Spa Weekend

At the end of November Caroline and I went for a spa weekend at Dunkeld Royal Hotel near Perth. It was very posh. We need got a whiskey or sherry upon arrival (which was needed as we drove there in torrential rain and through more than one flooded road). 

I thought I had booked our treatments for the Saturday but I got it wrong and booked for Sunday, so we had all day Saturday to chill out. We sent some time by the pool and using the spa facilities.

The view form the pool

We didn't really do much while there, though we did take a bit of a walk around the hotel. To be fair, it didn't really stop raining the whole time we were there. 

The Dunkeld Royal Hotel

The river was quite high

After the walk before our dinner, we found a side room with some comfy chair to read out books.

We had our spa treatments on the Sunday morning. While Caroline was having hers, I had a hot stone massage, which was pleasant, and a seaweed bath. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turns out it was a really hot bath with some seaweed in it. It was an ... interesting experience. 

It was a good weekend and nice change.

Hampton Court

On Sunday we headed to Hampton Court, which is just down the road from me. It was the end of half term down here so there were people in costumes and various little events around the palace. 

Music

And Dancers

The great hall

:(

Playing the lute

Henry VIII

The palace was on one of Henry VIIIs haunts, as well as William III and a George (though I don't remember which one). And it's huge! We gave up on the audio guides. (I have a year pass now so will head back and do it in sections.)

GIANT fireplace

Paper decorations

And paper costumes.

Courtyard fountain.

Such a poser! :)

and for scale....

weapons.

Dangerous room

Tiny chair and giant canopy.

Painting.

Dad looking for wine in the wine fountain.

The gardens are also massive (going to have to head back with a picnic in better weather). The weather was nice but a bit cooler than the previous days. 

Main walkway

"Canal" which goes nowhere.

Palace from the back gardens.

The palace also has the largest vine in the world. Though taking a photo didn't work out so well.

It's huge. Trust me.

After dinner we had some fun. Dad loves doing face masks (mom, not so much but we convinced her). Dad wanted to try to black head peal-off one.

Applying.

Setting

Mom had great fun pealing off Dad's mask (which did not come off as easily as mine had last time I used it) and was a little disappointed she had not also picked a peal-off one.

After the masks can the eye care. They look unimpressed but honestly they love it! :) 

Moving again and Roaches

On Saturday I moved into my new apartment in La Laguna, very near the Institute. On Monday morning, I moved out again in a hotel for a few nights.
Sunday was ok. Rodrigo, who I will be sharing the flat with, flew to Scotland early in the morning and I had the place to myself. I didn't see anything nastier than a little spider.

Then I woke up Monday morning and nearly stepped on a cockroach in the kitchen. I had bare feet. There was a LOT of screaming and jumping about before dropping a very heavy chopping board on it. And then I found a second. The screaming and killing was repeated. At that point I grabbed some things and ran! Really fast!
I can deal with most bugs. But there is just something so gross about cockroaches. And they move really fast. Hate them!!!! I sometimes really hate living alone. You have to deal with everything yourself. I have to meet the landlord (lots more charades I guess) this afternoon.

I have moved to a hotel for a few nights until they exterminate the bugs and I decided whether I can face going back or try to find somewhere new to stay. The hotel is nice, though the shower seems to periodically shoot jets of boiling water. I guess a few minor burns are a small price to pay for sleeping cockroach free. But the hotel also has a spa so I have booked a welcome massage (great discount) and hopefully I can use the pool and sauna. Also my tub in my room has jets!!! I see a night in with wine and a book happening.

But the good news is I finally have everything (paperwork-wise) sorted to work here until Christmas. I still have to do a medical checkup (which is going to be interesting given the language barrier) but I think all the important stuff is done. Including the travel certificate so hopefully I will be able to go observing next week. :)

N.B: I have just meet the landlords and they are going to set off an industrial bug bomb in the apartment. Death to the Cockroaches!!!!!!

Spa and leaving meal

On Friday, my last day at home on this trip, Mom and I went to the Spa at the Copthorne hotel nearby for the afternoon. We have been there a few times before and they gave me a great deal for my birthday. We both had massages; my hot stone massage was great. The only problem was for the first hour we were there, there was a water aerobics class going on in the pool and the woman running it was extremely annoying and loud. But then they left and we had some peace to enjoy the pool, jacuzzi and sauna.
On the evening, the whole family went to Zendi's, a greek restaurant in Kingswinford.

Kerri and Oz.

My sister, Oz, and me.

Mom and Dad

Awesome view (even if it is painted on!)

The meal was nice and I loved the murals on the walls. I miss Greece. It was a nice going away meal and a great last day in the UK. I am going to really miss home.