While we are blessed with sun, our hosts, R and K, want to show us the woods, the sea, the rocks and the views. So, wits gathered, we distribute ourselves between two cars and drive to a dappled walk next to the river Heddon, rippling in the sun; then way above it, next to it again, across it, above it... As we go we chat, catch up with each other's lives, revel in the autumn light, muse on our place in this world. Then we accompany the river over a stony beach as it makes for the sea.

One of us swims, three of us collect pretty stones, and one makes a small cairn, just like the sculptures she used to make on her bedroom floor when she was small which I always left where they were until eventually they were kicked into mess.

We climb up to the cliff path, sit on the rocks and take in the dusty turquoise sea, the fluffy clouds starting to drift across the blue sky, the bracken sweeping the hillsides into rust and the hugeness of it all.

Then up a gear-box-challenging steep hill to the crags of the Valley of the Rocks, a shorter walk, and back down to an indoor swim, a steam room and another convivial evening, this time with the birthday cake I made and brought for Firstborn. Good job everyone likes ginger!