Day 32 of Coronavirus Lockdown and as the days go on, I’m increasingly resigned to not having a holiday abroad this year. Currently we have two booked. One to Nerja in July with our families and one to Crete at the end of August for just Ian and me. Even if airports and resorts are back up and running, I’m not sure I’d be happy to go. I have a feeling that everything, (bar us), will be up in the air for some time regarding international travel. Of course it’ll be disappointing if we can’t go, but so long as we all get through this, we have years ahead of us to holiday abroad. In the meantime, I think I’ll reallocate the holiday budget and get my garden done.
An Unexpected Invitation
Do you remember when I used to work for Aspire magazine? It’s a Skipton-based glossy lifestyle magazine for which I was the editor and features writer. As part of that role, I did a lot of restaurant reviews and an occasional hotel review. One of the hotels I reviewed was Stirk House in Clitheroe. Amanda-Jane Arends was the manager at the time. She turned that hotel around and we were impressed with everything about it. We stayed in touch, so I knew that a while ago that she moved to become the general manager of the five star Hillbark Hotel & Spa on The Wirral.
I had the loveliest surprise yesterday when Amanda contacted me to see if Ian and I would like to do a review, post lockdown, to share on my blog and social media. I run most things by Ian. Not this time. I said yes less than a second after I read her message. She went on to say that we’ll have a beautiful suite with a double bath, and we’ll be treated to a couple’s spa with champagne and side-by-side massage. How could I possibly say no? I mean, just look at these photos.
We’ll have dinner in the Riviera Restaurant which looks absolutely stunning. The menu is modern Mediterranean and it sounds divine.
We’ve decided to make a long weekend of it because there’s so much to do in The Wirral and the surrounding area. Thurstaton Beach is close by as is West Kirkby Lake. The hotel offers its own golf experience at Caldy Golf Club, and Heswall Golf Course and the Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake are nearby too. I’m not a golfer but I know a lot who base their staycations around it.
It’s something to really look forward to and I know with utter certainty that it will be amazin, because Amanda is at the helm. It’ll be lovely to get dressed up with somewhere to go. We can’t wait.
Until then, I’ll daydream and will keep up with the home improvements- a weekend of wallpapering is on the cards. Have a lovely weekend whatever you’re doing and I’ll be back on Monday.
Stay safe x
