It's a little bit too small, I think.

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It seems to come in a little bit at me.

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Whether we could get used to it, I'm not sure.

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I certainly take your point,

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but I do think it benefits from the addition of this conservatory here,

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which I rather liken to the bridge of a ship.

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-Yes, you could certainly survey your domain from here.

-Yeah.

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I do like that view. That view is lovely.

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What I'm thinking about is, is that a solid wall?

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You could potentially open that up.

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It would become a diner-cum-living room.

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There are so many other features that recommend this property to you.

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There's also one twist, which I can't wait to show you.

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Come on, follow me.

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Also on this side of the house

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is a bath and shower room and a cloakroom.

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Now, this is a little surprise I've got for you, Heather.

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David could probably reach this.

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'Above our heads is a loft hatch concealing something rather special.'

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All will be revealed.

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'The pull-down stairway takes us to a vaulted loft room

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'that runs the length of the house.

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'It's bright and airy, so could provide a perfect space

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'for a budding artist.'

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My gosh!

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-Yeah?

-Yeah!

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This has got the light that you would need

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from both ends of the room.

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This would be absolutely superb.

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Look at that smile! I know we had a bit of a downer in the living room,

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didn't we? But, somehow, I think our little graph has picked up again.

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I think the old compromise is coming into play here, isn't it?

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Well, you know, what you lose with one,

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often a property will make up for with another,

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and I think this, certainly, should recommend this place to you.

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It's lovely.

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Moving back downstairs into the other side of the house,

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there's a utility room and three ground-floor bedrooms.

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At the front, there's a small double and next door is a single.

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The master overlooks the back and has its own en-suite shower room.

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The nature of this converted schoolhouse

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means the upstairs accommodation isn't conventional.

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As well as the loft ladder leading to the potential studio,

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there are two separate staircases,

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each leading to a first-floor bedroom,

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again featuring vaulted ceilings.

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That makes five bedrooms in total.

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But next stop is the garden.

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Hot tub straight outside the master bedroom...

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-..for a morning dip.

-Indeed!

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Outside the conservatory opens onto a raised terrace

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with views across the lawn, a pond and a panoramic countryside vista.

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There's also a walled side garden and a summer house-cum-bar.

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It's an ideal size.

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Not too much to look after.

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Very, very low maintenance. I love the walls that surround it.

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You've got a nice sort of tool shed there,

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very much in keeping, obviously, with the original building,

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and the views, you know, not bad, really.

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It's a lovely spot.

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It's beautifully quiet.

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What do you think about the bar?

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I think that looks excellent, myself.

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Do you think we could use it for some other purpose?

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I think I'd be inclined to keep it as a bar, my dear.

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What other purpose could you possibly have in mind

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for your art studi... Er, sorry, David! Sorry.

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LAUGHTER

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You've got an art studio in the loft!

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So, I think this is of interest.

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-Yes.

-But, of course, it will come down to its price.

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-I would go round about 520.

-Mm-hm.

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I think it's probably a little bit more, so I'm going 525.

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If it was £500,000, that makes it very doable.

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-That's interesting.

-That's interesting.

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That would give us money to be able to perhaps change it

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to the way we might want it.

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Yes, it's a really good first house.

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Have another look at this one, because it is quite cavernous.

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There's plenty to see.

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Go on, off you go, and I will come and find you later on.

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This 19th-century old schoolhouse is under budget,

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leaving a healthy £60,000 in the kitty.

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It's got the potential for a great family room,

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along with the huge loft room and five bedrooms.

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With the garden comes many additional features

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along with those lovely views

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and the property is located right on the edge of the village.

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When I approached the house, it looked lovely.

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I loved the stone, and I loved the age of the house

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and the big, wide driveway.

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Then there was the attic space.

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Well, that was a complete surprise.

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I mean, I'd never dream I could get anything as big as that as a studio.

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Well, overall, I'd feel this house has got a lot of potential for us.

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I had a reasonably good feeling in most of the house.

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Certainly, the art studio potential would be very nice for Heather.

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-How are you doing?

-Very nicely, thank you, Jules.

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-All done?

-It's very interesting.

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A really good first house.

0:17:130:17:15

-I thought you'd think that. Come on, let's go.

-Thank you.

0:17:150:17:18

With 50 years at sea under his belt,

0:17:240:17:26

David can't wait to make the most of the Cornish coastline,

0:17:260:17:29

which spans a distance of over 400 miles.

0:17:290:17:33

He has hopes of joining the NCI, the National Coastwatch Institution,

0:17:330:17:38

a voluntary organisation,

0:17:380:17:40

which keeps a vigil watch along the UK's shores

0:17:400:17:43

to keep seafarers safe.

