This last week I was treated to a lovely few days at Ragdale Hall, a wonderful health spa in Leicestershire, with Mum. We were pampered from the moment we arrived and, after settling into the routine of relaxing, being massaged, more relaxing and snoozing, I am glad to say I coped pretty well under the strain of it all. ‘Busily doing nothing’ is a phrase that comes to mind – it felt extremely indulgent, but at the same time it is what my mind and body had needed for a wee while; the time and space to come to terms with all that has happened over recent weeks and months and recharge my batteries.
For Mum it was poignant, too-her yearly and well-earned retreat to Ragdale didn’t happen last year after Dad died, so I was glad to join her on her return visit. Though, as usual, it was very strange and sad not to have him at home when we came back, full of questions and interest. We miss you, Pops, big time.
It was my first foray into the world of health spas and, once I had got over the bizarre notion of folk wandering round in bathrobes all day, and those hideous if not slightly confusing disposable undies for your treatments, I loved every minute of it. A real treat in more ways than one: quality time with Mum; my skin, hair and muscles received well-deserved attention and I came away feeling refreshed and renewed and ready for action again.
back to school
So now its back to school for the home run in to the end of my first term, and onwards with the training, preparation and finding corporate partners to join the crew. There’s training for the Devizes to Westminster kayaking race in March; getting to grips with weather systems and ocean meteorology; developing the website; drip-feeding the media and generally making it real.