This time last week, I had a very different view from the computer screen I look at this morning! I was in the middle of a beautiful forest… just me, no hubby, no children… just me… and 10 girl-friends!
I’d literally been dreaming about this weekend for the entire summer holiday, which, I don’t know if I’d mentioned, was pretty crappy! A weekend all to myself, full of laughs, alcohol, food, naughty card games, delicious pancakes… and even a bit of water slide riding!
Last weekend 11 of us went to Centre Parcs in Warminster and what made it more exciting was that I was a Centre Parcs virgin! I always figured it was pretty pricey for a weekend away with the family… and don’t get me wrong, it is. However, now having been there, I totally get why people go back. Its glorious! As I opened the patio doors, I found myself stood in the middle of what can only be described as the Gruffalo book (if you have older kids and have no idea what I mean, Google it). Tall trees absolutely everywhere and squirrels running up to the window. It was simply stunning.
What made it even more special was that we were celebrating a special birthday… no, not a 30th (where did those 10 years go?) but a 40th. This weekend however, was a far cry from others we have spent away… like partying down in Newquay, an all adults weekend in Butlins, or in sunny Torquay (back when they welcomed Hen Weekends!) etc, etc.
However, this was just what the doctor ordered. Just a few days to chill out and enjoy doing simple things, like eating breakfast without being interrupted, walk through the forests and not worry that your little one is about to fly off his bike or fall down some steep slope! I felt really quite smug walking around, taking in the beautiful autumn sunshine and having this ‘me time’.
Being away with your best friends is by far the best form of therapy. You often think that all the shit that is going on in your life is only happening to you. Being away for a weekend, lets you relax, talk out your worries, concerns, your fears and also celebrate your successes.
You see, with the rise of social media, everyone else’s life looks amazing from the outside looking in because that’s what they want you to see. We are all guilty of that. There are so many pictures that I have posted in the past of us all on a day out or on holiday, that took place seconds after a huge meltdown and me losing my shit… then its…”SMILE” (through gritted teeth!).
My hubby was once accused of oversharing our ‘rosy life’ on Facebook by someone that was obviously having a tough time of it. However, as you will read in other blogs, the last 11 years haven’t exactly been rosy! Its not that we were being fake, I just figure that people don’t want to be reading about how crappy your life is all the time… I’m a glass half full kinda girl you know!
However, just chatting to the girls, I realised that so often what looks to be the perfect situation ie; a holiday, whether it be camping in Cornwall, a sunny Greek island or fun-seeking in Florida, everyone at some point was having a shitty time of it and they too had posted holiday pictures ‘post-meltdown’ with fake smiles. The fact is, the day we got home from our Florida holiday, I got home and balled my eyes out… but I sure as hell wouldn’t share that on social media! Maybe its time to be a little more truthful?
Being away from it all also gives you an amazing sense of freedom. One of my highlights of the weekend was going to the swimming pool and going on the huge flume slides, with nobody else to worry about but me . They had a couple of amazing new slides called Tropical Storm and Tornado which did not disappoint. I felt like I was a 12 year old kid again – I bloody loved it!!
As expected though, my weekend was interrupted many a time from the phone… with messages and declarations of love from dearest daughter, bless her. I answered a few of them, but the more I answered, they more she would message, so I had to be a mean mum and ignore them after a while and just go grab another bottle of beer!
You see, going away doesn’t just do you good, it does the whole family good. When you finally get chance to leave all the washing, cooking and cleaning behind you for a few days, the guys left at home appreciate you all the more.
As a very good friend once told me …. ‘Happy Wife, Happy Life’!
Until next time,
Love & hugs xxx
Tales of a Mother's Daughter 