Spa Day with Lee

On the 29th of March Lee and I headed off to Harrogate for a spa day. Last summer I lent my car to a friend of mine and she bought me a spa day for two to say thank you. It was at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate and it was for four hours in the spa, a 50 minute treatment each, and lunch. It was a lovely gift! I booked it for Lee and I and he went for a foot and arm massage and I went for a gel pedicure. We ordered food too, and set off in good time. We stopped at a services for coffee on the way up, and got to Harrogate about noon. 

We signed in at the spa and went to get changed. The locker rooms were nice but the lockers were a bit difficult to use. But then we got into the pool area and we were the only people there for a bit! The pool was lovely - really warm. Because we have paused our gym memberships for a few months while my mum was having cancer treatment it is ages since I've been swimming much, so each time I get into water I really appreciate it. The water was warm so we swam up and down for a bit. 

There is a spa pool in the pool area so we got into that. It wasn't that warm, and unfortunately it had loads of sand in the bottom of it which was annoying. But we liked it. We sat for a bit on lovely loungers too, and then it got a bit busier. There was also an experience shower, a steam room, and a sauna. There's an outdoor hot tub too but it was closed, which was a bit of a shame. Some parts looked like they needed some upkeep, too.

At 2.15 we headed downstairs for treatments. My manicurist was really lovely but the station we were at didn't have all the equipment she needed so she was frustrated. My pedicure didn't turn out perfect but I liked the metallic burgundy colour and it was fine - and it's on my toes so I didn't worry too much. Lee liked his foot massage more than the arm one. We met back upstairs about 3.20 in time for lunch. We got like a cute bento box with salad, couscous, cheese for me and chicken for Lee, and dessert. It was nice, although not tons of food. 

We went back into the pool area and swam a bit more, and then went back into the spa pool which was much warmer than it had been first thing. I had a few minutes in the steam room and then in the sauna while Lee read his book. We left the pool area about 4.30pm and got showered and changed and headed home. 

It was a lovely day, I'm glad Lee and I got to do it because it was a nice relaxing afternoon 

In the pool area when we arrived and as you can see, had it to ourselves

And here I am in it, about to swim

Downstairs in the old cellars for my treatment

The spa pool - you can see all the sand just underneath the hand rail

Here I am in what should be my natural habitat

Lovely view over Harrogate from the area we had lunch in, and you can see the hot tub outside that was empty

And here's my nails later on

Lunch with Chloe and Laura

At the end of March I went to Barnsley to see Chloe and Laura. We meet up every few weeks or so and usually go to either Meadowhall or Sheffield because that's best for Laura, but I had asked if we could meet in Barnsley. It worked out really well for me because I had been unwell all week since getting back from Skegness, so it meant I didn't have to go far. 

Chloe came to my house and talked to my cats while I was still getting ready, and then I drove us both into town. We parked in the Glassworks and walked through to Coffee Boy to meet Laura. I had a caramel milkshake in there, which was pretty nice. Then we headed into some shops. Lee had told me there was a new plus size clothing shop in Barnsley and in fact there's two. One is where Yours used to be and it's like Yours only cheaper and nastier and just weird. In fact they were both weird. There were lots of things we all quite liked, but then they had weird seams or whatever. So none of us bought anything. 

We headed into the market where I wanted to buy a new walking stick. I left mine in Sarah's car which was incredibly stupid of me, and I don't have another. Laura said that anywhere selling bags and luggage would probably have sticks too, and she was right! I chose a pink and silver one which I really like. It was only £17 which was good! we all got some little bits, and then headed upstairs to Market Kitchen. 

The Thai place isn't there anymore which is very annoying although in its place is going to be a Japanese counter I think which is quite exciting, but it wasn't yet open. So I went for Turkish food, as did Laura. Chloe got a pizza. I got the vegetarian mezze platter which was delicious. It came with bread as well and it was really good but I think it was slightly overpriced. 

