September 1978 was the seventh time that Brenda and Malcolm had taken a holiday together in Cornwall. They had moved house in July that year and were taking a week off whilst Brenda's mother looked after their children. They were staying near Mevagissy and stayed within the local area, generally around Caerhays and Hemmick. Malcolm took the opportunity to walk the coastline and add to his photographic survey of the Cornish cosatline whilst Brenda relaxed in the sun on the beach.