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and this was the view when I looked up...from the hot tub!...
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For 2 nights I stayed here with some amazing friends. We laughed and danced and ate and drank and watched films and painted our nails and stayed up late and wore silly wigs and slept in late and read trashy magazines and NOT ONCE did I have to wipe someone else's bum or make someone else a snack or tidy up a mountain of lego or think about anyone elses' needs but my own. It was heavenly.
It was the first time since having M, over 7 years ago, that I have been away from my family. By this afternoon I was missing them, and it was brilliant to see them and get all the hugs and kisses and 'I missed you Mummy's that were showered upon me when I got back.
But those 2 days were precious, and I feel soooo relaxed. I'm going to try to hold on to this feeling for as long as I can. And we've already booked to go back next year.
I hope your weekend was great too.
Rachel x
Oh you lucky thing Rachel ... you are just right to go and have a ball .... well deserved I'm sure and the little ones will really benefit from your recharged batteries ... my OH is 40 next year and we have a plan for a little getaway too ... fingers crossed we find willing baby sitters :) ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that Bee - it is a wonderful thing, to get away and remember who you are apart from being a Mum! The boys were fine and Frank loved having them on his own, it does us all good to have a change of routine. We must make time to get away together as well - time to draft the Grandparents in I think! I can really recommend the link above - they've got places all over, and the accommodation was gorgeous. And of course sitting in a hot tub in the forest is about as relaxing as it gets! xx
DeleteThat looks fantastic. Good on you for scheduling important "me" time. Love that you have already planned for next year. It sounds like the perfect spot.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a gorgeous place, especially at this time of year with the light streaming through the autumn leaves. Still feeling pretty relaxed, even after 24 hours back in kid chaos land!
DeleteOoh lucky lady! I was looking at those forest holidays the other day, but for Scotland (we used to stay in them when I was a kid - but they didn't have hot tubs then!). I'm so glad you've had a wonderful time. Us Mums need our breaks. x
ReplyDeleteI do feel very lucky Jen, especially as the women I went with are all really good friends, and we get on so well....it felt so easy and relaxing. I'd really recommend a Forest Holiday (and no this isn't a sponsored post - though I wish it was!) xx
DeleteI did the same thing last year, it was heavenly! I'm being whisked off by a friend this weekend for one night, we are both looking forward to not being Mum for a little while! Keep chilled! :)
ReplyDeleteOh lovely, have a great time! So good to look after ourselves, I feel so refreshed and much less grumpy with the kids! x
DeleteWow, sounds perfect. The only night I've spent away from my girl is when I was having back surgery so I can imagine how liberating it must have felt as you sat there in the hot tub gazing up at the sky... She's only 3 though so I guess I have 4 more years to go if I'm working on your schedule.... Bugger.
ReplyDeleteThat definitely doesn't count as proper time off Anna! No don't wait another 4 years, I should have done it before having my youngest but just didn't get around to it, and then wanted to wait till he seemed happy with it. I know loads of people who leave their kids overnight with Grandparents all the time, from really young ages, but it's such a subjective thing...and it depends very much on the Grandparents! Ignore my schedule and start planning a little break next year...it'll do you the world of good. xx
DeleteOh Rachel, Lucky you,
ReplyDeleteI expect you feel refreshed and humanized !
It is nice to get back too, isn't it?
....especially as I am sure they really appreciate you now?
Well for 5 mins???
Bestest Daisy xxx
I feel great Daisy, and yes it is lovely to be back...I wouldn't have wanted to stay another night, I would have been missing them all too much! And yes it is lovely to be appreciated, although my little one has punished me today with tantrums and tears...oh well, at least I've got the energy to stay calm now! xx
DeleteWow! What a wonderful place to get away for a couple of days, that view is amazing. Glad you had such a lovely time. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Caroline, it was properly wonderful. I will definitely be doing it again, and I won't wait 7 years next time! xx
Deleteoh good on ya! hot tub? yes please! x
ReplyDeleteHot tub, cocktails, dancing till late, sleeping in...oh yes, it was gooood. Do it whenever you get the chance! x
DeleteTime away is essential. It helps give perspective and when you do it with friends its creating memories too........wish I was in that tub looking up right now!!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right...it's good to miss the ones we love occasionally, in order to truly appreciate how lucky we are to have them. And spending time with friends without kids around makes those friendships so much deeper and stronger...all the other women there were Mums who I've met through Max's school. We have spent a lot of time together over the past few years, but mainly surrounded by a LOT of children! Great memories were definitely created! x
DeleteIt looks heavenly! You can't beat a hot tub under the stars :)
ReplyDeleteIt really was magical, couldn't quite contain my excitement about 2 days of freedom and luxury! x
DeleteFabulous Rachel! And the best part ... you have already booked to go back next year!! It's so important to have a bit of time for yourself, and it's nice to come home too : -)
ReplyDeleteOh Trudy, I think I would have cried if I'd left not knowing we were going back one day soon...it's so important to have things to look forward to! It is lovely to be home, though the kids are driving me crazy a bit...takes a bit of time to get used to how irrational kids are when you've been with calm, sane adults for a few days! xx
DeleteThat sounds AMAZING!! I am very jealous. Some uninterrupted sleep and no toddler-bum-wiping sounds pretty good right now! x
ReplyDeleteIt was brilliant Gillian, and I have to say, not too expensive when split between 7 of us - the cabin slept 6 but one person slept on the (massive & comfortable) sofa. When you think how much you might spend on a meal out, or a (rare!) night out with friends, it was maybe double that once we've paid for booze, food, petrol etc on top of the accommodation. The best bit was we were responsible for supplying and cooking one meal each - so the rest of the time we got fed delicious food without having to think about when/what to cook! Bliss. x
DeleteGood for you Rachel - hot tub under the stars!! Wowser. It is that work to live rather than live to work thing don't you think - so trips like this are all part of that balance in life. Being away also means that it is extra lovely coming back.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Jenny
What a great weekend of peace and quiet you must have had! Bliss! looks lovely, no wonder you have booked up already.
ReplyDeleteBliss is definitely the word for it!
DeleteAh - you must have been away with my friend Dom! You must have been in the car dropping Dom off when I was dropping something off at the same time. Sorry I am not stalking you! Cath
ReplyDeleteHa ha yes that was me Cath! We really must meet in person sometime, I was at Dom's earlier, I always find myself admiring all the lovely things she has that were made by you! :)
DeleteYes we must meet and have a fabric fest - being a fellow child of the 70's I love your fabric. That's so funny that you were in the car! X
ReplyDeleteI'm doing a craft stall at Ashton Park school this Saturday, and another at Ashton Gate Primary on the 8th Dec - come along and say hello! x
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