This time last year I was lucky enough to get invited to a Spa Break to celebrate the up and coming marriage of the lovely Sara-Louise.

Ladies who Spa

We had an overnight stay at the wonderful Whittlebury Hall which involved a full day using their Heat and Ice spa, Swimming pools, heated waterbeds and other delights.

Stunning Surrounding

A divine evening meal was followed with hi-jinks and drinks and it was a great adventure. If you missed it you can catch it all here

Now almost a year had passed and for various reasons, Sara-Louise was having a wedding blessing and decided to do her hen party again.

At the same time another of our party, Kim was celebrating a special birthday and we wanted to celebrate that too, unbeknownst to her!

To be fair, I think it was just an excuse for a group of women to go to a spa, eat stunning food, drink sparkling wine and play silly games.

Most of the party were due to arrive around 8am so they could use the gym and make the most of the day.

Me? Well, I was still walking with a cane and certainly couldn’t get busy in the Gym.

Also I had been sent on a secret mission. A trip to Northampton for the floral arrangements and then a pop to Card Factory for shed loads of balloons.

I finally arrived around 113o and due to a knee injury, I pulled up in a drop off point right outside the hotel. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get all of my belongings, balloons, flowers, wine and a walking stick into the hotel.

Heading to the front desk, I enquired if there was anyone who could help me bring in all of my stuff. Thankfully a male and female staff member offered to come out and assist me.

Bringing in everything for me, I enquired what would be the closest place to park. I had an injury, not a disability so would never dream of parking in a disabled space.

The drop off point was a large lay-by and Reception said I could leave my car there. Bonus.

I checked in, the room was ready and so I left my luggage to be taken up. I headed for the spa and to meet all the ladies.

The organiser of the event, Joanna came and met me and checked out the balloons and flowers and where they were supposed to be put.

I went down into the Spa where I was greeted by a wonderful lady who gave me my robe and explained how everything worked. She showed me the changing rooms, which were in a different location to the year previous and explained that if I needed any help or assistance, then I was just to ask.

Knowing the party was in the swimming pool area, I headed there. It was lovely to see all the ladies again. Some were  off to the heat and ice area, but I was shattered and sweating up a storm.

They had reserved a lounge bed for me, so I decided to lay there for awhile before getting into the Pool.

Now, at my local gym I usually swim around 1000m but with this dodgy knee, I was able to swim around 20m, a total disappointment but fully understandable.

Getting out I relaxed on the bed for a bit longer, before realising it was actually time for lunch.

The lunch is served buffet style and has both hot and cold offerings.

Unusually I started with the soup, which was Sweet Potato. A chunk of Foccacia bread was a perfect combination.

I have to say, the soup was out of this world. So tasty and fresh. I would highly recommend.

After that I wandered around the tables picking bits and pieces up. It was a bit tricky with the walking stick, but do-able.

I added some cold meat, salad and cous-cous. Hitting the hot buffet I tried a little vegetarian pasta, sea bream, Thai green curry and zesty lime rice.

The dessert was fruit salad and yoghurt but I just couldn’t manage it.

Kim wanted to treat everyone to a glass of wine with lunch so got a couple of bottles of sparkling wine. It went down well and we all toasted.

Lunch and Balloons

The blessing Bride to be had no idea it was going to happen, but a cake had been made and was brought out by the staff; a tree log with fresh flowers and the couples initials carved into the wood.

True Love

To say that she was almost most to tears was an understatement.

I love the clear joy on her face.

We chilled out for awhile before heading to the treatment area; I had a well-being massage booked which was basically a 45 minute full body massage.

My masseuse asked if I had any issues and I told her of my long term shoulder issue and that I had injured my knee. She advised that she would do some extra work on my shoulder and neck, but avoid my knee area for obvious reasons.

She gently talked to me throughout the treatment telling me what she was doing and I have to admit I felt like I was on cloud nine.

By the end of the 45 minutes my neck, shoulder and  lower back felt euphoric and I felt like a new woman.

Most of the party had finished their treatments so we headed back to the heat and ice. I stayed for around 30 minutes before heading back to the room for a well deserved rest.

