Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
There are fairies at the bottom of the garden ... and elves, and pixies, or Korrigans, as they are known locally.
I've just spent a magical weekend at Le Rhun, a 40-acre farm nestling in the heart of the Crozon peninsula in Brittany, France.
My genial hosts, the Bunney family, former residents of Bahrain, were welcoming but unobtrusive, making my stay a truly memorable experience. My home for the weekend was Ecurie, former residence of the farm's carthorse but now transformed into a haven of comfort.
After a leisurely stroll through the enchanted glades of the woodland at Le Rhun, I settled down on the sofa with a cup of 'chocolat chaud' and a croissant next to the roaring log fire to read my book, and before I knew it I had drifted away with images of the deer, badgers and rabbits who inhabit the grounds.
I awoke to the sound of an owl hooting in a nearby tree and went out into the courtyard to a dazzling display of stars which seemed so close in the clear night air.
This is the Bunneys' second year at Le Rhun, and judging by the comments in the guest books of the five gites (self-catering cottages), the summer visitors at Le Rhun are delighted with what they and the area have to offer. (Check out the website www.lerhun.com).
The children's comments make particularly enjoyable reading as they clearly revelled in the heated swimming pool, the sand pit, the ball games field and secret hiding places such as Moles' Meet, Rabbits' Rest and Squirrels' Lookout. Their parents were equally impressed by the safe environment in which their children were free to roam and rediscover the simple joys of country life.
Le Rhun is close to the pretty village of Argol in the Crozon peninsula, a relatively undiscovered area where visitors can be sure to find an almost deserted beach, even at the height of summer.
With 14 beaches within easy reach, sports enthusiasts can try surfing, windsurfing, sand yachting and sailing. There are historic towns and quaint fishing villages, prehistoric standing stones and spectacular scenery,
Argol itself is the centre of a vibrant local community, and the village offers art and sculpture exhibitions, and a museum of living crafts. Visitors enjoy the famous Breton cuisine, which includes crpes, seafood and the local beverage made from apples grown in the region.
How to get there
I travelled on the overnight ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff, an hour's journey by road to Le Rhun. There is also a ferry service from Portsmouth to St Malo, and the nearest airport at Brest is served by flights from Paris, London, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Exeter and Southampton.
