Our modern day lives are frightfully stressful (sigh). It is so very important that busy parents take time out to enjoy our poppets while they are still young (inspects manicure). They are not tiny for long you know (shakes head). My handsome man has been working incredibly hard, nose to the grindstone, burning the candle at both ends, and lately has somehow lost his sparkle. I have been longing for us to purchase a country escape for an age, but the property market is so damn temperamental and quite simply, there has not been the time!
In an effort to re-energise my darling husband, and get back in touch with our progeny, I arranged for us to spend last weekend at The Grove – which is, of course, the London Country Estate. I enjoyed a selection of lavish treatments at the award winning spa, while my man played golf, watched the rugby and generally lolled about in the fabulous outdoor pool and opulent lounges. But my munchkins seemed to have the best time of all! They claim that our two night “Great Escape” mini break was “the best holiday ever” - no really! And my darlings have been EVERYWHERE. Clearly!
The Great Escape is the most fabulous offer, as the children stay, eat, drink and play for free (smirk).
Tiny bathrobes awaited them in their room upon arrival. Earl Grey cuddly toys, chocolate, boxes of age appropriate toys, crumbly freshly baked cookies and milk to entice them off to bed each night! There was even a selection popular DVDs and computer games to chose from! My babies were welcomed by everyone from the door man to the staff in the fabulous dining rooms, with special menus, wax crayons, puzzles and a chocolate fountain taller than my burly boy. Jolly young families blended seamlessly with glamorous high maintenance ladies on Bikini Boot Camp breaks - everyone happy, everyone pampered, whisper quiet and no tantrums - not even from me! No, seriously…
Outside in the 300 acre, perfectly manicured grounds, there was the beautiful walled garden with heated outdoor swimming pool and surrounding sandy beach on which to enjoy a barbecue, play beach chess, volleyball or build sandcastles, Anouska’s OFSTED approved Kids Club with its play frames, bouncy castle and imaginative program of activities such as a “melted chocolate fight,” extreme taste challenge and pottery painting. Simply everything was provided, even bicycles for all to career about on the rolling landscape! We all laughed, played and relaxed for the entire weekend, what a hoot! It was a fabulous healthy, joyful weekend with lots of exercise great food and will no doubt be the source of lifelong treasured family memories (wipes tear from eye).
I feel like a different woman.
On the short journey back to Dulwich on Sunday evening, my heart in my boots, feeling glum at the idea of returning back to work and getting back to our regimented routine, Sweet Freya announced:
“If you must work mummy, does that mean that you are working class?”
I almost inhaled my veneers!
“I don’t need to work darling,” I chuckled, “not really, whatever gave you that impression?” as I admired the most perfect pedicure I have ever had - the soft skin on my feet plump and glowing.
“Well you tell us that we must stay at home with nanny as you must go to work” sang the tiny girl.
“Oh sweetie no! I leave you with nanny as work is far easier than looking after you! That is a much more difficult job and I am incredibly lazy” I laughed.
“Yes, that’s what grandma Brenda said.” replied the darling child.
OHMYGOD!
Being a mummy last weekend was so very pleasurable - I may just give up my high flying career and take up residence at The Grove permanently - I have found the ideal country escape! I feel that I have missed far too much fun with my tots already (gulp), even if my family are slightly less than perfect (grinds teeth).
