The sand between my toes

Ahhh, the sand between my toes, the sun on my back, the feel of slipping into warm water and leisurely lapping a decadently heated outdoor pool, could it really have been Cornwall in April? Our break in Cornwall was so relaxing and restorative, I felt the shackles of winter slipping at last as my soul unfurled in the sun.

We stayed in a beautifully renovated barn, which used to be a calf house. It was luxurious and comfortable at the same time, with a lavish bathroom, thoughtful extras like the Cornish aromatherapy goodies and candles and a huge box of toys just right for O's age. The owners have done it so well. We had a look round the bigger barn, which comes with a cook which will definitely be enticing us back for a stay with some friends. I especially liked the landscaping with traditional dry stone walls everywhere, Cornish stone and sympathetic planting. The best thing has got to be the heated outdoor pool. Oh, I can't tell you how invigorating it was to swim outside at this time of year! We all swam every day, and O loved it jumping in, climbing out, squealing and splashing. She's getting so confident in the water, it's a joy to see. We were so lucky with the weather, but even on rainy days we had lots of fun. This is our third family holiday in Cornwall, and we are heading back there again in a VW campervan in July and I just can't wait.

O on the boardwalk outside our barn




Sandcastles on Polzeath beach

Me and my girl

We drove to Padstow and had a car picnic in the rain, feasting on Rick Stein's fish and chips

Followed by Roskilly's ice cream

A fishing boat in the harbour at Port Isaac. We bought a great selection of just caught fish and seafood from here and made a tasty bouillabaisse for supper.

A rainy rockpool

O really wanted to catch a fish

The view from the Blue Tomato Cafe in Rock in the rain. Possibly the most expensive cafe lunch outside of London! But good, and O was happy because they had her Cornish essential - Roskilly's ice cream.