Back on the treadmill

I'm back from my few days away with a girlfriend, well I've actually been back a while now I don't want to give the impression we were away for nearly two weeks -

however fabulous that would be!

Every January we go for 3 nights (and nearly 4 days if we stretch it to capacity) and it is wonderful. We have discussed the optimum time for a pampering break and my friend, who lives a very adult life, not too short of cash and with only one child who flew the nest many years ago, feels that 3 nights is just perfect. I on the other hand am lobbying for a 3 week break!

We left home on Tuesday after the school run and leisurely drove to the bypass (about 10 miles), where we stopped for coffee! Then on to a hotel, (very gorgeous hotel) for lunch, and then on to our spa (now known as our "secure unit") In previous years we've changed the set routine at the spa to suit us and arrived in time for lunch, however this year we were informed that if we arrived before the 3pm check in we would be charged an additional £75, and that wouldn't include the lunch!!

On arrival at the asylum spa and donned dressing gowns as quick as a flash; that is the only time I ever move as-quick-as-a-flash! From there on in it was a short break filled with reading, quiet rooms, prosecco in tumblers (in the bedroom), fab food, saunas and massages - along with heaps of chatter!

 A wonderful time, and on the third day we booked our 2015 break, something to look forward to for next year, whatever this year throws at me I know there is something lovely planned

 (...must start saving....)

 

We started talking about a spa break around 25 years ago, my friend was a young mum with a toddler and I was unmarried (although living with my boyfriend) and working hard to pay the mortgage on our first house. I think we even got as far as getting a brochure (no internet then) but the prices were far beyond our reach, maybe one day we said.

Well the years rolled by and I got married, she made my wedding dress and both she and her daughter accompanied me up the aisle as bridesmaids, life moved on and 3 children arrived for me (much to everyone's surprise, including me).

 

Then when Little Miss was 8 months old The Builder surprised me with a couple of days away, but not with him (he knows what I like!). I was told to pack for 2 nights away and wait to be picked up the following day. I phoned my friend in a panic, he doesn't seem to realise that we may have a problem, I'm still fully breast feeding the baby!

She calmed me down but denied all knowledge of the trip. The next morning as I waited with my overnight bag she arrived to pick me up,

she'd planned the whole thing with the Builder and off we went.

He had to try to feed the baby with formula and a bottle! I spent a good few hours at the hotel hiding in the bathroom with a breast pump, those melons needing deflating regularly! I was a little sad that the whole trip spelled the end of feeding the baby myself, I knew she was my last and I'd struggled to feed the two boys but I did start to feel human again.

 

We said "we must do this again" and over the past 10 year I think we've been away about 7 times, only for 2 or 3 days at a time but I love it so much, quality time with a good friend is worth a lot.

 

So now I'm home and back to work and the daily routine which just now seems full of mock A level exams, some GCSE exams, the usual school stuff and lots and lots of indoor cricket. Both boys belong to 2 cricket training groups which operate on alternate Sunday evenings, they also play (with The Builder) in a Sunday morning indoor league so lazy Sundays just don't happen in this house. That's on top of the club training sessions and number 1 son's coaching course and all the pre season County training and meetings. Oh I do love cricket.......

 

On top of that The Builder is nearing the end of a big project which means we have no money, we will have in due course but right now we have ZERO,

so that would be a great time to go on holiday right?

The next few weeks see 2 school trips to get organised for, quite exciting but also a worry given our past experiences - you have to read back to understand why I worry so much.

And as we're split into 3 groups I will worry more as it's one thing encountering a series of disasters as a family but quite another when you're all apart!

 

Number 1 son is off on a college trip to New York and Washington on February 12th, for 5 days to study politics and history.

 

He's just a politics student but by the looks of the itinerary they have plenty of free time to wander round and get lost! He has certainly inherited from me the wandering off gene, so gawd help us! On February 13th number 2 son goes off to Sri Lanka on a cricket (surprise surprise!) tour with his school for 10 days, and we've opted to go along.

So for the first time in a very long time we've booked a holiday (to shadow the tour) for 2 adults 1 child - oh how easy that will be!

However we're away for 10 days leaving number 1 son home alone for 5 days- unless he invites friends to stay - oh crikey it gets worse! Party central.......

 

So I still have airport parking, visas, money (we have none) insurance etc etc to arrange as well as go to work and try to keep this house in order, it's just not going to run smoothly of that I am sure.

 

So just to reiterate that, and if you haven't read the previous holiday disaster posts, please avoid Sri Lanka for those dates, actually avoid it for the whole of February to be on the safe side! Apologies in advance if you've already booked......