I was sharing a room with Siobahn and we sat chatting in bed for a little while before it was time to get dressed for dinner.

Pre-drinks

Now, as you know I am a bit of a clotheshorse. I had taken three outfits with me for the night and decided to go with the Sea Siren Turquoise dress and shrug from Pin Up Girl Clothing.

One of my favourite dresses

I have had this set for around 4 year and I still love wearing it. Knowing that none of the ladies had seen it before, it was a great choice.

Time for Dinner

Heading down to dinner Kim and Sara-Louise were surprised with the most beautiful bouquets of flowers and more balloons at the table.

Flowers for Sara-Louise

Then we started the night off with bread and ordered our starters.

Choices, Choices

I went with the smooth chicken liver parfait, red onion jam, toasted brioche and crispy onions.

So damn good!

It was absolutely out of this world.

With the Hen herself

The only small complaint I have is that I really needed more toasted brioche as there was too much parfait and I didn’t want to leave any.

Two special ladies

Luckily there was some bread left and I used that to finish off the pot.

All the ladies

For my main course I had chosen the slow cooked rump of beef in Dijon and herbs, thyme mash, creamed cabbage, glazed carrots and green beans with a red wine sauce.

The best Beef I have ever eaten

I have to admit, this was probably the very best piece of beef I had ever tasted in my life.  A blend of rare and medium rare, with hot juices and such flavour.

The whole meal was simply stunning. Really exceptional.

The dessert menu came out and  I was torn. I was unsure of which to choose and had two favourites.

Which to choose?

Should I go with the sticky toffee pudding or the lemon meringue tart?

Happy Hen

I plumped for the tart and it was quite a surprise when the waiter delivered the puddings.

Scrumptious

Going along the line he simply said ‘brulee’, ‘pannacotta’ ‘cheesecake’. When he got to me he put the lemon meringue down with a curt ‘tart’!

I didn’t know whether to laugh or be insulted!

It was at this time that a birthday cake in the shape of a silver teapot was delivered along with enough Pineapple cream tarts to sink a battleship. This was for Kim who was turning 50.

Time for Tea

We finished our food and retired back to the bedrooms for a bit more fun. As I was struggling with my knee, I reclined on the bed with a glass of wine whilst the ladies decorated the blessing bride.

Time to Dress the Bride

Streamers, pipe cleaners,veil, ribbons and more were used to decorate Sara-Louise while I sat taking photos and recording Boomerang videos of what was happening.

Decorated bedrooms

A lot of wine was flowing and then we move on to ‘Pin the Penis on the Hunk’

Kim getting a better look

By some minor miracle I actually won and was over the moon. I don’t think I have ever won much in my life.

The final game of the evening was a ‘Pass the Parcel’ game arranged by Kim.

Round and round it went with us all ripping layers of newspaper off. Again to my surprise I actually won when I ripped the last layer off and found a box of naughty jelly men inside.

Basically Jelly babies with erect penis!

Shocking but Tasty

I shared them out with all the ladies and they went down well.

It was now nearly half past midnight and everyone was starting to flag.

We decided to call it a night and headed to our respective rooms with the agreement on meeting in the dining room for breakfast at 0900.

The start of the evening Selfie

I am sad to say that I got very little sleep that night; the room was really hot and even opening the windows didn’t make much difference.

I woke up several times in the night with menopausal night sweats. The sheets were ringing wet as was I. I got around 90 minutes sleep the whole night.

Yes, it was not ideal but at least I was in bed and resting.

Getting up for breakfast I was happy to see a huge selection of items on offer; cereal, yoghurt, fruit, cold meats and cheese. There was also the ingredients for the full English breakfast.

This was my choice and I loaded up on sausage, beans, scrambled egg, bacon, hash browns and mushrooms.

It was bloody delicious.

Finally I said goodbye to all the fabulous ladies and got in my car to head home.

I have to say, I felt fresh, happy, stress-free and like a weight had been lifted.

Thank you to all the ladies that made this stay so amazing and for Whittlebury Hall who made our stay just that little more special

I am also happy to say that I will be returning at the end of June for another overnight stay.

I literally cannot wait.

Till next time,

SPSG xxx