And so it began ... endless discussions over coffee (and later in the evening, a cheeky glass of wine or two!!!), poring over designs, scanning laptops and libraries for inspiration and understanding of the task that lay ahead. I lost count of the times I was asked to express an opinion over indoor v outdoor bathrooms, tiles and other features.

One of my favourite memories was Giles returning from a two week trip, opening his suitcase and handing me a carefully wrapped package. "Open it," he urged, "What do you think ?" I remember studying the package, as a woman does, weighing the possibility of the contents - too heavy for jewellery, too small for Choos. Finally, I gave in to temptation, relishing Giles' obvious anticipation to my reaction and was rewarded with ... taps. "Well ?" he cried, "Aren't they fantastic ! Won't they look brilliant in the bathrooms. We've had them specially finished ..." His voice faded into the background as I suddenly felt a moment of sympathy for Princess Diana and her 'three of us in this marriage' comment - all except there weren't three people - there was a team!!!

Within months, Giles had managed to assemble a team that would support, inspire and sustain the dream of Coco Shambhala. To name them all would take forever but special mention must go to Neil, Tom, Subash, Alok, Sue, Loulou, Linda, all at Lazydays, Ceri, Lee and so many others (please forgive me if I haven't mentioned you - you know who you are and thankyou xxx) Most of these people I didn't meet until some time later, but when I sat down to dinner with Giles, they were sat there with us as he brought them alive with gesture and tone, relaying thoughts and ideas which occurred at all times of the day and night. For those of you who know Giles, you will know that his Blackberry and mobiles are almost extensions of his personality - there were times over those few months/years where the sound of texts was as natural as birdsong and the ringtones provided the soundtrack to our lives. Yes, there were times I could have cheerfully chucked the bl**dy things out of the window, yet, I also knew that this incessant noise was part of the process. They provided a connection between people, countries and ideas - conversations, both spoken and written, would solve problems and build so much more than buildings and gardens - so let them ring ... but not after 10.30 pm please - the children are in bed !!! (Oh, I am still in therapy over the hours Giles spent on the the laptop replying to emails - it's just too soon to talk about it ... )

It was an exciting time, but also unreal, because I had never visited India, or Goa, before. I viewed the pictures of bamboo scaffolding with scepticism, cringed at the workers children picking their way like surefooted goats through the rubble and felt distance. I knew I had to get out there, to see for my own eyes what was being wrought from the fertile red earth in Nerul.

When we boarded the plane at Heathrow, I had no idea what to expect. My imaginings of India were, I'm afraid to say, formed from friends experiences, tv and books. As I sat, and suffered (who knew those travel sickness bags were sooo useful ??!!) through the flight, I saw myself disembarking into a Bollywood style documentary - but, nothing, nothing, had prepared me for the reality of Mumbai.

The world of my taxi window rushed by me faster than any action movie, and my emotions met and matched the pace. One moment I was crying at the ragged people washing their belongings in the gutter at the side of the road; the next, I was laughing at the impossibility of a Porsche garage next to a house constructed entirely of scrap metal and prayers; then I was gasping at the beauty of a hundred women crossing the street in a rainbow of saris, glittering with sequins like fallen stars.

By the time I reached the hotel, I was exhausted from the flight and the journey which had assaulted my senses. My body and mind were in overload, I needed some time to regroup. Once we had settled, we ventured out on the street where we were met with curiosity (damn those three wheeler buggies !!!) and unfailing generosity. We sat in a small cafe, enjoying the selection of food brought for us to sample. As I caught the gaze of an elderly Indian couple sat across from us, I commented to Giles on the food they had ordered, it looked fabulous! The next thing I knew, the gentleman calmly handed me his plate, "try it," he said with a smile. I was astonished, where in the UK would you get someone, a stranger, willingly handing over a slice of his steak or lobster ? Wow. After a small taste and brief conversation about the children, our plans and the food, we bade the couple farewell, leaving them to enjoy the remainder of their meal in peace (if you have ever been unfortunate to sit next to us in a restaurant you will totally get that comment!!!) but I have never forgotten the gentle smile of a stranger in an unfamiliar land who offered friendship and sustenance without request, or a price tag attached.