Swimming, Camping and Exploring

 The spell of good weather we'd enjoyed over the Bank Holiday weekend continued into the week, thankfully. Little Misses disappointment at not getting into the waterpark the day before was short lived, and after a lazy start to the morning we were joining the masses in the queue to get into Alpamare. Overhearing staff members talk about the unprecedented crowds of the previous day made me very grateful we hadn't been able to get tickets.

 

It was still very busy. We didn't go on the slides, but we had a wonderful time in the outside heated pools, and indoor pool with wave machine. Little Miss loved it. 

On Wednesday, I was heading off for my first ever camping trip with the chap. We had booked somewhere not too far away, near Helmsley. We met in Helmsley, stocking up on supplies for our night under canvas, including filling up the cool box at the butchers, then we set off to our camp site and set up our new tent. 

The field next to our tent

The site itself was lovely, situated next to wide open fields and very quiet in itself. We had plenty of space. 

Yorkshire Spa Retreat

We went for a long walk, and decided to take a wander to the nearby Yorkshire Spa Retreat. It's a place I've wanted to go to for a while so I was keen to take a look. Luckily for us, especially since the local pub had been closed, they had a fabulous bar and restaurant where non-guests were welcome. We had a drink, and I had a bit of a nosey at the spa itself, before taking the scenic country walk back to our tent. 

So happy with my hanging grill

We set up our fire pit and the fabulous new hanging grill I've bought to cook on it with, and then tried to light a fire. We're clearly not well practised because it took us forever, but we got there in the end, and then cooked burgers and chicken kebabs. It all tasted delicious, washed down with cans of Madri. 

Then, we just sat by our fire and listened to the peaceful sounds of the country side. As the evening went on, a change in the weather started to come in and it grew colder. Time to retire to our cosy little tent. 

The chap cooking breakfast

I slept surprisingly well and the chap cooked our breakfast on the stove the next morning. We agreed, we need a new stove before we go camping again because everytime there was a gust of wind, our stove went out. As we finished off our breakfast and washed up our plates, we heard a rumble of thunder in the distance signifying it was time to pack up our camp. 

We did get a bit rained on, but missed the worst of it thankfully. It was a fabulous experience and we can't wait to do it again, with a better stove. 

Sunset over our tent

The break in the weather didn't mark the end of half-term adventures, but you'll have to wait for the next instalment. 

Pure Relaxation at Saltmoore Spa

 The days seem to be passing by in a whirlwind at the moment as we career towards Christmas. Last minute efforts to get my work projects across the line, social engagements and of course, preparing for Christmas itself. Last weekend though it felt like time stood still when me and the chap spent a couple of days at Saltmoore Spa, at Sandsend.

The last time I visited it was for afternoon tea, and it was before the massive refurbishment the hotel has undergone. It was Raithwaite hall and was far more traditional. Post refurb, it’s all very serene and unhurried. I was so happy to finally be getting here. We were shown to our room, a snug room. The name had fooled me that this would be a small space but the room with its beautiful king size bed, underfloor heating and luxury toiletries in the en suite was perfectly proportioned.

The chap had arranged for flowers and prosecco in the room on arrival as a lovely surprise. We sipped prosecco while we got ready to head down to the spa. The spa was reasonably busy, seems a lot of couples had the same idea of escaping the chaos for a weekend and this is definitely the place to do it. There was no concept of the fog and wind outside, or even what the time was. It was just time to relax and unwind. 

We swam, and of course spent lots of time in the sauna. I do love a sauna, ever since I first went in one about 6 years ago when I went to a spa for my friend’s birthday. Ever since it’s been my favourite part of the spa experience. 

The one at Saltmoore has Himalayan salt bricks inlaid in the wall and felt like such a meditative environment. I don’t do the ice water plunge after, usually relying on my shady excuse of not being able to handle the sudden temperature changes due to my underactive thyroid, but the truth is I’d be too coward anyway. The chap did the plunge though, sitting in the cold bath for around two minutes. 

We retreated to our pre booked loungers and the chap went off in search of cocktails. He chose a Daquairi for me. I’ve never had one before but it was quite delicious. We lazed around, getting up every now and again for a swim or the jacuzzi. Before we knew it, the time had arrived to leave the spa and get ready for dinner.