0:17:430:17:45

This is Polruan NCI, over.

0:17:450:17:47

David and Heather have come to the ancient fishing village of Polruan

0:17:480:17:52

to meet Richard Hews,

0:17:520:17:53

a trustee of the NCI at one of the 50 stations in England and Wales.

0:17:530:17:58

Can you tell me, please, when was the NCI set up

0:17:580:18:01

and where did the idea come from?

0:18:010:18:04

Way back in 1994, two fishermen were tragically drowned off the Lizard.

0:18:050:18:11

They were in the vicinity of a disused coastguard station.

0:18:110:18:16

The local community were very upset by this and asked the National Trust

0:18:160:18:20

if they could reopen the station on a voluntary basis,

0:18:200:18:24

and Bass Point was reopened in December 1994 and NCI was born.

0:18:240:18:29

I'm actually a serving Merchant Navy officer.

0:18:290:18:33

Do you consider I've got the correct qualifications for the job?

0:18:330:18:35

David, you'd be in an ideal position to become an NCI watchkeeper.

0:18:350:18:40

You don't actually need to have previous maritime experience.

0:18:400:18:44

A lot of watch-keeping is common sense,

0:18:440:18:47

but you need patience, vigilance, a good pair of eyes,

0:18:470:18:52

and if we can make a difference in helping to protect and preserve life

0:18:520:18:57

and safety at sea,

0:18:570:18:58

then we feel we are doing a worthwhile job

0:18:580:19:01

and we're passionate about it.

0:19:010:19:02

There are 2,000 volunteers, like Richard, around the country

0:19:030:19:07

and he's one of 40 watchkeepers who volunteer here at Polruan.

0:19:070:19:11

This lookout was opened in 1998 and sits 240 feet up

0:19:110:19:16

in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

0:19:160:19:18

Right, come on in.

0:19:210:19:23

Welcome to the lookout.

0:19:230:19:25

Dan is on A-watch this morning.

0:19:250:19:27

You can see from here that he's got a very good view of the coastline

0:19:270:19:32

in front and to the east and the west.

0:19:320:19:35

He's also monitoring several different radio channels.

0:19:350:19:39

We have a number of optics,

0:19:390:19:41

which aid us in looking further out to sea,

0:19:410:19:44

according to the visibility.

0:19:440:19:47

These are all important aids to watch-keeping,

0:19:470:19:51

but it can't spot a local fisherman in distress

0:19:510:19:54

or a yacht with an engine breakdown

0:19:540:19:56

or a kayaker or a canoeist who's in trouble.

0:19:560:19:59

What you need is the Mark One Eyeball for that...

0:19:590:20:01

-Absolutely.

-..and that's what we do, visual surveillance.

0:20:010:20:04

That's why we are here.

0:20:040:20:05

So, Richard, could you please tell me

0:20:050:20:08

what a typical day would be like in the lookout?

0:20:080:20:10

I don't think there's any such thing as a typical day.

0:20:100:20:14

Sometimes we come up here and you can't even see to the edge of the cliff,

0:20:140:20:19

but we can listen to the radio,

0:20:190:20:21

we can see what's going on through radar,

0:20:210:20:23

there's always ongoing familiarisation and training to do in the lookout.

0:20:230:20:28

All of the sophisticated technology in use here is invaluable, but,

0:20:300:20:35

as Richard says, there's nothing quite like a watchful pair of eyes,

0:20:350:20:39

and something that makes spotting trouble that little bit easier

0:20:390:20:42

are these powerful tripod-mounted optics.

0:20:420:20:45

I've got the edge of the coastline.

0:20:450:20:47

Yes, I can see it quite well now. It's very clear.

0:20:490:20:51

If you see somebody in the water, what would you do then?

0:20:520:20:56

Well, the phrase to remember is "spot, plot and report".

0:20:560:21:00

Once we've spotted somebody who is either in danger

0:21:020:21:05

or looks as if they might be going into danger,

0:21:050:21:08

we need to plot as accurate a position as we can very quickly

0:21:080:21:13

and then we will relay that position,

0:21:130:21:17

by phone, to the coastguard,

0:21:170:21:19

and then they will decide on the resolution of

0:21:190:21:22

that particular situation.

0:21:220:21:24

With his marine background,

0:21:240:21:26

David's training won't be too lengthy if he joins the Coastwatch.

0:21:260:21:30

And with the organisation involved

0:21:300:21:32

with almost 300 incidents last year alone,

0:21:320:21:35

the work he could be doing would be very much appreciated.

0:21:350:21:38

You've seen our lookout. What do you think of it?

0:21:380:21:41

Very interesting, too.

