Just got back from my prize weekend at Thoresby Hall Hotel which is a country house hotel in Nottinghamshire, set in a huge estate with gardens, woodland and leisure activities. I took a good friend with me to share my good luck. She drove and I had to put the satnav right, using that old fashioned thing called a map. What a wonderful surprise when we reached our room - not a room, but a suite with a bottle of champage cooling in an ice bucket! A huge four-poster bed which we had to share but it was enormous! A TV in both rooms and very comfy sofas. We could have simply hibernated there all weekend, but of course we didn't. The prize included a two hour session in the very stimulating spa. We used all the features - at least twice. There were steam rooms at various temperatures and an ice cave to cool off in (brrr!) and the spa pool was so relaxing I could have stayed in it for hours, but my skin shrivelled like a prune. The relaxation lounge provided water and fruit, then it was back for our second round! On Sunday we spent a happy hour puddling around in the swimming pool which also had its own spa pool. Meals were good and plentiful. You could choose from the carvery buffet or order from the kitchen. As a veggie I did the latter and found the food very tasty. As for exploring the surroundings, the weather was not conducive to outdoor activity but we did have a walk around and watched some hardy souls doing archery in a howling gale. We had a good look round the Courtyard shops and met some people with penny-farthing bikes who had been out for a ride in the gale! The café in the courtyard provided an excellent lunch. Of course, we ate far too much all weekend. There were loads of places to sit and watch people going by. We chose the library after dinner and played rather competitive games of Scrabble which, for a change, I won - just. Afternoon naps were taken in our own sitting room!
So Gransnet, thank you so much for a lovely and memorable weekend - from both of us. It was just what we needed at this stage in the winter, a great pick-me-up and very relaxing. xxx