Caroline, my sister, has been an unending source of support, particularly in my first year of motherhood, so I am thrilled when we hatch a plan to have some much-needed R&R away from kids, work and household chores, passing the reins to the capable hands of our husbands.
Setting off on our road trip to the West Sussex coast with one small bag and not a nappy in sight, I feel light, excited and a little like I have lost a limb. We head straight for Climping beach, where we grab a coff ee from the cafe and take a long stroll, stretching our tired limbs along the shingle coastline, breathing in the salty air and listening to the ocean roaring at our feet. Too cold to take a dip, we make our way to our sumptuous country escape just a stone’s throw along a secret path from the beach to Bailiff scourt Hotel & Spa; a medieval-style house and tranquil spa built in 1927.