Well, well, well, dear readers, gather round for a tale of laughter, adventure, and cheekiness that could only come from the mischievous minds of our family! Last Friday night, we embarked on a wild escapade with our friends to the luxurious Headlam Hall & Spa in Darlington. You won’t believe it, but this epic adventure was actually a birthday gift from these crazy pals from way back in 2022. They sure do know how to keep us on our toes!
The morning drive to Headlam Hall
So, picture this – a 116-mile drive from Hindley Green, zooming up the M61 and then meandering our way across to Darlington on the A66. We were on a mission, folks, with laughter as our trusty co-pilot and snacks galore to fuel our misadventures.
Our first stop was at the legendary Blagraves restaurant in Barnard Castle. Now, this place had a history – we’re talking General Oliver Cromwell kind of history. It’s not every day you get to chow down where historical figures once roamed. We could practically feel the echoes of their conversations while we chuckled over our own quirky lunchtime chats. Blagraves was a quirky, eclectic building with fun antiques around every corner. We were even visited by a butterfly that came to join us for lunch, before Tracy released it to the outside world!
The afternoon fun
And then came the moment we’d all been waiting for – the Spa at Headlam Hall! Imagine this: us in an outdoor hot tub, rain pouring down on us, but did we let that dampen our spirits? Absolutely not! We paddled away, living our best lives, and then decided to swim a few lengths in the indoor pool, looking like a group of underwater goofballs.
As the late afternoon rolled in, we took a well-earned break at the bar, sipping on beers and cocktails (the girls, that is!) while fiercely battling it out in a dominos showdown. Cheeky competition is the secret ingredient to a perfect getaway, folks.
The evening meal
Now, here’s where things took a hilarious turn. We had our hearts set on a fancy restaurant dinner, but destiny had other plans. Despite booking three weeks ago (imagine our shock!), we found ourselves sitting in the bar (again!) for the evening meal as the team at Headlam Hall were out of four-person tables! But hey, who needs a posh restaurant when you’ve got good company and laughter to light up the night?
Speaking of the meal, it was just “OK.” Let’s just say our taste buds were treated to a rollercoaster of flavors, but we rolled with it like the fearless foodies we are.
The day after the day before at Headlam Hall
The next morning, it was breakfast time – and what a treat it was! A full Headlam Hall English breakfast spread, ready to conquer our morning munchies. We tucked in heartily, with much-needed caffeine to jolt us awake after a night of giggles.
Oh, and did we mention the sleeping situation? Poor Michele didn’t get a wink of shut eye, bless her heart. There was an outdoor pump or generator making noise, the old hall creaked like it was whispering secrets, the mattress was as hard as a rock, and of course, my cough light snoring. But hey, who needs sleep when you’re having this much fun, right?
Our leisurely drive back from Yorkshire to Cumbria and finally Lancashire was filled with laughter, soggy memories, and endless tales of our hilarious escapades. The weather may have been wet, but it sure didn’t dampen our spirits. We’re grateful to Darren and Tracy for this unforgettable gift that led to an epic night away with friends!
Until the next cheeky adventure, stay mischievous, stay joyful, and keep those giggles flowing! Catch you all later! ??
