A HOLIDAY IN CORNWALL…

Most mere mortals are creatures of habit – we like routine; we relish familiarity – often even our ‘spontaneity’ is planned in advance (think booking day trips whilst abroad).

This year – like every other year for the last two decades – my family is looking forward to our annual visit to a little tiny village in deepest darkest Cornwall.

It’s not just routine that keeps us going to the same place – Gorran Haven is home to several of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, rolling hills and fabulous cliff walks. The sound, smell and feel of the place is what keeps us going back there.

It has now become a tradition for all three generations of my family. At most, there have been 17 of us holidaying together – playing cricket on the beach, or boules (even swingball one year!). The kids (now all nearly adults) cannot remember not ‘doing Cornwall’ and most of them still venture into the very cold sea at the first opportunity.

I am very aware that I am exceedingly lucky and blessed to count my siblings and my parents as my friends – I know so many families who can’t take more than a few hours in the company of some of their relatives let alone an entire week; and so I do know that my situation is rather unusual.

Anyway – I digress – our annual beano now is always tinged with a little sadness as we reflect on the one very precious family member who will always be missing and also on the fact that there will come a day when the top tier generation will no longer be with us.

It’s important that we embrace all these moments when we can. And to do that in a beautiful place like Gorran Haven … priceless!