Lee's Birthday 2024

On the 21st of August it was Lee's 42nd birthday and he and I spent the day at a spa! For his birthday in 2023, my mum and I both bought him vouchers to Woodland Spa in Burnley, and we hadn't had chance to use them yet. We talked about using them in April or May of this year, but when I rung them, the spa wasn't fully open because they were doing a huge refurbishment. So we decided to go on Lee's birthday and make a day of it. We could get in from 10.30 so we set off nice and early at 8.30 in case there was traffic. 

The traffic was fine though and we had a bit of time so we stopped to get some coffee and breakfast at one of the services. We got to Burnley about 10.15 and were allowed into the spa straight away which was good. We got changed - the women's changing rooms were absolutely huge and definitely needed some signs for the numbers - and into the spa. 

I am not joking when I tell you that this is probably the best spa I have ever been to. It is huge, it just keeps on going, and it is SO fancy and special. We had an absolutely brilliant day and we're already making plans to go back sometime because it's definitely worth it. We could have stayed until 9.30pm when it closed, making it excellent value for money, and we also got a two course meal and a drink included so it's worth it. I want to take everyone I know!

We started off in the Vitality pool, which was so warm. It has a big waterfall at one end, and two areas with different jets and seats. It has two hot tubs attached which were nice and warm too. Around this pool are experience showers, an ice lounge, and lots of loungers. 

We then moved on to the middle pool. This is called the Hydrotherapy pool. It is circular and it again has lots of jets and things in it. Around it are steam rooms and two saunas, and treatment rooms. There are loungers here, too, although the heated ones weren't yet working with heat (but obviously you could still sit on them). There were foot spas here too. 

We went into the Serenity pool too, which is all dark and kept quiet. The water seemed to be salty which keeps you buoyant and which was lovely. Then we headed outside - the swimming pool starts inside and goes outside. It's heated but it wasn't hot. Also outside are two hot tubs and an infinity hot tub. We went in that one. 

By this time it was about 12 o'clock so we headed up to the roof terrace. On the way we past the mezzanine floors, which has a bunch of comfy beds to lie on. The lift wasn't working on the day we visited - which to be fair I did get an email about - so we went up the stairs. We had a dressing gown and flip flops each, and we also used about three towels each. Outside on the roof is an infinity sided hot tub with a beautiful view of the countryside, and plenty of loungers. The weather wasn't brilliant on that day, but the hot tub was so warm that it was fine! 

Our lunch was booked for 12.45 in the restaurant on the terrace. Part of the ongoing refurbishment is in the other restaurant, but the roof one is really nice too. There were plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. We shared some bread and dips to start with and then Lee had fish and chips and I had a vegan 'duck' hoisin wrap which was really nice. It came with chips, too. For dessert Lee had sticky toffee pudding and I had a vegan brownie with ice cream. I also had both glasses of wine - one pink and one fizzy!

They knew it was Lee's birthday because he had had to fill in his details before we arrived, and there was a birthday card in his locker which was nice. Then at lunch they brought him a small piece of brownie with a sparkler in it! It was really fun and cool, I was glad he got a bit spoilt. 

In the afternoon we went round all the areas again! Because why not! We stayed outside upstairs for a bit, then went back downstairs. We went into the terrace hot tub and then into the bar there. It has tapas which would be perfect if you were staying all day, but we were really full so didn't bother. I had a Kir Royale which was gorgeous. There are two areas with fire pits so we sat around one of those for a bit too. 

We honestly just had such a good time. Around 5.30 more people arrived because they do a 'twilight' experience from 5.30 til 9.30, but it still wasn't too busy. It felt fine. We left not long after that though because we wanted to get back for the cats. I had a shower and used all the free toiletries, and we set off about 6pm I guess. Lee then talked to some friends for the rest of his birthday!

I really cannot gush about this place enough, though. We will definitely go back, it's pure luxury!

The Vitality pool just as we arrived. The Ice Lounge is on the left there

View of the Vitality pool from the lounger I was lying on

The Hydrotherapy pool which had many buttons to press

The Serenity pool which was dark and warm and just gorgeous

This is the swimming pool which starts inside and leads outside. You can see the hot tubs beyond it

This is the outdoor hot tub on the terrace, it had a bunch of seats

These comfy things were on the mezzanine on our way up, but we didn't stay there

Looking down on the Vitality pool from the mezzanine

The hot tub on the roof

Always love two glasses of wine, me

The bread and dips we shared to start with

My hoisin wrap, which was really nice

Lee's sticky toffee pudding

And my brownie

Lee's brownie and sparkler. I realise the flame doesn't look real in this photo, but I promise it was!

The fire pit on the roof terrace

And the fire pit inside the terrace bar

Here we are sitting by that enjoying a drink

I had a gorgeous Kir Royale

Lastly, the Hydrotherapy pool not long before we left

The rest of the photos are Lee's, but I'll include them anyway

Sign on the terrace. The spa is attached to a hotel which is part of a chain that we've been to before, so I know it would be good if you wanted to stay over too

The outside part of the swimming pool

Lee and I in the pool

The fire pit inside the terrace bar, where we sat for a drink

Me in the roof terrace hot tub

And here I am in the swimming pool, you can see where it goes inside

The view from the roof hot tub

And here I am in the pool again

Lee's Pre-Birthday

On the 20th of August we went out for pudding and a couple of drinks with my mum and stepdad. The 21st was Lee's birthday but he and I had plans for that, so we agreed to go out with my mum and stepdad the night before. We took Lee's presents so he could open them then too. My mum had also gone in the afternoon to pick up a cake for Lee for me. It was from Violet Boo Bakery and it was SO nice, really chocolatey with tons of chocolate on top too. We gave it to Lee when he and I arrived at my mum's house and then sang happy birthday to him, which he hates but which we always do anyway. 

