I admit to being a little startled on receiving a cheery pre-arrival text from Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Colorado inviting me to try out my hatchet-throwing while there.

But then I hadn’t known quite what to expect after looking online for an attractive hotel or resort in the mountains near Denver. Devil’s Thumb Ranch more than exceeded my ambitions for a two-day adventure – even without joining in the hatchet throwing, archery, ten pin bowling or horse riding on offer.