0:21:410:21:42

I think I could be very interested in joining

0:21:420:21:44

when we actually, finally move down here.

0:21:440:21:46

I should say also that we do have

0:21:460:21:48

a number of husband-and-wife teams who keep watch together,

0:21:480:21:51

and they do extremely well,

0:21:510:21:52

-so I hope we do see you again.

-I'm sure you will.

0:21:520:21:55

-I shall look forward to a nice cup of tea, then.

-Thank you so much.

0:21:550:21:58

-Yes, thank you, Richard.

-Thank you.

0:21:580:22:00

David may have all but signed on the dotted line,

0:22:000:22:03

but, for now, it's time to press pause on our Cornish journey

0:22:030:22:07

until our quest to give him and Heather a new address resumes tomorrow.

0:22:070:22:11

It's the second leg of our coast around Cornwall

0:22:150:22:18

on the hunt for a country pad

0:22:180:22:20

for Heather and David from near Chelmsford, in Essex.

0:22:200:22:23

With a top budget of £560,000 in their pockets,

0:22:230:22:27

we've been given the job of finding them a home full of Cornish charm

0:22:270:22:31

that also has high enough ceilings for 6'6" David.

0:22:310:22:35

'Coming up, we've got a surprise in our Mystery House...'

0:22:350:22:38

-It is like...a five-star hotel.

-Yeah.

0:22:380:22:43

Do you want to check in, I wonder?

0:22:430:22:46

'..and I'll be getting the pick of the county's bunch

0:22:460:22:48

'when I discover why this pocket of the country is carpeted

0:22:480:22:52

'by the biggest concentration of daffodils in the world.'

0:22:520:22:55

You've got a rubber band already on yours,

0:22:550:22:57

I haven't even picked enough yet! LAUGHTER

0:22:570:22:59

Well, our Cornish quest is now heading into its final leg

0:23:030:23:06

and with two more properties to come,

0:23:060:23:08

we've managed to conjure up a Mystery House that should offer

0:23:080:23:11

Heather and David a real slice of grand country living,

0:23:110:23:14

and that I hope will prove to be as memorable as it is unusual.

0:23:140:23:18

But first, a property that I hope will really appeal

0:23:180:23:21

to their love of the coast, and what's more,

0:23:210:23:23

it's just a stone's throw from this beautiful harbour.

0:23:230:23:27

Mevagissey is a village on Cornwall's southern coast.

0:23:270:23:31

This pretty fishing port attracts tourists to its harbour

0:23:310:23:34

and narrow streets, teeming with artisan shops and eateries.

0:23:340:23:39

In the late 1700s, Andrew Pears, a farmer's son, was born here.

0:23:390:23:43

He later invented and gave his name

0:23:430:23:46

to a very famous amber-coloured soap.

0:23:460:23:48

Just five minutes' walk from the centre of the village

0:23:480:23:51

and perched on a hill with views to the coast is our next offering.

0:23:510:23:54

Looks absolutely magnificent.

0:23:540:23:56

-Lovely.

-Have you got your cheque book?

0:23:560:23:59

Ah, excellent! That's a good start, isn't it?

0:23:590:24:02

-Oh, come on, please, can we go in?

-Come on.

0:24:020:24:06

This fabulous whitewashed detached villa certainly looks

0:24:060:24:09

perfectly in place with its palm tree and its proximity to the sea.

0:24:090:24:14

It was once a guest house and, with a local history of smugglers,

0:24:140:24:17

who knows who may have rested here in the past?

0:24:170:24:20

I love the double doorway.

0:24:200:24:22

It's a classic layout - central hallway, dining room is in there,

0:24:230:24:27

but let's start in here. This is the living room.

0:24:270:24:30

I just love it. I could see us living here very happily already.

0:24:330:24:37

-And it's cosy as well.

-And it's cosy.

-Yes.

0:24:370:24:40

It could be our home already.

0:24:400:24:42

Wow! That's a great reaction!

0:24:420:24:45

I wasn't expecting that, to be honest with you, but I'm delighted.

0:24:450:24:48

I don't need to sell this any more, do I?

0:24:480:24:50

-No, we're off, Jules. We're going to...

-Go on, then, you can go.

0:24:500:24:52

Let's have a look at the kitchen.

0:24:520:24:54

Just to remind you - sumptuous, Victorian-style dining room in there

0:24:540:24:59

and then this, the galley kitchen,

0:24:590:25:00

which is sort of appropriate, I suppose,

0:25:000:25:02

for a master mariner, David.

0:25:020:25:03

This would be very appropriate and extremely good to work in.

