We are Martha and Joe Penhale. Martha grew up two streets back from the harbour and left for exactly eleven years before Cornwall reeled her back in. Joe cooked in kitchens in Bristol and London and now refuses to let anyone else near the stove at breakfast.

We bought the house from the antiques dealer with most of its contents still inside, which explains a lot about the decor. Every room is furnished with things that have a story, and we know most of them. Ask about the ship's clock in the hallway, but only if you have ten minutes.

The plan was always simple: six rooms done properly, a breakfast worth writing home about, and the kind of welcome we would want ourselves. No key cards, no minibar prices in small print, no beige.