Elma - Royal Leamington Spa

Our Anniversary Meal.

I wanted to chose a place for our fifth anniversary meal that would be different, something fun and something I knew we would both enjoy. Looking briefly up restaurants in Leamington, Elma stuck out, one because it was turkish and two because the name reminded me of an elephant I am 99% sure it was a multi coloured elephant from a story book. 

I emailed the restaurant trying to book a table for 17.30pm they quickly replied explaining that they didn't open until 6pm but suggested I could still go and have drinks up the bar. I thought that it was a really nice touch and made me really look forward to going there.

It was now time to go to the restaurant after getting changed in public toilets and doing my hair and make up in my car. It took us roughly 20 minutes to find the restaurant even though it was only 2 minutes from the main high street it is
hidden down a side road. We eventually got to the restaurant at about 6pm we walked in and explained we had a table booked for 17.30pm etc and the lady told us they had opened early for us, I instantly felt guilty.

We sat down and the lady came over to take the spare table cutlery away and take our drinks ordered, we both ordered a coca cola and a still mineral water. Roughly 5 minutes later she came over and took our food orders, we had a cold meze sharing platter which was beautiful, I ordered a saffron chicken and chips turkish style obviously and Sam had a duck stew. I was so impressed with both of our food it was perfect. 

we waited roughly 20 minutes before having dessert we had another sharing platter of baklava, pistachio ice cream, vanilla ice cream and saffron candy floss which was soooooo yummy and I really enjoyed it. We also bought a bottle of turkish Raki which I haven't had since 2012 in crete,  So I had to buy it haha. The total bill with everything included was £70 which I thought was really good for what we had.

I would 100% recommend this place to a friend. if you are looking for great food that has a relaxed atmosphere.

Becky xx

The Episode Hotel - Royal Leamington Spa

The Hotel Myself and Sam
Stayed at for our anniversary adventure.

The hotel is on the edge of the main town in Leamington. I paid £54 for a double room for 1 night which included a breakfast. I looked on the board when we arrived and it said for what we had would cost £80 so I was extremely happy.

We got into Leamington at roughly 11am, Check in wasn't until 2pm so I went in and just asked if we could leave the car in their car park, which we could. Me and Sam walked roughly 30 minutes exploring the lower part of the town until going to the tourist centre and getting a map and asking for information about things to see. We walked around the shops just getting our barrings then headed back to the hotel.

It was 13.15pm so I thought I would ask if we could check in but the man explained they were fully booked the night before so we would have to wait. Rather than walking around we just sat in my car talking and laughing until 14.01pm then we checked in. We had room number 24, I was kind of dreading seeing our room after being able to see how small the rooms down stairs by the car park were. 

I was totally shocked to see our room was huge and modern and clean, the bed was massive and so comfy. We didn't stay in our room long on that day because we spent the afternoon and early evening in Hellion Lakes Hotel, Golf and Spa which is in a separate blog which should have been uploaded a week before this one. 

We got back at roughly 19.30pm and were starving. We headed down to the hotel bar after having a little chill in our room. 

We had a fruit cider drink and ordered a antipasti sharing platter which has chorizo, parma ham, bruschetta, sun dried tomatoes and cheese stuffed peppers. For our mains we both ordered a free range chicken burger with fries. It was yummy the burger bun was rock hard but that is my only complaint.

By 21.30pm and we were in bed chilling on Facebook and watching a little bit of T.V. Eventually I fell asleep and kept waking up to check the time for some unknown reason. We had set an alarm for 8.30am to wake up for breakfast. We woke up and packed a little bit, got dressed and stumbled down for breakfast. I wasn't feeling to well, I had a massive headache.

We went downs stairs and were greeted by a lovely waitress, I sat down and Sam got me some Apple juice. I ordered a full breakfast and Sam had eggs benedict. We both had a cup of tea and went back upstairs to finish packing. We left the hotel at roughly 10.30am. We were going to be exploring the town so I asked about a local car park, the lady at the reception told us we could leave the car there, which I thought was amazing.

