A fantastic meal, and if you choose to follow our path, a restaurant that comes highly recommended. We returned to base and after more gallivanting from the children, hot chocolate at the breakfast bar in the kitchen and a spot of late night TV on the huge plasma screen above the fireplace, we were off to bed. We awoke to a new world. Birds singing, not just one song, but a variety of never before heard cackles and grunts, shrills and croaks. I walked onto
the troops. Where had the enthusiasm gone? Where was all the hollering and whooping? No need to worry, they were at home, enjoying what we were here for, relaxation. The calm before the storm – maybe they knew what was to come more than I did, and they were quietly steeling themselves for the rigors of……..THE ECO POOL!!!!! More later. Following breakfast and a mixture of showers and baths, we were packed and ready to make the short journey to the spa. We drove, how lazy. Unforgivable, even. But our excuse was that ‘we
It was perfect, albeit a good mile away. Just me and my son, kicking a ball. He was happy, I was very happy. A small part of me started to wonder what if. What if we’d discovered this place when they were younger, what if we could have come here every weekend since they were little? But no point wondering. Just enjoy. And we did, for two hours. We had great fun, in the long grass, kicking over rugby posts, falling over in the mud, laughing, laughing and laughing some more. But what’s the time? Surely the manicures would be over by now? We went back to the Spa. ‘Just
“an expansive modernist building where stress-free indulgence achieves its most eloquent expression” the balcony and feasted on a sight for sore eyes. This I could get used to. Even the dog was at home, peering out over the balcony, most probably salivating at the plethora of birds just a paw away. We were all happy, at one with the environment and basking in every moment. The kids were already up, watching TV. Old habits die hard I suppose. With the sun, yes, the sun that we thought had gone away just twelve hours ago, filtering in through this near total glass edifice, we were inside and outside all at the same time. ‘Who’s up for breakfast?’ I shouted, trying to rouse
www.b4-business.com
didn’t know the way’, quite pathetic. Anyway, we got there and signed in. The ladies had arranged a manicure, whilst Ed and I were going to have a swim. But, as those of you with teenagers will know, always be prepared for a change of heart. ‘Don’t fancy it.’ Said Ed. ‘How about a game of footy?’ I asked. That hit the spot. We drove out of the Spa (car park that is – we’re not that lazy), and asked a security guard if there were any fields we could play football in. We were given directions to a rugby field and went home to get boots and kit on.
finishing off.’ Said the lady on the front desk. Ed and I popped our heads into the treatment room to be met with twenty brightly painted nails belonging to one happy ten year old and a very happy eleven year old. Mum was sitting patiently, totally relaxed, just how it should be. Ed and I went to change for the pool and the girls joined us ten minutes later. The £6 million Spa at Lower Mill Estate is the heart of this sprawling community. As the brochure says, ‘…..an expansive modernist building where stress-free indulgence achieves its most eloquent expression. Escaping in this estate is not just about
87