Best Week Ever

I've just returned from a fantastic week in South Devon. Staying with my fiance, our 2 year old daughter, our Cairn terrier pooch, my future father in-law & stepmother in-law, and for a few days my future sister in-law & brother in-law.

Sounds like a nightmare, but it really wasn't. I loved every minute of it. We hired an amazing cottage courtesy of Toad Hall and it was like living in our own quarters for a few days. Based in Kingsbridge, we explored the tourist areas like Salcombe, Dartmouth and even trekking as far as Paignton Zoo one day. However, no trip to Devon is complete without a visit to the beach. My favourite beach is situated at Hope Cove; my fiance introduced me to the delights of Hope Cove in 2014 and it's our third visit together. He even proposed on one of the beaches as it's such a special place to us. Although there isn't much more than a post office, a small shop, two excellent pubs, two hotels and numerous houses, it's a part of Devon that can offer so much to everyone.

However much we enjoyed our time with family, we have limited all future family holidays to weekends only. With work, and a busy 2017, it's emphasised how much we love just spending those precious few days to ourselves as a family of four - we never forget our dog - he is part of our family. Don't get me wrong, we took advantage of having extra family members on our holiday for a few hours by doing something quite extravagant and visiting three different restaurants for three courses - but essentially, holidays are the time to spend with your family especially when they're young. Give it fifteen years and our daughter will want to be partying with her friends at some beautiful Spanish isle, not traipsing round a zoo in Devon.

Coming back to work was no problem either. I felt refreshed, revitalised and ready to go. My day job is exciting and has some changes for me ahead and my night job is helping people achieve their dreams which can be challenging but can be so utterly rewarding too. I always think that is the sign of an excellent holiday, the desire to want to go back to work for some normality!

And of course, a trip away without taking my running shoes wouldn't be a normal trip for me now. On a couple of the days, I explore Kingsbridge by foot running along the estuary and up and down the undulating residential streets which were a delight especially when looping around the old bingo hall and exquisite bowls club.

I genuinely cannot wait for my next trip away but I have such exciting times ahead this year. SO I'm trying not to get too carried away by looking at Expedia to see what cheap deals they offer....