I really enjoyed my stay here and I will always recommend it to family and friends. 
Have you ever had this kind of hotel experience?

Becky xx

Hellion Lakes Hotel, Golf and Spa - Daventry.

Day 1 of my and Sam's 

Fifth anniversary celebrations.

I used Groupon to have a look at deals for me and Sam to do while we were in Royal Leamington Spa. They had an offer for £25 which caught my eye the deal included use of the gym, jacuzzi, steam room and 1 hours ten pin bowling. If available we could have 20% off a spa treatment but there was no space when I phoned to book and we werent really that bothered.

The hotel was in the countryside. I have never drove down actual country lanes so it was.....erm...... lets just say different haha, I don't think Sam enjoyed it as much as I did. We drove past it at first but we pulled into a side lane and turned around, we pulled up to the hotel and honestly the photo's online do it no justice, it took my breathe away. 

We walked in the this posh hotel sticking out like sore thumbs in our gym clothes. We spoke to a lovely lady at the main reception who pointed us in the right direction to the leisure reception. We arrived and there was nobody around but a sign said to call a number using the phone for assistance. Shortly after calling the number a very chirpy man can strolling along ready to help, He made us feel extremely comfortable.

We signed in and he showed us the changing room, gave us some slippers then showed us around the gym. Me and Sam spent time on the bikes, cross trainer, rowing machines and different weights which was a first for me. My arms ached so much but I kind of liked it. We then got changed into our swimming costumes and headed to the swimming pool which was fun, Sam is not a fan of swimming pools but he came in and we dunked our heads under the water trying to look at each other and we swam a little. We then hopped into the jacuzzi which was roasting hot but that didn't stop us staying in there for roughly 30 - 40 minutes.

It took me almost an hour to get dressed I had a mini melt down in the changing rooms because it was so hot in there, my shower cubicle flooded and I had to do my make up twice. Sam was waiting outside the changing room for 25 minutes...ooooppppps. Once I emerged from my hot hell haha we went to the bar to redeem out free cups of tea and a danish pastry. They were both yummy.

It was now roughly 6.30pm and our bowling was booked for 7pm but I thought we should ask if we could bowl instead of sitting around for half an hour. The man at the leisure reception let us go straight down. The room had four little lanes and uv lights like Tenpin's cosmic bowling. Sam chose to have the barriers down for the first game and I only scored 37, the next two games I had the barriers up and I got 96 and 84. Sam won all 3 games unfortunately and I got a little bit moody haha.

It was the end of our evening at Hellion Lake Hotel and it was amazing. I had so much fun and I would totally                                                         go back.

Have you ever been?

Becky xx

Going to Church

My Nephew Robert's First Holy Communion!

I don't believe in religion, but my Brothers family are catholic and I will support them. On Sunday 21st June my oldest Nephew Robert had his Holy Communion. I took my Mum and Dad with me and we got there just after 10 am and Chris and the kids arrived just in front of us. I took some photos and played chase while the adults smoked and had a chat.

Some how I never feel like an adult with my family, I always feel awkward. I am the most comfortable playing games with the children ha ha. It was now 10.30am and we were all inside sorting out seating. The church is same church Chris and Sue got married in back in November. We were all seated except Sue's Mum Libby and Dad Chris, I think they were late.

The service began, there was hymns and prayers lots of sitting and standing. It was a beautiful service and all the children looked gorgeous but my gosh did it go on. I spent my time talking to Katie and Lucy who were both sitting next to me. I took Katie to the toilet and James which broke it up a little bit. I also got told off by one of the teachers for taking photos of my family. 

Outside I played chase with the Kids again and took some more photos. We all went home and chilled until the barbecue was set up then I had some food and took Dani to the shops to get her and my Mum some cigarettes and pop and sweets for the kids. I came back and chilled in the living room with Dani and Lucy listening to music.

It was time to go home around 6pm and I was exhausted as I worked the night before and didn't get to sleep until 3am ish. I dropped my dad home came back then I went to bed to watch Pretty Little Liars.

Do you believe in religion? What one? Have you ever been to a Holy Communion?

Becky xx