A couple of winters ago we enclosed part of an upstairs terrace to make a playroom. After an ongoing saga of leaking roofs , badly-installed air-conditioning units and an unlevelled floor, I may finally be able to exile all the toys upstairs and reclaim the living room. 

But will it be the answer to my prayers? Or will it just be a dumping ground for my daughters’ junk? 

When we decided to enclose the terrace it seemed so simple, the perfect solution to our toy invasion problem. Now, I’m the first to admit that I’m rather lacking in the tidiness department, something I personally put down to being English. (It seems to me that as a nation the Spanish, and here I’m talking about the girls, are much tidier than their British counterparts.) Obviously living in Spain, surrounded by house-proud mothers I do try, but it’s just not in my DNA. I’m also a terrible hoarder, saving egg boxes to make space rockets or crocodiles, plastic trays to use as painting pallets or any shiny paper for ‘sticking’. 

The Costa Brava is one of the most unspoilt of Spain’s Costas thanks to its rugged nature which rather inhibits building blocks of hotels. With so many little coves and bays hidden away there is always somewhere to explore. The climate of the Costa Brava in summer is less oppressive than other parts of the peninsular and in winter the sun still shines to cheer away those winter blues. This is my favourite part of Spain. The beaches are great for families and although the region doesn’t have an Ibiza party scene, there are a few spots to go for a bit of nightlife.

Along the Costa Brava, which means rugged or wild coast, are numerous little villages where, for centuries, the main income was fishing. This traditional link with the sea continues today and what better way to enjoy a plate of grilled sardines or a bowl of muscles than by sitting looking out to sea with the smell of the sea air and the sound of waves. Catherine Dolan goes in search of some of the most idyllic locations.

We start in the north at Cadaqués.