0:25:030:25:08

You know, for a galley kitchen, it does extend this way which is,

0:25:080:25:10

I think, a really useful space for the dining table,

0:25:100:25:13

nice little range at the end, there,

0:25:130:25:15

but the whole thing is really complemented by

0:25:150:25:17

this rather useful garden room as well

0:25:170:25:20

that really does milk those views.

0:25:200:25:23

Oh, what a wonderful conservatory.

0:25:230:25:25

Absolutely fabulous. Absolutely beautiful.

0:25:250:25:28

Yeah. It's the bridge, it's your own maritime bridge.

0:25:280:25:31

It's my own little domain.

0:25:310:25:33

All you need is a ship's wheel in the middle

0:25:330:25:35

-and you'll feel right at home.

-Indeed.

-Absolutely.

0:25:350:25:38

I can see all our friends will want to visit us.

0:25:380:25:41

Well, let's find some bedrooms for them, shall we? Come with me.

0:25:410:25:44

The stairway from the entrance hall leads up to the first floor,

0:25:450:25:49

where all the rooms are off a wide landing

0:25:490:25:51

and served by a bright, monochrome family bathroom.

0:25:510:25:55

There are four double bedrooms, one in each corner of the house,

0:25:550:25:59

and whilst they're all generously sized,

0:25:590:26:02

the biggest of the four is the master,

0:26:020:26:04

which comes with an en-suite shower room and sea views.

0:26:040:26:08

What a good master bedroom this is.

0:26:100:26:12

-I love the big windows and the light pouring in.

-Mm-hm.

-That's fantastic.

0:26:120:26:18

There's nothing more I can say. It's a really superb house.

0:26:180:26:22

-Yes.

-All right, then.

0:26:220:26:24

Come on, let's continue, there's plenty more to this place.

0:26:240:26:26

Below ground, in a basement level,

0:26:280:26:31

lies a warren of rooms to give even more options for hobbies

0:26:310:26:34

and visiting friends and family.

0:26:340:26:36

There's a utility room, a bathroom and a shower room,

0:26:360:26:40

a sauna, an office and a studio that's currently in use

0:26:400:26:44

as a treatment room. Outside, there's a garage

0:26:440:26:47

and a beautiful, multi-level garden.

0:26:470:26:49

It's a little sun trap.

0:26:510:26:52

-Isn't it?

-It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

0:26:520:26:56

You couldn't have done more for us.

0:26:560:26:57

I quite agree with that.

0:26:580:27:00

It's been absolutely a privilege to come round this property.

0:27:000:27:03

-A privilege?

-A privilege, indeed.

0:27:030:27:05

Will it be a privilege to buy it, then?

0:27:050:27:07

Where are we on this one, then, David?

0:27:070:27:09

Well, it's a lovely house.

0:27:090:27:12

Stunning location.

0:27:120:27:13

I think it's nearer to the top end of our budget.

0:27:130:27:15

-Yep.

-Yeah.

-I'd go for 530,000.

0:27:150:27:18

530?

0:27:180:27:20

I think it's going to be slightly higher than that,

0:27:200:27:23

and I'll go for 545.

0:27:230:27:26

It's not £545,000, I'm afraid.

0:27:260:27:28

It's £480,000. SHE GASPS

0:27:290:27:32

For once, you're lost for words!

0:27:350:27:37

-Good gracious!

-Yes!

0:27:370:27:40

Absolutely unbelievable.

0:27:400:27:42

And that would give us plenty of money to do it up.

0:27:420:27:45

You did say 480, didn't you?

0:27:450:27:47

I did. They are the right numbers in the right order.

0:27:470:27:51

-That's incredible.

-Right then, better wet the ink, mate.

0:27:510:27:53

I suspect you'll be writing something fairly quickly!

0:27:530:27:56

-Go and have another look around.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

0:27:560:27:58

Go on, then. Off you go.

0:27:580:28:00

This wonderful detached house has come in way under budget,

0:28:020:28:06

and gives Heather and David

0:28:060:28:07

everything they've asked for and more.

0:28:070:28:10

There's a great living room and a spectacular conservatory,

0:28:100:28:13

along with four bedrooms.

0:28:130:28:15

The basement offers plenty of extra space,

0:28:150:28:18

and then there's the garden with all its nooks, crannies and sea views.

0:28:180:28:22

Location-wise, it couldn't be better situated,

0:28:220:28:25

close to amenities and the sea.

0:28:250:28:27

Well, it's a really lovely house. It has heaps of character.

0:28:270:28:32

I can see Heather and I living here for a long time to come.

0:28:320:28:35

It's light, it's airy.

0:28:360:28:38

The garden is a real, little sun trap.

0:28:380:28:41

I don't think we could better this.

0:28:410:28:42

Well, look at these beaming faces!

