As the car negotiated the steep, narrow drive leading up to the property, all eyes were fixed on the pretty, painted door of Tamarisk Beach House.
"Let's explore!" exclaimed Juliana, as she turned the key in the lock and dashed down the hallway.
"Help me with the cases first!" shouted Dougie, sighing as he knew he would be the sensible one, putting everything away whilst the other three were dizzy with excitement.
"There's a hamper!" said Trish, spying the wicker basket on the hall table. Inside were lots of goodies including a box of delicious shortbread, artisan chocolate and lashings of fizzy Prosecco. "This week is going to be so much fun," declared Trish as she popped the cork and poured herself a generous measure into the stylish glass flute.
Rory, meanwhile, was already making himself useful by tapping the WiFi code into his iPad whilst simultaneously chomping on the complimentary popcorn.
The house was divine. Built in the 1930s, its position overlooking Woolacombe Bay was breathtaking. French doors from the living room led to a curved balcony from where our Famous Four could see the three mile stretch of award-winning beach and hear the waves rolling into the shore.
The views from the main bedroom were even more spectacular. Trish opened the wooden shutters, positioned herself on the the padded window seat and gazed out to the majestic headland of Baggy Point.
The owner of this fabulous home was an interior designer and this was evident in the way splashes of bright orange and vivid red added pizzazz to the soft neutral tones of the furnishings. Original fireplaces and maple flooring had been retained to create a wonderful mix of old and new in perfect harmony.
Bags unpacked, Juliana was making herself comfortable in the living room on one of the two large, squashy sofas. Rory, meanwhile, had found some board games in the dining room dresser which would add some silliness to the evening's entertainment.
"If we're going to have adventures on this holiday, we'll have to start planning" suggested Trish, always the organised one of the group. Whilst the others raised their eyebrows, Trish began to pore over Ordnance Survey maps and surf the internet before making a list including a trip to Exmoor Zoo, hiking part of the South West Coast Path and a slap-up meal at Noel Corston's fine dining restaurant.
Dougie, having been cooped up in the car for far too long, was keen to stretch his legs. He encouraged Trish to join him on a walk into town. Minutes later, breathing big helpings of bracing sea air, they ventured onto the sand and as the sun dipped below the horizon, flooding the sky and the outline of Lundy Island with a warm pink glow, they looked at one another and smiled.
"I think this is going to be a week of wonderful adventures," whispered Dougie.
"Shall we start now?" Trish replied, kicking off her shoes...
Read more from Trish at 'Mum's Gone To'.
