Peter and Robyn Bates with Heston and Delia

I could not believe it when the Watergate Bay Hotel phoned me on behalf of Joules to tell me that I had won the polo on the beach competition. A quick panic ensued when I realised, at short notice, I had to take some time off work and somehow calm my very excited wife down, but before I knew it we (my wife, her whole wardrobe, our two dogs and I) were pulling in to the car park of the village at Watergate Bay.

The Village Watergate Bay

The apartment at “The Village” was amazing; the view over Watergate was sensational and all nicely framed by blue skies. We watched the sun go down in our Eco pod meets beach chic abode and washed away our short working week with a bottle of pink fizz…. perfect!

The perfect backdrop

A walk down the coast path was on the agenda for Thursday morning. Delia and Heston (our dogs) had a great time chasing rabbits and surfers. The afternoon was spent lounging on the balcony watching the tide go out and the traffic come in for the polo on the beach.

The sun sets

The polo was a great spectacle with the cliffs and the ocean providing the perfect backdrop for the game. The atmosphere was very relaxed and the champagne flowed freely for the whole match. As the last couple of chukkas were played out the beach was swashed with the most amazing sunset making the view from the hotel’s terrace even more picturesque.

The Polo Match

The after party quickly followed which as far as I can remember involved more champagne, a bbq, a jazz band, some dancing and some Londoners sporting some pretty loud blazers.

Thank you so much to Joules for such an amazing competition. It was the highlight of my summer and my wife and I will be back next year (albeit as paying guests!) Thanks also to Veuve Clicquot for a horrific hangover and the Watergate Bay (the best hotel in Cornwall).

Peter and Robyn Bates (and Heston and Delia)

On the balcony