0:28:440:28:47

-Happy with the studio?

-It's fabulous.

0:28:470:28:49

Well, I am delighted at your reaction to this property,

0:28:490:28:52

and if it were the last property on our list, so far so good.

0:28:520:28:56

However, of course, there is one more to come.

0:28:560:28:58

-The Mystery House.

-The Mystery House.

0:28:580:29:00

Can it possibly better this one?

0:29:000:29:02

Who knows, but I am pleased to think

0:29:020:29:04

that at least we've got one really good contender on our list.

0:29:040:29:07

Come on, let's go.

0:29:070:29:08

There's nothing more vibrant to signal the arrival of spring

0:29:160:29:19

to the British countryside than the sight of yellow daffodils

0:29:190:29:22

swaying in the breeze.

0:29:220:29:25

And it seems we Brits just can't get enough of them.

0:29:250:29:28

An estimated three-quarters of a billion daffs

0:29:280:29:31

are grown commercially in the UK each year.

0:29:310:29:34

But it's Cornwall that's the largest producer of this springtime bloom

0:29:350:29:39

in the world.

0:29:390:29:41

I've come to meet James Hosking on his 25,000-acre farm near Truro,

0:29:410:29:46

where his father first planted my favourite flower half a century ago.

0:29:460:29:50

I had no idea that Cornwall was the home of the British daffodil.

0:29:510:29:55

Yes, the climate down here is absolutely ideally suited to daffodils,

0:29:550:30:00

and it's really because we've got these mild springs,

0:30:000:30:03

which mean we get the daffodils before everyone else.

0:30:030:30:05

They do look beautiful today, putting on a fabulous show.

0:30:050:30:09

How many acres have you got given over to daffodils, James?

0:30:090:30:12

Of daffodils, we've got about 170 acres.

0:30:120:30:14

And how many daffodils is it possible to quantify

0:30:140:30:18

that you actually produce here?

0:30:180:30:19

Roughly, we pick about 15 million stems of flowers

0:30:190:30:22

-that go to market each year.

-15 million?!

0:30:220:30:26

And how many varieties?

0:30:260:30:27

Well, we've got about 400 different varieties.

0:30:270:30:30

We tend to have a lot of speciality daffodils,

0:30:300:30:33

as opposed to the Cornish crop,

0:30:330:30:34

which really is producing the early yellow trumpet daffodil.

0:30:340:30:39

These yellow flowers aren't just a pretty face -

0:30:390:30:41

they were brought to Britain centuries ago by the Romans,

0:30:410:30:44

who believed their sap to have healing powers.

0:30:440:30:47

But even today, a substance in their bulbs

0:30:470:30:49

is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's.

0:30:490:30:52

The daffodils on James's family farm are picked

0:30:540:30:56

from the beginning of January through to mid-April.

0:30:560:30:59

And although numbers run into many millions,

0:30:590:31:01

they're still plucked by hand.

0:31:010:31:03

They just look beautiful today.

0:31:060:31:08

I mean, that's a classic example, isn't it?

0:31:080:31:10

They do, and it is, but that's not what we want to pick.

0:31:100:31:12

That's how it needs to look in someone's vase.

0:31:120:31:14

So, actually, that's the one we want to pick.

0:31:140:31:17

-It's at the stage we pick it.

-The one that's unopened?

0:31:170:31:20

Unopened. This variety needs to just be showing a little bit of colour

0:31:200:31:23

to show... And that's at the right stage to pick it.

0:31:230:31:25

And do you cut them?

0:31:250:31:27

No, our way of doing it is what we call pulling it,

0:31:270:31:29

because what you want is a clean break on the stem, and not...

0:31:290:31:33

If you pick it, you can squash it, and they curl up and it looks tatty.

0:31:330:31:37

So our way is... No pressure in my thumb, I just grip it in my palm.

0:31:370:31:41

You give it a sharp pull up,

0:31:410:31:43

and it gives a clean break on the stem,

0:31:430:31:45

and also it gives me another inch longer stem,

0:31:450:31:49

-so that makes a longer bunch.

-That's the perfect picked daffodil.

0:31:490:31:52

-One of the 15 million.

-One of the 15 million.

0:31:520:31:55

Ten of those, and that's a bunch.

0:31:550:31:57

We've put this out in our cold store for tonight to cool down,

0:31:570:32:00

and then it's posted out tomorrow,

0:32:000:32:01

so in one day's time, it'll be on someone's kitchen table

0:32:010:32:04

or living room or whatever, and just starting to open.

0:32:040:32:07

I mean, can I just practise the technique

0:32:070:32:09

on this very pretty head here?

0:32:090:32:11

Because, you know, that to me...

