Day 15 has arrived like a whirlwind, it's true to say that these last few days since arriving in Sardinia have flown by although it seems like we have been away for a month or more.

It's our last full day of our holiday, our last evening will be tonight as we will be making our way to our fourth and final airport of the trip tomorrow (excluding London Gatwick of course).

After the slight disappointment of La Maddelana Islands yesterday in as much as we were unable to make our way to a beautiful beach, somewhat ironically we made our way to one of the most picturesque places on the island of Sardinia today not that we knew that at the time , although there was a clue in the name as we had decided to visit a place called Costa Paradiso (nothing like the Rick Mayall and Ade Edmonson farce Hotel Paradiso I may add).

After a drive along a long, dipping and winding road with very tight bends and not unlike some of the cliff top roads in the latter parts of the classic Michael Caine film The Italian Job (just off the main SP90) we tried in vain to find a car parking space in the main car park. There were no available spaces but we eventually found another car park a little distance away,and discovered there were people obviously walking down to a beach with their beachwear including inflatable turtle and various other equipment in tow.

When we finally found our way along the short pathway towards the beach and passing a gorgeous hotel, we were presented with a beautiful rocky cove with clear blue shimmering water, a truly ideallic scene and one where plenty of photographs would be taken.

The beach itself was small but big enough to fit all of us and a few more beachgoers besides .

The sea bed was quite rocky and it was quite difficult as an adult to negotiate your way past these rocks and into the deeper water a few feet away. It was worth doing though to be able to swim in the sparkling clear blue sea in such a beautiful place, it reminded me again of Cornwall with it's ruggedness, and a little like a place called Kynance Cove we had visited in the past.

The place is great for kids big and small and there were plenty of young children swimming around in the shallow waters of the cove. It's a great place for snorkelling too and we saw one or two snorkelers searching around for fish and other living things beneath the surface of the waves.

I spotted a tropical fish in the shallow waters and Madalyn found various shells including a tiny but gorgeous shell with mother of pearl.

In amongst the beauty of the ocean bed however, also lies some hidden dangers, not sharks I'm pleased to report, but there are quite a few Black Sea urchins. Unfortunately Millie managed to tread on one and so after consulting with the locals it was decided that she needed to see a doctor - so Millie's and Josie's stay on the beach was sadly cut short.

In Sardinia everything appears to close down from late morning until late afternoon and the local doctor was no exception.

Fortunately none of the symptoms that we believed may happen did, so all worked out OK in the end although we did attempt to get the prickles out of her foot by using hot water and a safety pin.

It was quite ironic that this happened to Millie as she had not been in the water before because either she hadn't a costume or was worried something like this may happen.

Moving on to the suitcase, no it still hasn't arrived - Frederico told me they had tried to deliver it here yesterday but as nobody was on reception they drove off again...incredible and yet more incompetence, as they had numbers they could of called.

Frederico advised me he was told they would deliver it again today but I have my doubts.

We spent a little time back at the pool this afternoon, however unusually a storm was coming in from the south, we heard a few rumbles of thunder and the kids saw a couple of lightening flashes . When we felt rain on us we decided to up and leave back to the sanctuary of our apartment and balcony.

It's now 6.40pm and we have some BIG. NEWS when it comes to the suitcase which has been missing in action since leaving Rome.,,yes, it has FINALLY ARRIVED and all being well will be making it's way back to Gatwick tomorrow evening! HOOOORRRAAAAYY!!!!

Suffice to say we are all relived and happy that it is at least back in our possession! Lesson learnt so place any articles you cannot replace easily either in different suitcases or in your hand luggage.

Now we will follow up our claim to Ryanair who I hope deal with the subject of compensation a whole lot more efficiently and professionally than the Sardinia end of the operation has been.

Tonight as it's our last night we go out for dinner, after all it's been a legendary 2 weeks and we can also celebrate the return of our long lost suitcase.

Rather than take the easy option which as you can probably tell is rarely what we do in the general scheme of things we decide to drive to the town of Saint Therese and have a lovely meal to finish the holiday with and one that seemed quite fitting, given the momentous experience of the last two weeks.

I have no idea of the restaurant name but the food and service were impressive and it was good to go out on a gastronomical high. The funny thing was Josie was intent on driving back to our accommodation before the sun went down (around 9pm) so whilst the meal wasn't rushed we didn't quite have time for deserts.

I must admit the drive from Alghero airport to where we were staying ((Vignola Mare) when we arrived was a little hairy at times especially driving in the dark so i can understand her feelings.

I have just taken a look at the time which my iphone says is now 11.58pm, so only seconds remain of our penultimate day although in truth we should be at Gatwick in 24 hours time.

In some ways today from a personal point of view has been one of reflection and if I'm being honest it has made me feel a little emotional and proud of what we have seen and done since leaving home on Tuesday 7th July,

it has been an incredible journey and one that I know I and I'm sure the rest of us will take with us for a very long time in the same way that a 6 week family trip to Canada I was lucky enough to be part of back in 1980 will always remain with me as a special part of my life.

It's difficult to summarise the experience of this holiday in just a few words and I am not really sure it is possible, so if you have read this blog from start to finish I hope it has given you a frank and honest insight of the last 15 days with my family and I, and maybe it's given you some inspiration to do the same some day. (I would highly recommend it).

It's a bit of a cliche but yes it really is a huge world out there, there are so many things to do and see, it won't be all plain sailing and at times you will be grateful of the help of others, but it is true what they say, travel really does broaden the mind, you will meet many people most good not all, you will have to overcome certain challenges, but in the main you will have a great time and will make so many wonderful memories for you and your travelling companions whether they be friends and / or family.

...I will sign off today with a phrase that I love...One Life...Live It!!