A Cheeky Escape: Day Fourteen and Fifteen of Our Covid Holiday (2021)

Two Surprises in Two Weeks!

What a couple of weeks it’s been! Last week, Darren and Tracy spoiled us with a night away in the picturesque Shropshire. This week, our two youngest, Lewis and Joshua, decided it was their turn to play host and treated us to a night at the Mercure Parkway in Leeds. Now, isn’t that just the kind of parenting reward we all dream of?

But before we made our way to Leeds, we decided to make a little detour. You see, Harrogate was calling our names, and who were we to resist?

A Day Out in Harrogate

Ah, Harrogate. We’d been there a few years back with Warren and Dawn, so it wasn’t entirely unfamiliar territory. But this time, it was just the two of us, free to roam the streets and soak in the charm at our own pace.

We started off with a leisurely stroll through the town, popping into various shops and meandering down the back streets. It’s the sort of place where you can’t help but feel a little posh, even if you’re just window shopping. After working up an appetite, we decided to grab lunch at Nando’s. Yes, I know, not the most glamorous choice, but who can resist those Peri-Peri chips? A cheeky Nando’s, as the kids say, was just what we needed before more exploring.

Harrogate’s allure didn’t stop there. We briefly toyed with the idea of indulging in afternoon tea at the renowned Bettys Café Tea Rooms. It’s practically a crime to visit Harrogate and not step foot in Bettys. But, as it turns out, so did everyone else in town. The queue was nearly an hour long! Honestly, who has the time to wait that long for a cuppa, no matter how legendary the scones are?

So, with Bettys a no-go, we continued our exploration of the town before heading to our next destination: Leeds.

Settling In at the Mercure Parkway, Leeds

After our jaunt around Harrogate, we made our way to the Mercure Parkway. The hotel itself was fine, nothing to write home about but decent enough for a night’s stay. We checked in and decided to relax for a bit before dinner. A couple of pre-dinner drinks in the hotel bar set the tone for a pleasant evening ahead.

Dinner was included in our package, and while the food wasn’t exactly Michelin-star quality, it was perfectly passable. Let’s be honest, though—it’s hard to complain when someone else is footing the bill. The real highlight was the fact that we didn’t have to cook or clean up, so we counted it as a win.

As for the hotel room, well, let’s just say it didn’t quite live up to the luxury of last week’s accommodation in Shropshire. It was perfectly adequate, mind you, just not the same level of comfort or style. But hey, we were on holiday, so we didn’t let that dampen our spirits.

A Rainy Morning and a Swift Return

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we had grand plans to go for a stroll around the area. We pictured a leisurely walk, perhaps even a bit of fresh Yorkshire air to set us up for the day. However, the weather had other ideas. To say it was “raining” would be an understatement—it was absolutely chucking it down!

Faced with the prospect of getting thoroughly drenched, we decided that perhaps it was best to cut our losses and head back home. No point in wandering about in the pouring rain, is there?

Bonding Over Bond: A Cinema Treat

After drying off and settling back into the comforts of home, we still had a bit of that holiday spirit left in us. What better way to round off the weekend than with a trip to the cinema? The latest James Bond film, No Time to Die, was showing, and as fans of the franchise, it was a no-brainer.

Now, I’m not going to spoil anything for you—where’s the fun in that? But I will say, it didn’t disappoint. It’s James Bond, after all. The action, the gadgets, the glamour—it had it all. We left the cinema feeling thoroughly entertained and perhaps a little bit nostalgic, knowing this was Daniel Craig’s swan song as 007.

Reflecting on a Whirlwind Weekend

And just like that, our two-week adventure came to an end. Two treats from our boys, two very different experiences, and plenty of memories to look back on. It’s not every day you get to be spoiled by your kids, and we certainly appreciated every moment of it.

Sure, the weather could have been kinder, and perhaps the hotel could have been a bit more luxurious, but at the end of the day, it’s the thought that counts—and the company, of course. As we settle back into normal life, we’re already looking forward to the next surprise they might have up their sleeves. After all, who knows where the next cheeky getaway might take us?