The day we put dull holidays behind us

We’ll never forget that Christmas holiday we spent in Scotland, in a rather ordinary rented bungalow, unable to walk the hills and explore the countryside as we had planned because of the endless rain. Fun it wasn’t, but there was a bright side. One day, as we were traversing Loch Achray in the only break in the weather, we saw Tigh Mor resplendent on the opposite side looking for all the world like something out of a Sir Walter Scott novel.

Approaching it we saw the “Home of HPB” sign on the gate and then the penny dropped with my wife. “This must be the place that my friend at the office goes on about,” she said, and began to explain how HPB works when it started to rain again.

Without hesitating we headed straight for Reception and asked if we could get a coffee and talk to someone about “this HPB thing”. We left an hour later, armed with a brochure, having been shown around by a charming man.

Taking the plunge

The extreme contrast between the beautiful facilities and smiling faces at Tigh Mor and our own reality back at our holiday rental stayed with us long after we had left Scotland and during the following weeks as we endlessly discussed the reasons why we should or shouldn’t invest, so that by the time we booked a meeting with the representative at our nearest site – Sibton Park, in Kent – it was only a matter of how much we should invest.

Since that time we have visited HPB owned sites and Tenancies in France, Spain, the Canary Islands, Greece, Yorkshire, and Cornwall. We have taken American friends, who compared Bell End Farm in North Yorkshire very favourably to their holiday experiences throughout the US, and we have made many friends and acquaintances everywhere.

One favourite memory is of a New Year spent at Le Manoir du Hilguy in Brittany. The weather was extremely unseasonal and kind to us. We enjoyed several long walks along deserted beaches with coffee and crepes to look forward to at the end.

Then 2010 was World Cup Year and we spent a very busy two weeks in June with new friends whom we had met at the airport on our way to El Pueblito de Alfaix, HPB’s new private resort in southern Spain. The lasting memory is of helpful on-site staff, early evening aperitifs on the roof-top sun terrace, and meals in local Spanish restaurants where we discussed the comparative merits of different countries’ football teams with whoever would listen. We will go back this year.

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Oasis of calm

Our all-time favourite, though, has to be El Balcón de Santa Ana on La Gomera in the Canary Islands. In a world that becomes more and more manic as the years pass, La Gomera is what everyone at one time or other dreams of – an oasis of calm where time passes so slowly you are surprised when dinner time comes around.

Late winter and early spring there has become what we look forward to from November onwards. 10 days or two weeks (don’t bother with a week – it’s not nearly long enough) in March or April is just what the doctor ordered to beat the winter blues and really set you up for the year ahead. And surprisingly there is a lot to do there if you are of the mind.

Whether you are walkers, whale watchers, tennis, bowls or golf players La Gomera has something for you. From walking in the rain forest, to testing yourself against unknown opposition on the sports court, it’s all here.

Or maybe you’re like us and just like to take in the view, read a good book, swim, and finish off the day with a stroll down to one of Playa Santiago’s many good seaside restaurants. Most evenings, though, the menu at Los Alisios, the onsite restaurant, is too inviting to ignore!

A hands-down winner

Over the years we have become adept at using the Points-free period to book many weeks for only the User Charge. Comparing these weeks with properties available to rent on the open market, HPB wins hands down. Equipment levels and on-site facilities are always second to none, and there is just no equivalent that we know of.

The next phase for us will inevitably be long stays overseas to escape the UK weather, especially with the current Points-free offer for second and subsequent weeks at a number of sites. La Gomera here we come!