Living the high life in Cornwall

Once every year, these free magazines drop on our doormat. They don't get delivered to everyone in town, only those who live in the wealthier areas of it.

They mainly feature houses for sale in Cornwall and the lifestyle which awaits those who can afford them - top class restaurants, butchers who age their beef for 28 days to supply them, spas and jacuzzis, local artists, weavers of outdoor furniture - in short, everything it takes to lead a life of luxury in the South Westernmost part of Britain.

Meanwhile, born and bred Cornish people are being priced out of the market, especially since unemployment is very high down there. Even fishermen are thinning out, despite the wonderful opportunities to exploit the market in seafood to the crustacean-hungry foreigners we turned our back on two years ago.

In a way, Cornwall is suffering because of its distance from London and its Celtic pride in being so isolated but, fear not, this does not hamper the estate agents who organise lavish soirees in Mayfair to showcase properties for those with expendable income. I could not find a modest house for less than £1.5 million in the covers of these magazines. Once bought, the new homeowners take a plane to Newquay, cutting their journey time by hours.

If you just fancy a luxury break in Cornwall, how about the recently converted Bodmin Gaol? It was a prison up until 1927, but now they have knocked two cells into one for a little more space, but retained the tiny high windows to give an air of authenticity. They have thoughtfully netted-over the landing too, just incase you have the irresistible urge to throw yourself over during the night. I imagine the misery still seeps from its walls, even though your double bed has satin sheets.