Recently I visited Center Parcs at Woburn for a weekend break, have you been?
I have to say; I haven't felt so relaxed or without a care in the world for a long time. Ok, so it might not be the most exciting of locations but it was just what the doctor order when it came to stress relief.
So the pool was not as inviting as it usually is now there are Covid restrictions in place and I couldn't book a massage as there was no availability but I was only there for 2 nights and in that time I could fully immerse myself in the surrounding woodland and relax.
I opted for the basic lodge this time and kept my fingers crossed that there wouldn't be too many screaming children splashing in the pool in what was the weekend before schools returned.
I made a beeline for the bar as soon as we had parked the car. Now I'm not a big drinker but there is something essential about sitting down with a beer or cider and watching the world go by. (Clearly I'm getting older). I may have only been 15 minutes from home, but sat sipping my Strawberry and Lime tipple, under blue skies opposite the lake I was in heaven.
I felt the stress starting to slip away, and I soon settled in to the lazy mornings and spending a few hours reading a good book with no distractions.
It wasn't all play though. The business woman in me couldn't help but pick out things they could have done better, the extras that they could have offered as a nice touch and the standard of the food wasn't the best. But, it didn't matter because all I remember is the special memories we made and the illusive feeling of deep relaxation that I felt in those surroundings.
It's been a funny year, but don't forget to make time for yourself. You really do need it and will be all the happier for it.