Then we went into Wakefield to go to Rassams Creamery for pudding. We had all had tea beforehand but Lee loves desserts so the Creamery was ideal. I went for mixed cookie dough and he went for waffles with a piece of chocolate fudge cake on. I couldn't eat all of mine but it was really delicious! I went to the creamery in June with my friend Helen and they have this incredibly irritating robot that plays 1000 Miles by Vanessa Carlton as it's wondering around... 

But anyway. We enjoyed the food. Then we parked on Wood Street and went into Damelio. There weren't tons of places open I guess because it was just a random Tuesday night, but this was a nice enough bar and I had two nice drinks. One was lemony with whiskey and tasted a bit like cough medicine, and the other one was called La Dolce Vita. 

We left about 10pm and took my mum and stepdad home before going home ourselves. Lee liked all his presents - a bunch of vinyl records and two t shirts and other stuff. I was wearing my watercolour dress which came from Asos forever ago and a green shrug that came from Joe Browns. I like how airy it is. I also had on my guava capri tights and my Dr Marten shoes that I got from Vinted a while ago. They rub a little bit but I knew I wouldn't be walking far so could wear them! It was a good outfit all in all. 

Lee's amazing chocolate cake 

Lee's waffle and cake

My cookie dough with lots and lots of chocolate sauce on top

My two yummy cocktails

My watercolour dress

And my tights and shoes before we went out

Lunch and Leeds with Sam and Lee

On the 17th of August I had plans to meet up with Sam in Leeds. We didn't want anything complicated so decided to go to Bundobust for lunch, then go to the Corn Exchange for a wander round, and then to Doh Hut for donuts before we went home. Lee decided to come to Leeds with me because he wanted to get out of the house - partly because Jasmine had just died - but he said he would go in all the record shops and get lunch by himself, before meeting up with us later. So we went to Leeds and we walked round to Bundobust as it wasn't open quite yet, and then I went in and waited for Sam while Lee went off. 

Sam and I shared a bunch of dishes and they were all delicious. We had naanchos, which are a current special, bhajis, pickled cucumbers, chaat, and a delicious paneer curry in a lovely tomato sauce. That came with rice too. I had a mojito type cocktail which was lovely. We had some more drinks - I had chai and a lychee cocktail which was delicious. I'm not sure what Sam had but she liked them too. 

We walked round to the Corn Exchange. I used to go a ton when I was a teenager and a bit alternative, and it's also where I had my first vanilla latte, can you believe?! But I haven't been in literally twenty years. I know it's been regenerated and stuff. It's got some fun shops in it. I bought some wax melts and some earrings in Sour Cherry - where I honestly could spend a fortune! Lee came and met us in there when he'd bought a bunch of records and had lunch. 

We then walked back to Doh Hut. Lee and I bought three to share, and just had the chocolate ganache one at that point. We saved the others until the day after. We said goodbye to Sam about 3pm and set off home. It was nice to see her though! I was wearing some new earrings that I got at the Makers Fair the week before; they're cute little shells with glitter on and I love them. I was also wearing my neon leopard print dress which I absolutely love, it's very fun. 

Mojito and Sam's lychee cocktail

All our dishes - they were all good choices

Chai. It was verging on too tea like for me, but I did like it enough. I probably wouldn't get it again though

Look how cute these earrings are! The maker is called Berry Cute Barnsley and she had tons of stuff I liked

Looking down in the Corn Exchange. There was some kind of Monopoly trail going on around the city and the jail was here with the iron

Donuts! They're nice enough to have every now and then

Here we are sitting outside the Doh Hut. It was warmer than it looks

Neon leopard print dress - it's so stretchy and comfortable

I was wearing my Pride Converse and black footless tights

Food in Meadowhall with Sarah

On Friday the 16th of August I went to Meadowhall to meet up with Sarah for tea. We had had this planned for ages and I was really looking forward to it. You might remember that Sarah's husband Tom died just before last Christmas. Sarah is doing brilliantly without him and in looking after their little girl. I've seen her a few times since then, of course, but not in the evening as she's obviously needed for R. However, Tom's mum was looking after her and Sarah could come out with me! I was thrilled about this! We decided to go to Meadowhall and to Wagamama for food because we both really like it. 

I went out in this cream spotted dress that I've only worn a couple of times before. It was hot and the dress is cool so it was ideal. We met at 7pm and had to queue for a little bit to get into Wagamama but then got good seats. We shared some vegetarian starters and I had tofu raisukaree which I really like and which was still delicious. 

We then went next door into Carluccio's for pudding and a coffee. We both had tiramisu and a cappucino, hah. We chatted the whole time and we talked about Jasmine as I was grieving, and we talked about Tom because we always need to, but we talked about a hundred other things too. She is doing okay, and that is the main thing. Grief sucks. 

We said goodbye about 9.30, I'm guessing. The sky outside Meadowhall was really pretty so I took a photo before heading home. I'm lucky to have someone like Sarah as one of my best friends. 

Cream spotted dress just before I headed out

Bang bang cauliflower, mushroom bao, and vegetable gyoza

Tofu curry - I could eat this right now because it's so spicy and delicious

Here were are in Carluccio's 

Tiramisu which was soooo nice

And the pretty sky as I was leaving. Sometimes you just have to appreciate the sky