First, there is the pool, which measures 12 metres by 6 metres, and is 1.5 metres at the deep end, so one you can really swim in, apart from simply cooling off. There is plenty of pool furniture (loungers, table and chairs, and a bar), and just nearby is a sandpit for the kids, and a garden swing.

There is also a tennis court (complete with umpire's raised chair!), and a basketball net, which you can see in the photo right.

For those preferring to play on a smaller area, there is also  table-tennis (see below).

Inside the house is a well-stocked library, cd and dvd players, satellite television with several English-speaking channels, such as BBC World, CNN, CNBC and Bloomberg. There is also internet by satellite, including wifi, so that you can surf while relaxing at the pool!

On the fitness front, there are two bikes, both multi-geared, and a rowing machine. For two-legged exercise, the walks (and jogs) are fabulous. There are two half-circuits, one taking through some pine woods, the other on more open ground, and each walk taking around 30 minutes (unless you are tempted to dawdle!). Combining the two takes about an hour. You can of course go "off piste", as there are just under 200 acres of land in total. If you prefer to walk on a road, the access drive (which is paved) is 1 mile long, so a there-and-back gives you your daily dose of a two mile walk.