0:32:110:32:13

And you're saying...pull, not pick.

0:32:130:32:16

Yeah, so grip it with your palm and don't pinch it with your thumb.

0:32:160:32:20

So grip it and just pull up.

0:32:200:32:21

There we are, a nice, clean break.

0:32:220:32:24

-And what variety is that one?

-This one's called Rosemoor Gold,

0:32:240:32:27

which is a new variety that was actually bred down here at Camborne.

0:32:270:32:30

Right, then, we'd better get picking, hadn't we?

0:32:300:32:33

There we go, that's a nice one, isn't it?

0:32:330:32:35

-That's very nice.

-Yep, there we are.

0:32:350:32:36

You've certainly got your work cut out, though, I mean,

0:32:360:32:39

-to get 15 million.

-That's right, and then, to finish off,

0:32:390:32:41

I have my daffodils, I want to even them up now,

0:32:410:32:43

so I give them a little twist to straighten all the stems

0:32:430:32:45

-and get them to

-line up. Yep.

0:32:450:32:47

Bring their heads on, and so you just...

0:32:490:32:52

Quick break on those, even up again.

0:32:520:32:55

-Look at that.

-And then, that's a nice bunch of daffodils.

0:32:560:32:59

You've got a rubber band already on yours,

0:32:590:33:02

I haven't even picked enough yet! LAUGHTER

0:33:020:33:04

I'm not sure I'm really going to help you towards your total.

0:33:040:33:07

-I've done it before.

-You certainly have.

0:33:070:33:10

Now, James may have 400 varieties of daffs on his farm,

0:33:100:33:14

but there are 13,000 hybrid varieties, too.

0:33:140:33:18

It's been a fascinating insight into what is, without question,

0:33:180:33:21

my favourite flower.

0:33:210:33:23

Well, Jules, it's been an absolute pleasure having you here,

0:33:230:33:26

and why don't you take those home to put in a vase?

0:33:260:33:28

I know exactly where they're going to go. Lovely.

0:33:280:33:31

-Made in Cornwall, just like they should be.

-Yeah.

0:33:310:33:34

Well, there's no doubt that these daffs are a sign of new beginnings.

0:33:340:33:38

So now, it's back to our house-hunt,

0:33:380:33:40

to continue our search for a new home for Heather and David.

0:33:400:33:44

Our final stop is the village of St Clement in mid-Cornwall.

0:33:500:33:54

Just south of St Clement is the village of Malpas,

0:33:540:33:57

which sits on the bank of the Truro River,

0:33:570:33:59

where it meets the River Tresillian.

0:33:590:34:01

Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Malpas is a port

0:34:010:34:05

and is popular for its boat trips in the summer months.

0:34:050:34:09

Five minutes away is St Clement, where we find our final offering,

0:34:090:34:13

which forms part of this grand, Georgian home.

0:34:130:34:16

Well, chaps, this very steep drive goes to the heart of explaining

0:34:170:34:21

in part how our Mystery House - there it is - is arranged.

0:34:210:34:24

-What do you think of that?

-Is it all of it?

0:34:240:34:27

No. You get...that cream wing.

0:34:270:34:31

-I like the style.

-It looks Georgian.

-Yes.

0:34:310:34:34

Its proportions on the inside are Georgian -

0:34:340:34:37

high ceilings, big windows, loads of light,

0:34:370:34:40

but, in truth, this was put on in the late 1980s.

0:34:400:34:45

-Right.

-Now, it is a wing of an earlier country house,

0:34:450:34:50

a mixture of Victorian and Georgian,

0:34:500:34:52

although, that bit there you can see is 1940s.

0:34:520:34:55

I do like the fact that it's set in nice woodland

0:34:550:34:58

and it's totally different to what we've seen before.

0:34:580:35:01

It's a slice of mini-estate, really.

0:35:010:35:04

Right then, let's have a look.

0:35:040:35:05

This rather grand, semi-detached house

0:35:070:35:09

uses its elevated position to its advantage

0:35:090:35:12

and has been laid out in an upside-down configuration

0:35:120:35:15

to make the most of the superb views across the Cornish countryside,

0:35:150:35:19

and so win it its title of Mystery House.

0:35:190:35:23

We're starting our tour in the sunlit living room.

0:35:230:35:25

Our Mystery House may be turned on its head,

0:35:250:35:28

but it's not hard to see why.

0:35:280:35:29

Well, this is the obvious place to start, I think,

0:35:310:35:34

and you can see how the reorientation of the downstairs

0:35:340:35:38

to the upstairs works rather nicely.

0:35:380:35:40

With those views out of the window

0:35:400:35:42

and these lovely, really generous proportions.

