SPORTING HERO

Saturday

We’re staying in the tiny village of Porth, just outside Newquay, snuggled down in a trendily kitted out cottage (giant plasma TV, arty black-and-white framed photos and better bedding than we have at home) with glorious views over the most perfect sandy cove. I could stay here all day, but I’ve awoken to cloudless blue skies, warm sunshine and a desire for a cappucino from Rick Stein’s café back in Padstow.
Narrow with tall stone banks and endless blind spots, the winding Cornish country lanes can be intimidating, but the new Insignia Sports Tourer corners flat and true without a hint of body roll. Again I’m impressed by the car’s sharp handling responses, as it steers and brakes with precision while coping with unexpected obstacles or sudden changes of direction with no fuss at all.

Once in Padstow, I’ve no excuse not to catch the ferry across to Rock to meet my appointment at the Camel Ski School with owners Simon and Charlie Toogood.
“Good timing, we’ve just got back from kite surfing,” says Charlie. Dressed in wetsuits, the brothers enthusiasm is irresistible and I soon squeeze my body into a rubber mould, snap on a buoyancy aid and start pivoting on my haunches to practice the basic moves of waterskiing. Sheltered from winds, the Camel Estuary makes a comfortable spot to learn this sport, but it still requires careful balance and control. Simon’s face is hard to read – always smiling – but he seems reassured by my progress.