As the wood burner crackles the candles glow and the fairy lights twinkle Paula and Richard are wrapping up warm preparing to take their dog Scruffy for a long winter walk. In rural west Cornwall they are surrounded by acres of woodland fields and farmland and ' just a short drive away ' the beautiful beach at Marazion looking towards the majestic St Michael's Mount. 'We love long walks with the dog and at this time of year it's very quiet around here and really beautiful' says Paula. 'In October you can't move for sloes in the hedgerows so we like to pick them and make sloe gin to drink with the family at Christmas. We also hunt for branches to make our improvised Christmas tree. '