North Devon Natural History 2010

Just saw the following Dragonfly and thought it would be nice to share. Not sure which species it is but it was small and very beautiful.

Trelissick (nr. Truro, Cornwall) Book Fair / 8th May

I will be exhibiting at the Trelissick book fair at the Barn Function Room, Trelissick Gardens, Feock, nr. Truro (TR3 6QL) On Saturday 8th May 2010, 10.30am - 4.00pm. Complimentary tickets are available on request. If you would like to see any of our online items at the fair, please let me know at least 24 hours before. I will be displaying a good selection of leather bound sets, a few scarce and rare antiquarian books and a number of inexpensive (£2 each) reading books. Early risers will get the best choice but all are welcome. Due to illness this is the first fair I have been able to exhibit at for over two years.

Antiquarian leather bound books in 2010

After a very long and bitter winter the seasons are finally changing. The night time temperature is still below 0 but afternoons get to an amazing 8 degrees. Snow drops have all bloomed and the first of our daffodils are starting to think about opening. North Devon is beautiful at this time of year and the roads are relatively clear of caravans.

Antiquarian and collectors books are going well with new orders each day. I have been impressed with the variety of purchases this year. Library building is slowly picking up and is quite strong compared to this time last year. I am just about to complete one of our strangest requests in years (1950's and 1960's) for Readers Digest Condensed Books. Having said that it could be a wise move by our client as Readers Digest have recently stopped printing the books. The earlier titles with Very Good condition dust jackets now sell for up to £40 each online. The main reason being early Ian Flemming titles and other important authors.

We are also building a economics collection/library and Chinese/Middle Eastern and French architecture collection. Two further small libraries are on the horizon.

I have not been keeping an eye on book auction prices as we have had limited funds for re-stocking. Our regular supplies have continued to supply good cross sections of leather bound books which has take the pressure off some what.

Blurridge Farm is currently in the middle of a building project and with a fair wind we hope to be letting out half of our farmhouse (Gentleman's residence as the estate agents like to call it) to visitors in the Fall.

Our son, Thomas, has been doing very well in both local and national maths competitions and we are very proud of him.