We had dessert; I had a brownie and some bubblegum ice cream from Dolly's. I didn't eat all the brownie so brought it home and ate it later. We sat for ages chatting before heading to TK Maxx because I needed... something, which I have now forgotten. Oh, a new water bottle to fit in my handbag! We said goodbye and I got Chloe and I back to my house. 

I was wearing one of my Scarlett and Jo skirts that I wear all the time, but with it I was wearing this confetti knitted top that I don't wear often. It came from Primark about ten years ago and it's super cosy and stretchy. I thought it was a cute outfit together. I will have to remember this jumper and wear it more! 

We forgot to get a photo of the three of us which was a fail, but we did have a nice time!

Halloumi, humus, cacik, baba ganoush, and not pictured is the bread 

Bubblegum ice cream which was very delicious

And my outfit, the jumper is so cute up close!

Weekend in Skegness - Day 3

On the Saturday of our trip, we first of all went swimming. We had been very briefly on the Friday afternoon, but the pool was closing so we only swam for a few minutes. So we decided to get to the pool just as it opened on the Saturday, at 10am. R loves swimming and is very good at it, so she spent a happy hour jumping off the steps and swimming. It is ages since I'd been swimming as we paused the gym because of my mum's cancer, so it was so lovely to be back in the water. I did a few lengths but I also chatted to Sarah of course. The pool was nice and warm and although busy, not too busy.

We stayed in for about an hour, went to the shop on the way out, and then went back to the chalet. I had a shower and so did Sarah. We ate lunch. Then we set off out about 1pm. R needed a bit of a nap so we drove a bit of a long way round and parked near the RNLI station and waited for her to wake up. Then we went to the aquarium! We had booked tickets online which made them slightly cheaper.

I love an aquarium so I did like it, but it isn't huge. But there were black tipped sharks, jellyfish, a pregnant seahorse, and plenty of other cute things to see. Then outside there's a dinosaur area! It's got a load of animatronic dinosaurs which I could take or leave, but it did have a big sandpit where you could excavate 'bones' so Sarah and R did that for a bit and I sat and watched. It had cool dinosaur facts, too. 

After that we got ice cream and donuts from a stall near the aquarium. Mine had hot choc sauce on it which hardened on the ice cream which was a bit weird but nice enough. It started to rain so we decided we would just go back to the chalet, but I wanted to buy some postcards so we headed over to a shop. Then we saw that the RNLI station was open and you could see inside it! There was a huge tractor and a lifeboat loaded up on the back of it, and there was a viewing station. It was really cool to see! The lifeboats are way bigger than I thought! 

I bought postcards and we headed back to the chalet. I had been wearing my leopard and rose Topsy Curvy dress that I got off Georgina and which was perfect for the weather. But before long we all had our pyjamas on. Sarah had a bath - she said the longest one since R was born - so R and I just sat and chatted. She's good company! 

We had another chilled night. On the Sunday morning we just got up, got packed up, and headed back to Sarah's. My last photo is of the chalet which I would really recommend! 

Post swimming selfie as I was getting dry (ish, as I was going straight in the shower)

This terrifying thing was flying over the car park

Many many fishes. You know what fishes are 

One of the weird dinosaurs, it was kind of cool just not really my thing

Sarah and R excavating bones

Donuts and ice cream, delish!

The lifeboat tractor thing

And the lifeboat itself behind it

My outfit of the day. I forgot the other two days

And finally the chalet just as we were leaving on the Sunday morning

Weekend in Skegness - Day 2

On the Friday of our trip we were all up early. We had breakfast (I had bought some chocolate spread so I had that on toast which was a real treat) and then we drove to the beach. Sarah had considered going swimming but due to the crash between two ships just a couple of weeks before, there was a load of plastic crap on the seashore so swimming wasn't on the cards. So we walked in the sand for a bit and then we walked on to the pier. We went into the arcade and played a few machines - I did quite well on the 2p machine! We left the arcade and walked past the funfair, which was closed for the winter, and past some gardens. We got a bucket and spade for Robyn and then had some lunch on the prom. We were sitting outside but undercover, and it was gorgeous! It was nicely warm and just lovely. Lunch was nice too. 