0:35:420:35:45

I do like the layout of the room and the size and the fireplace.

0:35:450:35:51

I like the fireplace very much.

0:35:510:35:52

It's certainly interesting and will certainly make us think.

0:35:520:35:56

Good. Well, let's have a look at the kitchen.

0:35:560:35:59

Dining room in there.

0:35:590:36:01

And then, in here... I mean, I think in fairness,

0:36:020:36:05

this is probably the same size as the living room next door.

0:36:050:36:10

-It is a lovely kitchen.

-I think you're probably right.

0:36:100:36:12

Lovely working space here.

0:36:120:36:14

They've got this as a bit of a sort of living end,

0:36:140:36:17

so the whole thing has had a quite recent refresh.

0:36:170:36:20

Not just in the kitchen, but also in the bathrooms, too.

0:36:200:36:22

Come on, follow me. Let's go and look downstairs.

0:36:220:36:25

'Also on this floor is a beautifully appointed bathroom,

0:36:250:36:29

'but it's downstairs where we find the sleeping quarters.'

0:36:290:36:31

Now, unusually, I thought we might start down here

0:36:340:36:37

with one of the two family bathrooms this place has to offer you.

0:36:370:36:42

Oh, this is a very good bathroom.

0:36:420:36:44

-Isn't it?

-I like the shower. Yeah. Super shower.

0:36:440:36:47

And I know Heather likes the bath.

0:36:480:36:50

I like the roll-top bath, that's really nice,

0:36:500:36:52

and the big radiator beside it.

0:36:520:36:54

This, really, is to flatter and spoil your guests with,

0:36:540:36:58

because the master bedroom, just across the hallway,

0:36:580:37:01

not surprisingly, has its own en suite.

0:37:010:37:03

Come and have a look at this.

0:37:030:37:06

It is very luxurious.

0:37:060:37:07

It is like...a five-star hotel.

0:37:070:37:11

Yeah.

0:37:110:37:12

Do you want to check in, I wonder?

0:37:120:37:14

Come on, let's go up and talk about the price.

0:37:140:37:17

Along with this luxurious master bedroom

0:37:180:37:20

are a further three double bedrooms on the ground floor.

0:37:200:37:24

There's one with an adjoining cloakroom,

0:37:240:37:26

a room of the same proportions next door

0:37:260:37:28

and another, slightly larger one across the corridor.

0:37:280:37:32

Moving back outside, as well as the private driveway,

0:37:320:37:35

there's also a lawned garden on the lower level,

0:37:350:37:38

surrounded by mature trees,

0:37:380:37:40

but the view can be best appreciated from a raised terrace.

0:37:400:37:44

There's no getting away from how intoxicating those views are, guys.

0:37:470:37:52

Make me an offer for our mystery, mock-Georgian number.

0:37:520:37:55

I think I would give you 430,000 for it.

0:37:550:38:00

-Oh, would you?

-I'd agree with Heather,

0:38:000:38:02

but I wouldn't go quite so low as that.

0:38:020:38:05

I think I'd price it at £460,000.

0:38:050:38:08

You know, there is a curious relationship

0:38:080:38:10

between the estimates people give on properties...

0:38:100:38:14

and how much they really love them.

0:38:140:38:16

This is on the market at £550,000

0:38:160:38:19

or, indeed, offers in excess of,

0:38:190:38:22

although, of course, open to negotiation.

0:38:220:38:24

So go and have a quick run round, don't take too long,

0:38:240:38:27

and I'll come and find you and whisk you away.

0:38:270:38:30

-Thank you.

-Off you go.

0:38:300:38:32

Our great and grand Mystery House has crept in just under budget.

0:38:350:38:40

It offers Heather and David both light and plenty of space.

0:38:400:38:44

There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms,

0:38:440:38:46

and, because it's an upside-down house,

0:38:460:38:48

there are wonderful views from many a window.

0:38:480:38:52

There's also a manageable garden

0:38:520:38:54

and the house is located just a short drive from amenities.

0:38:540:38:57

This property fulfils the criteria

0:38:570:38:59

of the Mystery House, most certainly.

0:38:590:39:02

It's quirky in the fact that it's an upside-down house.

0:39:020:39:06

However, it is a little bit isolated.

0:39:070:39:10

It's very interesting to see this property, though.

0:39:100:39:13

It's been an intriguing property

0:39:130:39:15

and one I've thoroughly enjoyed looking around.

0:39:150:39:18

There are a lot of nice features within this property,

0:39:180:39:22

so it does have a lot going for it,

0:39:220:39:24

but perhaps not enough for ourselves.

0:39:240:39:27

Out you come!

0:39:270:39:29

Right, then, that's it, our house tours are now all over.

