No Martha's Vineyard Summer Vacation This Year For Campaigner-In-Chief

What's a hard working sort of guy to do?

  (The Telegraph) -- Barack Obama and his family will not spend their summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard this year, after Baron Foster, Britain's most celebrated architect, bought their regular retreat.

With just four months remaining before he faces the toughest US re-election contest for a generation, Barack Obama could have done with a relaxing escape to the so-called playground of presidents. But the idyllic ocean-side retreat on Martha’s Vineyard where President Obama has holidayed with his wife and daughters for the past three summers has been snapped up by Britain’s most celebrated architect.

 Baron Foster and Lady Foster of Thames Bank have bought the 30-acre estate for £14.3 million — and they appear to be in no mood for renting it out to the world’s most powerful family.

 The sprawling Blue Heron Farm, which comprises a golf course, stables and an orchard, lies in Chilmark, to the south-west of the Massachusetts island made famous by the Kennedys and Clintons. Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle, are believed to have paid £32,000 a week to rent the property from its previous owner, timber tycoon William Van Devenderi.

 The president was seen cycling around the island with his daughters, Sasha and Malia, and the family frequented a seafood restaurant close to the home of Valerie Jarrett, their friend and White House aide.

 However, it is understood that after buying the property through Sotheby’s last year, Lord and Lady Foster have not made it available for rent.

HT: Freeper workerbee