It's the little touches that make a trip easy!

We've stayed in self catering accommodation plenty of times. You always arrive to find that you've forgotten something, have to rush to a shop to buy a scrubbing brush, washing liquid or a bottle opener. Catherine has a great set up, you have to cottage to yourselves but it's like arriving to a home.

It's great to be able to arrive somewhere, unload the car, and relax after a long drive. Tea, coffee, and all the basics for cooking (oil, salt/pepper, some spices) on a shelf above the cooker, a basket of kindling, logs and peat briquettes next to the stove, heaters in every room turned on in advance. If you're there in suitable weather, there is a barbecue round the back.

Catherine has also provided a selection of DVD's for adults and kids, and a small library of books. She has included tourist guides to the area so you can plan your activities, post dinner, on a comfortable sofa by the stove. If you're going to be walking late, Catherine has even supplied high visibility vests and a torch.

The Cottage is well located to explore West Cork. Only there for a weekend, we visited Lough Hyne (walked the Nature Trail up Knockomagh Hill, great views) and The Beacon. I got to take my son fishing for Pollock at Eastern Hole Bay (east of The Beacon) where the pirates who sacked Baltimore (1631) landed.

Skibbereen isn't far away and has a large Eurospar, Supervalu and Lidl (where we usually shop).

We will be back!