In August 1981, Malcolm and Brenda drove down to Cornwall with their children and Malcolm's mother for a holiday in Millbrook, just over the Tamar river which they crossed by means of the Saltash ferry. The stayed in Curlew Cottage, the centre of a group of three substantial terracde cottages which overlooked Plymouth Sound towards Mount Edgeconbe.

The weather was fine all week and the family went to a different location each day, enjoying both beach and countryside. They spent a day in Plymouth, visited Cotehele House and took a ride on the train up to Bere Ferrers. At the cottage they relaxed in the garden or went down the edge of Millbrook Lake.

On the way home, they stopped at Buckfastleigh for a trip on the Dart Valley Railway.