0:39:300:39:33

You have got quite a lot to think about, I suspect.

0:39:330:39:37

-Shall we go?

-Yes.

-After you.

0:39:370:39:39

Well, it's now decision time for David and for Heather,

0:39:450:39:48

so, as a final treat on our trip to Cornwall this week,

0:39:480:39:51

I thought I'd bring them here

0:39:510:39:53

to the beautiful botanic Gardens at Tregothnan.

0:39:530:39:55

These are just part of what is still

0:39:550:39:57

the largest privately owned estate in Cornwall

0:39:570:40:01

and just over a decade ago, they started growing this stuff - tea.

0:40:010:40:05

It's the perfect place for a final chat

0:40:050:40:07

over a lovely, home-grown cuppa.

0:40:070:40:09

Well, this is all very civilised.

0:40:150:40:16

-How are you?

-I am very well, thank you.

0:40:160:40:18

A cup of Cornish tea, Cornish scones, and look -

0:40:180:40:21

Cornish daffodils that I picked.

0:40:210:40:23

-Cheers.

-Cheers, guys.

-Cheers.

0:40:230:40:26

Mmm. Now, then, before we celebrate completely...

0:40:260:40:30

..let's think about these properties,

0:40:310:40:33

cos we've given you, I think, a really interesting range,

0:40:330:40:36

but I think it will come as no surprise to anybody

0:40:360:40:38

to realise that there is one front runner.

0:40:380:40:42

Tell me what it is.

0:40:430:40:45

-I think you know it's going to be the house in Mevagissey.

-Absolutely!

0:40:450:40:48

-David?

-It's the house in Mevagissey.

0:40:480:40:51

LAUGHTER

0:40:510:40:52

It was a remarkable price.

0:40:520:40:55

And, in terms of its location, next to the harbour, pretty much.

0:40:550:40:59

Absolutely splendorous.

0:40:590:41:00

Really couldn't have done better than that.

0:41:000:41:03

Are you surprised to have found a property this week

0:41:030:41:06

that you've clearly fallen head over heels in love with?

0:41:060:41:08

Yes, because it wasn't really a location that we'd thought about.

0:41:080:41:12

I wanted somewhere with a community,

0:41:120:41:15

and Mevagissey gives us that in buckets,

0:41:150:41:18

but the house was quite a surprise.

0:41:180:41:21

It's got the studio, it's got the study,

0:41:210:41:24

it's got the lovely, large bedrooms.

0:41:240:41:26

It's got the wonderful kitchen and conservatory, and the view.

0:41:260:41:30

-What more could we ask?

-So, what happens next?

0:41:300:41:33

I know you've still got your house to sell, any movement on that?

0:41:330:41:36

Well, our house is on the market, as you're aware.

0:41:360:41:38

We have been in touch with the agent today.

0:41:380:41:41

We're informed there's been lots of interest,

0:41:410:41:43

but, unfortunately, no concrete offers yet,

0:41:430:41:46

but we are hoping for that to change soon.

0:41:460:41:50

Well, guys, I'm absolutely delighted. I can't wait for you

0:41:500:41:53

to go back and have another look. I'm sure you will.

0:41:530:41:55

And then, hopefully, news that you may have been able to put in an offer.

0:41:550:41:59

How optimistic are you that might happen, Heather?

0:41:590:42:02

-110%!

-LAUGHTER

0:42:020:42:04

-Right then, David, that's told us, hasn't it?

-Yes, indeed!

0:42:040:42:06

So we might as well toast to your new life in Cornwall.

0:42:060:42:09

It will happen, I daresay, very soon.

0:42:090:42:11

-New life in Cornwall.

-Here's to you.

-Cheers.

0:42:110:42:13

Well, it is often said that some of our best decisions are made

0:42:200:42:23

over a cup of good, old-fashioned tea,

0:42:230:42:25

and that is exactly what has happened here

0:42:250:42:27

in these beautiful surroundings at Tregothnan.

0:42:270:42:30

I mentioned earlier

0:42:300:42:31

that this was the biggest private estate in Cornwall.

0:42:310:42:34

It is also, surely, one of the oldest.

0:42:340:42:36

It's been in the same family since 1334

0:42:360:42:39

and that is the sort of legacy that I think most of us would aspire to.

0:42:390:42:43

And now, hopefully, Heather and David have got the chance to create

0:42:430:42:46

a legacy of their own. And not just for themselves,

0:42:460:42:49

but also for their children and their grandchildren

0:42:490:42:53

in a beautiful, Victorian villa, overlooking the sea.

0:42:530:42:56

I'll see you next time.

0:42:560:42:57

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0:42:590:43:02

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