A whole new outlook after short flight.

Byline: Graeme Brown 

THE great thing about flying to Newquay is it gives you perspective about just how little British people have to moan about.

The bmibaby flight from Birmingham International Airport to Newquay Cornwall Airport - brought in this summer - was the first time I had taken to the skies and landed in England.

It was a bit strange. We were delayed for about an hour, which was twice as long as we were in the air, but when we got there it was like an awakening for me - seeing miles and miles of beautiful Cornish countryside.

or drive?' Well, it is certainly less stressful to arrive by air. We sat back and sipped gin and tonics with barely a thought for the M5 and passing through Bristol and Devon on a Friday afternoon.

Was it quicker? Well, I left work at 1.30pm on Friday, left my Great Barr home at 2pm and boarded the plane at 3.50pm. There was the little matter of an hour sitting around after delays created by the English weather before we landed at around 5.45pm. Add to that the 20 minutes to pick up our bags and a 30 minute taxi journey and other reasons for hanging around, we were at our accommodation by 7pm.

So, five hours in total - probably about par for a Friday journey.

But we arrived fresh and raring to go.

We stayed at a new boutique lodge called Pure Shores on Tower Road, eight minutes walk from Fistral Beach, five minutes from a stunning harbour and within walking distance of countless beautiful views. It turned out to be like a home-from-home as proprietor Lisa Shaw, who runs Pure Shores alongside husband Mario, had a familiar accent - originally from Great Barr herself.

The accommodation was spot on. We stayed in a giant room with a double bed and bunk beds.

Everything was clean, tidy and modern, with a flat screen TV, iPod/DVD player and wireless internet connection. The organic breakfast was enjoyed by all - including the tomatoes grown in Mario's allotment.

Good food was a running theme for the weekend break - which helped to make up for the summer rain. We ate at Cullens, in the town centre, and The Harbour, at the end of Tower Road, which both offered fresh fish at a cost of between pounds 12 and pounds 18 for a main evening meal.

We also visited Fistral Spa in one of the rainier moments of the break and had a pounds 30 express facial for 25 minutes, as well as a dip in the pool and a relax in the steam room.

So would I fly again? The answer is it depends on why I am going. If I were there for any more than a weekend then I think I would brave the motorway. Newquay has a lot to keep you amused and relaxed, but there is so much you can see in Cornwall if you get behind the wheel.

But for a short hop like a weekend away or a stag break I'd certainly fly again.

GettingThere bmibaby fly from Birmingham to Newquay on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. There is an extra flight on Tuesday September 1 for the August bank holiday weekend. Flights start from pounds 18.99 one way including taxes and charges and operate until September 1. To book, visit www.bmibaby.com

CAPTION(S):

Surfer's paradise: Fistral beach.