Saltmoore has a couple of eating places but, for the evening it’s the serene and atmospheric Brasserie restaurant. The unspoken dress code was relaxed glamour and I was glad I’d packed my heels. Why wouldn’t I though? I rarely miss an opportunity to don a pretty shoe! Before long the restaurant was as full as the spa had been.

We took a couple of pictures on our phones but you will have to take my word for it when I say the roast beef and all the trimmings was phenomenal, because we stopped short of photographing our dinners, this time. The meat melted in our mouths, the portions were huge and the selection of sides and accompaniments was endless. I couldn’t finish mine, although in part that was because I was leaving space for apple crumble and custard. 

It was relaxed, no rushing, just enjoying the whole experience. Afterwards we retreated to the lounge bar where a roaring wood burning stove and fabulous selection of traditional games welcomed us in. We ordered coffees and found a quiet nook and a deck of cards, and I taught the chap how to play Crazy 8’s. It’s an easy game that me and little miss have been learning and it was a perfect way to while away a cosy and relaxed evening. 

After a brilliant night’s sleep I woke up feeling like I was in a White Company catalogue. Despite being a self proclaimed maximalist I have to admit, there is a certain serenity to this sort of neutral colour scheme. Especially when done with such attention to the luxury details.

Breakfast was in the Brasserie again, although this time we were seated in the light, bright orangerie part. My smoked salmon and poached eggs on crumpet was divine, and the options for breakfast were vast. The chap had a full English, but there were pastries, cereals and fruits. It was a lovely way to start the day. Once again, nothing rushed or hurried. 

Once we were all packed and ready to go, we took a very short drive to the seafront and enjoyed a bracing walk along it. Sandsend is beautiful, and we were blessed with a lovely dry day. It was the perfect end to our relaxing break. Now just to plan our return visit! 

Spas and Tiny Houses

 You know those people who are always proclaiming how busy they are? Oh I’m just so busy I haven’t even had time to check my messages this week! I’m so busy I’ve not even been able to do the weekly shop! I find them incredibly boring and yet, here I am, becoming one! Don’t get me wrong, some of what I’ve been doing has been great fun, I’ve just not had a chance to write about it. A mixture of doing fun things, work, and trying to get all of my assignments in on time for a Leadership and Management course that is drawing to a close has kept me away from anything remotely resembling a hobby. 

I’m not lying when I say some of it has been super exciting. Every now and then I make a little purchase of some raffle tickets from a website. They are cheap, and with better odds than the lottery, an odd £1 spent here or there is a gamble I’m willing to take. Last week, a text popped up on my phone suggesting I’d won one of the draws. I thought it was a scam, so I checked my emails. It was there too, so I logged into the site and lo and behold I’d won an incredibly expensive professional coffee machine.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love coffee, so this was amazing. A few days later I was trying master caramel lattes, oat milk flat whites and everything else I can get in a coffee shop. Honestly, this has been a revelation, I have barely bought a coffee out since it arrived. 

The Saturday of that week, it was gloriously hot and sunny, so we decided to revisit Bondeville Model Village at Sewerby. There were very few people there, which was excellent.

Little miss and Thelma were able to really enjoy the attraction without being rushed. This model village is amazing, I think we’ll probably visit every year for as long as little Miss is interested.

At the moment she loves to take her favourite toy dog and set up little scenarios on the models. It’s so innocent and wonderful. Moments to hold on to.

Afterwards, we had a little saunter around the gardens at Sewerby hall, before heading home having enjoyed a very full day.

The following day I went to the spa with the chap.

I’ve been craving a spa day. Just being able to swim some lengths and sit peacefully in the sauna was exactly what I needed. 

I think if I had an abundance of money and a big garden I’d buy a home sauna, such is my enjoyment of them. Since I have neither, I will just continue to enjoy spa days whenever the opportunity arises.

We both got treatments too, which just made us both feel much better. To be honest, I do prefer a spa break because after you’ve done all that relaxing, it’s nice just to be waited on with a nice dinner and then fall into bed. It’s not always possible though, so a spa day fills a nice gap.

Aside from that we’ve been making the most of the heatwave with trips to the seafront, and I’ve even unpacked my summer clothes, which is probably why the heatwave went away.