We went back on to the beach so that R could build some sandcastles. I sat and just basked in the sunshine. I felt like I was unfurling in the spring like a new leaf. It was so lovely. 

We walked back to the car, getting some donuts on the way which were delicious. Back at the chalet we just relaxed and watched bizarre children's TV. I love Bluey but some of that stuff is just incredibly weird! Around 4pm I went in the bath. I chucked in a Snow Fairy bath bomb and made it lovely and hot. I lounged for about 45 minutes before getting out. I would really love to have a big bath like that! 

As I was getting dry Sarah gave me a glass of prosecco which was very good. I put my pyjamas on and read again. R went to bed and Sarah and I had snacks for tea. 

Sarah and R on the beach, looking towards the pier

A bit of a panorama of the beach

Selfie on the beach, looking very windswept

Looking from the pier to the funfair, I probably took this exact photo when I was in Skegness last April with Sam and Jacqui

Sarah and R in the heart on the pier, how cute

Playing on the 2p machines

Expanse of beach after lunch

That is Sarah and R building sandcastles becase that's where R wanted to build them. She was eventually persuaded to come closer to where I was sitting

Proof: here's Sarah and I sitting on the prom with our feet on the beach while R ran about and made sand angels

Yes, it is!

I love seaside donuts more than almost anything else

Bath when I had chucked the bomb into it

And finally my getting dry prosecco. I highly recommend it!

Weekend in Skegness - Day 1

On the 20th of March I went away to Skegness for three nights with my friend Sarah and her almost four year old daughter, R. Sarah's husband Tom died very suddenly in December 2023 so obviously they are both still navigating through life without him. Since he died Sarah and I have been talking about going away for the weekend, and we finally booked it last November. We decided to go to Skegness for three nights. R is at nursery on Thursdays, so we decided to go after that. It worked out really well!

I did some work in the morning and then set off to Sarah's not long after 11am. From hers we went to Asda to buy provisions and lunch. We went back to hers, ate lunch, and got the last few things together. I left my car at Sarah's and then we went to pick up R. She ran out of nursery really happy because she had some Haribo! 

We got to Skegness about 5pm after a really decent journey. We were booked into Southivew Holiday Park, which, it turned out, was a Parkdean Resort. Lee and I have stayed on a bunch of those over the past few years and I really rate them for accomadation and amenities. We had booked a two bedroom chalet and it was absolutely gorgeous! There was a big living/dining/kitchen area, then two double bedrooms. One had an ensuite shower room and the other bathroom had a huge bath. We knew we would share the bathrooms as R needs a bath, and I prefer a shower, so I didn't really care which bedroom I had. We let R choose! She chose the room with the ensuite for her and Sarah, so I took the other one. 

We unpacked and everything, and R had a bath. I had taken some bath bombs along for everyone and she loved the one for her! It turned the bath water green! She had some tea and watched TV and we had pasta and sauce and garlic bread. Oh and wine! 

It took a while for R to go to sleep as she had had a long nap on the way over, but while Sarah was seeing to her I just relaxed/ I watched crap TV, I read some of my book, and I drank wine. It was lush. It's been a long time since I was able to do that, so I was glad to. 

This was my new bag that I had got just before we went. I've been really struggling with pain in my back and shoulders, so I thought I would try a backpack to distribute the weight more evenly. This one isn't huge but it fits loads in. I don't love it, but it's fine for now and was worth the try 

My room in the chalet, it was a comfy bed

Looking down the corridor with Sarah's room at the end, mine on the left, and the bathroom on the right

The living and dining areas. The kitchen was off to the left

And finally some stars - I stepped outside just after 8pm and took a photo of the sky