Castle on the Hill

Hello Dears!

Finishing work I don't think many of my work colleagues knew that I was taking annual leave, starting with a half day on Friday afternoon. Come half-twelve I was more than ready to finish work and get my hot-tub on! But first I needed to wait for the besties, Miss Tweedle-Dee and Miss Tweedle-Dumb to arrive so that I could drive us all to our home for the weekend. Once they had arrived we popped everything into the car and headed out to the Open Roads. 

Our purpose built, Laxfield Lodges log cabin was set in the beautiful Suffolk countryside and is a part of a couple that the land owner has on his property in order to make a bit of cash on the side. And why wouldn't you make use of your surroundings, bunging in a hot-tub as well to increase profits. All rooms in the cabin were carved from the finest cuts of wood and the cabin itself was comprised of two bedrooms, a double and a twin, one main bathroom with a bath tub and a en-suite to the master bedroom including a rain shower. A separate utility room with tumble dryer, washing machine and storage was hidden along the wooden corridor before you came into the main living area which boasted a beautiful black and white granite kitchen including an incredibly useful island. All the mod-cons and amenities you could ever ask for in a kitchen as well as a six-ring old fashioned range in which you could cook in either the fan or the gas ovens provided. Two leather sofas rounded of the Living area looking out to the large decking and meadows but was accompanied by the glass free-standing dining room table and TV. 

But as you stepped outside onto the wooden veranda you saw the 'piece de la resistance': The Hot-Tub! Covered cleverly with some reeds and bamboo shoots, the hot-tub / Jacuzzi itself was very discreetly hidden from view of the other Lodge and the main house. perfect for a late-night dip and even maybe something a little bit more risky! But on a hot and lethargic Friday afternoon and certainly following the long journey that we had coming over from Bedford, Miss Tweedle-Dee, Miss Tweedle-Dumb and I were all itching to take a dip before the sun set. We even found out from the owner that the singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran was from around these parts, and was actually raised in the village down the road from where we were staying. The area even hosted Ed and his female friend, the international pop star that is Taylor Swift in a pub round the corner and and the video shot for Castle on the Hill was actually done nearby and showed the Framingham Castle in the background, a supposed old haunt of Baby-Ed. 

Saturday morning the Tweedles and I all awoke fresh as daisies and ready to start our day. After having breakfast consisting of a cup of coffee and a waffle or two, we all jumped in the car for the 40-minute or so journey to Ipswich in search of some shopping and retail therapy in order to unwind, spending some much needed time together for alas this may be the end of our annual holiday as we knew it. With some swift changes coming up in the next few months and very near future it was clear that we did not have much time to spend with each other, at least not in person anyway. Some make-up, clothes and holiday bits for mine and Mr. Warehouse's holiday to Tenerife in August we we're all officially shopped and dropped, and it would appear that we have dropped right into a Chiquitos nearby for some Dinner. 

Sunday was an unsuccessful day at the farm for a free activity, but I would say that the less said about this the better and so back to the hot-tub to enjoy the last few moments in whirlpool bliss before heading home to reality and work the next day. Suffice to say that whilst we had our holiday squabbles and disagreements as usual it was also an emotional time to reflect on our friendship and realise just how far we had all come from the school girls that met in the playground well over a decade ago. Who knows where our next trip will take us however I have a funny feeling that it will probably involve a little bit of a Chillier climate and even a trip to a Swedish Christmas Market!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx