There are two incredible things about this gorgeous cottage.

The first is the location, impossibly beautiful, 'like a fairytale' as one of my kids said, overlooking a tranquil river with only the occasional kayak or duck for company, or maybe a motor boat chugging slowly past, its owners inevitably waving hello as they drift by. It is the perfect spot to unwind. The charm is massively augmented by the chance to drop into a kayak at any time and paddle peacefully along, feeling at one with the world, wondering if it's time to fire up the bbq yet.

The second special thing is the host, Kathy, who manages to combine attentiveness with respect for privacy that is quite brilliant. From the moment you meet her, you feel welcomed and valued. She obviously likes people and enjoys caring for them. She wants you to have a fabulous time. So whether it was the helpful messages suggesting local places we might enjoy, or her sudden appearance one evening with chicken drumsticks and a ball of string because my son 'might like to try crabbing' (he did, and we caught three), she adds local knowledge and kindness to the considerable charm of the location. It's a winning combination - and no wonder her cottage is so very popular, and that so many people come back.

It's also a great place to explore a beautiful part of the world, with Narragansett only ten minutes away, Newport half an hour or so, and every kind of shop you could want a few minutes' drive away. Which is amazing, since the moment you turn onto river avenue, you feel in a different world - like re-living Huckleberry Finn. (But with a much, much narrower river. Obviously).

The descriptions themselves are accurate, and it's true that the pictures currently do not quite do the place justice. The outdoor shower is a joy, the kitchen small but perfectly usable, the deck large, all the chairs comfortable. The cottage is on the charming side of rustic - which is a polite way of saying that it's a little old-fashioned - and we soon learned which corners are the best place to get the best wifi signal. You need to be aware there is no air-conditioning, so a July visit like ours will require patience (and lots of use of the plentiful fans) to keep your cool.

But in general? Wonderful. Memorable. Go. (Just don't go when we return, please).