Why you should head to the spa while your on holiday

Spas are an incredibly popular way to relax. Many of us head to a spa with our friends to celebrate a special occasion. Or on our own to get some much-needed rest after a stressful period at work. It can be a great way to treat yourself and catch up with the people that you love but might not usually have time to see. But how about heading to a spa while you are on holiday? You might think that spending a day in the spa during a trip is a waste of time. You might have plans for your trip and be keen to do and see as much as possible, and spending the day in the spa might not fit into these plans. But, visiting a spa has many advantages, and could be an easy way to make your trip even better. To Give Yourself Time How often do you take time for yourself ? In everyday life, it’s something that few of us have time for, but it’s essential. Taking time away from your busy life and the stresses that come with it can help you to reduce stress and unwind. You might not have the time to ......

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#DrinkFreeDays with Drink Aware

*This is a paid collaboration with Drink Aware This month I have been working alongside Drinkaware and taking part in a four-week challenge to drink less alcohol and enjoy more drink-free days and to share my experiences with all of you. Growing up in South Africa meant that mealtimes usually included a small glass of wine (for the adults of course) and while I've never really drunk that much even on special occasions I do enjoy a glass of wine, cider or beer with my meals or when socialising with friends. Despite not being a big drinker it was still a bit of a challenge to break the routine of wine with my evening meals regardless as humans are generally creatures of habit. I think that's what makes Drink Aware campaign really interesting in that no matter what your consumption is we can all make efforts to reduce it and feel the benefits from that. Not only does it mean less empty calories with my meals, but I have also increased how much water I am drinking every......

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Go Ape Treetop Adventure, Forest of Dean

*Our tickets were provided in exchange for an honest review I love to do anything that is outdoor-based, preferably active and something the kids can join in too, yet I had never thought about doing a Go Ape Treetop Adventure (formerly called Go Ape Junior), in fact I didn't even know that they offered Go Ape courses to young children, but they do and they are fantastic!  We recently jumped in the car and headed to the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean Beechenhurst to the Go Ape Treetop Adventure which consists of two high rope courses, one easy, one hard that is suitable for anyone 4yrs plus. My 9yr was very excited to take on the challenge especially as he loves rock climbing and has no fear of heights at all. I also love a bit of adrenaline-pumping activities so as you can imagine we both couldn't wait.  While Go Ape Treetop Adventure is somewhat lower and shorter courses than the full adult version it's still a good 40ft off the ground and still packs ......

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Oakwood Theme Park - Review

We were recently invited to visit Oakwood Theme park in West Wales, located right next to Bluestone Resort and a quick drive to Narberth and Tenby , two popular holiday destinations. Many people are not even aware that West Wales has a theme park even though Oakwood has been around since the '80s and has grown substantially since then. I was excited about going back as the last time I had been there was about 25yrs ago when we had come to Wales on a family trip from South Africa. It's funny how things have changed but also some have stayed the same, my favourite memory was going on the bobsleigh and the Treetops rollercoaster, which are still going strong and my boys also thoroughly enjoyed. Our drive from Cardiff was pretty smooth and took just over an hour and a half to get to the park. When you arrive there is plenty of free parking all within easy reach of the entrance. Once you get your tickets and go through the barrier you come onto the miniature train plat......

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A night in Tylau Yurt, Hay-on-Wye

Near the end of summer I decided on a whim to book a night in a Yurt as we have done all sorts of glamping from Bell Tents, Pods , converted horse van and a converted WW1 wagon but we had yet to stayed overnight in a Yurt. So I did a quick search on Airbnb and discovered a family-friendly Yurt within walking distance of Hay-on-Wye, the market town famed for it's many bookstores and literacy festival. It's also well located to the Brecon Beacons and offers tons of outdoor pursuits, we had been hoping to kayak down the river why but due to heavy rainfall a few days prior to our mini-break meant the river levels were too high, but on the flip side we decided to do a waterfall walk which was fantastic. Back to the Yurt, even though I had booked it on Airbnb I discovered it was part of Outdoors@Hay which offers outdoor adventures and accommodation. The Yurt looked perfect for a quick break away from reality and has some modern facilities without taking away too......

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5 ways to keep your tyres in tip top shape this winter

*contains affiliate links As we move into the colder seasons it's really important to make sure we are prepared and if your a car owner this includes your car as breaking down in sub-zero temperatures is not fun and believe me I know, I've been there! The roads also tend to become more treacherous during the winter months so with safety in mind it's really important to spend some time now making sure your car is ready to take on the roads this winter, especially your tyres, so I thought I would share 5 ways to keep your tyres in top condition this winter 1. Reguarly check your tyre tread Not only does the correct tread help the overall performance of your car but it's extremely important in terms of safety especially in poor weather conditions. It's also against the law if you go below the legal tread limit and one of the major reasons a car fails its MOT and if that does happen they need to be replaced straight away. Don't leave your tyres until they......

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Getting Your Style Down To a Science

We all know at least one person who seems to have his or her style down to a science. I am not necessarily talking about being a fashionista. I am not only talking about their wardrobe, but also the way that they arrange their homes, and in some cases, their offices, that so precisely matches their own vibes. They even know how to pick the best pillow for themselves. Good sleep is essential to your health and a pillow that properly aligns with your head and neck is essential for this as well as looking after our body inside and out. Choosing The Best Style of Clothes for Yourself Choosing the best clothes and shoes for yourself should not be based solely on your size, but on your lifestyle and what colours look the best on you. It is also best to dress for the weather . If you don’t care about colours, my best advice is to go for neutrals, such as brown or chartreuse green. If you’re really in doubt, most people can’t go wrong with navy blue or black. Both colours are grea......

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Pen Pych Waterfall Hike

One of our favourite hikes of the late summer was a walk up to Pen Pych Waterfall in the Welsh Valleys near the small village of Blaencwm. I know thousands of people flock to the Brecon Beacons to take in the beautiful Waterfall hikes and trails but if your looking for a far quieter and child-friendly hike then this is a great option. We went on a Sunday around lunchtime and only came across other people on our way back down, it was so nice and quiet and it meant we could take our time and walk at our own pace. When you arrive into Blaencwm there are signs for the mountain carpark which has plenty of space and is free to park. At the far right end of the car park is the start of the Pen Pych Mountain trail which initially veers away from the waterfall through a meadow and then back around into a forest area where a gentle incline starts. As we did this near the end of the summer everything was green and slightly overgrown with huge ferns and we also spotted some mushro......

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